Cassidy
“What happened when you guys got back to your apartment at the end of the night?”
I groan. “He walked me to my door and said goodnight.”
“What?” Aarya shrieks so loud I hold the phone away from my ear. “No kiss? No hot hockey player sex?”
“Nope. I honestly feel like we both knew if we kissed in proximity to a bed, we’d cross a line that we couldn’t uncross.
” I let out an audible sigh. “I’m telling you, dude.
We had major chemistry. Like, that kiss was the best kiss I’ve ever had in my entire existence.
That man has ruined me for all other kisses.
And the whole thing with the little boy and his mother?
God, I’m surprised I didn’t start undressing in the middle of the restaurant and ask him to take me right then and there. ”
“I’ve been doing some research on him and the guy seems like a real class act, Cass. If you like him and he likes you, what would be so bad about crossing that line?”
I stare up at the sky and watch the clouds pass overhead. “This isn’t a real thing. This is temporary. I signed a freaking contract, for crying out loud. Wouldn’t that make me a prostitute?”
“You’re not getting paid for it. Stop. And just because it’s a fake setup doesn’t mean something real isn’t happening between you.”
“I know. But we just started this whole thing. I don’t want to throw a monkey wrench into it and ruin everything.”
“Well, just keep an open mind and an open heart. You never know what could happen.”
I know she’s right, but after everything I went through with Sheldon, I’m scared to open up my heart to someone new.
“Have you heard from him today?” Aarya asks.
“No.” I fight a frown, refusing to feel upset about not waking up to a text from my fake boyfriend.
“All right, that’s it. Let’s get you out for a little bit. Meet me for lunch. Tacos will make everything better.”
“Fine, but no margaritas. I have to write some more when I get back.”
“Deal.”
I head inside and change out of my sweats.
I usually don’t get dressed up for lunch dates with Aarya, but now that the paparazzi knows where I live, I don’t want to look like a ragamuffin.
I settle on an outfit in between the two, and throw on ripped shorts and a Led Zeppelin T-shirt.
Then I grab my purse off the entryway table and swing open my door.
Sitting on the floor in the hallway is a bouquet of big pink flowers.
What the heck?
I crouch down to read the note attached to it.
Good Morning,
The woman at the flower shop said peonies are a symbol of happiness and beauty.
I figured they were perfect for you. Thank you for dealing with the cameras and flashing lights last night.
I hope you got enough material to do some writing today.
I got you a little something for the game tonight. See you there.
–Neighbor Man
There’s a small bag beside the flowers, and I smile when I pull out a black and yellow hockey jersey—with four bold letters across the back: WARD.
The flowers and the letter are a surprisingly romantic gesture. I tap out a text to Trenton before bringing everything inside.
Me: The flowers are beautiful. Thank you.
Neighbor Man: Have you seen the pictures from last night?
Neighbor Man: *insert picture*
Me: We look cute.
Neighbor Man: I wouldn’t call your outfit “cute” but yes, we do.
Me: Wait until you see me in your jersey later *wink emoji*
Neighbor Man: I’m looking forward to it.
Me: I’m looking forward to watching you hump the ice again.
Neighbor Man: Pervert.
Me: You like it.
Neighbor Man: I do.
Trenton’s team won their second game.
I got home over an hour ago, but I’m still in his jersey, waiting for him to come back from the stadium. He doesn’t have to stop by to check in with me, but I’m hoping he wants to. He also didn’t have to get me flowers this morning yet the beautiful bouquet is in a vase on my desk.
I haven’t been able to get our kiss out of my head. I squeeze my thighs together, trying to subdue the ache between them. It’s been so long since I’ve felt another man’s touch, I didn’t realize how badly I’ve been craving it.
An idea sparks in my head.
It’s crazy, but so is fake dating a pro hockey player.
No, I can’t ask him to do that...
Can I?
A knock sounds at the door and I peek through the peephole even though I know who it is. A freshly showered Trenton stands tall in the hallway, sporting gray sweats and a white T-shirt.
His eyes drop to the jersey swallowing up my body, and several silent seconds pass between us. Then his mouth is on mine. He fists my jersey, bunching it up around my hips as he spins us and pins me against the door to close it.
My toes barely touch the floor as I stretch up to reach him, until he lifts me up and holds me in his arms. My legs wrap around him and my hands snake around the back of his neck, tugging at the roots of his damp hair.
His tongue sweeps inside my mouth, deepening the kiss, and I struggle to keep my hips from rolling against him. His massive hands are splayed across my ass, squeezing hard, digging his fingers into my bare skin under my thin sleep shorts.
Our kiss is frantic and urgent, filled with lust and need.
And God to I want more.
He trails kisses down my jaw and along my neck, biting at the sensitive skin. “Seeing you wearing my jersey does something to me.”
“I’ll wear it all the time if this is how you’re going to react.”
I can feel his hardness through his sweats, and my control slips as I rub myself against him.
“Fuck, Cassidy.” His voice is hoarse and strained as he nips at my collar bone. “I don’t know what you’re doing to me.”
I trace his ear with my tongue. “I know what I’d like to do to you.”
He drops his forehead to mine, and his ragged breaths graze my lips. “Should we stop?”
“I don’t know. Do you want to stop?”
He presses his erection against me. “Does it feel like I want to stop?”
I grin. “Let’s talk. I have an idea I want to run by you.”
Trenton places me down, and straightens my jersey for me. Then I clasp his hand and lead him to the couch. I sit a safe distance away from him leaving a cushion between us, but he pulls me closer and takes my legs onto his lap like he can’t help but touch me.
I try to focus despite the fact that his fingers are stroking my bare skin. “Remember when I told you about how I haven’t been able to write sex scenes since I broke up with Sheldon?”
He nods. “Yes.”
“And you told me that I’ll be fine once I have sex with someone new. Well...” I pause, lifting my eyes to his. “Why not you? Maybe you’d want to be my guinea pig for this book.” I chew my bottom lip, waiting for his response.
“You mean...”
I nod. “I want to get Sheldon cheating on me out of my head, and I need some new material to spice up my book. My last book didn’t do so well, and I really want to knock this one out of the park.
Plus, writing is always better when it comes from experience, and what better way to create steamy sex scenes than if I’m having it? ”
He blinks. “So, you’re saying that you want to have sex with me for research purposes...and then write about it in your book.”
“Yep. That’s pretty much it in a nutshell. We’re both attracted to each other. Why not have fun with it while we’re doing whatever it is that we’re doing?” I play with the hem of my jersey. “What do you think?”
His eyes bounce between mine. “I’d be honored to let you use me as your sex muse.”
A laugh bursts from my chest and I shove his shoulder. “Don’t let it get to your head or anything.”
“But I have one stipulation.” He cups my face. “This isn’t part of our agreement. You’re running the show. We have sex when you say you want to have sex, and we stop when you want to stop. No contract, no time frame. Just you and me, enjoying each other.”
“Deal.” Excitement courses through my veins. “I have so many scenarios we can try out. I’ll send you some links.”
“Links?”
“You know, like, porn.”
His eyes widen. “You watch porn?”
I hike a shoulder. “Don’t you?”
“Sure, but you watch it for writing purposes?”
“Hell yeah. Not for the plot or anything, but for positions and stuff. Sometimes I need a little inspiration. My sex life hasn’t been anything like the books I write.”
A grin spreads across his face. “That’s about to change.”