Page 66 of A Forever Love
The freaking kiss!
My head is so up in the clouds that my high heels suddenly feel too precarious, causing me to lose my balance.
Carter swiftly grabs my hand, steadying me, and whispers, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, sorry,” I reply, my voice trembling with lingering emotions.
“You shouldn’t be the one apologizing, Mere.”
His teeth clench, and I can’t help reminiscing on how that jaw felt against mine. He must have shaved this evening, because his skin felt soft when it scorched mine. I can still feel his touch over my cheeks. His thumb caressing my skin back and forth, sending me into a dizzying spiral until he held the back of my neck. His grip was…possessive—that’s the only way to describe it.
But Carter possibly doesn’t know that he has always had a hold on me, and four years of trying to move on haven’t been enough. If anything, I think I’ve fallen even harder for him.
“Give it up, Hades. There’s nothing you can do to top what Merida just did.” Jason’s words snap me back to the present moment.
“Mere—” Carter starts, and stops, but I can read guilt on his face like a well-written book.
“It’s okay. They definitely believe us.” I’d rather he kissed me as part of the charade than feel this guilty afterward.
“You were amazing, Merida. I’m thrilled we got to see you in action,” Jason says as he approaches us. “She’s a keeper, King.”
Carter’s serious gaze remains fixed on me. Eventually, the tension around his eyes softens a bit, and he manages a smile, though it’s as fake as the plastic sheen on a department store mannequin. “She is,” he replies with a tight nod before excusing himself, leaving me amidst his cheerful colleagues and their wives.
“Where did Carter go?” Sandra Gibson finally asks after several moments, and I realize I’m not the only one who has noticed his absence.
“These King men and their pride.” Jason shakes his head. “I’m sure he’s kicking himself for losing his control in front of everyone. But he can’t hide it any longer. Carter is head-over-heels crazy for you, Merida.”
It takes me another fifteen minutes to extract myself from the group and finally join Carter at the bar, where he’s nursing a Scotch.
“Thank you so much for leaving me alone with everyone.”
He doesn’t lift his gaze until I signal the bartender. I can feel his eyes on me as I order a Mai Tai.
“I needed a moment,” he admits when I turn to face him.
“Of course, you must be exhausted after watching me shoot to perfection.”
Resignation overtakes his expression. “Merida, I didn’t anticipate—”
“Carter, stop. We came here to convince everyone that we’re together, and I’m not naive to believe you can just waltz in and introduce me as your girlfriend, and then we’d leave in five minutes. I’m all in for the role as your fake date, but you sitting here nursing a drink isn’t helping our cause.”
If I thought my words would ease his tension, it turns out I’m horribly mistaken. His fists tighten so much that I fear he might crush the glass in his hand.
“Can you unclench your hand, goddammit?” I ask. “What’s gotten into you?”
Before Carter has a chance to respond, Jason and Sandra, our self-appointed observers, make their way over to us. It’s becoming increasingly clear that these two have developed an odd fascination for our little charade.
“What are you two lovebirds doing here? Come join everyone on the dance floor,” Sandra chimes in, her smile warm as Jason places their drink order.
“We were just on our way, right, Merida?” Carter says, flashing a grin that’s equal parts dangerous and seductive. It feels like a whirlwind has swept through me as he lifts my drink, takes a sip, and then brings it tantalizingly close to my lips.
“Ooh, let’s give these lovebirds some privacy, Jason,” Sandra murmurs as they depart.
“Take a sip, mittens. Our audience is still watching.”
I have no choice but to sip the cocktail, its usual sweetness burning as it travels past my throat. I’m still adjusting to Carter’s abrupt change in mood when he seizes my hand, interlocking our fingers. The back of my hand brushes against the cool fabric of his dress pants.
“Let’s dance.”