Page 47 of Reckless With You
I wasn’t going to say this was the best feeling, the best kiss I’d ever had. Because while part of me, a deeply hidden part that would never be looked upon again, might think that, there was no way I could let myself actually believe that in truth.
Because if I did, then this kiss would be something more than it should be.
This was only a deal.
Just a payment.
Nothing more.
But it sure as hell wasn’t anything less.
I had my hands on either side of her face, tilting her head back ever so slightly so I could deepen the kiss. She tasted of coffee and sweetness and a temptation that I damn sure should ignore.
Only I couldn’t.
And I had a feeling that could and would be my downfall.
I pulled away, knowing I should have done it sooner.
“What…what was that?” she asked, her voice breathy.
I didn’t know.
“My payment.”
She looked at me, her brows furrowed. “You kissed me. Why did you kiss me? That wasn’t part of the deal.”
I lowered my head to her face and took a step back. Then I stuffed my hands into my pockets and rocked back on my heels. “No, it wasn’t. But I figure we should try.”
“This can’t change anything, Tucker.”
It didn’t hurt to hear her say that. Because I didn’t want it to change anything either. But I had to kiss her. It might have been wrong for both of us, but I had to do it.
“Of course, it won’t change anything. That’s fine with me.” That wasn’t a lie.
“So, you’re telling me you’re going to kiss me every time, but we have to pretend we’re dating for my family?” she asked, sounding a little incredulous.
“Maybe.” She looked at me, and I sighed. “Amelia, it doesn’t have to mean anything. We’re friends.”
“Friends who kiss.”
“And are fake-dating. I’m your beard, remember?”
“I can’t tell if you’re joking or not.”
“A little. But not really. I wanted to kiss you. I can’t help that. And I figured…why not?”
“Because I’m still not over Tobey.”
I didn’t know why that hurt so much. It shouldn’t. But I’d just have to get over it. Because it wasn’t like I wanted Amelia in that way. Sure, I wanted to kiss her. But I couldn’t let it become anything else. It wasn’t smart for either of us.
“So, you’re going to kiss me whenever we go on a fake date?” she repeated.
“Yeah. Unless you really don’t want that. If that’s true, I’ll never do it again. I’ll never force you into anything, Amelia. I hope you know that.”
She looked at me for so long, I had a feeling it was Amelia who didn’t want to hide or apologize. But then she spoke. “Okay. I can do that.” She blushed so prettily that I wanted to reach out and touch her cheek, but I knew that would be a bad decision for both of us. Instead, I leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose like I always did and smiled. “Until our next fake date.”
“Or until we see each other as friends. Because that’s not going to change, right, Tucker?”