Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
My memories go to our night together. The feeling of her body against mine. A great night, but only one. “One night,” I admit.
"Depends on what you count as sex," Ivy says.
"I really like her." Sasha smiles. "Don't break her heart for real, okay?"
How would I begin to do that? Women don't get attached to my personality. They don't fall in love with Romeo, the man. They don’t even know him.
But then I'm supposed to drop the pretense here.
Which means for the first time in a long time, someone might actually see me.
That's scarier than anything.
What would I do if this was our second date? Well, our second date after sex.
I move a little closer. Let my thigh melt into hers.
She sinks into the gesture, looking up at me with a shy smile. "Hey."
"Hey." I say back.
Ivy lays her palm on my thigh.
I place my hand on top of hers.
"Oh, I was going for something much more indecent." A teasing tone drops into her voice. "But I suppose I shouldn't do that in front of your brother."
"That brings up a good question, actually," Sasha says. "Let's face it. Daniel thinks you're a slut, Rome. And he's right. The problem isn't his perception. It's the judgment. But that judgment is something you can use to your advantage." She looks to me. "If he thinks Ivy is dick-struck, he won't be as doubtful about why she's around."
"I'm not sure I can pull off dick-struck," Ivy answers diplomatically. "But I can do affectionate."
"We're together. We're having great sex. We enjoy each other's company. Can't it be that simple?" I ask.
"For your mom, sure. But Daniel? No way," Sasha says.
She's right. Daniel needs to see the logic. That's the sort of person he is.
"You'll need to talk to each other," Sasha says. "Make each other laugh. Have the same life goals. Where do you want to be in five years?"
Ivy bites her tongue.
I don't have an answer.
"I'll make a list of questions for you two to answer in the next two weeks." Sasha pulls out her smart phone and starts tapping. She goes through her list, slowly, giving us time to get used to each question.
It's all normal couple stuff. Where do you want to live? Do you want to get married? Perfect vacation spot? Kids or no kids?
A million questions I've avoided.
After twenty minutes, she sends the files to us, sets her phone down, and adopts a serious expression. "There's one more thing I need you two to do before I leave you to your evening."
"What's that?" I ask.
"Kiss. Kiss like you're madly in love."
Chapter Eleven
Ivy
Kiss like you're madly in love.
There's no reason for me to hesitate. After all, Romeo and I did plenty of kissing. It wasn't the kissing of two people in a long-term monogamous relationship, but I'm sure it looked similar enough.
We want to connect, physically.
At least, he's willing to pretend to convince his family he’s a responsible guy, and I'm willing to pretend for the fantasy.
Can someone really tell why just by looking at us?
I turn a little more towards him. I hold my head up high. I call on all my confidence.
Sure, no one pays me an outrageous sum for an hour of pleasure, but I know how to kiss. I know what love looks like. I know how it feels to kiss someone I love.
Or I did.
Once.
Now, I'm not so sure.
Now, the pain of the last two years of the relationship, when things were really bad, drowns out the memories of hazy happiness from before.
We were together a long time. Since my junior year of college. Things were good once, weren’t they? But I can’t see back to that time anymore.
When did I last kiss and feel in love and only in love?
I have no idea.
Sasha notes our lack of action with the tap of her fingernails on her mug. She looks between us, carefully examining our body language.
Her eyes find mine. "Why are you looking at me, sweetheart? You're not here to kiss me. Unless you want." There's a hint of flirtation in her voice. And just enough demand.
I bet she's good at her job. Very good. Like Romeo, she speaks with the perfect intonation. This mix of confidence and appreciation of my presence that I can admit my awkwardness without judgment.
"Is that what I need to do, Rome?" Sasha's dark eyes shift to Romeo. She raises her teacup and takes a lazy sip. "Do I need to demonstrate a loving kiss on your fake girlfriend."
My cheeks flush.
The two of them smile at the same time. I should find it annoying—these two experienced lovers find my inexperience adorable—but there's something about their attention. Or maybe their tension.
Yes, Romeo has a lot more experience in the bedroom, but I'm the one who knows about sex and love and relationships. In theory, anyway.