Page 38 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

Me: You up?

Her response came back within a second.

Stella:Yeah, what’s up?

Me: I did something really, really bad

Stella: Oh Ash, come on. You don’t do bad. I mean, really, the “baddest” thing you’ve ever done is sleep with Dean and sneak away.

Me: About that...

My phone rang immediately.

“What do you mean about that? What did you do, Ash?”

I couldn’t believe it myself. “I kissed him.”

“OMG! Did he figure out you’re the person from the ball?”

“No. I don’t think so. Oh shit. Now I’m worried about that too. Thanks a lot, Stella.” I wailed into the phone.

“How did you just happen to kiss him then?”

I explained to her how both of us bared our souls to each other. How I’d felt a connection to him again. How I was so overwhelmed with gratitude, I kissed him.

I rubbed at my forehead. “How could I have been so stupid to kiss him?”

“It’s not like you haven’t kissed before. You did say Dean was the most amazing schmexy times you’ve ever had.”

“Yeah, but he doesn’t know that,” I reasoned. “He’s probably forgotten that girl from the ball by now. He doesn’t do relationships. Although after the way his ex screwed him over, I kind of don’t blame him for being a bit of a manwhore.”

“Maybe it’s up to you to show him that all relationships aren’t bad.” I knew her mind was already seeing a happily-ever-after with Dean and me.

“Ugh, Stella. Imagine me tossing a pillow at you. You’re not helping.”

“Was it as good as you remembered?” She gave me a dreamy sigh.

“Better. His kiss was amazing.He’samazing. It’s all freaking amazing. What am I going to do?”

“Maybe try focusing on something other than Dean’s sexy lips and body. I mean, if you think you can,” she teased.

“Right. You’re right.” I said, not rising to take the bait. This was serious, and I needed to make sure this didn’t happen again. My focus should be on my business, not Dean.

It didn’t matter that when I saw him, my whole body tingled with awareness. It didn’t matter that my lips wanted to be fused to his. And it really didn’t matter that I wanted to throw him down on the ground and have my way with him every time I saw him.

How was I supposed to hide all that?

“Did he tell you not to bother with the designs or not to come back to work?”

“No, that was the weird part. He stopped me and reminded me to bring it all tomorrow as I was trying to run away. Again.”

“You didn’t. Ash, you can’t keep running away.”

“I did. I’m like freakin’ Cinderella at the ball Stella. I keep running away. Shit, I even left something behind like she did. I can’t screw this up. Dean’s willing to look at my business plan and my product. It’s not a guarantee he can do anything, but if I can’t control these hormones, I might scare him off.” I needed to remind her that this wasn’t a done deal. Or was it really me that needed the reminder?

Stella laughed. “Does he know what you make?”

“Ye—oh, shit.”