Page 29 of Faking it with the Billionaire

But why do I have to keep reminding myself of that fact? It’s obvious that Kyler’s interest in me is strictly for the sake of his image.

He’s up for a new contract at the end of the season, and making himself a household name by putting himself in front of the media helps his career. It doesn’t hurt that he’s an amazing player too, but being all over the news helps give him an edge. It helps him get a bigger contract.

He’s home late after a game, and Bristol is already in bed. I’m sitting on the sofa, reading a hot new romance novel that just released, when he pokes his head into the living room.

“How was she tonight?”

He’s got a hell of a bruise on his cheek.

“Disappointed that you didn’t get to tuck her into bed. But I got her bathed, teeth brushed, and read her a story. Are you okay?” I ask.

He gestures at his face. “It looks worse than it is. Are you sure you’re not secretly the perfect nanny?” Kyler says as he comes to sit beside me on the sofa.

I close my book, leaving the back cover up so that he can’t see the title of the steamy romance. “Pretty sure,” I say with a faint smile. “I left you three potential nanny candidates on the counter. And they all claim to have culinary skills.”

“Perfect. Bristol will be thrilled.” He nudges me with his shoulder. “Do you have plans for Friday night?”

“Aside from watching Bristol?” I ask. It’d be nice if he had the nanny start by then so that I wasn’t pulling double duty. The only free time I have is when Bristol is at school. The bodyguard job isn’t forty hours a week.

“My cousin is willing to keep her for the night. You and I have a party to attend.”

“We do?” I ask, and my mouth suddenly goes dry. “What kind of party?”

“The team is attending a charity event, and we’re expected to bring a date. Which means you’re going to be the highlight of the evening.”

“I doubt that,” I say with a laugh. “What kind of event? What’s the attire?”

“It’s fundraising for the local children’s hospital. Every couple of months, the team goes to visit the sick kids. We sign jerseys and bring a little light into their bleak lives. The attire for the gala is black tie, super fancy.” He tilts his head, glancing at my book.

Kyler tries to flip the book nonchalantly with his finger. But my death grip doesn’t let him glance at the title.

He’ll tease me until the end of days if he sees what I’m reading.

“Nope.” I press the book to my chest, the cover buried against me.

“Oh, really?” His eyes sparkle, and his boyish grin makes my heart flutter.

In a matter of seconds, he has me pinned beneath him as he tries to pry the book with one hand, and his fingers tickle against my stomach with the other.

He’s bigger than I am and a hell of a lot stronger. But that doesn’t mean I get to fight fair. I’ve had my share of stronger men at Quantico during training think they can topple me and win.

Looks can be deceiving.

I tangle our legs and flip us onto the floor rather roughly. Kyler lands smack on his back and grunts from the sudden impact. He winces. He wasn’t expecting me to fight back.

I’m lying above him, the book nestled between us.

“Don’t mess with a girl,” I say, staring down at him. I’m straddling his hips, and the position is definitely enticing, with his rock-hard body beneath me.

It takes everything in my power not to wiggle my hips against his and tease him.

“Is that so?” Kyler grins, pretty pleased with himself.

He grabs my wrists and binds them together with one hand, rolling us around and pinning me on my back against the floor.

His hips straddle me, but the book is no longer pressed between us. It lies unceremoniously against my chest.

“Don’t even think about it,” I warn.