Page 38 of Fourth Base with the Alpha

“Come on,” I tell her, “up you go.”

She grunts, straining her arms, her face contorting. She manages to just about lift herself, her forehead grazing the bar. “Urgh!” she cries, then drops down and lets go of the bar.

“I’m actually impressed.”

“Thanks,” she says, then with that flirty smile adds, “you can show me how to do it again if you like. I won’t mind.”

“You’re a pervert, Cupcake.”

“Do you know how much chat is dedicated to your biceps on the fansite Kim makes me moderate? There should be perks to being your fake-girlfriend – perks like getting to see those biceps in action. In fact …” she pulls her phone from her purse and holds it up, “I want photographic evidence.”

“No fucking way.”

“Oh come on. I can post it to my Insta account with a little comment like ‘look how big and strong my boyfriend is’. Kim will love it.” I scowl at her. “Please!” she begs.

And fuck me, I find I can’t resist her. Not now she’s actually smiling again and no longer looks like someone crushed her world.

I hate posing. I hate social media. But for her …

1 I imagine that everything is very nice

10

Isabella

Isit bad that I watch that video again and again and again? It’s addictive. I’m walking around with my phone burning a hole in my pocket because what’s sitting in my video gallery should be illegal. It's so hot. The way his stupidly big biceps bulge, the way his pecs strain, the way his shirt lifts and he flashes the camera what must be a six pack.

I watch it over and over again. I could probably sell this video for a shed load of money. I could probably upload it on a porn site and people would pay me to see it.

Ishouldupload it to my Insta account like I said I would. To keep up the ruse of the fake-dating charade. But something stops me from doing it. It was an intimate moment between the two of us and I like that only I’ve seen the video. I’m not prepared to share it with the world.

Kim corners me in the office on Friday morning.

“Did he take you on a date?”

“Yep,” I say, shuffling paper around my desk for no reason other than to avoid eye contact.

“So why is there nothing on Twitter, YouTube or any of the gossip sites?”

“Maybe we’re old news already?”

“No, you’re not. I took five calls only yesterday. Two from magazines wanting to interview you and three from TV shows wanting the two of you to go on and talk about your relationship.”

“Why?” I ask, staring up at Kim in surprise. Whenever a member ofThe Packdates someone there’s always noise around it. This seems a little excessive though.

“Because they’re loving you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. They’re loving the Cinderella story and gushing about how you’ve melted the iceman from Sweden. This is doing wonders for publicity, for sales and for Hunter’s reputation.”

I snort-chuckle at Kim, knocking some of my papers onto the floor.

“Seriously?”

“When was the last time you checked the fan site?” Kim asks with suspicion.

“Last week,” I mumble, ducking under my desk to retrieve the papers.