Page 51 of Igniting Sparks

I flip over to face him. I’m trembling way too much from his proximity, and I need a few inches between us.

Time to deflect with humor. “Let me guess. You find me irresistible in my elephant-llama pajamas, and you were too afraid to say so.”

Braden snickers, tucking his arm under his head. “Absolutely. I’m going to buy myself a pair tomorrow.”

“Copycat.”

He traces a line from my shoulder to my arm. Even in the dark, I feel him watching me. “The truth is—I know you’re scared about this weekend. And I know you feel like you’re out of your league. But Mina… you have more class in your little finger than all three of them combined. You are more deserving of this dance studio than any person I know, and we’ll convince your aunt by the end of the weekend.”

As usual, he sees right to the heart of the matter, and the heart of me. “I don’t like how she treated you tonight.”

“Don’t worry about me. I can handle her. But I’ll be damned if she bullies you.”

I sniffle and blink back tears. “No one has ever protected me before.”

“No one will hurt you as long as I’m around. You get that?”

“Got it.” I dare to run a finger along his bearded jaw,remembering how good it felt against my skin. “Good night, Braden.”

I press a soft kiss to his mouth and feel his breath hitch—but he doesn’t pull back. He leans in, holding me tighter. No pressure. No claim for more.

And in that moment, it’s exactly what I need.

Chapter 12

The Language of Flowers

Braden

“Dang it.”

Mina’s grumble reaches my ears, and I pop my eyes open, a slow grin spreading across my face as she tries in vain to wiggle from my embrace.

Naturally, I tighten my grip around her waist.

“Are you trying to escape?”

She sighs and relaxes against me. “If you must know, I have to pee.”

“You could’ve just said that, because what you’re doing right now is taking this fake fiancé thing to a whole new level.”

I swear, I can feel her blushing through those wooly pajamas. Then again, I’m damn sure she can feel my cock—and he’s wide awake and raring to go.

“Are you going to let me up, or should I keep struggling?”

“Guess that depends. Which would you prefer?”

Mina giggles and delivers a gentle elbow to my ribs. “Men aren’t the only ones with a one-track mind.”

“Tell me more.”

She wrests free and hops out of bed, tufts of hair sticking out from her ponytail. “My mind has a singular focus right now.”

“And it’s not me.”

“For the first time, no. But I’m sure the pendulum will swing back in your favor in about two minutes.”

Mina scampers into the bathroom, and I roll onto my back with a chuckle, tucking my hands behind my head as I gaze around the room.