Page 48 of Pretend You Love Me

She’s inching backwards. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Ok. Goodnight.”

To say that I got a terrible night’s sleep is the understatement of a lifetime. I drag myself into the kitchen to get some coffee. She’s sitting at the island, coffee in front of her and another one set out, waiting for me.

I slide onto the barstool and take a sip of coffee.

“Rough night?” she says.

I just shoot her a look. She looks fine, like she slept for days.

Just as I’m taking another sip, she says, “When was the last time you were with a woman?”

I nearly spit my coffee everywhere. I cough a few times. Her eyes are glued to me.

“Good morning to you too, cupcake,” I say when I stop coughing.

“How long?”

I frown. Why the hell is she asking me this? Did I come across as desperate as I feel last night?

“Hawk said you hadn’t dated in a long time, and Sylvia said that it had been a rough couple of years. Sadie told me last night that everyone was happy to finally see you with someone.”

I don’t answer. Why do I live in such a small fucking town?

“How long, Kip?”she asks again.

“How long has it been for you?”I ask instead of answering.

“Over a year,” she says.

“Me too.” I answer. I’m not wanting to go into any more detail than that. “So you haven’t run away from a boyfriend or husband?”

“No. No boyfriend or husband.”

“Just yourpossessivebrothers.”

“Just myprotectivebrothers.”She pauses to let out a heavy sigh. “Well, Kip, there seems to be a physical attraction between us despite the fact that we can’t stand each other.”

I just swallow. I’m not used to women being this direct. I’m used to women who like to play games. I like this. I’m not going to lie. I’m interested to hear where she’s going with this.

“I suppose we have two options,” she says.

“What’s that, Ginger?”

“Ignore it and stay away from each other as much as possible.”

“And?”

“Indulge it.”

“Indulge it?” I repeat.

She just stares at me with those big blue eyes again, and I feel like I’m melting into a puddle.

“What does that mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like,” she says.