Gah! Why the hell does Cohen have to look so damn delicious?
How can he make jeans and a shirt look this sexy? Especially for a drink at the neighborhood pub…
Rolling my eyes, I pull open the front door of my parents’ house and smile.
“You’re right on time,” I greet him.
“I aim to please,” he replies, dipping down to kiss my cheek.
His mouth lingers for a moment too long and I breathe in the scent of his cologne. Masculine, earthy, distinctly Cohen.
Why does he have to smell so good too?
“You ready to give everyone something to gossip about?” Cohen taunts, his tone low. Husky. Sexy.
I nearly shiver as his breath caresses my ear.
Nodding, I shuffle back a step and try to clear the fog from my mind. I smile brightly. “I’m ready.”
“Good.” He extends his hand and I take it, letting him lead me to his SUV and buckle me in. He gives my buckle a tug to make sure it’s secure and I roll my lips together to keep from grinning. Cohen’s always been protective and thoughtful.
He’s going to make a special woman incredibly happy one day. The thought causes my smile to slip, and I avert my gaze from his.
Why am I thinking about Cohen with another woman? Right now, he’s with me.
But it doesn’t mean anything, my mind reminds me.
Another thought enters the chat: But it could…
Gah! I need to focus on the matter at hand. Faking it.
The driver’s side door opens, and Cohen folds his long body inside, clipping in his seat belt and flipping the ignition.
“You good?” he asks, his tone teasing with all the things we’re not saying.
We’re going to play pretend. We’re going to lie to everyone we know. We’re going to fake date.
“Absolutely,” I confirm. I need this more than Cohen realizes. His pretending to be interested in me is restoring the confidence Brooks bulldozed. His attentive concern is replenishing the betrayal Anna leveled me with. Cohen is doing more than helping me save face; he’s reminding me that I’m not a failure. I can be a good girlfriend and a good friend.
I deserve better than what Brooks and Anna did.
“I told Cooper,” he shares as he turns onto Main Street.
My eyes widen. “You did?”
“Yeah. You mad?”
“No.” I shake my head. “That wouldn’t be fair. I mean, we told my brother the truth.”
“Yeah,” Cohen chuckles. “But your brother is my best friend and teammate. I needed him to know so it doesn’t affect our friendship or our team.”
“Still, I trust Cooper,” I say softly.
“So do I,” Cohen agrees.
“What’s he think?” I ask, wanting to know what an outsider thinks of our arrangement.
Cohen gives me a side glance. “He thinks we’re a disaster waiting to happen.”
I laugh. “Sounds about right.” Especially with how complicated my feelings for Cohen are now that he kissed me…
“You don’t think we can pull this off?” Cohen teases, looking at me again. His expression is open and playful. For a moment, he looks like the boy from my youth. “Come on, champ, don’t you believe in us?”
“Of course, I do,” I say enthusiastically. “It’s just…I seem to cause chaos wherever I go. I don’t want you to get caught up in my tailspin, and I’m sorry, because you probably will now that I’ve included you in this.”
“Nah, you don’t cause chaos, Rai. You create energy. And you didn’t drag me into it kicking and screaming. I agreed.”
“Thanks for that, by the way.”
“Yeah,” he says, reaching over and slapping his hand down on my thigh. “Anytime, Rai.” He pulls into a parking spot and turns off his SUV. Glancing at me, he lifts a wry eyebrow. “Don’t get too drunk.”
“I’m never sloppy,” I lie.
“I don’t believe you.”
I snort. “Hey! What kind of a relationship is this?”
Cohen chuckles and releases my seat belt. “An honest one.”
Fair. I exit his SUV and meet him at the front. Standing straight and proud, I step toward the entrance of Corks. Before I take two strides, Cohen’s at my side. He tucks me under his arm and holds me close.
I snuggle into him and we’re a perfect fit. It feels natural.
Cohen holds the door open for me and I step in front of him, reaching back for his hand which he automatically slips into mine.
Maybe he knows I’m nervous. Or maybe he’s just that good at fake dating. Whatever the reasons, Cohen and I enter Corks like a couple. By the way patrons glance at us, no one doubts the truth of the lie we’re selling.
I smile, Cohen chuckles, and we make our way to the bar for celebratory margaritas.
“Let the gossip begin,” Cohen murmurs as he presses a kiss to my temple. He takes the barstool beside mine.
“I’ll drink to that,” I agree, pretending to ignore the cameras angled in our direction.
“How’s it going?” Saffron greets us, placing down two coasters. She glances between us, and I know she’s recalling the other night when Cohen settled my tab and escorted me home.
“It’s going.” I smile at her, and she gives me a knowing smirk.
“What’ll you have?” she asks.
“Two margaritas.” I hold up two fingers.
“And a bar pie. Margherita,” Cohen tacks on.
Saffron nods and moves to make our drinks.
“Drinks and food,” I whisper conspiratorially.
“I don’t want the community to think I don’t feed you,” he replies.
“Right. You’d be labeled as cheap,” I agree.
Cohen wrinkles his nose as if the idea truly offends him.
“Relax,” I laugh, slapping his knee. “No one thinks that of you.”
He places his hand over mine, keeping my fingers pressed against his hard thigh. “I hope not, champ. But just in case… I’ll spoil you some.”
“Only some?”
He shrugs. “Our expiration date isn’t too far off. Gotta make it all believable.”
“True,” I acquiesce. “I like rubies best,” I add, just in case he needs to know.
“I’ll remember that,” he replies, his eyes sparking.
“Here you go,” Saffron says, setting down our drinks.
“Thanks,” Cohen and I say in union.
Picking up my drink, I lift it in his direction. “To faking it,” I whisper.
Cohen shakes his head. “To making it.”
I bite my bottom lip to keep from laughing as we clink glasses. Then, I take a long pull of my delicious margarita and let the tequila settle me.
This is easier than I thought. In fact, this may be my best idea yet.
I’ll drink to that too.
“Did you see his face?” I crack up as Cohen parks his SUV in front of my parents’ house.
“He probably thinks your brother is going to kill me. But Cole’s a good guy…and he’s dating his teammate’s sister so…” Cohen trails off.
I shake my head, recalling one of the Thunderbolts’ hockey players horrified expression when he saw Cohen whisper nonsense into my ear.
But it didn’t look like nonsense. It looked like something a man in lust would do.
“I think we pulled it off.” I hold out my hand.
Instead of smacking it for a high five, Cohen grasps my fingers and places a quick kiss to the center of my palm. “I think we killed it,” he agrees. “Come on, let me walk you to the door like a gentleman.”
I roll my eyes since Cohen and gentleman aren’t mutually exclusive in my mind. “You don’t have to do that. It’s just my parents.”
“Are you telling them the truth?”
I shake my head as guilt ripples in my stomach. “Is it shitty if I say no? I know if my mom thinks we’re actually dating, she’ll pass that information along to Anna’s mom. This…situation…has put my family in a weird position. My parents are really close with Anna’s parents. They don’t want their daughter’s relationship issues to come between them, but I also know my parents have my back. They don’t like the shit Brooks pulled…” I sigh. “It’s complicated.”
“I know,” Cohen says softly. “It’s messed up.”
“Yeah.”
“But you want Mrs. C to buy that we’re dating…” His eyes flick to the front door.
“You need to walk me to my door,” I acquiesce before rolling my lips together to keep from giggling. “And kiss me good night.”
I expect Cohen to chuckle. Instead, his eyes flash to mine. They’re serious and intense. Deep and trusting. “I’m gonna kiss the hell out of you, champ.” His words are playful and at odds with his low, husky tone.
My amusement fades as a shiver trembles through my body. Desire travels through my limbs, making me acutely aware of how incredibly good-looking and larger-than-life Cohen is.
“You ready?” he asks, his hand reaching for the lever on his SUV.
I nod, not trusting my voice. Not trusting myself at all.
Between the way Cohen’s looking at me and the little sparks flaring to life inside my body and mind, I’m not sure about anything. A few hours ago, we were talking and joking at Corks. Now, I want him to simultaneously walk me to the door and kiss me senseless and sit here with me, sharing stories, until daybreak.
Cohen slips from the SUV and rounds the front before appearing at the passenger door. He tugs it open and reaches for me. Not my hand, but for me. His large hands grasp my hips as he lifts me down. My chest grazes his and I inhale sharply at the contact.
He places me on my feet but keeps his hands on my waist, steadying me. I gaze up at him, noting the tension in his jaw, the tenderness in his expression.
“I had fun tonight, Rai,” he murmurs.
“Me too.”
Cohen laces our hands together as we walk, slowly, to the front porch.
He lingers on the bottom step, and I turn, tilting my head toward him. “Want to come in?”
A sly smirk plays along his mouth and his eyes sparkle. “More than I should.”
My eyebrows dip. Am I reading into things? Does he want to…be with me?
“I, um,” I stammer, searching for words. They all flee, and I’m left with nothing but nervous babbles.
Cohen smiles. He smiles and his face transforms and my ability to breathe stops. God, he’s gorgeous. How is he still single?
I want to ask but clamp my lips shut.
Cohen’s eyes stray to the window behind me before latching onto mine. He leans closer. “Your mom’s spying on us.”
I snort, closing my eyes for a heartbeat. “Of course, she is.”
“How badly do you want her to believe this?” he asks, his eyes searching for confirmation.
My heart rate ticks up as nervous energy gathers in my hands. He’s going to kiss me. And when he does, he’s going to flip my world upside down.
I already know it and…God, I want it. Want him.
“Badly,” I murmur, my voice laced with the lust thrumming through my veins.
Cohen’s eyes darken and he nods, a sharp drop of his chin. Then, he palms my hip, slipping his hand to the small of my back. With his other hand, he tilts my chin.
Even though I’m standing on the step above his, he still has a few inches on me. His eyes flash to mine before dropping to my lips. When they meet mine again, I note the flicker of hesitation in his gaze.
Does he not want to kiss me?
Is he worried it will blur things?
Is my mom still snooping?
Before I can form a response to any of the questions in my mind, Cohen arcs his mouth over mine. Our lips crash together, and a reckless wildfire ignites low in my abdomen.
I moan, my hunger for him insatiable, as I move onto my tippy toes to deepen our kiss.
Cohen’s fingers twist in the material of my shirt as he slips his tongue between my lips. It duels with mine, but I keep up, wanting everything he’s giving and more.
Our kiss shocks my system and it’s all I can think about, all I feel. In this moment, it’s just Cohen and me. Our desperate hands, our greedy mouths, our heightening need.
The porch light flickers on and off several times and Cohen pulls away. Amusement twists his mouth, and his eyes are knowing as they flash back to the window.
“Mrs. C busted us,” he explains.
“Ugh,” I groan, mentally sparring with my mother. “She’s the worst.”
Cohen shakes his head and brushes his lips across my cheek. “Good night, Raia.”
“Night, Cohen,” I murmur, wishing I didn’t live with my parents.
As hard as it is to walk away from the heat emanating from Cohen’s frame, I force myself to turn away and move toward the front door.
It magically swings open before I can turn the handle and I snort. My mom is desperately waiting for details.
I give Cohen one final wave. He slips his hands into his pockets and drops off the steps.
“Call you tomorrow,” he says.
“’Kay.” I smile.
Then, I step inside and close the door, nearly jumping back as my mother looms before me.
“Jesus!” I scold her. “Did you enjoy the show?”
“I wish I had popcorn,” she deadpans, fanning herself.
I laugh. “You’re too much. I can’t believe you flicked the porch light on and off!”
“You two were veering into inappropriate for the front porch behavior.”
I roll my eyes. “I hardly doubt a good night kiss is inappropriate for the front porch. Besides, the neighbors should thank me. That was probably more action than any of them has gotten in ages.”
“Oh!” Mom flicks her wrist at me. “Dennis from across the street has a new lady friend,” she gossips, as if to one-up me.
“Good for him.”
Mom grins. “Good for you!” She watches me for a moment. “You and Cohen, huh? I should have seen this coming…”
I pause my shuffle toward the staircase. That’s the second time I’ve heard that. “What do you mean?”
Mom shrugs. “He’s always looked out for you, and you always admired him… Now that you’re both adults, it makes sense. And he’s a much better fit for you than Brooks,” she scoffs as she says his name.
Her assessment causes me to straighten and consider her words carefully. “You think so?”
“Seriously?” Mom raises an eyebrow. “Brooks bored you; you just didn’t want to admit it. Now, Cohen…you’ll never grow bored with him. He’ll push you to chase your dreams too. Brooks neither supported nor denied you. He just…was there. Kind of indifferent to everything.”
“Huh,” I mutter, seeing her point now that she laid it out so plainly. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?”
Mom smiles gently. “Because it’s something you needed to learn on your own. And now”—her smile widens, and she gestures toward the porch—“you have. You and Cohen,” she repeats, shaking her head. “You fit together. He’s one of the best men I know,” she adds, causing my stomach to tighten. “Oh, make sure you tell Avery.”
“He already knows,” I reply automatically.
“See?” Mom beams. “It’s already a more mature, honest relationship than what you had with Brooks.”
I wince at her use of the word honest.
“Good night, Rai.” Mom presses a kiss to my temple before ascending the stairs. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I reply, still standing in the foyer.
Mom’s words rattle around my brain, sucking up the good vibes from Cohen’s toe-curling kiss.
Cohen will push you to chase your dreams.
I think back on my relationship with Brooks. His frustration when I couldn’t stay out late because of early morning practices, the way he shrugged when I told him about Spain, his breaking up with me moments before an important game. I never realized his lack of support, since he always technically showed up. He was present without being invested.
Brooks bored you.
Were we complacent? I certainly didn’t have the same physical reaction to Brooks as the one Cohen inspired. Cohen made me weak in the knees. Simultaneously nervous and excited. There was an anticipatory thrill moments before his lips touched mine.
It was just a kiss and yet, it wasn’t simple. Instead, it obliterated any kiss I shared with Brooks.
One of the best men. Mature and honest relationship.
I wince as a flicker of guilt licks in my abdomen.
None of it is real. But a part of me wishes it were.
Shit.