Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 98021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Adam chuckles.
Danielle smiles. "I'm a humble artist. I can't do four."
"Be careful. She's a shrewd negotiator," Liam says. "Learned from the best."
"Simon did give me a few tips." There. This is our normal rapport. I tease Liam. He teases back. We're here to be normal. Not weird and secretive.
"Briar, baby, you're killing me." Liam mimes being stabbed in the gut. "Next thing I know you're going to tell me you want to pose with him."
"Is he naked?" I ask.
"If you talk him into it," Liam says.
"I'd pay to see that," Danielle says.
"Really?" Adam raises a brow. "Maybe I can arrange something."
She laughs. "To see Briar negotiate Simon's modeling session."
"You don't have to pretend, Danielle. We know you want to photograph the entire world naked," Liam says. "Starting with the best." He taps his chest. "But if you can't have the best…"
"You only offer to pose every time you see her," I say.
"I have a generous spirit," he says.
"Go on," Danielle says.
"Don't encourage him," Adam says.
"He's going to go on whether I encourage him or not," Danielle says.
Liam chuckles. He swats the air, playing sheepish. Or maybe he's actually sheepish. I can't tell anymore.
"I'm not sure with you, Liam. You talk big talk. Do you really live up to it?" Curiosity fills Danielle's dark eyes. "Could anyone live up to your talk?"
"Danielle, you know you're baiting me," Liam says.
"Baiting you to do what?" she asks.
"Throw Briar on the table and push her dress to her waist," he says.
This is where I object. If we're friends. Boss and employee. Coworkers.
But we're engaged.
I still need to object. I don't want Liam eating me out at this very public restaurant.
In private, in his corner office.
Or my tiny twin bed.
His dining room table. I've never seen it. I've never been to his apartment.
But the image still fills my head. Some massive oak table. Liam's hands on the inside of my knees. His lips on my thigh. His name rolling off my tongue again and again.
Is he good with his mouth?
Danielle is right. He talks big talk. Can he really live up to it?
"Baby, should I go right now?" Liam asks. "You know I'm insatiable."
My cheeks flush.
Danielle's eyes fix on me.
She already thinks we're fucking. Liam is right. Everyone thinks we're fucking.
That's the only lie I really need to sell.
And it's only half a lie. We kissed. I want to fuck him. I'm not going to fuck him, sure, but I'm already moving in that direction.
My head is already filling with beautiful mental images of his head between my legs.
Is Liam generous?
I have no idea.
But I want to find out.
I really, really want to find out.
"You okay, baby?" Liam reaches for my hand. "Or do you need mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?"
I take his hand. For our ruse. For moral support. So I won't put my hand someplace it shouldn't go. "I need…" I try to find the worlds to explain this. It's simple. We're engaged.
Now that we're engaged…
Check out my giant rock…
Speaking of massive things…
Something.
But my mouth is dry. Sticky.
I look to Liam for help.
God, those blue eyes.
I lean forward. Let my eyelids flutter together. Let my hand find his neck.
Let my lips find his lips.
He kisses back with everything he has.
We're here with his brother.
We're doing this for our ruse.
We're pretending.
But everything inside me screams real, real, real.
Chapter Eight
Briar
"Are you…" Danielle's eyes fix on mine. Not with doubt or suspicion. With the support of a friend who wants to make sure her friend is dating a guy worth her time.
"Are you fucking?" Adam asks.
"You know I'm not going to answer that." Liam shrugs, playing cool. His usual MO.
It's smart. He's doing this as Liam. The guy his brothers know well.
That guy is aloof. That's who people think he is.
Who do people think I am?
I have the purple hair and combat boots, yes. A few tattoos. Deep lipstick. Acerbic wit.
That's what I need. My wit.
"It's much worse than that," I say.
Danielle's face lights up.
Adam's eyes perk.
"Is this worse?" Liam asks.
"Sex is one thing," I say. "We can all understand the appeal of your body."
He nods. "It's pretty fucking nice."
"But the personality… it ruins the whole thing," I say.
Liam nods true. "I had to take off a lot of clothes to get you to look past it."
"Most of them."
"Is that really how it happened?" Danielle leans forward. "When? Where? How long?"
"Nine inches. Three hours," Liam says.
"Only nine?" Danielle asks.
"Only? Do I need to whip it out?" Liam says.
"Shouldn't you call a doctor at that point?" Adam asks.
"Four hours," Liam says.
"You would know." Adam chuckles.
"It's important to keep track of these things." Liam nods.
"How did it actually happen?" Danielle asks.
"Well, first, I took off her—"
"I'm not going to stop you from offering details," Danielle says. "But your fiancée looks horrified."
Am I as red as I feel?
"All right. I'll spare her. For now." Liam winks. "We were in Toronto. After a pitch. Celebrating with the hotel's signature drink."