Fake Fiancée for Dad’s Best Friend by Gena Snow
Chapter 7
Vivian
“So, how do you like California, Vivian?” Karen asks me.
“I love it!” I say wholeheartedly, although I’ve been on her property for less than a day, and it probably doesn’t represent the entire state.
“Do you like it more than New York?”
I nod without hesitation. “Definitely! It feels like paradise. I would live here if I had a choice.”
“Very well!” Karen beams with delight. “I guess I’ll be seeing you often because you’re welcomed to stay here anytime, honey!”
We linger on the balcony until ten. I don’t feel sleepy, but Alex’s parents need to rest, so we call it a night. Alex holds me in his arm as we say goodnight to his parents, and he kisses my head. Oh, Lord. Even though I know it’s all pretending, I can’t help being melted by his affection. I wish we were for real.
He doesn’t let go of me until we reach our bedroom upstairs.
My heart pounds against my ribcage the moment he closes the bedroom door. Am I really going to spend the night with Alex, my dad’s best friend, and my teenage crush?
As I’m busy guessing the near future, Alex says, “Good. They’ve recently replaced the bed. It’s brand new.”
My attention falls to the king-sized bed. It does look new and large, with canopy and bedposts. It’s so tall I would have to climb onto it. My face feels warm when I see the pillows next to each other.
Alex seems to have read my thoughts.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take the couch,” he says.
I glance at the couch. It is large, but it isn’t meant to be a bed and certainly not for a man his size. I think briefly about whether I can take a different room, but decide it’s out of the question because we are supposed to be a couple. “No, you should take the bed. I’ll sleep on the couch. It isn’t that much smaller than my bed in my last apartment,” I say.
“I can’t let you do that, Vivian.”
“We could share the bed,” I suggest after a moment’s hesitation. “It’s large enough for both of us without accidental bumping into each other.”
“That’ll work, too,” he says, his eyes twinkling.
I regret it in an instant. What if I did or said something silly in my sleep? “We should probably put a barrier in between, though,” I say. “Because I…err… tend to roll around, and I don’t want to wake you, you know?”
“Sure,” he says with an amused look. “We could use some pillows.”
He opens the closet door, takes out two more large pillows, and places them in the middle of the bed. “Better?”
“Perfect,” I say with a thumbs up.
Alex sits on the couch to answer some emails on his laptop and tells me to shower first.
I decide to take a bath because the tub is luxurious and inviting. I take longer than usual because it’s so enjoyable, and when I’m out in the bedroom, Alex is already asleep on his side of the bed. Instead of waking him, I leave him alone. I turn off the lights and get onto my side of the bed.
For the first hour, I can’t sleep at all. My mind is still overactive, although it’s past my regular bedtime, I toss and turn. The masculine scent coming from the other side of the barrier keeps assaulting my senses. I hear his breathing, too, which isn’t quiet at all. I bet his heart is beating as loud. Oh my God. I want to put my face on top of his firm chest and let him cradle me to sleep.
I nearly drift off when the window rattles and the house shakes. My eyes fly open. “What is it?” I mutter.
Alex’s strong hand reaches over and pats me. “It’s an earthquake, sweetheart. But not to worry,” he says as he yanks the pillow barrier away and pulls me into his arms.
“Oh my God!” I whimper despite Alex’s hugging and patting. This California, of course there are earthquakes. I’ve never had it before in my life and never thought I would experience it at all.
I snuggle against him, seeking refuge in the harbor of his broad, firm chest. The shake stops a moment later, but I keep clutching against him, expecting the worst. Will the roof collapse like I see on TV? What about the ceiling lights?
But soon, his solid, warm body and powerful arms convince me I’m safe, and no disaster will harm me as long as Alex is protecting me. With that comforting thought in mind, I relax. There’s another short interval of rattling, but I’m not scared anymore. Soon I fall asleep in his arms.
