now, it’s only mine that matter.”
Leah blushes and I take it as a good sign.
Each hotel has their own chapel, but even I know women dream of getting married in Paris. We head to the hotel, skip dinner, and go right to the chapel. We tell the receptionist that we want the full package, just not the legality of it all. She looks at us oddly but takes the cash and tells us we’re next. Neither of us are nervous because this isn’t real, except I want it to be.
Once our names are called, I leave her at the front and go take the customary position next to the officiant. The music plays, Leah carries a fake bouquet of flowers, and some guy in the back is videotaping. Neither of us are paying attention to what the guy says, we sign on the dotted line after we say, “I do” and act like we’re the happiest couple in the world when he tells me to kiss my bride. I keep it simple and just give her a peck because our first real kiss isn’t going to be in front of this man who gets paid by the hour to marry people.
By the time it’s all said and done, we have no choice but to head back to the airfield. On the flight back, we sit next to each other and I ask her to continue to read her book to me. She does, and the whole time I never take my eyes off of her. Nor do I remove my hand from her leg. Most importantly, she doesn’t ask me to. We laugh at the email of our impromptu fake wedding and decide which photo I’ll post on social media which I’ve already done. Sooner or later, I’ll announce that it was nothing but a prank. We’re going to make people think it’s real for the time being. Leah forwarded the email to herself so she’ll have copies of the pictures too. I can only imagine what her family’s going to say when they find out. Her phone’s going to blow up as soon as we land.
In Charleston, it’s late when we touch ground, and thankfully everyone is asleep, and the hotel is empty. Leah’s phone dings constantly with texts and messages, but she doesn’t bother looking at them. I’m curious to know what they say. I walk her to her room, still holding her hand. With her back pressed against the door, I lean in. “I had an amazing date, Leah. Thank you.”
She smiles. “I have to say, as dates go, this has been the most amazing one ever. I can’t wait to read all my missed messages. Should be fun.”
Her words bring a smile to my face. Maybe now, she won’t see me as the bad guy, but someone she wants to spend time with. I bring her hand to my lips and kiss her finger, which should have a ring on it, but doesn’t. I slowly let our hands fall but because I’m all about taking shots with this woman, I lean in and hedge my bets. My lips press to hers and I fully expect her to push me away, but she doesn’t.
Leah’s hands go to my neck, she pulls me forward and whimpers as our tongues meet. She pushes her body against mine, but her voice lingers in the back of my head, no sex, so I slam my hand against her door to keep myself from touching her. I let her hands roam before I step away.
“Good night, Leah.” I hate the words but I’m trying to respect her right now. I head toward the stairs, needing to exert some energy. I’d give anything to be with her, but she has to tell me, with her words, she’s changed her mind. Otherwise, I would feel like I’m taking advantage of the situation, and that’s not who I am.
6
Leah
“Good night, Leah.”
Greyson steps away and heads toward the stairs. I want to tell him to come back, but I have to test him. He walks through the door to the stairs and doesn’t look back. I wondered if he’d try to stay, but he didn’t. I respect that. What I love more is that he respects me. Never once did he try to overstep the boundaries today. On the contrary, I’m the one who initiated the touching.
Opening the door to my room, I step inside and toss my bag on the couch. My cheeks hurt from