Fake Summer Boyfriend

Although I didn’t like it, I could understand the train of thought behind not wanting to upset me by telling me the details.

Looking up at his rugged jawline as he clenched his teeth and thought, it struck me at how absolutely gorgeous he was. Even though he was disarmingly big, there was nothing but sweetness around him.

Maybe he was the kind of man that I could actually let into my life.

“Hey,” I said gently, placing my hand on his bicep and trying not to caress his sculpted arm. “What’s wrong?”

He shook his head, his dark hair falling into his eyes for a second before he pushed it back.

“Sorry. I’m running through a dozen different scenarios in my mind, and I don’t know the building schematics.” He flashed me a strange grin. “So it’s kind of annoying not knowing all of the possibilities.”

“You mean like if he could be hiding in the laundry room or something?”

“Exactly. Or the stairwell.”

Stepping closer, I was enveloped in that rich warm scent of his that did odd things to me. I liked it. It was perhaps a little manipulative of me, but I knew that if I acted afraid, he would invite me to his place. Strangely, that was exactly what I wanted.

He’d done nothing so far to make me think he was anything less than completely trustworthy. If I were able to see his home, and watch him being completely relaxed in his own environment, maybe I could figure him out. Decide whether or not he would actually be a good boyfriend for me.

That is, if this wasn’t all a knight in shining armor sort of game for him.

“If you don’t think it’s safe for me to go home tonight, I could call my friend Kim,” I said. “I’ve stayed on her couch a few times. It’s pretty comfortable.”

“Or you could come to my—” I followed his gaze as Leif’s head swiveled to track the old black car as it drove by us.

His entire body stiffened, and something shifted in his eyes. “I’m not going into details of what he may have done to your apartment, or your door locks,” he said, taking me by the elbow and propelling me inside.

He rushed me up the stairs. “Just grab whatever you need for work tomorrow. And comfortable clothes to sleep in, and lounge in on Saturday. Toothbrush and essentials only.”

“All right.” He checked my door before he allowed me to unlock it, then stood guard as I threw things into a duffel bag. It was as if he had turned into a soldier, on a mission.

I had no idea why I found it strangely hot that he was using his training, his security knowledge, to keep me safe. But I did.

How strange. Having a big man order me around last week would have been a nightmare for me, but now it made me feel closer to him. Funny how a little context can change everything.

In minutes I was back at the door, pleased and surprised when Leif smiled. “Everyone says that women take forever to pack. I love that you’re actually efficient.”

I slipped into more practical shoes, then we hurried out to his car. Craig’s car was parked a half block in front of Leif’s, lurking as always.

It was just past sunset and there were plenty of people on the street, having a stroll or walking their dogs after dinner. Leif seemed interested in the teenage skateboarders around the corner.

“Stay put,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”

He popped the trunk, rummaging around the back for a minute. Then he returned to give me the key fob. “Hit the alarm if he gets out of his car.”

Leif jogged away in the opposite direction of Craig, down the street and around the corner. Looking in the rear view mirror, it looked like the skateboarders followed him.

For a moment I was confused, then the familiar anxiety kicked in. I couldn’t even have one nice summer night out without Craig lurking and ruining everything.

A shadow beside my door made me squeal and jump.

“Hayden,” Leif said, “Unlock the car, baby, it’s me.”

I hit the button, as he ran around to the driver side.

Then I realized what he had just said. He called me baby. Nobody had ever done that before. Was it purely for Craig’s benefit if he was in earshot, or did he really feel that way about me?

“I’m so sorry I scared you,” he said. “I should have come around from the other side.”