Holden isn’t Forest.
I wish my heart wanted someone other than Forest. It would make my life a lot easier.
But it doesn’t.
It’s Forest or bust.
“If you want to drop to your knees and beg…” Holden crosses the room to me. “We can take some great pics. No one will know it’s not you and Forest.” He winks.
“What about your new ink?” My eyes flit to the spot of said ink. He has a fresh tattoo right above his dick.
Okay, it’s a little above that. But it’s certainly in a noticeable location.
Not that I—
Oh God, why am I fanning the flames?
“You noticed?” He runs a hand through his wavy hair, suddenly coquettish. “I was hoping you would.”
“What do you want?” Forest asks.
“Can’t congratulate my two favorite people on their fake relationship?” he asks.
“We, uh…” Okay, I’m not selling this. Not to him. “Thank you, Holden. Really. I appreciate it. And I will think of your new tattoo when I touch myself later.” I make a show of winking. “Don’t tell Forest.”
“Baby, I know.” He blows me a kiss. “Think of yours all the time.” He motions to the tattoo on my ribs. The one Forest did.
A lyric from the song Celine plays for Jesse at the end of Before Sunset. With the sunset in the background. It’s watercolor—a style Forest hates—but he still did it for me. He did it perfectly.
Not that anyone can see it at the moment.
Holden continues, not at all bothered, “That picture on your Insta… mmm, lost track of how many times—”
“We appreciate the thought, Holden.” Forest’s voice gets gruff. “But we’re busy.”
“You’re gonna try to sell this?” he asks.
I clear my throat.
Forest does too.
Holden just laughs. “All right, sure. Go. Convince them you’re happy. And asexual. Nothing wrong with that. Aces deserve love too.”
“We’re not…” I clear my throat. “We look very—”
“Yeah, you look good together. But you’d look good with anyone Skye.” Holden winks at me. He looks back to his brother. Blows him a kiss.
Forest rolls his eyes. “Do you have a point?”
“Yeah, actually,” Holden says.
“That’s novel,” Forest says.
“Love you too.” Holden turns to me. “I can see you’re the smart one. So I’ll talk to you. You’re prettier too, so that’s win-win.”
“Gee, thanks,” I say.
He nods sure thing. “You two make the worst fake couple I’ve ever seen.”
Ahem.
“If you want to sell this, you need to sell the fuck out of it.” He motions come here to his brother. “Go ahead. Kiss her. Convince me you’re in love with her.”
Forest stammers. “I…” He fights a blush. “I’m not… I…”
“If you can’t convince me, you can’t convince her.” He stares into his brother’s eyes. “So do it. Come here. Kiss Skye. Convince me you’re in love with her.”
Chapter Twelve
Skye
Yes.
Hell yes.
A million times yes.
My tongue slides over my lips.
My fingers curl into my thighs.
My breath hitches in my throat.
Forest’s expression softens for a split second. Then his eyes fill with frustration. His lip corners turn down.
It’s not about me.
It’s him.
I repeat the words to myself like a mantra, but they refuse to stick.
I don’t care about the logic. Or his perfectly reasonable boundaries. Or his somewhat less reasonable intimacy issues.
Only that he doesn’t want to kiss me.
“Excuse me.” I cut through the brothers. Go straight to the fridge. Ginger liqueur. Vodka. Ice. Club soda. Lime.
“Gotta drink your way through it, huh?” Holden chuckles. “It’s not too late to kick Forest to the curb. Take me instead.”
“Uh-huh.” I bring my glass to my lips. Take a long sip. “You want one?”
“Sure.” Holden smiles. “Fix one for Romeo over here too. Fuck knows he needs to loosen up.”
“I’m fine.” Forest’s voice stays firm.
“You sure?” I hold up my Moscow Mule. “It’s good.” Sweet, spicy ginger. The sharp bite of alcohol. The tart kick of lime.
He shakes his head no thanks. “Someone has to drive.”
I fix one for Holden. Leave it on the counter.
He takes a step toward me. “You gonna do this, Romeo?”
Forest’s eyes flit from me to his brother. “After you leave.”
“If you can’t do it in front of me—”
“No, I—” Forest shifts his weight between his feet. “Are you going to stand there?”
“No.” Holden crosses the room to the counter. Picks up his drink. Takes a long swig.
Forest clears his throat. “I don’t know—”
I swallow hard. “We don’t have to—”
“Yeah, you do. You’re twenty-eight, not fifteen,” Holden says.
“I don’t know if I want to fake that.” Forest slides his hand into his front pocket. “It’s too much.”
Holden looks to me. Raises a brow. You believe this?
“Yeah.” It’s sweet, actually.
“All right.” Holden rolls his eyes whatever. “Come here, Skye.”
“What?” My cheeks flush. I’m already here. We’re both at the counter. He’s two feet away.
“Gonna show my brother how it’s done,” Holden says.
“You’re going to kiss her?” Forest asks.
“No shit, Sherlock.” Holden’s eyes meet mine. The playfulness fades into pure desire. He stares at me like he’s about to pin me to the wall. Motions come closer. “Unless you want to lead.”