I blink. “Your hotel room? That’s bold.”
“We have to start somewhere.” His eyes twinkle. “You could show me some of your designs. It’d be fun.”
“I’m sure.”
He leans forward, and I lean back. I’m enjoying flirting just fine, but I don’t want him in my personal space. And I really, really don’t want to go back to his room with him.
It’s funny. From the very first time I started ‘practise flirting’ with Josh and Zack, I was hooked. But I don’t feel any of that desire with this man. I’m not sure why; he seems kind enough, and he’s obviously interested in me. But I don’t feel that same tug towards him.
“What do you say?” Gavin asks, leaning in even closer. His breath fans over my face, and I fight the urge to wince. “Are you busy tonight?”
I open my mouth, but before I can reject him, strong arms wrap around my shoulders.
“Yes,” a low voice says over my head. “She is.”
I breathe in the cool smell of mint as Josh dips down, nuzzling at my temple. Immediately, all of my unease fades away.
Gavin leans back, lifting up his hands. “Sorry, mate,” he laughs. “Didn’t realise she was taken. You better keep an eye on her.”
Josh ignores him, taking my hand and tugging me upright and towards the lifts. Before I know what’s happening, I’m being gently pulled into the lift car, the mirrored doors sliding shut.
I study his face as the lift shoots upwards. His expression is blank and hard, his jaw clenched.
“Are you mad?” I ask.
He softens and threads his fingers through my hair. “Not at you. It was just… surprising to see you with another man.”
“Zack told me to practice flirting.”
He mutters something under his breath that sounds a lot like ‘bloody idiot.’
The lift dings and the doors slide open. We step out into a long white corridor lined with black doors and crystal light fixtures.
“It actually went pretty well,” I say, as Josh leads me to the door at the very end of the hallway. “I think you’d be proud of me. I only insulted him a bit, and I think he was kinda into it.”
He pulls a keycard out of his pocket, then pauses. “Did you… want to spend the evening with him? I’m sorry. I just assumed—”
I lean against his chest. “No. I didn’t.”
His body relaxes. He bends and brushes his lips lightly against mine. “Good,” he murmurs.
I kiss him back slowly, then turn back to the door. “Go on, then. Show me my surprise.”
He taps the keycard against the keypad. A light flashes green, and he gestures for me to turn the handle. My eyes widen as the door swings open.
FORTY-SEVEN
LAYLA
The guys haven’t just got us a hotel room: they’ve booked out a whole suite. The place is gorgeous. Huge, with high white ceilings and softly glowing chandeliers. The walls are covered with splashy watercolours, and one corner of the room is set up as a bar, complete with rows and rows of bottles of liquor.
Luke and Zack are already there, shoes and jackets off, sprawled out on the biggest bed I’ve ever seen. It’s probably two metres wide, and stacked high with plush-looking pillows.
We’ll all fit.
My heart flutters. I float over and touch the pristine white sheets, smiling as my fingers slip over the glossy fabric. “This is real silk,” I practically purr.
Zack snorts. “Told you she’d notice.”
“We requested them from the hotel specifically,” Luke admits. “I thought you’d appreciate it.”
Appreciate it? I want to get on my knees and rub my cheek against it. I want to gather all of the fabric up and take it home to make a wedding dress. This quality of silk is wasted on bedsheets.
“I found her with a guy at the reception,” Josh says behind me, taking off his jacket. “He was inviting her up to his hotel room.”
Luke’s smile drops off his face. Zack gasps, scandalised. “Are you fake cheating on me?” He clasps a hand to his chest.
I shrug. “You told me to practice flirting.”
“Baby. I didn’t mean it. You’re the best fake girlfriend I’ve ever had, I can’t share you with another man!”
Luke coughs.
“Okay. I can’t share you with a third man,” Zack allows. “Two is my limit.”
“Sorry. Instructions were unclear. Now I’m in love with a stranger.” I look around with wide eyes. “Guys, what the Hell is this?”