Chapter 20: Dinner Date

KIANA

We made our way back to the house, where I slipped into my white-and-gold halter dress that fell just below my knees. I chose to go braless since the dress was backless.

I paired it with simple white pumps and styled my hair in a half-updo, letting my curls fall freely.

I nearly collided with Chase as I exited the bathroom. He was decked out in a white suit and a cream-colored shirt.

He gave me a quick once-over before clearing his throat and shifting his gaze back to mine.

“Let’s go, they’re waiting downstairs,” he said, brushing past me.

“You two look adorable, all matchy-matchy,” Crystal noted during the short drive to the restaurant.

It had been a total coincidence. Before I could set her straight, I caught a glimpse of Chase in the rearview mirror, his Caribbean-blue eyes silencing me.

“Everyone will know she’s mine, and I’m hers,” he replied.

I thought back to the times he’d acted possessive of me. I knew our connection was fake, and he was just playing a role—convincingly so—but it was obvious he had a possessive streak.

Still, no matter how fake our relationship may be, my heart would always flutter when he referred to me as “~his~.”

The restaurant was stunning, and the food was just as good. It offered a breathtaking view of the ocean, and the twinkling lights around us made it feel like we were in a fairy tale.

We ate outside, with only a canopy for cover. The night was warm, and the ocean breeze was refreshing.

A man by the bar kept passing me odd glances throughout the evening, but I just ignored him, hoping he’d get the message.

He was cute, but I wasn’t interested. Plus, I was with my “boyfriend” and his family. I couldn’t exactly do anything, even if I had wanted to.

The lively banter at the table almost made me forget that I was only a stand-in girlfriend meant to fool everyone into believing a lie.

I couldn’t bear to think about their reactions if they ever found out the truth, especially Charlie, who was just starting to warm up to me. I could already see his “I told you so” face when he found out Chase was paying me.

Having lost my mom when I was young, and my father being who he was, I’d never really known what it was like to have a real family. But being here, surrounded by love and happiness, gave me a false sense of belonging.

I imagined that if my mom were here, this is what it would feel like.

Once we finished our desserts, the waiter came back to clear the table.

“I need to head to the ladies’,” I whispered to Chase, excusing myself.

As I passed the bar area, the same man who had been watching me all night attempted to grab my wrist.

I moved on instinct, avoiding his grasp, and turned to face him. “Excuse me!” I said, irritated. I looked back at the table and noticed no one was paying attention to what was going on.

“You look like a red wine type of woman.” His deep-blue eyes twinkled with mischief.

“I have a boyfriend,” I replied politely, attempting to walk away once again.

His hand reached for my waist, and I slapped it away just in time. Only he was now standing, blocking me from moving away.

“I would appreciate it if you let me pass.” I spoke through mildly gritted teeth, growing frustrated.

“I think you should listen to the lady.” A familiar warmth filled my body as Chase’s voice spoke loud and clear for the man to hear.

“Ah, Mr. Winters.” The man turned around, ignoring me completely.

Chase wasted no time slipping his arm around my waist and protectively pulling me toward him. I felt relieved to be in his arms again and away from this ~asshole~.

“Are you okay?” he whispered.

“Yeah.” I nodded, almost hesitant, yet not wanting to create a scene. Whoever this man was, he wasn’t worth the drama.

“Clyde.” Chase nodded brusquely. “I see you’ve met my ~girlfriend~.” He emphasized the last word, sounding like it held a hint of threat.

“Ah, my mistake.” A false smile graced Clyde’s lips as his eyes roamed over me hungrily, with no care to conceal his appraisal.

“Why don’t you head to the ladies’ room? I just need a moment with my…friend,” Chase said in an unfamiliar tone I couldn’t quite decipher.

I nodded, taking myself to the bathroom swiftly.

On my way back out, I took the longer route to avoid the same man from earlier. Chase was already back at the table, his eyes finding mine as soon as I was in sight.

“He won’t trouble you anymore,” Chase said with a smile the moment I sat down.

“Oh.” I glanced at the bar where the same man was sulking like a reprimanded puppy, drinking his beer rather aggressively.

“What did you say to him?” I whispered, leaning in.

“Nothing for you to worry about.” He smiled reassuringly, which only piqued my curiosity even more.

Chase glanced the other man’s way, noticing his eyes still glued to this spot.

As the waiter returned with the bill, Chase casually draped an arm around the back of my chair and held up his hand, his black card in hand, indicating that he was ready to pay.

The waiter gave a thankful smile, and Chase’s free hand started massaging my shoulder, pulling me slightly closer to him.

~What’s he up to?~

Chase slid his card into the check presenter and passed it back to the server. As the transaction was being handled, he swiveled toward me, a mischievous twinkle lighting up his eyes.

I could still feel the other man’s eyes boring into our side profile as Chase gently lifted my chin with his finger and, without any preamble, his lips found mine.

Every pair of eyes in the room was glued to us.

At first, I wanted to pull back, but I soon found myself lost in the kiss. The world around us faded away. The kiss was slow, filled with passion, and unmistakably dominant, as if he was marking his territory in front of everyone—especially that man named Clyde.

The sound of the waiter clearing his throat broke the spell. With a cocky grin, Chase accepted the return of his card.

Thankfully, no one commented on the spectacle, save for a few barely concealed smiles and the occasional chuckle.

I stared at Chase, stunned. Had he done that because of the creep at the bar?

~But he shouldn’t care… right?~

***

As it was getting late, everyone decided to call it a night when we returned. I changed into my pajamas in the bathroom and then entered the bedroom to find Chase perched on the edge of the bed, engrossed in his phone.

He had shed his suit jacket, and his cream-colored shirt was half unbuttoned, making it look like he was in the middle of changing.

“What was that all about?” I asked.

“What,” he responded nonchalantly, not looking up from his phone.

“The kiss. Why did you do that?” The butterflies in my stomach fluttered back to life as I recalled the earlier incident.

“That asshole wouldn’t stop staring, and I didn’t want him to think he had a chance. I had to do something,” he said, rising to his feet and heading toward the bathroom.

I stopped him. “No one else saw what happened with him, and you clearly sorted it out, so why did you do it?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.

A part of me was hoping he would confess that he had acted on impulse. In the short time I’d known him, he had stirred up emotions in me I thought were long dead and buried. He’d been my protector and shown me a level of care I had never experienced before.

I never intended to feel this way, ~but I did~.

He turned his full attention to me, gently cupping my cheek in his hand and sending a fresh wave of goosebumps rippling across my skin.

I found myself melting into his touch, something I seemed to do more often than I’d like to admit. His warmth was both soothing and electrifying, slowly revealing the invisible sparks flying between us.

We stood there for a moment, his eyes searching mine as if he were waiting for an answer to an impossible question.

He leaned in closer, the scent of spiced rum teasing my senses as he tilted his head forward.

My eyes started to flutter closed, and he stopped in his tracks.

“What do you expect me to say?” he asked. “I did it to make us seem real. Believe me, if you were truly mine, I would have done something ~much~ worse.”

As swiftly as he had grabbed me, he let go. The warmth of his touch was replaced by a chilly breeze as he retreated into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.

I touched my cheek, still tingling from his touch. ~Why am I like this? I shouldn’t be thinking this way! He’s paying me to pretend to be his girlfriend. That’s all this is: a business arrangement.~

I crawled into bed and pulled the covers up. I closed my eyes, but sleep eluded me, knowing he would soon be lying next to me—separated only by a flimsy wall of pillows.

We were leaving tomorrow. I would return to my somewhat normal life, and everything would revert to how it was before.

This was all an act. My feelings weren’t genuine. I was only drawn to the persona he’d projected, but that wasn’t who he truly was. Not to me, anyway.

***

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Kiana.” Loren hugged me tightly as we prepared to leave.

“The pleasure was all mine, Loren. I had a great time,” I replied with a smile.

“Don’t be a stranger,” Charlie directed toward Chase as he gave me a smile and a nod.

“I still haven’t forgotten about our girls’ date with your friend Mia,” Crystal chimed in, hugging us both.

After bidding everyone farewell, we headed home. The ride was silent. We hadn’t spoken since the previous night.

He dropped me off at my apartment, promising to text me when he needed me before driving off.

His words left a knot in my stomach. He’d text me—when he needed me. That’s all I was to him, and that’s all I would ever be.