shut up

Orion POV

“You didn't have to do that.” Bailey whispers as we walk away. I hide my smile and decide to play dumb.

“ Do what?”

She chuckles. “ Thanks anyway. That was satisfying to watch.” She looks amused and impressed.

Seeing her smile makes my heart flips, and I find myself craving to see more of it.

I have craved her for years, watching her smile for that asshole from afar.

He never deserved her, I knew that but Bailey was so smitten by him.

I clear my throat, forcing my gaze away before she catches the shift in my expression.

She doesn’t need to know that one smile from her can throw me completely off balance. It always did. The difference now is, she is by my side.

She can keep thinking this is a fake relationship. Truth is, she is not getting away from me. Not now. Not ever.

“Guess you’re not as big of a jerk as you pretend to be,” she says. She is clearly teasing me.

“Don’t spread that rumor,” I reply, shoving my hands into my jacket pockets. “I have worked hard on my reputation.”

She laughs again, and that sound hits deeper than I expect. For a moment, I forget we’re walking through the empty hallway of the arena — that we’re supposed to be caught in some twisted fake dating.

It almost feels normal, like we are a real couple.

“ Leaving already?” Bailey suddenly asks. “ The event is far from over.”

“ I don't like crowds. Besides, tonight has already served its purpose.” I reply.

Bailey chuckles.

She is smart enough to read between the lines, to realise we were here for Nolan.

The elevator doors open, and we step inside. The air suddenly grows tight between us. The scent of her shampoo – vanilla and something warm. It fills the small space and my pulse kicks up. She is standing close enough that the sleeve of her dress brushes my arm. I should move, keep a little distance because this kind of closeness is deadly. But I don’t. I can't.

She glances up at me, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.

“ You like putting on a show, don't you?” She asks.

My mind thinks back to how I'd pretended when Nolan mentioned something about Bailey moving on fast.

I grin. “You make it sound like I don’t have other hobbies.”

“Do you?” She challenges.

“I play hockey. I win. I annoy you. That seems like a full-time job.”

She rolls her eyes but doesn’t look away. I can feel the tension stretching between us.

She is looking at me and I don't know what she is thinking about.

My mind flickers to the way she tensed earlier when Nolan made his appearance.

Alongside stepping on Nolan's toes tonight, I wanted to test how much she has ‘ moved on’ from him.

I am a very strategic person and if I am winning her heart, I need to know how much effort I should be putting in.

One thing is decided though, she is never getting close to that asshole again.

The elevator dings, breaking the moment. She steps out first, and I follow.

I lead her to the car. My manager is already waiting for us. Once settled, we hit the road. We drive in a comfortable silence until we pull outside her place.

“ You should find a place for yourself. It's not convenient staying at your friend's.”

I find myself saying before I can stop myself.

Bailey turns to look at me, eyes narrowed.

“ What's so inconvenient about it?” I see genuine curiosity in her eyes.

She can be feisty at times and now, she looks cute staring at me and waiting for an answer.

“ For example, you can't invite me in for a drink.”

Her lips twitch, and I know that look.

“Oh?” she asks, voice smooth and low. “And why would I invite you in?”

I smirk. “Out of gratitude. You know, for being a gentleman tonight?”

She leans back in her seat, eyes glinting. “Hmm. You mean for using me tonight? You couldn’t resist showing off to Nolan that we are together now.”

“Maybe I can’t resist a lot of things,” I murmur, leaning closer. The way she freezes tells me she caught the double meaning.

Her breath catches, barely audible. “You think I would fall for that?” She fires back. I don't miss how her eyelids drop for a split second.

“Who said anything about falling?” I ask, my voice dropping.

“You just have to… lean a little closer.”

She scoffs, but her tone betrays her composure. “You sound awfully confident for someone sitting outside my friend’s apartment.”

“I have reason to be.”

She looks at me for a good half minute.

“Orion, do you think this fake dating thing gives you a free pass to flirt, huh?”

She raises her lips in a sneer.

“I think it gives me every reason to,” I counter, smiling. “You said it yourself.

I put on a good show. So, I am just trying to keep the act consistent.”

Bailey tilts her head, a teasing spark igniting in her eyes. “Then I should probably up my acting too.” She replies in a honey - like voice.

Before I can ask what she means, she leans in. She is so close that her perfume hits me like a drug. One that I am showing signs of addiction for.

“Goodnight, Captain.” She whispers, her big eyes meeting mine.

Her voice brushes my skin like a flame licking me.

Then she pulls back, opens the door, and steps out. I’m still frozen, fingers tightening around my knees.

Bailey takes a few steps then turns around, smirking. “Oh, and Orion?”

“Yeah?” I answer, absentmindedly.

“You might want to practice your self-control. Wouldn’t want your fake girlfriend to think you can’t handle her.”

I sit there for a full minute even after she disappears, jaw tight, pulse pounding.

Hell.

She’s going to be the death of me.

“ Did you just get beaten in your own game?” My manager who had been awfully present all this time mocks.

“ Shut up and drive!”