Sparks and Subterfuge

I rip my hand away from his grip, glaring at him as my pulse thunders in my ears like a war drum. "Are you out of your mind?!"

Andrew snorts, leaning back against the sofa cushions. "Do you, or do you not, want Daniel to believe we're actually dating?"

My jaw drops in sheer outrage. "What does that have to do with my lips?!"

He shakes his head at me like I'm completely hopeless.

"What do you think relationships are, Gina? Study groups? Business meetings?" He leans closer, and I instinctively recoil, my heart hammering against my ribs. "Men are physical beings. Werewolves are even worse, and I'm the most physical Alpha on this team.

“Daniel knows that. If he sees me keeping my distance, he'll smell the fake bond instantly. And we don't want problems, do we?"

I bite my lip, staring at the floorboards as my brain spirals.

Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his demands are insane.

He makes my inner wolf react in ways I don't understand, and now I'm actually sitting here contemplating kissing him. Him, of all people.

"No," I cross my arms, forcing my posture to stiffen. "This isn't a game. It's fake dating, and I am not kissing you."

Andrew shrugs, completely unfazed. "Okay. Then what do you suggest we do when we're out? Bars? My hockey games?"

I blink. "Wait. Bars? I have to go to bars with you?"

He lifts an eyebrow like it's the most obvious concept on earth. "Because that's what girlfriends do."

"Oh, this is already way too much," I mutter. The thought of hanging out with his line-mates, who are guaranteed to be just as loud, cocky, and predatory as he is, makes my stomach turn.

"Trust me, Peach," he says, that maddening grin spreading across his face. "If you show up on my arm at the team bar, Daniel will completely lose his mind.

“You've got to do things with me you'd never do with him, or he'll never buy it."

I narrow my eyes at him. "And what exactly happens at this bar?"

"We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend." His grin widens into something dangerous. "Oh, and heads up? Half the pack females in there will probably want to challenge you for my spot."

I roll my eyes, though I can't deny the brutal logic behind it. Daniel knows I hate loud, chaotic pack bars. If he hears I went to one willingly just to sit on Andrew's lap, he'll lose what little sanity he has left.

"Fine," I mutter under my breath. "I'll go."

"And at least one home game," Andrew adds quickly.

"I sigh. Fine. But no kissing. If you want that, go call the redhead."

His lips curve upward. "Why don't you want to kiss me, Peach? Scared you're bad at it?"

I scowl at him instantly. "I am a great kisser!"

"Yeah?" He leans in dangerously close, close enough for my breath to catch in my throat.

Heat curls low in my stomach. "Why do I have to prove anything to you?" I snap, even though my palms are slick with cold sweat. "I know I'm a good kisser. End of story."

He tilts his head, golden eyes glinting. "I see fear in your eyes. Don't worry, I get it. When an Alpha gets this close, most, "

"What?!" The sound sputters out of me. He is unbelievable! "Why would I be scared to kiss you?!"

He shakes his head slowly, humoring me. "A lot of people freeze up when..."

"Fine!" The word rips out of my mouth before my brain can stop it. "Let's do it!"

For a fraction of a second, his golden eyes widen in genuine shock before the surprise melts into a dark, predatory smile.

Heat sparks in his gaze, or maybe it's just my own skin burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs. This cannot be happening.

Except it is.

Andrew leans in and closes the small distance between us.

When our knees brush, a bolt of pure, static electricity shoots straight through my spine.

Almost on instinct, my hand lifts, my fingers brushing his warm cheek as my thumb traces along his jawline.

His pulse flutters wildly under my touch.

Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his.

The instant our skin connects, a wave of liquid fire floods through my veins.

Every nerve in my body snaps awake with a primal pull in my stomach that I can't control.

He tastes faintly of beer and crisp cedar, but as his tongue slides against mine, it's dangerously addictive.

For a terrifying second, I forget everything: where we are, the stupid deal, the revenge plan, and even who I'm holding onto.

All I feel is the raw, suffocating heat rolling between us.

Then, reality slams back like a physical punch. I'm kissing Andrew Shaw.

Panic claws at my chest. I rip myself away, gasping for air as my face burns hot.

From the corner of my eye, I catch him slowly licking his lower lip, his dark eyes locked on me.

I try to formulate a smart, aloof comeback, but my throat is bone-dry. I rub my damp palms against my denim jeans, praying he won't call out how utterly rattled I am.

"Well," Andrew drawls softly, his gaze heavy and intense. "I guess we have chemistry. We've got nothing to worry about."

I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his golden eyes is too suffocating. I turn away almost instantly, clearing my throat. "Is that so?" I let out a nervous, breathless laugh. "Then I guess we're done here."

I spring to my feet, grabbing my textbooks off the table. But before I can make a run for the front door, his hand shoots out, his broad fingers closing around my wrist like iron.

My breath hitches. I look down at him. "Wh-what?"

"There's one more thing," he says smoothly. “The way you look at me…”

"How I look at you…" I blurt out, feeling all the blood in my body rush straight to my face. "What do you mean?!"

"You need to look at me like you're in love, Peach," he says softly.

Relief flickers through me when I realize he's still talking about the act, not my actual reaction.

But then his fingers slide up, gently tilting my chin toward him.

My throat goes dry as my gaze drops down to his lips again.

"I think I'm good!" I blurt out, stumbling backward out of his reach.

Clutching my heavy textbooks to my chest like a shield, I bolt out the door and into the hallway before my composure can fall apart completely.