Chapter 4: The proposal

Jeremy's POV.

She looked so tender and weak, even under the layers of jersey she wore. Her body still moved just like a lady's, even though she stiffened her muscles just to seem tough. How the fuck did I believe she was a guy in the first place?

Maybe because she wore a wig.

Maybe it was the ass-tight wrap she used to bond her boobs and the oversized jersey she used to flatten her curve.

Whatever it was, it had worked fucking wonders.

And now, I felt the need to protect her, the undying urge to keep her safe from whatever made her step into a nurse locker as a human.

Even though I wanted to leave the arena, I found myself standing by the garage instead, waiting for her.

My jaw clenched the second I saw Ruben walking out of the arena, smirking like the complete bastard that he was, his jerk-ass friends trailing behind him.

I walked, then got into the car and drove away, and it kicked me.

Something wasn’t right—I could feel it crawling beneath my skin.

Ruben smiled too widely, and every laugh sounded too forced, every glance held a little too long, and my gut twisted with a warning I couldn’t explain.

Noah.

She wasn't out yet.

Did... Did he run into her in the locker room like I did the other day?

Did he....

I would kill the bastard if he laid a hand on her.

My legs moving without command, I ran back into the arena, my eyes scanning every corner.

I skipped to the dressing room and found it locked.

It was locked from the outside.

I turned to leave, but the smell of smoke flew into my nostrils, gentle moans and whimpering intruding my ear.

"Noah... Noah," I called out, slamming on the door.

A weak cough confirmed my suspicions as more smoke made its way out.

Fuck!

"Noah..." I dragged the lock hanging on the strike plate of the door.

Stepping back, I dragged the fire extinguisher hanging on the wall.

Using the bottom of the cylinder, I hit the lock open, kicking the door with my leg.

And there she was, lying on the ground, her head bowed, her face covered with smoke.

"Noah!" I ran to her, pulled her into my arms, and carried her out.

"Are you okay? I'm here now."

She dabbed her eyes slowly, taking a slow peek at me, then groaned out.

I hurried to my car, helped her in, called the fire department, and drove away.

I sat across the room as I watched her sleep, her chest raising and falling gently as she let out soft groans.

I couldn't take her to the hospital, nor could I allow the ambulance to.

That would risk her identity being exposed.

I took her home instead.

As I continued to watch her, she jerked up, her eyes widened with fear as she clenched to the sheet.

"Where am I?" she gulped as her eyes landed on me.

"You're safe," I said, standing up from my seat.

"Where am I?" she repeated, her eyes roaming around her body as she realized her hair was let loose and she was in a dress.

"In my house," I said, sitting right beside her.

"Your... Why am I wearing... My clothes, you..." she shrieked with dread in her eyes, and I fought the urge to chuckle.

"That bastard Ruben locked you in the locker room. And then the fire broke out.

Luckily, I was there to take you out.

Called the fire department and brought you to my house." I tried to explain, but my hands ached to stroke her hair.

It was beautiful.

But I didn't.

"I got one of my female servants to clean, change you up, and tend to your wounds."

"You should be thanking me for saving your life, Peaches, and protecting your secret. You owe me big time," I said as I watched her, taking in the view of her gracious feminine features.

"You are fine now, and Ruben is going to get punished for what he did, but we have a tiny little problem," I said, leaning closer.

She smelled like peaches, tender and sweet.

She gulped, pulling away, her eyes averting mine.

"My dad found out that I had brought a girl into the house," I said, but paused to read her expressions, and then continued. "I lied that you're my girlfriend."

She froze, the words hitting her as she dabbed her eyelids incessantly.

Her eyes widened again, lips parted slightly as if to speak, but no sound came out.

"Mr Deluca..." she managed to say, and I nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, she jerked up, but I grabbed her arm, stopping her from hitting the ground.

"You strained your ankle, stay put." I pulled her back on the bed, and she landed on me, her body pleasing on mine.

"Let me go..." her voice was soft as I felt her body heat up.

"You owe me, remember?

I know your secret, and it's time to pay me for keeping it for so long."

My voice came out lower than I meant, tight with something I couldn’t quite swallow, barely above a whisper.

"It's your time to give something in exchange," I tried to keep my eyes steady on hers, but damn, they were enchanting.

"You have to pretend to be my girlfriend, Peaches.

You will be you, and you will become my pretend girlfriend in front of my father and everyone else," I breathed, my eyes locked with hers.