Used While I Pretend To Sleep Novels & Stories

The cool breeze of late autumn was brushing against my skin. "Dakota, I know you can hear me. Open the door now!" still, I remained on my spot. Open it if you want, I thought. "Don't make me do this!" his voice was getting louder. Break it if you want. It's your door anyway, I uttered internally. Instead of obeying, I took off my house slippers and lay down on the bed, putting the duvet all over me, from the tips of my feet to the top of my head. I pretended to be sleeping by lying sideward facing the open window.

"Does that mean you'll order me coffee from room service?" In one swift motion, he rolled her onto her back, pinning her to the bed. Her smile sparkled up at him, her hair a tangled mess, and smudges of makeup surrounding her eyes. He was captivated, wanting nothing more than to spend the day with her in this bed. Coffee?” he said, a fake tone of incredulity in his voice. “I got the ‘I need a favor’ voice for coffee? Are you that easily pleased or do you love coffee that much?”

She woke up when he came in but pretended to be asleep. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. His chest was firm and warm, making her heart race. Scarlett lightly gripped her pillow, keeping her eyes tightly shut. Wayne leaned close to her ear, "Are you awake?" She remained silent, continuing to pretend to be asleep. Wayne, fresh from his shower, carried a faint minty scent. As he moved closer, a wave of heat followed, rushing to her ear. His voice, tinged with amusement and incredibly gentle, whispered, "You're not very good at pretending."

I whispered to myself. My lips curved into a sly smile. After combing my hair, I went straight to bed to lie down. I covered my body with the comforter. I started to close my eyes and pretend that I was sleeping. But the truth is that I feel what Zyko will do. We were in the same room because that's what he wanted. But in the past few days, I seem to have gotten used to sleeping alone. When I heard the opening and closing of the bathroom door, I pretended to be asleep even more.

“You pretend to belong. That’s the deal, right? Fake it till you make it.” I groan. “You make it sound easy.” “Because it is. Walk in there with Adrian, head high, pretend you own three yachts. Smile at cameras like you have nothing to hide. Piece of cake.” “Piece of humiliation cake,” I correct. By Saturday night, I’m zipped into a navy gown borrowed from the Harrington wardrobe team—fabric that shimmers like starlight under our apartment’s weak bulb. Even Maya is speechless for a full ten seconds before whispering, “You look like you were born to ruin billionaires.”

Turned off the bedside lamp. Pulled the duvet over my legs. “It’s enough,” I whispered to myself. “Just for tonight…it’s enough.” And I let myself fall asleep pretending I believed it.

Let him think everything was fine. I slowed my breathing, made it deep and even, pretending to fall asleep. I'd gotten good at this over the past few nights—faking sleep so convincingly that he believed it. I felt him wait. Patient. Making sure I was truly out before he made his move. Then, after what felt like an eternity, I felt him carefully extract his arm from around me. He shifted slowly, testing to see if I'd stir. When I didn't, he slid out of bed with practiced stealth.

Shit! I wouldn't fall asleep, I can't sleep. I closed my eyes to pretend I was asleep, praying to the heavens he bought into my pretend. I hope something comes up for him to fall asleep too, but I know I couldn't run forever. I was lost in my thoughts until I feel asleep. .

Ever since summer vacation began, my son had been getting a new toy almost every three days. Whenever I asked where they came from, he said my best friend had bought them. I was about to pick out a thank-you gift when I overheard him talking excitedly into his smartwatch from behind his bedroom door. "Reporting for duty, sir! Mission accomplished. Monster Mom believed me!" I froze, certain I'd misheard. Then he asked for his reward. "Dad, can I come to your third-anniversary celebration with Mama Viv tonight? "I'm so sick of eating canned soup and boxed mac and cheese with Mom every day. I could throw up!" My breath caught. I snatched the watch from his wrist. A photograph had just com

About the dock and the sodas and Little Lil. "Lie down," I said. "Try to sleep." "You first." "I will." Neither of us did. She lay down with her back against my chest, and I put my arm over her, and we both stared at the dark. I could tell from her breathing that she was awake. She was trying to breathe slow so I would think she was asleep. I did the same thing so she would think I was. We lay there pretending for each other until the window went from black to dark blue to the color of dishwater.