FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS (Ophelia Corrigan) novel Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

– JAMIE

His lips were still on mine when I felt his tongue brush against my lower lip, and every rational thought I’d ever had evaporated into thin air.

I opened my mouth without thinking-without calculating, without analyzing the million reasons why this was a terrible idea. My fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer instead of pushing him away, and somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew this had already gone way past the acting limit.

The kiss deepened. His hand slid into my hair, tilting my head back, and a small sound escaped my throat- something I definitely hadn’t planned.

Then someone cleared their throat.

My grandmother.

I pulled back so fast I almost stumbled. Simon’s hand caught my waist, steadying me, and I could feel the heat radiating off him-or maybe that was just the blood rushing to every inch of my face.

“Sorry, we-” I started, my voice embarrassingly breathless.

“The kitchen is that way,” my grandmother said, pointing with exaggerated casualness. “If you two want some privacy.”

“I think we’re fine,” Simon answered smoothly, his thumb still pressing against my hip like he was my actual man. “Isn’t that right, love?”

I nodded, incapable of forming words. My lips were still tingling.

What the hell was that?

I turned my head slightly and caught Oliver’s reflection in the window. His hands were clenched at his sides, jaw so tight I could see the muscle jumping under his skin. Vanessa stood beside him, a smile plastered on her face that didn’t reach her eyes.

Simon leaned in, his lips brushing my ear. “I think we made our point. Time to go.”

I nodded again, still not trusting my voice.

The goodbyes were quick. My mother cried happily, my grandmother told me to keep an eye on Simon, and my father gave him a clap on the back, clearly impressed.

The moment we stepped outside, the fresh air hit my face and I finally managed to exhale.

I didn’t speak again until we were in his car, doors closed, engine humming. Then I turned to him, my pulse still racing.

“What the hell was that?” My voice came out sharper than I intended. “Have you completely lost your mind?

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11:39 Fri, Sep 25

FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS: MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

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You proposed to me. In front of my entire family. My mother is going to start planning the wedding

tomorrow.”

Simon exhaled slowly, his hands firm on the steering wheel. “I know. I know I went too far. But what was I supposed to do? Your grandmother was looking at me like I’d betrayed her, and Oliver was about to discredit your current boyfriend-which is me.” He let out a breath. “I couldn’t let him win. I couldn’t let that bastard humiliate you again.”

I stared at him, my anger deflating against my will.

“This lie is completely out of control,” I whispered.

“If you want,” he offered, his voice unusually hesitant, “you can just say you only said yes to be polite, and then changed your mind. I’ll play the brokenhearted guy. It’ll be fine.”

I studied his profile-the strong jaw, the way the late-morning light caught the angles of his face. For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then my eyes drifted to his lips. The lips that had been on mine just minutes ago.

“And that kiss…” he started, but I quickly cut him off, looking away.

“It was just an emergency kiss,” I said, my voice coming out a little higher than normal. “That’s all.”

Simon cleared his throat, getting a little more serious. “Understood. Nothing but damage control.”

“Exactly.”

Neither of us seemed to fully believe that. Because there was no way. No one kisses like that just for show. The minty taste of his tongue was still stubbornly lingering in my mouth, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the way his fingers had tangled in my hair.

Damn my memory.

He was my boss, yes, but Simon had game. No wonder women were always chasing after him, fighting over crumbs of attention like they were gold. I’d always assumed that was just reputation. But now I knew the truth.

And worse-I found myself wondering what he’d be like in bed.

Shit.

What was I thinking?

I looked away, pressing my hands together in my lap like that could push away the thoughts forming in my head. He was my boss. I’d just walked out of a ten-year relationship with a man who barely kissed me. The last thing I needed was to fantasize about Simon.

The rest of the drive was silent.

When he pulled up in front of my building, I let out a slow breath.

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11:39 Fri, Sep 25

FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS: MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

67

55 vouchers

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