“I get it.” AJ’s tone grew oddly strained. “I know all about family expectations.”
“You do?”
He nodded, but rather than offer any details, he suddenly flashed that boyish smile she was growing accustomed to. “All right. Ask me.”
She knit her brows. “Ask you what?”
“To be your pretend boyfriend. Isn’t that what this heart-to-heart has been leading to?”
Brett faltered. “Actually, I was only going to invite you to the barbecue. I figured a few days after that, I can just tell them I dumped you.”
Those green eyes sparkled. “Bullshit. They’d never believe it.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m fucking awesome, Brett. You’d never dump me.”
“Gee, it’s good to know you don’t suffer from any confidence deficiencies.”
“Seriously, it would look too suspicious if you announce out of the blue that we broke up. Besides…” The twinkle in his eye turned to smoky promise. “We have the perfect opportunity here, and I’m not about to pass it up.”
“What opportunity?” she said slowly.
“To turn this one-night stand into a several-nights stand.” AJ smiled again, and a dimple she hadn’t noticed before appeared in his chin. Sweet Lord, the guy was unbelievably cute.
No, he wasn’t cute. He was sexy. And she’d be lying through her teeth if she said the idea of sleeping with him again wasn’t incredibly appealing.
As if he’d read her mind, his voice grew low and husky. “You still want me as much as I want you.”
“Oh, do I?” she mocked.
“Don’t play games, angel. We both know it’s true.” He paused. “Your dad is giving you an answer at the end of the month, right?”
She nodded warily.
“That gives us three and a half weeks to keep doing what we’re doing.” There was no mistaking the reckless glint in his eyes.
“And what exactly are we doing?”
“Having fun. Making each other come.”
She ignored the hot shiver that traveled up her spine. “And then what?”
“Then your dad gives you the manager job, you tell your family we broke up, and we go our separate ways.”
Biting her lip, Brett mulled over what was beginning to sound like a solid plan—especially the sex part. Three more weeks of super-sexy naked time with this man? Sign her up.
But the idea held more than just sexual merit. If she said yes, then she’d be “dating” a guy that screamed wholesome and responsible, which was a surefire way to show her family she’d changed.
“It’s not a bad idea,” she admitted.
AJ looked smug. “Told ya.”
“As long as we’re both clear that this won’t be a real relationship,” she said quickly. “I’m not looking to get seriously involved with anyone right now, and once I have my own tattoo parlor to run, I won’t have time for a relationship at all.” She chewed on her lip, still deep in thought. “But I probably don’t have to worry about this being anything more than a fling, right? I mean, I know where I stand, and you…well, I’m pretty sure I’m not your type, anyway…so…”
“Trust me, I don’t have time for a relationship, either.” His face took on a shuttered expression. “It’ll be a pretend relationship.”
That he didn’t correct her assumption about not being his type kind of stung. It shouldn’t, though. Of course he wouldn’t view her as girlfriend material. She was scrawny and covered in tattoos and the furthest thing from meek. A man like AJ belonged with some sweet, docile thing who’d bake him cookies and rub his feet, not an ex-bad-girl tattoo artist with a chip on her shoulder.
“The sex, though…that won’t be pretend at all.” AJ’s voice became downright sensual. “Because there’s no way I can spend three weeks with you and not put my hands all over that sexy-ass body.”
The saliva in her mouth turned to sawdust. “I’d kill you if you didn’t put your hands on me.”
“Threatening me with murder, huh? And last night you threatened to lock me in your closet.” He arched a brow. “For such a teeny little thing, you’ve got some pretty violent tendencies.”
“Like I said, I’m tougher than I look.” She pursed her lips. “So it’s official then? You’ll be my pretend boyfriend?”
“Yup.” He grinned. “Provided I’m well compensated.”
“I already said I’d sleep with you again,” she grumbled. “And you didn’t even have to twist my arm.”