“Cade, you’ve been incredibly generous since the moment we met,” she said slowly, then winced. “Well—maybe not theexactmoment, but you know what I mean. And this dress is the nicest gift I’ve ever gotten. I love it. Thank you.”
She offered me the strawberry, and I held her wrist, taking a bite of the treat. Ellie watched closely, and I fought a smirk when my thumb brushed over her jumping pulse.
“Very well done!” Lovejoy praised loudly, spooking Ellie into dropping the rest of the strawberry and pulling back. “Your turn, Cade. Please take a strawberry.”
I selected the one with the most chocolate, feeling like a student being told to do an activity by their teacher. I wanted to be honest, but we had to be careful about what was said in front of the fraud. Then it hit me. “I wasn’t lying when I said that nap with you was the best sleep of my life.”
Ellie’s lips twitched until a smile peeked out. “Yeah?”
I held the strawberry out to her. “Well, until last night.”
Her smile widened into a grin, and she leaned closer to reach the strawberry. I watched in fascination as her lips wrapped around the little fruit, and her eyelids fluttered shut as she hummed in pleasure.
I went still at the undeniably attractive sound, and she was so excited by the chocolate that she took a second bite and almost nipped my fingertip off.
Lovejoy made a noise between a squeal and a laugh. “Oh, you two are just adorable. It’s like you’re still in that early, butterflies-in-your-stomach, can’t-stop-grinning stage of love!”
Ellie’s eyes widened in alarm as she backed off, and I couldn’t risk her putting her foot in her mouth, so I forced a smile. “I could say the same about you and Mr. Reyes over there.”
Lovejoy threw her head back with a laugh, before tossing me a wink. “Oh, Indigo and I gowayback.”
That was more information than I wanted to know.
“Well, I won’t interrupt you lovebirds any longer,” Lovejoy said, stepping back. “But I’ve got my eye on you for the Love Olympics at the end of the week. I think you’ll do very well together.”
She walked off to the next table, and Ellie frowned. “…Just how competitive are these pretend Olympics?”
My lips pressed into a thin line. “I don’t know what we’ll be doing, but I’m not losing to Harrison again.”
She gave me an eye roll, just as a new song started playing that made Ellie sit up straighter with a gasp.
“Oh my gosh. This is so cheesy, but I don’t even care because I love this song.” She beamed, scooting her chair back. “Come dance with me.”
I stared at her, questioning her sanity. “No.”
“Oh, come on.” She marched over to my seat and clasped her hands together. “Nothing will convince everyone we’re together better than dancing to love songs.”
“I don’t dance.”
“Then just stand there while I dance.” She leaned closer. “Please, Cade? Dance to a few songs, and I promise I’ll try my best to help you beat your brother in the Love Olympics.”
Her gaze turned pleading, which was completely unfair. So I got up, took her hand in mine, and wrapped my other arm around her back—once again thanking and cursing Nate for the backless design. My feet guided us in a slow sway.
“Happy now?” I murmured.
Ellie hummed softly, easily following my lead. “Very. Thank you.”
There wasn’t a dedicated dance floor, but the deck itself had plenty of space. We started out with a little room between us—not as much as a middle school dance, but enough that it’d raise questions about the ruse—so I gradually eased her closer as we swayed together.
Over the top of Ellie’s head, I spotted Harrison watching us from his table with a shit-eating grin. I shook my head and slowly turned us until my back was to him. Ellie gravitated closer, only hesitating a moment before resting her head against my chest.
I should’ve pulled away. Should’ve made an excuse to leave dinner early so I could get some work done in our cabin. Should’ve focused on the Tokyo deal and other mergers and a thousand other things that needed my attention this week.
I should’ve remembered Ellie’s ridiculous Cuddle Code that’d stop her from ever getting involved with a client.
Instead, I just pulled her closer as another song started.
unsteady