Counterfeit Courtship, page 15
His body was hard and warm, and she immediately responded. She trembled and her knees seemed to wobble. The man knew how to make her react. “Yeah, a kiss that almost ruined your second season and prompted you to ask me to be your fake girlfriend.”
His other hand lifted and trailed over her cheek. “A kiss that proved from the start that we were good together. I was thinking we should keep this going?”
And there it was. The words she’d seen in his eyes before, but had found a way to keep him from uttering. “Why?”
“Why not?” he responded with a confident grin.
She pushed out of his embrace, frustrated that he would think this was that easy. That he would believe all it took was an embrace and half a smile, and she’d forget the dozens of red flags flying over a relationship with him. “Not ‘why not.’ Why should we keep this going?”
“Because I’m feeling you. I’m feeling us. We’re good together.” He spoke as if that was all it took to make a relationship work.
“You’re feeling me and we’re good together,” she said in a calm voice. Not because he cared for her. Not because he wanted to really be her man. Not because he loved her, but because of what she’d feared. He loved the idea of her.
Maybe that was all he thought it took. He’d spent his life casually dating and not having to give much else. How could he understand that she needed more? Right now they were good together because they were pretending to be in love. They weren’t really dealing with the things that could trip up a relationship. They were constantly the best, most understanding versions of themselves. If they kept this going, then the real faults would show, and she didn’t think they would make it.
“The only thing this has proven is that we’re good at pretending to be together and having sex. What happens when you don’t need me for the show, or you meet another woman you’re interested in sleeping with?”
He scoffed and waved a hand. “Who says I’m going to sleep with someone else?”
“Are you saying you’re ready to not sleep with anyone else for the rest of your life?”
That wiped the confident look off his face. He stepped back. “The rest of my life? I wasn’t talking about the rest of my life.”
“Then what are you talking about? Another few weeks, a few months, a year. What exactly are you asking me for?”
He stared back, stunned for a second, then began speaking. But this time his voice wasn’t as sure. “For us to... I don’t know. Not be fake anymore.”
“You think you want that because right now is fun and we’re doing well. But it takes more than that to make a relationship work.”
He reached for her. “Come on, Kiera. We are good together. There’s no need to stop.”
She pulled out of his reach. “Yes, there is. I have to protect myself. Not just now but in the future. I did this to make money and I’m going to LA to make money. I’m not about to get caught up in your fantasy for longer than necessary.”
“Kiera—”
She held up a hand. “Please, don’t do this. Let’s get through the start of the season as we planned, okay. Let’s not further complicate things. I like you, Tyrone, and I want to keep liking you when this is over. If we drag this out longer than necessary then I might not be able to do that when we part ways.”
He stared back. Even in the darkness she could see the confusion on his face. But along with the confusion there was also uncertainty. Her words had struck home and given him pause. He liked this idea for now, but that didn’t mean he’d really thought about what them dating would look like. Maybe if he’d said he was willing to try, that he wasn’t worried about tomorrow because all he wanted and needed today was her, she might have considered his options. But he hadn’t. He’d tossed the idea out there as if it was a whim he’d pondered but hadn’t taken seriously until she’d threatened to leave town. Frankly, she deserved more than that.
“Let’s go back into the party,” she said. “I need thank Tiana for helping me out.”
She waited for him to argue more. For him to make another play for her. He didn’t—he just nodded, placed his hand on the small of her back and they went back inside.
Chapter Nineteen
Tyrone maneuvered through the crowd in the club toward the VIP tables in the back. He raised his hands—one of which held drinks, a glass of wine for Kiera and a rum and Coke for him—to greet those who called out his name or spoke. He’d already done the rounds and had the talks with his old friends and colleagues from the radio station, so he didn’t feel the need to stop and chat. His focus was getting back to Kiera sitting at their VIP table.
This was their date night. A date night to get promo pictures of them together before the season aired, but he hoped to use it for another reason. His goal was to take this time to try and convince Kiera to date him despite her concerns that he wasn’t for real.
He’d thought the backstage passes and after party was the perfect idea, until they’d arrived backstage and his former coworker, Towanda, had hugged him. He and Towanda had enjoyed a friends-with-benefits relationship. He’d worried things would get weird like with Sheri, but Towanda hadn’t said a word and Kiera hadn’t shown any hints of jealously. She never did, and that was another reason why she was perfect for him.
He made his way to their table. Kiera smiled at him as he approached. Every time he looked at her, she took his breath away. Tonight, she wore a black bustier top that had all of her sexy shoulders and décolletage out with a pair of tight, faux leather pants that clung to her hips and ass and made his hands flex with the memory of clutching them when they made love. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her and had a hard time keeping his hands to himself.
She held out a hand for her wine. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.” He slid onto the leather couch next to her. “The show is about to start.”
Her eyes lit up. “A show? But she just did a concert.”
“You can’t have an after party without at least one song,” he said.
Her delighted wiggle as she took a sip of her wine made him want to request an entire set. She’d once mentioned she was a fan of the R&B singer, Jessica Stone. When he found out she was having a concert in Myrtle Beach, he’d immediately called in a favor to his friends at the radio station for tickets and VIP seats at the after party. He’d surprised Kiera with the date.
Her happy shimmy brought her body closer to him. He placed his hand along the back of the couch and ran his thumb across the smooth skin on the back of her shoulder. “You didn’t get enough at the concert?”
“I did, but that doesn’t mean a thing. Hearing her sing here is up close and personal.” She leaned over and placed her head on his shoulder. “Thank you so much for this.”
He wanted to take the arm on the back of the couch and pull her against him, but she sat up just as quickly as she’d leaned against him. She stared expectantly at the stage in the middle of the club.
“No problem at all,” he said, trying to hide his disappointment. “I remember you mentioned how much you like her songs. You’ve got them playing almost all the time in the house.”
She chuckled and took a sip of her drink. “Yeah, I do play her songs a lot. I’ve loved her ever since I was a teenager. Her songs about wanting love, her realness about being insecure about her looks and her struggle with self-love. I felt that as I was growing up.”
“Her songs have changed in the last few years. They’re a lot happier.”
“I’ve seen some of her recent interviews. She is a lot happier. She’s always been open about her struggles and she was open about the things she’s done to heal. It’s even helped me learn to be okay with myself.”
He studied her face and couldn’t imagine her not seeing just how beautiful she was. Tonight, her makeup was flawless and made her absolutely stunning. Without makeup she was still alluring. The scars left from her teens has faded and were only a small part of her.
“Do you still struggle with that?”
She took another sip and lifted a shoulder. “Not as much. I mean, you know I’m still not completely comfortable with going out without makeup, but I don’t think I’m ugly anymore.”
“You’re not ugly,” he said immediately. The thought of her thinking she was made him want to shower her with compliments.
She smiled and lifted a hand. “I know that. I did say ‘anymore.’ When I was a teen I thought I was, then I thought I was when it wasn’t wearing makeup, and now I know that I am attractive. Makeup makes me feel even more attractive and I like that feeling.”
He took her hand in his and lifted it to his lips. “You’re also confident, sexy and extremely talented.”
Her light laughter sent shivers across his skin. “Thank you. I will not deny any of those compliments. Especially the talented one.”
“I’ve always wanted to have a talent,” he said.
“You do have a talent. You’re on television.”
“I mean, like a tangible talent. Dion was always good with his hands and at sports. Wes is smart, can draw and design anything. My talent was getting on people’s nerves.”
Kiera covered her mouth with her laugh. “Stop it! You’re cute and charming.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “Cute and charming?”
She rolled her eyes. “I was going to say humble at times, but...”
Tyrone chuckled, then nodded. “Alright, alright. I’ll stop fishing. But you know what I mean. I can talk my way out of or into a lot of things, but I’m not really talented.”
“You care about people, and you see potential when others may not. Don’t underestimate that. Your brothers were right. You made this show happen and you helped make it even more successful. That’s talent.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you. I don’t know if I want to do it without you.” The words came out and he didn’t regret them. He’d tried not to push. Tried to be subtle and patient in winning her over. But neither were his strong suits. He wanted to be with Kiera, and he had to figure out how to make her see that.
Tapping on the microphone on the stage interrupted his thoughts. “Are y’all ready for another song?” Jessica asked the crowd.
Kiera turned toward the stage and called out, “Yeah” with everyone else. Tyrone wished he could snatch the microphone away from the curvy singer. Every time he had a chance, something interrupted them.
“Alright, I’ll just give you one or maybe two more, then we’ll continue to party. That alright?”
Another round of enthusiastic applause went through the small crowd. The music started and Jessica’s sultry voice filled the room. Kiera swayed and sang along to the song about love and finding yourself. One verse stuck out to him. A line about not letting someone hold you back and give up your dreams for a false sense of love. Kiera closed her eyes, raised one hand and pressed the other to her heart as she sang. Is that how she felt about him? That he was giving her only a false love? He hadn’t promised her forever. He didn’t know if he was ready for forever, but he did know he wanted her for the foreseeable future. However long that may be.
He opened his mouth to interrupt her groove and tell her that when her phone buzzed. Her eyes popped open, and she picked it up from her lap. She took one look at the text and her eyes widened.
She grinned up at him and held the phone face out so he could see the screen. “I got the job!”
He looked at the words on the screen and his heart sank. She was going to LA. She’d be gone for weeks. How was he going to convince her of his feelings if she was on the other side of the country?
He looked up into her eyes, bright with excitement and joy, and pushed his own disappointment far down into the pit of his gut. “That’s great.”
Her smirk said she’d heard the tremor in his voice. “Come on, Tyrone, be happy for me. This is what I need. You know that.”
She did need to go to LA. Needed to grow her reputation and career. Needed the money for the hospital bills she had to pay off. Needed to continue to soar. He wanted her to soar and if he wanted to keep her, he’d have to find a way to let her fly while also keep a part of her heart with him.
“I’m very happy for you.” He stared into her eyes as he spoke. He meant the words. He couldn’t hold her back and keep her from what she wanted. He didn’t want Kiera to sacrifice anything because of him. That didn’t stop him from feeling as if he was losing her. That she was slipping through his fingers before he’d had the chance to convince her they deserved to give a relationship a try.
Jessica finished her set and thanked the crowd. Tyrone watched as Kiera cheered and waved back at the singer on stage. He wanted to hug her, crush her against him and demand that she change her mind. He wanted to beg and plead for her to stay even though he had no right to hold her from her dreams. He patted his leg and looked around at the happy faces in the room, and resented them being so cheerful when the one thing he wanted he couldn’t negotiate his way to having. He needed to move. He was spiraling in a tornado of emotions and he didn’t like it, nor did he know how to handle this new feeling. He had to do something and he had to do it now.
He jumped up from the couch. “Wait right here,” he said.
Kiera’s eyebrows drew together, but a curious smile hovered on her lips. “Um...okay.”
He nodded and gave her a thumbs-up. Why he’d done that, he didn’t know, but it was either do that with his hands or pull her up with him and hug her like a kid who’d found their favorite lost teddy bear. He hurried out of the VIP section. His brain swirled with the feelings of guilt for wanting to keep her here, frustration knowing he couldn’t say that without being an ass, pride to see her achieve what she wanted and another deeper, harder emotion that ached at the thought of not seeing her again.
Towanda took to the microphone on stage. “That was an excellent set. Thank you so much, Jessica!” She clapped and looked at the crowd. “We want to thank everyone here tonight for partying with us at WVOC, your source for hip-hop and R and B. Before we get back to the party, I want to give a few shout-outs to those in the crowd with us.” She scanned the crowd, spotted Tyrone and grinned. “First we’ve got our boy, Tyrone Livingston. WVOC’s on-hype man who’s now doing big things with his new TV show. Congratulations, Tyrone. Thanks for partying with us.”
Tyrone stared up Towanda and a light bulb went off. Did she say shout-out? He grinned and hurried to the stage.
He went over to Towanda and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “You don’t mind if I do a special shout-out do you?”
Towanda’s arm slid around his waist. “I don’t know, y’all, should we let our boy do a special shout-out?”
The crowd clapped and called out. Towanda handed him the mic. “It’s all yours, baby.”
He squeezed her in thanks before letting her go. Towanda’s arm moved away, but not before her hand lightly grazed his ass. He turned and gave her a come-on-now look but she only smirked and winked. Tyrone shook his head before facing the crowd. He’d have to be sure to let Towanda know they would not be picking up where they’d left off.
“Hey, everyone,” Tyrone said into the mic. “Some of y’all may know me. I’m Tyrone Livingston. I used to work for the station and now me and my brothers are the ‘Haunted Homeboys’ on the Exploration Network.” A round of applause and cheers came up from the crowd. Tyrone grinned and nodded. “Cool, glad y’all heard of me. I just want to take a moment to say something. You may not know my girl, Kiera Cox. She the makeup artist on the show and is sitting back in VIP looking absolutely divine. Well, she just found out she got an even bigger job doing makeup on an even bigger show out in LA.” A round of applause and cheers interrupted him. “Yeah, I’m very proud of her. I just want to say that in front of all of you. So, raise your glass. To Kiera, you’re smart, beautiful and talented. I’m proud of you, baby. Keep on rising to the top.”
The crowd clapped for them both. Kiera raised her glass and blew him a kiss. Cameras flashed and the lights from those recording shone from the crowd. This would make the rounds on social media. It would help boost their image and anticipation for the show’s premiere. He only hoped this also helped prove to her that he cared. That he would support her move, even if it was killing him inside.
“Aww, that’s so sweet,” Towanda said after taking back the microphone. “Give it up for my boy, Tyrone and his girl, Kiera.” As the crowded cheered again, she whispered to him. “Holla at me when she’s out of town.”
She turned back to the crowd before he could reply. “Now, let’s get this party started. DJ, turn up the music!” Music blasted through the speakers and Towanda danced to the beat.
Tyrone hurried off the stage. He wasn’t going to be meeting up with Towanda when Kiera was out of town, but he didn’t need to have that conversation here on stage in the middle of the club. He needed a moment to compose himself before going back to Kiera. He hoped the shout-out wasn’t too over-the-top. She did say he was impulsive.
He went to the bathroom and when he came out he stopped in his tracks. Cora was standing against the wall next to the bathroom door. Tyrone looked over her shoulder for Sheri or someone else, but the hallway was empty.
Tyrone sighed, exasperated by the thought of having to deal with her. “Excuse me.” He tried to walk past her.
She stepped out and blocked his way. “Oh, you real cute and loving with your girlfriend, huh.”
“I am. Now if you’ll let me by.” He moved to the side and so did she.
Cora crossed her arms over her chest, pushing up her breasts in the tight, sleeveless black dress she wore. “I know you’re not really with her.”
Tyrone scowled. “What?”
“I know it,” she said smugly. “I overheard you two talking one day during the convention. This little relationship is all a show.”
