Chapter 6 - Jane

Reiner is standing so close to me, it takes effort not to squirm.

No, more like… it takes every bit of willpower and conscious choice not to.

I came here with every intention of ending this ridiculous charade, and I still don’t know why I’m agreeing to do it. I mean, yes, I know the benefits if we pull this off, and I guess I can admit I have a small motivation out of sheer annoyance. But I can’t stand him, can’t stand the smug grin he wears like a crown on his arrogant head. There is no part of me that believes we’re compatible.

So why the hell do my knees tremble every time he flashes that smile my way? Why does my pulse tick upward, skipping like a stone?

“You sure seemed to enjoy our kissing last night,” I point out. “I don’t recall you complaining. Especially that second time.”

“It wasn’t the kiss itself that was the problem,” he clarifies. “It was after the kiss. You can’t tell me that wasn’t awkward as hell. I’m willing to bet the only reason the others didn’t notice is because they were all so shocked that we were kissing to begin with. A terrible display like that will only work once, if that. Which brings me back to my original point. Practice makes perfect, and we need to… well…” He wrinkles his brow, choosing his words carefully. “Practice.”

Okay, he’s not wrong. About the first part, I mean. After we kissed, we sat staring at each other for a good thirty seconds. And yes, I guess that’s a little weird. A lot weird, really. If Sonya had been on her game, she would have called us out. But she wasn’t, and now we have to pull it off for real. Maybe he has a point, and we should… practice.

Yes. That’s all it would be. Practice.

So why am I squeezing my hands into fists to keep myself from trembling with anticipation? I wonder if the look on my face gives it away. I attempt to mask the excitement coursing through my veins, to temper the electric awareness crackling along my skin.

“Then, practice,” I finally say. “But none of that other shit. No touching or… or… you know…”

His rough, calloused palm curls around my throat, and I try not to shiver. I truly do. The fact that my skin erupts into goosebumps against my will is annoying at best and mortifying at worst. And dammit if my stomach doesn’t join the fun, swooping wildly at the pressure.

“You mean none of this? You want me to let go of you and not touch this…” His thumb moves to caress the artery at the side of my neck, and my face heats until I can barely take a proper breath.

I want to tell him yes, want to watch as that cocky smirk disappears from his face as I shut him down. But it’s more than a little difficult to put a thought together, let alone muster up the will to lie. Instead, I wait, shivering when he lowers his face to trace the line of my jaw with his nose.

“Nothing like this at all?” His mouth parts, and the gentle brush of his teeth skims my ear.

A loud groan slips between my lips, and I feel him smiling against my skin, satisfied. I hate that he knows exactly what he’s doing to me, but by the same token, I’m enjoying it. Truth be told, I’ve never been this worked up in my life. My arousal soaks my panties, sending slick dripping down my inner thighs. Damn him.

I dig my fingers into his flannel shirt. Reiner’s scent engulfs me, and his presence alone feels like a flame touching my flesh. This man is fire, and I’m nothing but a match ready to be struck.

All he has to do is ignite me, and I’m gone.

Just as I think that, his hands explore the curves of my waist, and he brings his mouth down on mine. My body fits perfectly against his muscled physique, and just like that, he sets me aflame. Heat creeps through my body, igniting a slow burn of desire in my core. He kisses me possessively, like he owns me, his mouth confident and commanding.

I just might melt right into the floor.

I whimper against his mouth and tell myself I shouldn’t be enjoying this as much as I am. But when his tongue dips between my lips, I’m done for. With a low growl, he pushes me backward, not breaking the kiss, his lips greedy and fierce, his tongue expertly teasing mine. He presses his body between my legs, his hardness pushing between my thighs as he lifts me onto the countertop. Tangling a hand in my hair, he tugs my head to one side and places hot, open-mouthed kisses along my neck.

A low moan rises from deep within my throat. I’m wound up, tighter than a spool of fishing line. Every nerve ending sparks and quivers in response. I feel weightless. Like I’m floating.

I need more, so I reach for him, hooking a leg around his waist, bringing him closer. His hands leave the counter, one finding its way to my knee and pushing up my thigh, forcing my skirt even higher. Just as his fingers graze my white lace thong, I hear a low whistle that nearly causes me to jump from my skin.

“Oh, shit. My bad.”

Reiner breaks the kiss, and he curses beneath his breath, glancing over his shoulder. The only thing keeping me from falling off the counter is a death grip on Reiner’s muscular shoulders. I peer over his shoulder, cheeks burning as Jack leans nonchalantly against the open threshold of the kitchen. He flashes us both a crooked, apologetic smile.

“Dude, what the hell are you doing here?” Reiner demands, pulling himself free from my grasp. I sit up and pull my skirt down.

“Uh, I live here. Same as you, man.” Jack raises both eyebrows. “I wasn’t aware you were… entertaining. Good to see you again, Jane.”

I immediately scoot off the counter, and Reiner turns around. I stand there feeling sheepish while they stare at one another. I guess, if nothing else, this will make for a pretty convincing story. Jack saw us.

“Good morning, Jack,” I manage after a full second of silence, attempting a casual smile.

When Jack walks fully into the kitchen, he’s still scratching his head. He makes himself right at home, opening the refrigerator and snatching the milk. He cracks the lid and takes a swig straight from the carton.

“I apologize for my cousin,” Reiner announces. “I’d say I have no idea how he was raised, but actually, I do. I was there.”

Jack grins, unashamed, slamming the milk back onto the top shelf of the fridge. “That was some party at Evan’s last night, huh? Even though the guy has kids, he still knows how to throw down, am I right?”

“Uh… sure,” I respond with a nervous chuckle.

He plops down at the kitchen table and asks, “So, what are you two lovebirds up to today?”

“We…” I gulp, taking a deep breath. I glance at Reiner, but he isn’t looking at me. He’s watching his cousin carefully, brow furrowed. “We’re going to dinner later,” I finish.

“Huh,” Jack replies, folding his hands. “You know who I bumped into last night? Dani. She looked all kinds of worked up that Reiner was going out with you, Jane. Man, she had it bad for you, didn’t she, Reiner? She’s one hell of a looker, and lord knows she’d do anything for you, too. She was going on and on about how you told her you weren’t ready for a relationship, and now you’re running around with a she-wolf from Stardust Hollow.”

I shift from one foot to the other. Truthfully, it feels like the information he’s laying out was an intentional dig at me. Like he’s shoving in my face that a Green Lake she-wolf like Danielle is better suited for Reiner. I suppose that has nothing to do with me, really, but I can’t help feeling the sting all the same.

Reiner clears his throat, shooting Jack a warning glare. “You don’t know the half of it, man, and I’m not interested in rehashing it right now if you don’t mind.”

Jack ignores the thinly veiled command and takes the opportunity to continue while he has my attention. “It’s just so strange to see him this way, like…” He thinks for a moment, brows scrunched. “You wouldn’t know, Jane, since you just got here, but the Reiner I know would never agree to mate. I mean, hell, Reiner, how many women have tried their luck and fallen at your feet? And now…” He gestures toward me with a knowing grin. “Jane, how did you tame the beast, exactly?”

“Uh…” Is he really expecting me to respond to that?

I glance toward Reiner, hoping he will step in and put an end to this unexpected interrogation. I honestly can’t tell if Jack is testing the legitimacy of our “relationship” or if he simply enjoys watching us squirm.

When it’s clear he’s waiting for a real answer, and a more serious one, I decide to just be truthful. After all, Jack has caught me off-guard, and I’m unprepared to make something up. Lying about it, in any case, would probably only expose me.

“Well, to be honest, I believe that my lack of interest is what attracted him to me.”

Jack tilts his head, looking me up and down in a way that sends a chill skating up my spine. “Lack of interest?”

“I wasn’t the type of girl who would just throw herself at him. Who would fall at his feet and beg for his attention, as you put it. So…” I shrug, because it doesn’t really need more explaining than that. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I think I’ve overstayed my welcome.”

Reiner lays a large hand on my shoulder as I try to pass, holding me still. “Jane, wait─”

“It’s fine,” I insist. “I’m supposed to meet Sonya, anyway. You two enjoy your morning.”

Without giving him a chance to stop me again, I duck under his arm and flee, practically tripping down the steps on my way to the gravel drive. I climb into my car and put my forehead against the steering wheel, just trying to catch my breath. I should never have agreed to this. I know damn good and well that I can’t trust a man like Reiner. That guy doesn’t know the meaning of commitment. All he wants is sex, and I’m not in the business of giving it up to bad boys who’ll break my heart in the morning.

I start the engine and pull out of the driveway, noting with dismay that Reiner is standing on the porch, watching me leave.

I’m going to have to keep myself in check if I have any hope of surviving this farce with my dignity intact. It was a colossal mistake, slipping up with him like that. I’m going to have to remember: for this “relationship” to work, I have to do whatever it takes. This includes forgetting all about those blazing hot kisses that nearly melted me into a puddle right there on the countertop.

Because to Reiner, it doesn’t mean anything.

I repeat that in my mind as I head back toward the main part of town. It doesn’t mean anything. Absolutely nothing.

I wish that mantra had a chance of working.