I watched with wide eyes as his steps didn’t slow and he kept walking towards me, stopping just a breath away. I looked up at him, confused and slightly shook at his sudden proximity and intentions.
Is he okay ?
Before I could say anything, he leaned in close and placed a short kiss on the corner of my mouth, making my heart skip a beat.
Am I okay ?
I stared at him with wide eyes, unable to move or process what had just happened. He gave me a final smirk, before walking away.
Keep the change. He called over his shoulder with a wink.
I forced myself to snap out of whatever spell he had put me under and turned back around to busy myself with Max’s coffee.
I walked out of the heated kitchen once I had composed myself fully and dropped the entire scenario which had left me quite confused and flustered, as much as I hated to admit. I strolled into the front entrance to see that the two brothers had managed to haul in two more feet of the gigantic tree.
I went over to Max who was currently trying to pull the tree inside by himself with all of his strength. Nathan on the other hand was sitting his lazy ass on the couch, watching the whole ordeal with amusement.
I think you should take a break. I said, trying not to laugh at the way his face was scrunched up as he tried to summon every ounce of strength in his body, but again, from little to no avail.
He looked over at me and sighed, dropping the tree and slumping his shoulders in defeat.
Thanks. He mumbled, taking the coffee with an attempt of a smile as we walked over to sit on the other couch where his brother was.
I followed his slumped shoulders, trying hard not to laugh. Even Dustin didn’t get this upset.
So like are we having a Christmas dinner here or ? I asked no one in particular, taking a sip of my overly-sweet coffee.
Well actually my family’s coming over tomorrow. Nathan dropped.
So he does have more family.
Do they know you’re a kidnapper ? Was my first question.
No, and I don’t plan on changing that anytime soon. He gave both Max and I a pointed look.
So how are you gonna introduce me then ? I cut in before Max could say anything.
Hey mom, hey dad ! Meet this amazing girl Skylar who’s living here now, I just swooped her up and kidnapped her, let’s drink some eggnog ! I mimicked Nathan’s deep voice, keeping it pretty consistent throughout.
Max burst out laughing while Nathan rolled his eyes.
You’re just a roommate that needed a place to stay since her own place got a leak or something. He shrugged simply.
This time I rolled my eyes. Nathan, I’m in high school and live at home.
His expression didn’t change as he wasn’t catching on.
I sighed. Most seventeen year old girls don’t live on their own. They also don’t live with strange men like you. I crossed my arms.
He shot me a glare as I gave him a smug smirk, knowing I was right still. His family certainly would find that odd.
You can pretend to be my girlfriend. Max suggested, causing the room to grow silent.
That was actually not a bad idea… I could say that he brought me here for Christmas and I was staying for a few days.
Funny thing is, I should have been plotting on how to tell his family members the truth and escape, but then here I was, sitting in a conundrum where I couldn’t save nor benefit anyone. I had my hands tied, fortunately not literally, thanks to my kidnapper having some manners.
If I tried to get help, I knew that Nathan and his family would face the consequences from Alvin, plus it was only a matter of time before Alvin picked up my brother as well… And I had to be right here for him as soon as that happened, not running around on the streets and risking getting everyone hurt at the end of the day…
Absolutely not. Nathan’s tone of finality brought me back to the conversation at hand.
Why not ? It’s the best idea. It’s Christmas, I’m the perfect girlfriend to take home to the parents, everything would fit into place. I explained to him.
There are plenty of other excuses. He said stubbornly, set on his decision.
No there aren’t, just let me be Max’s pretend girlfriend. I argued, trying to win him over.
I never had a real relationship, so I might as well get into a pretend one before my life got really on the line in this whole fiasco.
Max did have good looks, and had he gone to my school I’m sure he’d be every girl’s crush there.
But Nathan shook his head.
Why the hell not ? I asked, getting frustrated at his childlike behavior. I was the one trying to cover his ass, instead of betraying him and revealing the truth to his family.
Because someone is a bit of a jealous Jimmy. Max answered, waggling his eyebrows and looking between Nathan and I.
I stared up at Nathan, who was currently glaring at his brother, with my mouth open. Was he actually jealous of Max and I being a pretend couple… ?
The thought was ridiculous but I couldn’t help that warm feeling I got when the thought of him being jealous occurred to me.
What ? Nobody had ever gotten jealous over me like that… It felt almost liberating. Or maybe it was due to the fact that it was Nathan’s possessiveness that was pretty sexy. The spot next to my lips where he had placed a small fiery kiss suddenly tingled and I shook my head to clear these feelings, covering up my emotions.
If you don’t want your little princess fake-dating anyone, then why don’t you just be my fake boyfriend ? I asked daringly, looking Nathan straight in the eyes.
I don’t care whoever you fake date, why would- He started but I cut him off.
If you’re going to get all primal and barbaric on something silly then at least own up to it. I stared him straight in the eyes.
He held my gaze, looking slightly shocked and… impressed ?
I was having a hard time trying to decipher the look in his eyes and it was getting all-too-intense all-too-fast.
Then be mine. He replied suavely, only low enough for me to hear.
His words took me by surprise and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t swoon a bit.