Crescendo

Chapter 16

Daniel and I watched Scream movies until I collapsed on the couch, too exhausted to turn off the TV, let alone drive.

He didn't seem to mind the company; he even let me fall asleep next to him, drooping down until my head was on his shoulder, comfortable and safe.

***

I woke up to soft streams of sunlight moving across the hardwood floor. It was early, too early for my usual taste but the feeling of Daniel, pressed against my ass, holding me from behind was enough to snap me out of my sleepy state.

Had we?

No.

We fell asleep on the couch together. That was nothing new for me.

So why do I feel so...tingly?

I blinked away my surprise and lifted the Sherpa blanket off of me, exposing myself to the cool air. Daniel huffed, exasperated by my movement.

As tempting as it was to stay by his side and pretend to actually be his girlfriend, I had other things on my mind.

I grabbed my phone off the coffee table and slid away from Daniel, stepping lightly across the room.

I paused in the kitchen, finally opening my phone and scanning a dozen texts from Tessa. She was worried, obviously, after not hearing from me before I fell asleep.

I texted her to stand down and not alert the police before swiping out of our conversation and settling my attention on my voicemails. I glanced around the kitchen, then played the latest voicemail from Jay.

"Blair, I just saw something online, something about you dating Daniel Kane? I thought you hated him. I guess it makes sense now why you didn't want to grab coffee. I understand. But, if you're okay with it, I would still like to talk. Just for a minute. Anyways, call me."

I stared at my phone screen and sighed. Does he want to talk or fight?

Before I could decide, footsteps echoed behind me. In a hurry to turn around and face Daniel, I hit button nine, deleting the voicemail by accident.

"How long have you been awake?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

Daniel's shirt and hair were disheveled as if he just rolled off the couch and came searching for me.

"A few minutes," I said, shrugging. I knew I shouldn't feel guilty, after all, why would I feel guilty not telling my fake boyfriend about my ex-boyfriend's phone call?

Maybe because of how he reacted last night...

He nodded, "Hungry?"

I hadn't really thought about it. Our candy binge the night before almost made me sick but now, the idea of pancakes did have a certain appeal.

"I could eat."

Daniel smiled, "I have to make an appearance at a thing. Breakfast after?"

"Oh," I said, tucking a piece of loose hair behind my ear, "Do you want to meet at the restaurant?" I didn't want our time together to end. Something about him, maybe the way his cock felt in my hand, was addictive, compelling.

He chuckled, "Why don't you just come with me? We won't be long."

I gestured to my slept-in clothes, "I have nothing to wear."

And I've already been caught naked at one too many parties.

Daniel scanned my outfit, embarrassing me in the process. "We'll stop by the mall on the way."

"Or my apartment?"

"Anything for you, darling," he winked at me, then, headed toward the stairs, "I'll be ready in five minutes."

***

I sat in the passenger's seat of Daniel's car wearing a new, not-so-subtle low-cut dress. After forcing Daniel to tell me what kind of thing we were attending, I realized I had nothing in my closet suitable for a music producers' brunch.

Sure, it slid over my thighs, hiding the tattoo I rarely showed off the world but the conforming fabric showed off my body in a way that kept Daniel glancing in my direction every other minute.

I couldn't say I didn't enjoy the attention.

We weren't far away from the restaurant when he cleared his throat and asked, "Did you write about him?"

"Him?" I frowned, knowing exactly what he meant but surprised he brought it up.

"Your ex-boyfriend."

Should I tell him the truth? "Not totally."

Liar.

"So, yes," he said, giving me a soft smile.

"It wasn't like that," I said, digging my metaphorical hole deeper.

"It's not a big deal," he laughed, "It just makes sense."

I stared at him. What does that mean?

Before I could ask, he turned into the restaurant and the valet approached the car. I sighed, knowing that my questions would have to wait.

Daniel promised we'd make a short appearance and then run off to the nearest cafe for pancakes and coffee, away from the world.

I processed the idea, slowly, one fantasy at a time so I wouldn't run out of motivation. In the meantime, Daniel rounded the car and opened my door, startling me ever-so-slightly.

A gentleman?

I thanked him before I could decide and took his hand, focusing on the warmth of his touch and the way he lead me into the brick building, never taking his eyes off of me for more than a moment.

Was he infatuated or was that just me?

I blushed at the thought.

We had a deal, eight months of us, and then nothing. It was a smart safeguard, one I was growing to hate.

"Just stay by me," he said finally, moving his hand to my lower back and asking, "Is this okay?"

I nodded, "We are dating."

"Right. In that case," Daniel dropped his hand lower, grazing the top of my ass but not crossing the imaginary line he created for himself.

I giggled, pleased by our sudden comfort with each other.

Apparently, miming sex works wonders for building fake-relationship morale.

"Watch it," I said, teasing him, "You're still technically my professor."

He waved at another man who was already leaving. Maybe we have a chance of leaving early too. "I resigned actually."

I turned, facing him. "Before finals?"

"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to pass out a few tests, Blair."

Blair. Not Darling.

"I guess," I said, staring forward, following him through the restaurant and to a room in the back.

"Ready?" he asked, his hand already on the door.

I forced a smile, "As I'll ever be."

"Good," he said, "Because there's one more thing I have to tell you."

Oh no.

"Yes?" I asked, a pit forming in my stomach.

Then, just as he opened his mouth to respond, the door opened behind him, revealing us to the guests inside.