Together We Fight *Major Editing*

Chapter 12 (Edited)

"No. Definitely not." I exclaimed while staring at him as if he had grown an extra head. Not even having to think it over for a moment. "There is no way I'm dating or even fake dating you, Mason."

His large tanned hands grabbed both of mine as I stood up and prepared to walk away from him. "Please buttercup, I'll buy you all of those books you want if you agree. I'm begging you." I hesitated at that, my steps faltering slightly as I quickly thought it over.

Damn him and my obsession with books, I've been saving up for all of them for months now and I still don't have enough money to actually purchase all of the books. And he's willing to buy them all for me if I just help him this once. Plus he's literally begging for my help, Mason never begs for anything. Ever. I would also get to anger Anne beyond belief if I did agree to this.

But is a bunch of books really worth me fake dating Mason?

I love books more than life itself so the answer is yes, yes it kind of is.

I sighed in defeat and slowly sat down again, "You're horrible, you know that?" I muttered as he shot me a triumphant look and let go of my hands. He leaned forward slightly and I absently ran my fingers through my hair in thought, "I think we need some ground rules." He nodded with a smirk set firmly on his face. "I can't believe I'm actually doing this. The things I do for books, honestly." I muttered silently as he placed his cheek in the palm of his hand before a thoughtful look spread over his face.

I looked back over to him when he spoke the next words, "You know, I'm actually really surprised you agreed to do this." I quickly shot him a look that screamed 'shut-up-or-I'm-gonna-punch-you-in-the-throat' before tightly lacing my hands together and sitting them in front of me as I stared down at them.

"You're using my need for books against me." I grumbled unhappily. He just shrugged unapologetically and grinned a mischievous smile at me and I have to say, it was kind of weird to see him not smirk for once. A good weird...I think.

He looked back up at me after a few minutes of silence, "I got one; How about no kissing unless Anne is around to see it. Now I know it's going to be extremely hard to resist all this-" he gestured down to his nicely muscled body, "-hotness, but it's for your own good, buttercup.

I rolled my eyes at his cocky behaviour, "That one will be easy to follow, moron." I've been doing that for years now, there's no way I'm gonna want him to touch me anytime soon.

He nodded slightly and looked at me like I was lying before going back to thinking with his peanut sized brain, "How about no leading on or fooling around with other people while we're in a fake relationship." I suggested with raised eyebrows and received a nod from him in response.

"No sex either." He added a few minutes later, "I really don't want to get beaten up by Elliot for taking his little sisters' virginity." I leaned over and swiftly slapped the side of his head with a scowl on my face. Of course the idiot had to add that.

"You're disgusting. And I'd never willingly have sex with you. Ever." I shuddered at just the thought of it.

He looked at me with a dark glint in his sparkling eyes, "Of course you wouldn't, buttercup. Anyway, I can't think of anything else to add."

I looked out the kitchen window and focused on an elderly couple as they walked hand in hand down the sidewalk while they happily chatted together. "I got nothing, either."

"Well I guess that settles it then, no messing around with other people, no kissing unless the she-devil is there to see it and no sex." I nodded once before pushing my chair back and standing, I stretched my legs slightly.

Once I found the energy to move from my spot against the counter I shuffled over to the fridge and peered inside, "We should probably think of a game plan, too." My voice was slightly muffled as I grabbed several jars filled with different ingredients, ready to make us some dinner.

I turned around and let them all clatter gently onto the counter, I stood on my tip toes and pulled a frying pan off the top shelf. "What do you suggest then, buttercup?"

I threw him a half-assed glare at the sound of my nickname as I flicked the stove on, ready to boil some pasta for the spaghetti bolognese I was going to make. "Well we can't just show up one day and claim that we're dating, no one's going to believe that. So I think we should try to get caught...kissing by Anne sometime next week." I practically had to force the words out of my mouth as I poured a can of tomato sauce onto the sizzling meat.

I turned to him and watched as he placed one of his large hands on his chin in thought, "Hmm, that could work."

I grabbed the wooden spoon I had set down and began stirring the food as it continued to sizzle aggressively, effectively filling the silence that surrounded us. "Of course it could work, it was my idea after all."

He chuckled quietly and I could already tell he was going to say something stupid, "You say I have a massive ego but buttercup, have you seen yours?"

I scoffed lightly and chucked in some more sauce as I heard his chair scrape backwards loudly, "Mine isn't anywhere close to the size of yours, moron." He made his way over to me and casually leant against the counter beside me, watching with his usual arrogant look on his stupidly attractive face as I easily ignored him and continued to make our food.

"You look hot today." I threw him a deadpanned look as he winked at me flirtatiously.

He never stops, does he?

I pointed the sauce covered spoon at him threateningly, "Out. Now." He pouted instantaneously and widened his captivating eyes slightly till he resembled an innocent puppy but I didn't budge one bit. He's nothing close to innocent. "Get out, Mason. You're a nuisance."

He leaned forward suddenly and I could practically smell his nice manly cologne rolling off him in subtle waves, "Don't be mean buttercup, you're suppose to be my girlfriend now."

I hit his cheek lightly with the spoon, leaving a blotch of red and pointed at the doorway, he let out a sigh before trudging over and giving me one last sad look before disappearing upstairs.

Now I can cook in peace.