Pretending To Love Mr Hill

Chapter 12

Amelia watched her father’s face carefully as the single word left her mouth.

“Fine.”

He looked taken aback, as if he hadn’t expected her to fold so quickly the anger that had painted his features only moments ago faltered, replaced by something closer to surprise.

“Fine,” she said again, firmer this time, the word tasting bitter on her tongue. “I’ll do whatever you want.”

Her father nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing, a small, satisfied smile touched his lips.

“Amelia… you know I don’t hate you.”

She picked up her bag, the strap digging into her palm. “I know, Dad.”

He smiled wider, almost fond. “I thought you were going to stay over.”

“I wish I could.” The lie slid out smoothly. Relief bloomed in her chest at the thought of leaving.

“But I have somewhere to be.”

He didn’t ask where, he simply slipped his hands into his pockets and nodded, already turning back toward his desk as if the matter were settled.

“Good night, Dad.”

Amelia left without waiting for a reply the moment the heavy front door closed behind her, she exhaled the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, her hands trembled slightly as she pulled out her phone the time glaring up at her. She barely had two hours.

She flagged down a cab, the city lights smearing past the window while her mind replayed the conversation on a loop. Fine. She had said it to end the shouting, to escape the study, to protect the fragile evening she had agreed to with Travis but the word still sat heavy in her stomach, another stupid promise made under pressure a piece of herself handed over to keep the peace, she hopped this conversation didn't come up again but knowing her dad she doubted it wouldn't.

By the time the cab stopped in front of her building, her pulse had settled into a restless rhythm she barely stripped off her work clothes before stepping into the shower, hot water cascaded over her shoulders, washing away the tiredness. She stayed under the spray longer than she should have, letting the heat loosen the knot between her shoulder blades.

When she stepped out, steam followed her into the bedroom, she stood in front of the open closet, towel wrapped loosely around her, and reached for her dress, a knee length, flowing piece with a soft floral pattern that moved like water when she walked.

The back was completely open, a clean plunge of fabric that left her skin bare from the nape of her neck to the small of her back, she slipped it on carefully.

The material settled against her body, It wasn’t scandalous, but it felt intimate. She turned sideways in the mirror, studying the line of her spine, the way the dress whispered around her legs.

Too much? The question fluttered through her mind she didn’t have time to second guess it.

Her makeup stayed simple, a swipe of her favorite cherry lip gloss that left her mouth soft and shiny, a careful coat of mascara.

A thin line of eyeliner that made her eyes pop She poured a little body oil into her palm and smoothed it over the exposed skin of her shoulders, collarbones, and the length of her back, the oil warmed under her hands making her shine. She looked at herself again and sighed in satisfaction.

As if on cue, her phone vibrated against the bed, an unknown number, she knew it was Travis she hadn't gotten around to saving his number, her heart gave a single, hard kick before she answered.

“Hi,” Travis’s voice came through, low and a little uncertain. “How are you?”

Amelia drew a slow breath. “I’m fine. How are you?”

“I’m good too.” A pause stretched between them, long enough that she could hear him shift on the other end. “Uh… so…”

Her fingers tightened around the phone, was he about to cancel? The thought landed with surprising force, she had already survived her father. She wasn’t sure she could handle being stood up on top of it.

“Are you outside?” she asked, keeping her voice even.

Another pause. Then Travis cleared his throat.

“How do I say this… I didn’t get where you wanted to go.”

Relief washed over her, he wasn’t canceling he was just embarrassed.

“That was totally my fault,” she said, a small smile tugging at her mouth. “I was supposed to pick the place. Don’t worry, I know somewhere we can go without reservations.”

She heard the faint sound of him shifting again. “Where?"

Amelia’s smile deepened. “You’ll see.”

Minutes later she stepped out of the building and found Travis waiting beside a dark car, it was just him, she had half expected to see Andre. Travis was leaning lightly against the driver’s side door, the moment he saw her his eyes brightened in a way that looked almost real, and for a second Amelia forgot to breathe. He smiled.

“You look great,” he said.

He didn’t look bad either this was the first time she had seen him in anything other than a suit. Dark jeans sat low on his hips, it was a baggy jean, thank heavens he hadn't worn a skinny jean, he wore a soft black button-down with the sleeves rolled to his elbows revealing the lean muscle of his forearms.

The top two buttons were undone, exposing a slice of collarbone and the clean line of his throat without the suit he looked younger.

She didn’t say any of that though, she only smiled back out of courtesy and let him open the passenger door for her the leather seat was cool against the bare skin of her back as she settled in. Travis walked around the front of the car, slid behind the wheel, and turned the key.

“So,” he said, glancing at her as the engine hummed to life, “where are you taking us, ma’am?”

Amelia gave him the address. He typed it into the GPS, brows lifting slightly.

“Where is this?”

She smiled, the expression almost cunning. “Be patient.”

Travis put the car into drive, the city lights slid across the windshield as they pulled away from the curb, they weren't actually going to any restaurant, she was taking him to a taco truck she at the far end of the street, for a few blocks neither of them spoke. Amelia was hyper aware of the space between them, of the way the dress left her back exposed, she could smell the familiar scent of his cologne that seemed stronger in the closed space of the car.

“Sooo…” Travis drew the word out, glancing at her again. “Why’d you pick eight?”

Amelia’s mouth curved. “I had to go see my dad.”

He nodded once, accepting the answer without pressing. “Why do you ask? You wanted to go earlier?”

He gave a small hum of agreement. Amelia turned toward him fully, amusement bright in her eyes. “You wanted to go out with me that bad?”

Travis looked over at her, clearly taken aback, the expression only made her smirk widen.

“What?” she teased. “Cat got your tongue?”

He held her gaze a second longer than necessary before returning his attention to the road. “Yes,” he said simply.

“I wanted to. I can’t help but want to hang out with you.”

The honesty in his voice landed softer than she expected. Her cheek became warm, and she could feel the fluttering in her stomach, she looked away quickly, focusing on the street ahead.

They reached the destination sooner than she was ready for. Travis slowed the car and eased it against the curb, warm light spilling from its windows onto the sidewalk. Neither of them moved to get out right away.

Travis shifted in his seat and leaned toward her. Amelia’s heart lurched into a faster rhythm, he was close enough that she could see the sharp line of his jaw in the dim light, she could taste the scent of his cologne in her mouth already, the smell wrapped around her completely.

His eyes stayed on hers for a while then dropped briefly to her mouth before he leaned in further, his breath brushed her ear.

She stayed perfectly still, every nerve in her suddenly awake, her whole being was on fire, she could feel the heat pooling in between her legs and some reckless part of her wanted him to close the last inch of space.

The rest of her could only sit there, pulse thudding in her throat, waiting to see what he would do next. Travis face inched closer as her eyes flickered shut.