Ben810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPindHpugp
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February 14, 2005810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK1m7XEEvW
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Same day810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRbBgZfPH2
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She doesn't believe me.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtEoXeDmnV
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Of course she doesn't. Why would she? She sees me as a womanizing man-whore, which isn't completely untrue. But she doesn't know the truth.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjriIuPtR6
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No one does. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGjDAiTBxy
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I plan to keep it that way. It's not like the truth would make anything better. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70eeONnUk5
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Well, not until now. Not until her.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfdEzGYjnp
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But this is a fake relationship, so there's no need to come clean.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtUjA47ssl
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She's not with me because she wants to be, she's with me because I'm an end to a means. Shit, that isn't right. I'm a means to an end. There we go.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGGdSz4qto
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Thank god I didn't say that out loud. She would have had my balls for that slip up.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtu6d1YfvR
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I will have to make her see that I am not the guy she thinks I am. I can show her, just to prove a point, of course. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXtl5e7yeY
She obviously doesn't want to be with me for real. She's made it very clear that this is fake. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1UXjxnyjm
"Okay, we got off track a bit. Let's see, one was me not dating. Two was us not liking each other. And three was what again?" We blew through the first two pretty easily, I'm fairly confident the last one won't be that hard either.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ9slGzGwA
"We have barely even looked at each other in the past month, so why would we suddenly start dating now?" Since I met her, I could barely stop myself from staring at her. Guess she wasn't looking at me, though. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tYGmEUkXi
"Okay, well... for starters, that's completely untrue." At least on my part. "Besides, plenty of people start dating while barely knowing each other." 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrARPuQPU5P
"What's untrue, exactly?" All of your little reasons.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiahGotLQ9N
"I definitely looked at you." Every second I was near you.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi21z1jSCOA
"Okay, I didn't mean literally. I just mean, we haven't talked. We could barely stand to be in the same room together. So what changed?" She sounds annoyed. Shit. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FAyGL94cY
"Well... You know... maybe the reason we couldn't stand to be in the same room together is because of our strong desire to be together, but we thought we couldn't be, so we avoided each other." Oh shoot. I didn't mean to be quite that honest.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBfqzX9nb6
"Okay, maybe for me, but no one is going to believe that for you." If only she knew...810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ343tFPdsr
"Sure they will. The guys teased me constantly for staring at you, so they will totally believe I was just pining after you." I immediately regret the words as soon as I say them. She's not going to believe me anyway and I sound like a total pussy.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv7qSUy1Ls
I wait for her retort, but I hear nothing but a sharp intake of breath. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzlkrbAkjN
I feel her nose brush against mine. She must have leaned forward accidentally... 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ833FKiBwcp
But then her lips meet mine. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbVTBaCzNh
The kiss is soft and delicate, just like her. It's sweet and completely her. It causes something to stir within my chest. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rQHMefAOc
It makes me want more. And not just sex. I want more of everything. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCZTeaGBW8
Oh, so much more.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qASf8kfhb
Too bad this isn't real. She doesn't really want to be with me.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO07We62r4y
Fuck, I can't want more. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcz2V7FCH1
She breaks off the kiss. "Oh god, that was dumb. I'm so sorry."810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMdgdxqaJF
Why is she apologizing? 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnDe3KKGOm
"That was a good practice kiss." I try to reassure her, even though it's we killing me that this isn't real. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrESwfcTy7w
She releases a breath. She must be embarrassed. Shit, she's probably over thinking again. I need to stop her before she dumps my fake ass. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqqIjVbVOP
As much as I hate pretending, not being around her would be so much worse. This past month has been hell. I tried to keep up appearances, flirting around, but my heart wasn't in it. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMYN741IBK
A part of me kinda hoped it would make her jealous. Yeah, like that would ever happen. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOncGw6gdTe
Just look at her. What does she have to be jealous of? She's fucking perfect.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUFM8qBawz
Okay, time to distract her. "You know, we are going to have to be convincing, so we need to get used to doing coupley things."810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxPqV0QArI
"True..." She doesn't sound very convinced.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlU1Q1UJcU
"Okay, I think I know what will help." I try to sound less exhausted than I am. She needs reassurance more than I need sleep. "Let's play a game. We need to get to know each other."810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqnsjHDSUx
"It's easy, just tell me something about you and I will tell you something about me." I know it's lame, but I couldn't come up with anything better. My brain is turning to mush from the alcohol and lack of sleep. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGkrbIlo6u
"I think you misused the word 'game'." She giggles. Thank god, crisis averted.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAdUANoilb
"Maybe." I laugh with her. "Just tell me something about you."810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7FHc68gFK
"No way, your game. You go first." She slaps my arm with the hand I'm not holding. I don't even know why I grabbed it in the first place, it just felt natural, and now I don't want to let go. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWpW4GdmBG
"Okay, give me a second to think." I hope something comes to me because my mind is completely blank.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDXZ5Pqccp
"While you think, can I have my hand back?" She tugs her hand, but mine doesn't budge. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4QWxBDCVr
"No way, this hand is mine now." I squeeze it tighter. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc78TK6rnlq
"I am actually going to need it though." I bring our clutched hands to my face to place a kiss on hers.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowb0nfymed
"Nope. It's mine. You can't have it." She pulls a little harder, but I'm much stronger than she is. She's not getting it back unless I let it go.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxSvwzq0it
"Ow. You're hurting me." I immediately release her hand, just before she begins to laugh.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD8zrmPwYN
"You little liar!" I hop up on my knees, to pin her down with one arm as my other hand tickles her side.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryMOr3jcMX
She's squealing and begging me to stop. "Who knew you were so ticklish!" I move up to her armpit, continuing my assault.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHLOQU61H8
"Stop! Stop! Okay, okay! Let's play your stupid game." Her breathing is heavy as she punches my chest with her little fists. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s1MClwFJQ
"Okay, Beautiful. Let's play, but..." I grab her hand again, locking our fingers together. "...this is still mine. I let it go under false pretenses."810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RTkBGsXwH
She groans, but doesn't say anything. Oh right, I'm supposed to go first. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUViTXb2XyJ
Dammit. I really didn't think this through.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEKUFQZD72
"Uhmm... I think we should change the game slightly. Ask me any question and I will answer honestly. Then you have to answer it too. We can take turns coming up with questions." Oh god, what a huge mistake. What if she asks something I can't answer.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdDzSLqXek
Shit. Shit. Shit.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zj35AOz7M
"Okay... Let's start out easy. Tell me about your parents." This could be very bad. Why didn't I think of this?810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEZRMJLiyg
"They are pretty typical, you know, just parents." I didn't think she would start off here. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUFDgpB6gj
"That's it? Seriously?" She sounds disappointed, but I can't get into the truth.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RNJhFjrg1
"There's really not much to say. My dad runs Alexander-Murphy Enterprises, so he works all the time. My mom is great, but she wants me to get married and it's all she talks about when I see her." There, maybe that will be enough to switch topics. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hWY2SHI9a
"No way! Your dad runs AME? So, you're what like, super rich?" I was used to people referring to it by its acronym, but I didn't expect Kat to be that familiar with the company.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsA95sF1O6
"I guess. He owns it, well him and Uncle Declan." I've already said way too much, but for some reason I want to be honest with her.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPopYQtzUa
"Wait... So is Joseph your brother? And Cole?" Shit. I was hoping she didn't know about my family.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLMvKEvPbL
"No." I blow out a breath. I really didn't want to get into this tonight. "I am Joseph Alexander."810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82kAbY2XNO
"But you go by Ben?" I can't tell if she's more in shock or curious.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsF7uKdAix
"Nate and I both decided to use our middle names so we wouldn't be as recognizable." I've always hated my first name anyway. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiXQDvVT42
"Wait... So... Nate is Declan Murphy Jr.?" Shit, Nate is going to kill me. "You two are New York's most eligible bachelor's? Well, according to People magazine anyway."810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W43IsnP6d
"Yeah, but please don't say anything to anyone. The reporters will swarm this place if they find out." I can't believe I told her all this. This could really mess everything up. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBfh7lX5Ar
"Ben, I would never. I just can't believe you're little Joey. Wow. You really grew up. You were just a little scrawny kid, what happened?" I feel a small victory since I worked so hard for this body, but the memory of the lying, backstabbing bitch is enough to put a pretty big damper on it.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQYLbUQQEa
"Samantha." I mutter, half to myself. Shit. It slipped out before I could think. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0tORqxTFq
"Who's Samantha?" She sounds so curious, but I definitely didn't want to get into this tonight.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJheQPUCv3
"No way. You've already asked your question. And you got a ton of information. It's my turn. Tell me about your parents." I just want to talk about something other than me.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZRf4an1aV
"Well, they are pretty typical, you know, just parents." She throws my words back in my face.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ426LyEN2Zj
"Ha ha ha." She's so fucking adorable.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1pBWyyZcb
"Okay, well my dad is a little different and my mom, well, she died last year. Brain tumor. My dad prayed and prayed, but it just wasn't enough." Woah. I can honestly say, I did not expect that. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmaPB5C0nN
"I'm so sorry, Kat. That has to be hard. As annoying as my mom can be, I can't imagine losing her." I hear her sniff and I know she is crying. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0hAUNFrij
"You know, this game kinda sucks." I try to lighten the mood.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDndr7CHNA
She let's out a little laugh. "Yeah, but it kinda worked. We know more about each other, right?" 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkXSfM4mKF
"Yeah, I guess. Let's get some sleep. I'm afraid to know what time it is."810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9AEo1My9e
"Okay, I'll go. Thanks for doing this." She pushes up off the bed. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Fp7CWqguW
"No, stay. Please." I hang onto her hand for dear life. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnimiP2EAC
"I really shouldn't." She can't leave. I need her.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGp0aVvjub
"You're upset and I would feel better if I could just hold you for a bit. Please." I don't want her to be alone right now and if I'm being honest, I don't want to be alone either. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvApqeWZCV
"If you insist." I really do. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2gJw7CnM9
She lays her head on my chest as I wrap her up in a hug. 810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWXPl3G3gv
Everything is right in the world.
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