Ben781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkvxLtxaHw
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February 14, 2005781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QNoZfmLNJ
*781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYn5n3pWoc
Same day781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Aa65D5zOT
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She doesn't believe me.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthdft1XX6T
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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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxePOVhw5I
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No one does. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0DfWD793A
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I plan to keep it that way. It's not like the truth would make anything better. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0P4dwjNPpg
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Well, not until now. Not until her.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkQ4Z7nTaa
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But this is a fake relationship, so there's no need to come clean.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0zXyPvE4A
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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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgmtFGxOFT
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Thank god I didn't say that out loud. She would have had my balls for that slip up.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNewmiQLI7
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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. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWAiQSEzMb
She obviously doesn't want to be with me for real. She's made it very clear that this is fake. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XCc1bXogE
"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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KUyKhXYnN
"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. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1a3FrEf5p
"Okay, well... for starters, that's completely untrue." At least on my part. "Besides, plenty of people start dating while barely knowing each other." 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI3TUB1bab
"What's untrue, exactly?" All of your little reasons.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdqkUpgLBd
"I definitely looked at you." Every second I was near you.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNTLHWQq0N
"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. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ29MWXF0o
"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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICvcvjDo9F
"Okay, maybe for me, but no one is going to believe that for you." If only she knew...781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rDqCmJQwc
"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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXQ86XaDCs
I wait for her retort, but I hear nothing but a sharp intake of breath. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYqwGUNht4
I feel her nose brush against mine. She must have leaned forward accidentally... 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97I7m3DD5m
But then her lips meet mine. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkgzDThqIS
The kiss is soft and delicate, just like her. It's sweet and completely her. It causes something to stir within my chest. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmncFRQ4KQE
It makes me want more. And not just sex. I want more of everything. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUBA8irB0U
Oh, so much more.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiI12Jj2KFe
Too bad this isn't real. She doesn't really want to be with me.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtprvObd8VD
Fuck, I can't want more. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsaXenYcCg
She breaks off the kiss. "Oh god, that was dumb. I'm so sorry."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDx0eOvaYe
Why is she apologizing? 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MCAoDRR0e
"That was a good practice kiss." I try to reassure her, even though it's we killing me that this isn't real. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwsEYMHtHM
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. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0Hx4Vr5us
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. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9ID8LO4w4
A part of me kinda hoped it would make her jealous. Yeah, like that would ever happen. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyTO5XPYrc
Just look at her. What does she have to be jealous of? She's fucking perfect.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2eI3wMpnT
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."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRKNvvlhGj
"True..." She doesn't sound very convinced.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKOsViB6G4
"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."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRHFD8Zvca
"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. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcatxMaYer
"I think you misused the word 'game'." She giggles. Thank god, crisis averted.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfRe39sNHP
"Maybe." I laugh with her. "Just tell me something about you."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxUgEjE8Xr
"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. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9NrJ2vQp4
"Okay, give me a second to think." I hope something comes to me because my mind is completely blank.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQL5h8wOjQ
"While you think, can I have my hand back?" She tugs her hand, but mine doesn't budge. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FkJyuu0qp
"No way, this hand is mine now." I squeeze it tighter. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6lci8eYNc
"I am actually going to need it though." I bring our clutched hands to my face to place a kiss on hers.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5ZvQDDQ6E
"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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WZNleYld0
"Ow. You're hurting me." I immediately release her hand, just before she begins to laugh.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NinwUUrWC
"You little liar!" I hop up on my knees, to pin her down with one arm as my other hand tickles her side.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUn67ybpfR
She's squealing and begging me to stop. "Who knew you were so ticklish!" I move up to her armpit, continuing my assault.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK5DYy3Qz5
"Stop! Stop! Okay, okay! Let's play your stupid game." Her breathing is heavy as she punches my chest with her little fists. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbYxEUDrur
"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."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazeZ9OWced
She groans, but doesn't say anything. Oh right, I'm supposed to go first. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3Fq41WYec
Dammit. I really didn't think this through.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE3DyeUyJ0
"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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm1XygtAcv
Shit. Shit. Shit.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bUZY6U1HH
"Okay... Let's start out easy. Tell me about your parents." This could be very bad. Why didn't I think of this?781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLxi4Is6w2
"They are pretty typical, you know, just parents." I didn't think she would start off here. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwvgxZGOeQ
"That's it? Seriously?" She sounds disappointed, but I can't get into the truth.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrzO70H9j4
"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. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ0bqQHC5z
"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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWqu9CTYOp
"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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EWzuna5UE
"Wait... So is Joseph your brother? And Cole?" Shit. I was hoping she didn't know about my family.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRv9aVOHMTd
"No." I blow out a breath. I really didn't want to get into this tonight. "I am Joseph Alexander."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ649PpqkBkn
"But you go by Ben?" I can't tell if she's more in shock or curious.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sOnxkePJL
"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. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlhd46pzTO
"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."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXl2xRlaUy
"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. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoStFHKaOK
"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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9Egzzh0cn
"Samantha." I mutter, half to myself. Shit. It slipped out before I could think. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FZW7ErTRq
"Who's Samantha?" She sounds so curious, but I definitely didn't want to get into this tonight.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtJ1s5hdof
"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.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY0Ef7soYz
"Well, they are pretty typical, you know, just parents." She throws my words back in my face.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFjTpSwBzA
"Ha ha ha." She's so fucking adorable.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29Dk7psX1s
"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. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8nnQZnsGg
"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. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHt38f27kmI
"You know, this game kinda sucks." I try to lighten the mood.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQbBYRF7YP
She let's out a little laugh. "Yeah, but it kinda worked. We know more about each other, right?" 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPL2mxWmKv
"Yeah, I guess. Let's get some sleep. I'm afraid to know what time it is."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6vHgjK7vZ
"Okay, I'll go. Thanks for doing this." She pushes up off the bed. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQyCSSav23
"No, stay. Please." I hang onto her hand for dear life. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiyXqVprUn
"I really shouldn't." She can't leave. I need her.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEtCI55fkk
"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. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsc84EVphov
"If you insist." I really do. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR4yo11RuE
She lays her head on my chest as I wrap her up in a hug. 781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfXlCW44SH
Everything is right in the world.
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