Free It's Only Make-Believe by Shawn Lane Page B

laughed. "No offense."
    "Sure, stiff upper lip and all."
    "Anyway, we were talking last night at Miguel's Cantina and—"
    "I thought you went to Barton's."
    She waved one of her manicured hands. "I told you, too crowded. We switched to Miguel's."
    And that place wasn't too crowded? he wanted to ask, but decide not to bother. Miguel's was a meat market. He didn't like the idea of Melody there. Not that he had any say, obviously.
    "Ming said if I really wanted to get Luther's attention I should make him jealous."
    Sebastian raised an eyebrow. Leave it to Ming to suggest something underhanded. He sighed. "Why don't you try something old-fashioned?"
    "What's that?" She frowned over her mug.
    "Tell him how you feel." Okay, he should probably take his own advice, but the truth was he knew she wasn't attracted to him. Unless Luther really was gay, Sebastian would bet he did like Melody.
    "I don't think I could do that. I mean, how embarrassing if he doesn't return my feelings. You know?"
    Yes, he knew.
    "So, if I do decide to make him jealous, I need a man to do it with."
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    It's Only Make-Believe
    by Shawn Lane
    Okay, his cock perked up at that. He cleared his throat and shifted in his chair.
    Melody laughed. "Well, not do it with, exactly. I meant make him jealous. Someone he could see me going out with and think we were doing it."
    "Bad idea."
    Melody smiled a little. "Sorry you feel that way, Sebastian.
    I was thinking of asking you to be the guy. But if you think it's a bad idea..."
    "Wait." Lord, he'd yelped like a desperate puppy. Down, boy. He forced a casual smile on his face. "You want me to be the one to make Luther jealous?"
    "Well, yeah, Ming actually thought of it." She sipped her coffee and then brightened. "Hey, maybe it could work for you, too."
    "Me?"
    She practically bounced in the chair in excitement. "Sure.
    If the woman you're in love with sees you with me, she might get jealous, too, and realize what she's missing."
    He almost told her the truth, but stopped himself with effort. The sky would probably fall first. Still the possibility of a few dates with the object of his desire couldn't be a bad thing, could it?
    "Sebastian? Look, forget it. I can see you don't like the idea. I can find someone else," Melody said, rising from the chair.
    "No." There was that stupid eagerness again. "I'll do it."
    A bright smile lit her beautiful face. "You will? Really?"
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    It's Only Make-Believe
    by Shawn Lane
    "I still think it's brainless and idiotic," he said, "but I am at your disposal."
    "Great. Are you free tonight?"
    Yes, his cock tried to speak up. "Yes. What do you have in mind?"
    "We could go to dinner, and then there's this little jazz club Luther sometimes hangs at. We could go there."
    He loathed jazz almost as much as country. "Sure. Sounds great."
    "Thanks, Sebastian. Don't worry," she said, pausing to laugh, "it's only make-believe."
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    14

    It's Only Make-Believe
    by Shawn Lane

CHAPTER 2
    The doorbell to her townhouse rang precisely at seven. Mel grabbed her little black purse and went to the door.
    "Right on time," she said.
    Sebastian shrugged. "I pride myself on promptness."
    Mel smiled up at him. Geez, he was tall. She always knew he towered over her five-foot-six frame, but somehow outside the office he seemed even taller.
    His light brown hair was carefully groomed without a single strand out of place. She quickly noted he'd chosen to wear a navy shirt that complemented his blue eyes. Mel blinked. This close, she could see they were a deep sapphire. And if she wasn't mistaken, the shirt was silk. She dropped her gaze and saw he was wearing black dress pants. What had she expected out of Sebastian? Jeans and a T-shirt? Not hardly.
    "Shall we?"
    "Just let me grab my sweater," Melody said. "Could be cool later."
    He turned and headed to his waiting car. Her gaze followed. He had a very nice broad back. Great body, really.
    And that ass. Yum. Whoever he was in love with