Ben710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0ah5Ymnzs
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February 14, 2005710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryjTBf3Xdl
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Same day710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoKJbofnKv
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She doesn't believe me.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmZiXEh5gp
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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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rrgdi71jD
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No one does. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZCs4HrWpW
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I plan to keep it that way. It's not like the truth would make anything better. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FxO0gLGly
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Well, not until now. Not until her.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT2ItO2d2f
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But this is a fake relationship, so there's no need to come clean.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfifdFX1D7T
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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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOxZPkMwNh
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Thank god I didn't say that out loud. She would have had my balls for that slip up.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAstlhRqYRs
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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. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JLli4Xk3I
She obviously doesn't want to be with me for real. She's made it very clear that this is fake. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLz5ZLyXp5
"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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AvPDFzEHw
"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. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBQPGR1z6Z
"Okay, well... for starters, that's completely untrue." At least on my part. "Besides, plenty of people start dating while barely knowing each other." 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV65ToOKpm
"What's untrue, exactly?" All of your little reasons.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVCOGbS4M9
"I definitely looked at you." Every second I was near you.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGIeFiFodP
"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. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE3gIpeZIr
"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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsHzPzWMLu
"Okay, maybe for me, but no one is going to believe that for you." If only she knew...710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2az55xwZxc
"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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6muBe3aBG
I wait for her retort, but I hear nothing but a sharp intake of breath. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOzBWimbN0
I feel her nose brush against mine. She must have leaned forward accidentally... 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku3DPqA0lv
But then her lips meet mine. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB1dvWHzSn
The kiss is soft and delicate, just like her. It's sweet and completely her. It causes something to stir within my chest. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fdCL3Dfd3
It makes me want more. And not just sex. I want more of everything. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBYmjAy2B3
Oh, so much more.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNfhdd5ZxH
Too bad this isn't real. She doesn't really want to be with me.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLxteGWRzh
Fuck, I can't want more. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgdkBLOaFk
She breaks off the kiss. "Oh god, that was dumb. I'm so sorry."710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6gosPpQDP
Why is she apologizing? 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQOxhsPhih
"That was a good practice kiss." I try to reassure her, even though it's we killing me that this isn't real. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsg0eZbnyV
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. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtCm1zdEbS
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. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3Ahim6KCN
A part of me kinda hoped it would make her jealous. Yeah, like that would ever happen. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrlBBCp4FG
Just look at her. What does she have to be jealous of? She's fucking perfect.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnSKRJJXih
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."710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVPa8CrDDG
"True..." She doesn't sound very convinced.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy70B5zKjCs
"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."710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafpLdDeJ7b
"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. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL1FPQHt2y
"I think you misused the word 'game'." She giggles. Thank god, crisis averted.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXaPTMFL8D
"Maybe." I laugh with her. "Just tell me something about you."710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAB5w6dR6V
"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. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIbkeDNVcZ
"Okay, give me a second to think." I hope something comes to me because my mind is completely blank.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHouCPGBGD
"While you think, can I have my hand back?" She tugs her hand, but mine doesn't budge. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSJ2by40e9
"No way, this hand is mine now." I squeeze it tighter. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnm19Z3CGx
"I am actually going to need it though." I bring our clutched hands to my face to place a kiss on hers.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG2Tg0LdDg
"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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO8dBj6mXQ
"Ow. You're hurting me." I immediately release her hand, just before she begins to laugh.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGeL7dmbpf
"You little liar!" I hop up on my knees, to pin her down with one arm as my other hand tickles her side.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEUOWuuLIc
She's squealing and begging me to stop. "Who knew you were so ticklish!" I move up to her armpit, continuing my assault.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaYzkqcNTL
"Stop! Stop! Okay, okay! Let's play your stupid game." Her breathing is heavy as she punches my chest with her little fists. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJkeweO6q9
"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."710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKR9Darr9d
She groans, but doesn't say anything. Oh right, I'm supposed to go first. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBxRnuaZRb
Dammit. I really didn't think this through.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sAukMVsqr
"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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwV1rvHBJM
Shit. Shit. Shit.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhz88Llw2p
"Okay... Let's start out easy. Tell me about your parents." This could be very bad. Why didn't I think of this?710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMemytJ1R3D
"They are pretty typical, you know, just parents." I didn't think she would start off here. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2ahe5h178
"That's it? Seriously?" She sounds disappointed, but I can't get into the truth.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF4emPCFsf
"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. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOAa3ua6Ce
"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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PeZZP42Cy
"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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwBn9ZKgwG
"Wait... So is Joseph your brother? And Cole?" Shit. I was hoping she didn't know about my family.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm8fZ0N2P2
"No." I blow out a breath. I really didn't want to get into this tonight. "I am Joseph Alexander."710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMlCl0cZjA
"But you go by Ben?" I can't tell if she's more in shock or curious.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbQqHk7UQF
"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. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb057i2ILH
"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."710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcdL3Vwyq6
"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. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7Bot4OHto
"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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaw7sBf0XX
"Samantha." I mutter, half to myself. Shit. It slipped out before I could think. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu9bI5by1R
"Who's Samantha?" She sounds so curious, but I definitely didn't want to get into this tonight.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqsNlnOK5m
"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.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIO8KQGbiZ
"Well, they are pretty typical, you know, just parents." She throws my words back in my face.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu1z7hHiKE
"Ha ha ha." She's so fucking adorable.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB69xMv92D
"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. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZujbY4Zeny
"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. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6jxIUflxu
"You know, this game kinda sucks." I try to lighten the mood.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nnon6w8Ce
She let's out a little laugh. "Yeah, but it kinda worked. We know more about each other, right?" 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA4CFAwAN4
"Yeah, I guess. Let's get some sleep. I'm afraid to know what time it is."710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnNp6J8FbO
"Okay, I'll go. Thanks for doing this." She pushes up off the bed. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBau3IDCICk
"No, stay. Please." I hang onto her hand for dear life. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZIvtTlxmo
"I really shouldn't." She can't leave. I need her.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbOj6vh9yd
"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. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGEp7ZvUzh
"If you insist." I really do. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFjdtFAEV8
She lays her head on my chest as I wrap her up in a hug. 710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgeVGpe4UD
Everything is right in the world.
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