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is, he said taking my besties with me wasn’t a good plan.”
    Arik was a wise leader. Sending one lioness somewhere was asking for trouble. Once they grouped in a pair or more? No one was safe.
    “So Arik doesn’t want you to go by yourself. That still doesn’t…” His voice trailed off as horror consumed him, a horror that grew deeper the more Luna smiled at him from her perch on his chest. He shook his head in vehement denial. “Oh no. Hell no. Not happening.”
    “But I haven’t even told you why I need you. Other than for some obvious nookie to scratch an itch.”
    “You want us to go to that club and pose as a couple.”
    “Don’t look at me with that horrified gaze. This was Arik’s idea.”
    “When did you talk to Arik?”
    “I’ve been up for a while.”
    And obviously high on caffeine or something if she’d agreed. “What else did he say?”
    “He said we should go together as a committed couple. I then might have laughed at his idea. As if anyone would believe this is ready to settle down.” She gestured to her shape, fingers skimming over her frame.
    “The more unbelievable part is anyone thinking you and I could pass as a couple.”
    “We did it last night with the fuzz.”
    “For a few minutes. They were distracted, and we got away with it. But no way could we get anyone to believe we’re truly together.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” Luna asked, sounding most indignant.
    “We couldn’t be more mismatched. I mean, I’m a suit kind of guy who likes reading and fine dining and a daily run in the park.”
    “First off, I’d totally run with you. After all, someone needs to hold the leash. I think books are great, especially for the times you run out of sand for the kitty litter box. And I love eating. Anytime you want to see my eating skills”—she winked—“you let me know.”
    “Has the chef at your condo been putting cat nip in the muffins again?”
    “No.” Her lips pulled down in a pout. “Apparently it’s a gateway drug to squeaky mouse toys and drinking all the cream.”
    He closed his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why me?” Muttered aloud, so of course she heard.
    “I think you’re a great choice for a fake boyfriend because if anyone needs to get out and let loose, it’s you.”
    “I have responsibilities.”
    “You do, and according to you, so do I.” Her voice turned serious, a rarity for her, which made it all that more effective. “I need your help, but if you feel you can’t, then I’ll find someone else to play the part of boyfriend.”
    Someone else? Hell no. How could he subject some other poor bastard to the insanity that was Luna? “I’ll do it.”
    “Really?” Her exuberant exclamation didn’t prepare him for the way she grabbed him and hauled him to a sitting position.
    Stronger than she looked. “What are you doing?”
    She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Just getting my new fake boyfriend used to having me touch him. Can’t have you flinching every time I do this.” Leaning close, her warm breath fluttered across his skin.
    He shivered and leaned away. Not because he wanted to. On the contrary, he wanted to feel her lips on his skin because that would provide the invitation for his hands to roam.
    Roaming would lead to bad things.
    Pleasurably bad things. So Jeoff dumped Luna from his lap before sliding from the bed and giving himself some space.
    She grumbled. “This won’t work if you keep acting so repressed.”
    “I am not repressed.”
    A challenging glint entered her eyes. “Prove it.”
    There were many things a man could fight against. He could guard himself against seduction. Hold himself in control instead of lashing out. Work out to burn calories after a night of too many beers. But prick at his manhood and something had to be done.
    Before he could talk himself out of it, he snared Luna close with an arm curled around her waist. He drew her taut to him and lifted her on tiptoe so that her