Ben723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXBytPjiTx
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February 14, 2005723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmw65GMCdV
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Same day723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUo63ih62s
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She doesn't believe me.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaqSFlzkJl
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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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRamBphhide
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No one does. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7xvLrCwK8
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I plan to keep it that way. It's not like the truth would make anything better. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR70uMc636p
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Well, not until now. Not until her.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOonyfRjg6
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But this is a fake relationship, so there's no need to come clean.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsSlAW1Xci
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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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVQgXIN1ug
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Thank god I didn't say that out loud. She would have had my balls for that slip up.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj4ZtJUzef
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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. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOn39Fbezi
She obviously doesn't want to be with me for real. She's made it very clear that this is fake. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXF3FbzDE78
"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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWHxbkm3K1
"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. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMV8gQRHJn
"Okay, well... for starters, that's completely untrue." At least on my part. "Besides, plenty of people start dating while barely knowing each other." 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONMpcrpttB
"What's untrue, exactly?" All of your little reasons.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa5ywF5Lu9
"I definitely looked at you." Every second I was near you.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFbHtFUyQr
"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. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQanNbTZfs
"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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aAeWt2qdL
"Okay, maybe for me, but no one is going to believe that for you." If only she knew...723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmFloxg34w
"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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaUNDl0S42
I wait for her retort, but I hear nothing but a sharp intake of breath. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O6oItbyRv
I feel her nose brush against mine. She must have leaned forward accidentally... 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPgp6Yq4Si
But then her lips meet mine. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1RBiARCbo
The kiss is soft and delicate, just like her. It's sweet and completely her. It causes something to stir within my chest. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH2iZyd6Sa
It makes me want more. And not just sex. I want more of everything. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SBgxScodZ
Oh, so much more.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIlbUqWUTM
Too bad this isn't real. She doesn't really want to be with me.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1CwfkK1m6
Fuck, I can't want more. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy0XpoWzWT
She breaks off the kiss. "Oh god, that was dumb. I'm so sorry."723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR2oGKgo3B
Why is she apologizing? 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsURjMI8VA
"That was a good practice kiss." I try to reassure her, even though it's we killing me that this isn't real. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhmSmxZgtg
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. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsawUFCsFsR
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. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQJSrk9mwp
A part of me kinda hoped it would make her jealous. Yeah, like that would ever happen. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUeXgLalfh
Just look at her. What does she have to be jealous of? She's fucking perfect.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdm2yiW6JT
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."723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IIy4HPFBY
"True..." She doesn't sound very convinced.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73rBvBb7OV
"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."723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RN51ZwVTv
"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. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT5dkNtOA2
"I think you misused the word 'game'." She giggles. Thank god, crisis averted.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJ5nshom5h
"Maybe." I laugh with her. "Just tell me something about you."723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp20yskuPB
"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. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIBUDnOiEa
"Okay, give me a second to think." I hope something comes to me because my mind is completely blank.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSxkg8WvZa
"While you think, can I have my hand back?" She tugs her hand, but mine doesn't budge. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU0Zp45ecu
"No way, this hand is mine now." I squeeze it tighter. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TtxD8wTFu
"I am actually going to need it though." I bring our clutched hands to my face to place a kiss on hers.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn0w5jpG4l
"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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVaIptd55v
"Ow. You're hurting me." I immediately release her hand, just before she begins to laugh.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpvSZC2eum
"You little liar!" I hop up on my knees, to pin her down with one arm as my other hand tickles her side.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M22inurKm
She's squealing and begging me to stop. "Who knew you were so ticklish!" I move up to her armpit, continuing my assault.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkqvrUG7di
"Stop! Stop! Okay, okay! Let's play your stupid game." Her breathing is heavy as she punches my chest with her little fists. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH2QzbnOpq
"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."723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQcVQNGFtb
She groans, but doesn't say anything. Oh right, I'm supposed to go first. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KU9q7x4NR
Dammit. I really didn't think this through.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JMTxiuL8D
"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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AVevzwJxa
Shit. Shit. Shit.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXFzviOAXy
"Okay... Let's start out easy. Tell me about your parents." This could be very bad. Why didn't I think of this?723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDgSob5AkP
"They are pretty typical, you know, just parents." I didn't think she would start off here. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQXSZlMHQa
"That's it? Seriously?" She sounds disappointed, but I can't get into the truth.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgVHBZ1Pxa
"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. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKioxdrM5f
"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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOyfnYfBEo
"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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEvEmdafkb
"Wait... So is Joseph your brother? And Cole?" Shit. I was hoping she didn't know about my family.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MeKgI04li
"No." I blow out a breath. I really didn't want to get into this tonight. "I am Joseph Alexander."723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoVPiSQ7DS
"But you go by Ben?" I can't tell if she's more in shock or curious.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQppFSqgdZx
"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. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs79jN80j0x
"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."723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIeCXJ0ezL
"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. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21bXErMfTL
"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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg1i1tGbgm
"Samantha." I mutter, half to myself. Shit. It slipped out before I could think. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lc3WHQEq2
"Who's Samantha?" She sounds so curious, but I definitely didn't want to get into this tonight.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMq7RnK7lw
"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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2P3MzSZGn
"Well, they are pretty typical, you know, just parents." She throws my words back in my face.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkbvgU1Ue8
"Ha ha ha." She's so fucking adorable.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3mEngn766
"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. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLxbCgQX2Y
"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. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZywR6UtoU
"You know, this game kinda sucks." I try to lighten the mood.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfGr0q0Ye9
She let's out a little laugh. "Yeah, but it kinda worked. We know more about each other, right?" 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV6eSklToD
"Yeah, I guess. Let's get some sleep. I'm afraid to know what time it is."723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Sv8FTT6Te
"Okay, I'll go. Thanks for doing this." She pushes up off the bed. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBWbhOjPid
"No, stay. Please." I hang onto her hand for dear life. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOuF5d1bdK
"I really shouldn't." She can't leave. I need her.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEt3nBuzwU
"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. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBiHWORoPB
"If you insist." I really do. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyNQeiRJDO
She lays her head on my chest as I wrap her up in a hug. 723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYyGtW7Tw9
Everything is right in the world.
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