1. Intimate conversations – Get to know each other more, childhood trauma, irrational fears, middle school horror stories. The whole bonding package.
2. Build an Online Presence – Couple posts and flirty comments.
3. Ooze Chemistry – Stolen glances, lingering touches, inside jokes. Enough tension to make onlookers uncomfortable but intrigued.
4. Public Appearances – Business dinners, casual brunches, spontaneous dates where we’re just so in sync.
5. Physical Touch – Seal the illusion! A well-timed touch, casual hand on my back, whisper something in my ear that makes me laugh. And a well-timed forehead kiss in public wouldn’t hurt 😊

I lower the paper and glance up at him. “Stick to the syllabus, and we’ll earn our Oscar.”

He nods and reads through the list in amusement, specifically honing in on number five, then hesitates as if he wants to add more but decides against it. Instead, he stands to clear his dishes.

“Oh, let me help with that, Mr. Grimes.” I offer quickly, standing up as well.

“As much as I enjoy hearing you call me Mr. Grimes,” he starts, a sly smirk playing on his lips as he scans me briefly, “Please call me Vic when you’re off the clock.”

I blush.

“I’ll clean up. The staff’s gone home for the night, and you’ve been off for hours. You’ve done more than enough today, and you certainly shouldn’t be taking care of me.” He adds, his voice warm yet firm.

I playfully hit his chest, “Oh please, I enjoy taking care of people. Besides, you needed to be taken care of tonight after all that huffin’ and puffin’ you were doin’ when you got home. Just a hot, grumpy mess.

We both laugh, but I realize my hand still lingers on his chest. His warmth seeps into my skin, and his domineering presence wraps around me. As he stands over me, I lean into him and find myself melting under the gentle pressure of his touch.

“Well,” he smirks. “I assure you, I’m not grumpy anymore. So, thank you, Kerry. And I promise to be studious and commit to every task in the syllabus, especially physical touch.”

I gulp loudly, then appreciatively nod, but as I start to pull away, his fingers brush against the silk of my shirt, a touch so light it sends a shiver down my spine.

“Well,” My voice shakes. “I appreciate your dedication and your thanks.”

“I just wish I could do the same in return.” He says regretfully.

“Do what, Vic?” My voice is almost a whisper, charged with desire I hadn’t expected to feel.

He moves his hand upward, his fingers tracing a line from my arm up to my cheek, holding my gaze with an intensity that nearly makes my heart beat out of my chest. “Take care of you like you’ve taken care of me tonight.” He says, his breath warm against my skin.