Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16504 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16504 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, but I ignored them, offering the same cold stare from earlier. In return, he offered the same smirk.
On cue, my nipples pebbled. Traitors.
Thank goodness for spilling coffee on my blouse this morning, forcing me to wear a thick enough sweater to hide my arousal.
He’d taken one step, his intent to prowl closer to his prey, when Brianna came back, intercepting his attack. His gaze bounced between me and her. His struggle to be polite but continue on his path was cute. So cute that I couldn’t help but allow a barely there smile to curl my lips. Allowing a slight raise of my brow in victory before turning away to claim my seat at the dinner table.
He had a woman for the night practically begging for him to fuck her. Leaving me free to enjoy my meal in peace.
Or so I thought.
Chapter 2
Amara
“Is this seat taken?”
I looked up, up, up past the sharp line of his clean-shaven jaw and into the shadowy blue depths of his eyes. Shocks of energy zipped down my spine to my core, and I struggled to remain aloof.
“Unfortunately, not.”
“Good,” he responded joyfully. As if I begged him to sit beside me, he pulled the chair out and made himself comfortable. “We didn’t get to properly meet earlier. I’m—”
I whipped around, giving him my full attention. “I really don’t care who you are. I don’t plan on being some lucky woman for you to fuck, so let’s not waste time.”
Most men shriveled at that point. Or snapped at the blatant rejection.
But this man? He smiled. Actually, fucking smiled.
“No names it is. Although, I do know yours, but I’m okay with keeping mine to myself.”
“Good.”
Despite the arctic blast I kept sending his way, he continued to chat amiably next to me. The more he talked, the more I understood that this wasn’t about the sex. This was about winning something you couldn’t have. Not about getting laid for the night. If that was all he wanted, he could have either Abby or Brianna. They’d vied for his attention since we sat down.
If I wasn’t so determined to beat him at his own game, I’d take a moment to congratulate him on his ability to deflect the women’s obvious attention while still fighting so valiantly for mine.
No, this man wanted me for the simple fact that I refused to fall at his feet. I was a challenge. Sadly for him, after the week I’d had, I was more determined than him to win this challenge.
More like sadly for us.
He oozed sex appeal, and my body responded as if he had been made just for me. No matter how many times I jerked my hand back after each accidental graze or diverted my attention to anyone else at the table, my pulse hummed with want. My senses attuned to the deep resonance of his voice. My core softened and tightened as if preparing for this man.
By the time the plates cleared, my nerves fired on high alert, making me both exhausted and energized.
It was…exhausting.
And exhilarating.
And I needed to go.
I needed sleep and a clear head. This week had worn me down, and every time this man ran his fingers through his dark hair, pushing the strands back off his forehead, I failed to resist the urge to take in his thick bicep straining against his shirt.
“Can I get you a drink?” Carina asked.
“Thank you, but I think I’m going to head out,” I said, offering an apologetic smile to the table.
“You sure?” she asked.
“Yeah, it’s been a long week, and my bed is calling my name.”
She offered a commiserating grimace before standing. I said my goodbyes, pointedly ignoring Mr. Dark, Handsome, and Arrogant beside me. I had just turned to head to the door when his soft murmur reached my ears.
“Scaredy cat.”
The insult was barely a whisper issued only for me. I should have ignored it—pretended I hadn’t even heard it.
But I couldn’t.
Turning back just enough to face him, I softened my cold shoulder, switching it out for a seductive heat I knew melted more than a few people. His gaze morphed from taunting to an inferno in seconds. If my look melted, then his ignited. Before he could read anything on my face, I simply raised a brow, letting the ice slide back in place.
“Goodbye.”
And then I left.
I’d just headed down the sidewalk to my car when I heard a door open and close.
Deep inhale.
Clenched jaw.
Eyes forward.
I would not stop. I would not look back.
I knew who it was without having to look. Instead, I kept my pace even and steady—the strike of my heels on the pavement never changing. Of course, it was only a matter of time until he caught up to me, with his long legs eating up twice as much space as mine. I’d arrived late and had to park further down, where the streetlamps grew further apart.