Dixie has lifted her head to look me straight in the eyes, a determined expression on her face. "You keep telling me I'm a child," she retorts. Her fingers slide down my chest, following the path of my abs to venture even lower, and she breathily murmurs, "Would a kid do this?"
She presses her uninjured hand against my crotch, galvanizing me. With a quick movement, I grab her wrist to push her away from me. "Cut the crap!"
Our gazes are locked, neither of us willing to give in. Her chest rises at a rapid pace, and with each of her breaths, I feel her nipples brush against my skin through her tank top.
"You like mature women who are confident in themselves, right Player? Who says I'm not mature too?"
She twists to escape my grip, but I tighten my fingers around her wrist.
"Your current behavior is nothing like the femme fatale you're trying to be," I reply.
My barb hits home, as Dixie's face crumbles before my eyes. She shakes her head as if to chase away an unwelcome thought, then tries to take a step back, but I hold her in place.
"Let me go, Player," she says in a choked voice.
"No way." We stare at each other in silence for a briefmoment before I add, "Now that you've disturbed me, I have the right to know what's going on with you."
She blinks several times, then shakes her head. "So you can mock me again? No thanks."
I release my grip and her arm falls to her side, but she makes no move to leave. I back up until my legs meet the edge of my bed.
"Tell me." And at that moment, I realize that I really want to know what put her in such a state. Obviously, Dixie has no intention of answering me, so I add, "Alabama, if you don't speak up right now, I'll take your little game tonight as an admission of your defeat."
She frowns. "In your dreams, Player!"
I smirk, but this time, for some reason, to relieve her worries. "I already told you: I don't dream about you."
15
DIXIE
I can't detectany trace of mockery on Player's face, if I can even understand him at all. And that's far from certain! This man is an enigma. He's capable of taking care of me one minute, only to humiliate me the next.
A discouraged sigh escapes my lips. My attention shifts to the interior of his room, which I'd never seen until now. He hasn't put up any decorations. Apart from his belongings scattered here and there, there's nothing personal here. It's almost as if he's not really planning to stay.
I frown at the thought that Player might leave OMU.
"My patience has its limits, Alabama," he warns me.
He stands there, nearly naked, and my gaze travels across his muscular chest to get lost on his abs. I swallow hard when a wave of heat courses through my stomach.
"I had an accident," I blurt out suddenly.
Now it's Player's turn to be surprised. Confusion is written all over his handsome face.
Uh... Since when do I find him attractive?
I guess his insufferable temperament doesn't prevent my body from reacting to his assets. Guilt mingles with the desirethat's gradually taking possession of my body since I entered this room.
"What kind of accident?" he insists.
His question pulls me from my thoughts. Instinctively, I move toward the window, leaving Player behind me. I'm aware he has a clear view of my butt, but I don't care.
Or maybe I want him to check me out?
I shake my head to straighten out my thoughts, even though I know it's pointless. It's very late, and fatigue is making me go off the rails.
My memories come flooding back, probably triggered by the nightmare I had, and I don't fight them. Besides, I'm not sure I could control them even if I tried.
