Grant hesitates, but eventually his half of the television screen fills with the chest inventory. “I’m not sure how I feel about you supplying me. I like to impress girls with my sword collection.”
Now it’s my turn to act jealous. “Are you showing many girls your sword?”
He laughs again, the stupid dimple in his right cheek sending my insides into a twitter. “Not in the last few months.”
I smile even as I bite the back of my lips to stop it from growing. The rhythm of my heart picks up with his words and I imagine my insides resemble the dumb bunny fromBambi. If I’m not careful, I’ll start thinking thoughts like Grant has me all twitterpated. And that is not something I do.
“If we were playing on my server, I’d offer you the world of gifts, but you’re hell-bent on playing this by your rules.”
“I don’t need gifts.”
Grant lays down his controller and turns to face me. The air in the room thickens with seriousness. “Whatdoyou need, Clare?”
Our eyes lock on one another, Grant daring me to admit what rages inside my body. If only I’d been the Cunningham I should be. This conversation would be much easier. I balance back and forth on the line. Parts of me want to tell him everything even if it will surely be a tear-soaked conversation. Other parts want me to shut up by using sex as a diversion. Sex is a much better topic than my family history.
With a deep breath I suck back the tears that were so close to falling. My brain screams at me not to do it. Not to take the chance, but with work I force my lips to form the word, “You.”
As the answer crosses the space between us I lean in meeting Grant more than halfway. Our lips join together, his as soft as I remember. His upper arms are more muscular than his presence gives off outside his shirt. My fingers twist the light blue material of his polo shirt and pull him closer. The soft, sweet caress of his tongue pushes through my closed lips and I welcome the intrusion.
As quickly as this started, it stops. Grant pulls away, his back hitting the couch with an audible thud. His breaths come in quick pants. It’s not hard to see he was in the moment too.
“This is not going to happen tonight, Clare.”
“What?”
“I’m not having sex with you.”
“Since when?” Have I done something tonight to give myself away? Made a small move and flashed my warning lights — beware: this girl came from foster care. Is it written on my forehead? “You invited me to your hotel room.”
“Yeah, to play video games. You said sex was off the table. I’m trying to figure you out and respect you at the same time.”
“But you are Grant Moore, the Playboy. Everyone knows that.”
He rears back like I slapped him. “Is that what they say about me?”
Guilt over hurting his feelings abates the sexiness of the night. I thought Grant was proud of hisdon’t bother with a phone numberapproach to dating.
“No,” I lie. “But it’s been noted you have a problem hanging on to phone numbers.”
“I’ve had no problem hanging on to yours.”
“Why?”
Because I’m the first one to say no to the rich, pretty and popular Grant Moore? He’s already mentioned how he considers this a quest. What are the odds if we have sex tonight he’ll move on like he does with the other girls?
Quest complete.
My brain says do it. Have sex with Grant tonight and get back to regular life, but the beating inside my chest stalls at the idea. I can’t let myself consider what it would be like to date Grant. Truly date him with the boyfriend/girlfriend titles and everything, but it doesn’t stop me from wishing.
He shrugs. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”
When men say that crap, do they think it answers our questions? They’re obviously unaware most females are big balls of uncertainty and low self-esteem. “I’ve never met anyone like you” could mean you’re hotter than Megan Fox on a good day or you completely disgust me and I consider you one of the guys. When given the choice, any female will always believe option two. At least I always do.
“So you’re turning away sex tonight because…” He respects me?
“Because you made it very clear you weren’t coming to my room to have sex.”
“I take it back.”
