My cheeks warm again. Why did he want to do that? And why is that exciting to me?
I shake those thoughts off. Surely, it just feels good getting a compliment.
“Could you imagine if you suddenly bit my ass in the middle of the game?”
“Oh, I can imagine it.” He says that without a trace ofhumor, those piercing eyes set on me.
This is really throwing me.
“You can praise my ass all you want,” I say, “but I know damn well you don’t walk around with a face like that not knowing any better.”
His grin fades, his expression stoic, and now I’m really confused.
“Yeah, I guess not,” he says.
I struck a nerve, evidently, but considering he was fine with me flattering him about people looking at him, I can’t imagine what the hell could be wrong with assuring him of what he already knows. Although, maybe this was a weird thing for two straight guys to be talking about anyway.
“Did I say something wrong?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “No, no. I had a random thought about something totally unrelated. Not anything I want to get into.”
“Fair enough,” I say, tucking my hands into my jacket pockets. “Guess I can’t keep all these secrets from you and expect you to be an open book.”
His expression’s tense. “Sounds about right. But just so we’re clear, you know you don’t have anything to complain about in the face department either.”
His gaze catches mine, and I have to look away.
“Oh, who’s blushing all of a sudden?” he teases.
“Shut it. Stop telling me how hot I am, and maybe I’ll be fine.”
“No, I think I’m enjoying this game. See how much I can make you blush.”
“It’s not that hard.”
“Good.” Once again, he doesn’t sound jokey, which takes me by surprise.
For a second there, I almost forgot what we were on our way to do. Or the fact that Matteo has the power to fuck this up for me. But as it comes back to me, I quiet, and there’s an uncomfortable stretch of silence between us.
Since we’re only about half a mile from the Alpha Alpha Mu house, I decide to get back to the more pressing matter. “So, as far as Spencer, I was thinking we head in, spend some time with Malcom. Maybe order pizza. Then see if we can lure Spencer into Malcom’s room so he can flirt with you. And I sneak out.”
Matteo glares at me. “That’s what you’ve come up with? Won’t it be suspicious if you leave after we get him into Malcom’s room?”
He’s not wrong. “You have a better idea?”
He stares ahead for a few moments before turning to me, a sly smirk on that sexy face. “I can definitely do better than that. Buy you a little time, even.”
“What are you thinking?”
He studies my expression before shaking his head. “Uh-uh. I’m gonna make you watch and squirm.”
The way he says it sounds a little sadistic, like he’s gonna enjoy it.
“What?” I ask.
“Like I said before, you’re gonna have to trust me. Like I’m having to trust you.”
There’s something wicked about the way he’s looking atme. Something intriguing that makes me willing to let my guard down. And despite looking at me like he’s up to no good, for the first time since he confronted me, I have a feeling he’s not leading me into a trap. That he’s on my side.
