“Like what you see?” I asked as I kept my eyes forward.
“Your brother didn’t do you justice.”
Resting my back against the bar, I asked, “What exactly do you think of me?”
He smiled, stepping closer as he invaded my personal space. He brushed the hair from my cheek, running his fingertip down my face. “You’re prettier in person. You are tough as nails, just like your brother said, but I can see the real Izzy underneath.”
I snarled, feeling all kinds of bitchy. “There’s no hidden me underneath. This is who I am. I make no apologies for my bitchiness or candid comments.”
“Oh, little girl, you’re so much more than a smart mouth.” He leaned in, hovering his mouth just above mine.
I held my breath, silently debating if I wanted him to kiss me. I had to be crazy. There was nothing about this man I liked, besides his face. His words were infuriating, his attitude was obnoxious, and the fact that he thought he had me pegged made me want to slap his face when he spoke.
His eyes searched mine as I stood there not breathing and just keeping myself upright against the bar.
“You’re an asshole, Jimmy.”
He didn’t back away. Instead, he held his ground, pressing against my body. “It’s James,” he murmured.
I swallowed hard, my stomach flipping inside my body like I’d just gone down the giant hill on a roller-coaster. “Still an asshole,” I whispered, my tongue darting out to caress my lips and almost touch his.
“Doll, I never claimed to be nice.” His lips were turned up into a grin so large that it almost kissed his eyes.
“Can we drink now?” I asked, wanting to move our bodies apart. The heat coming off him was penetrating my dress and causing my body to break out into a sweat. The pop and sizzle I felt inside was more than just the alcohol. James, the asshole, did naughty things to my body, and I needed distance between us.
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” he asked without moving out of my personal space.
I placed my hands against his chest and pushed. He didn’t budge or falter as I pushed again.
He tipped his head back and laughed. “Is that all you got?”
“Fucker. First off, I have more, but I don’t want to cause a scene at my brother’s wedding. Second, I haven’t had enough. You aren’t my father and you don’t get to tell me when to stop drinking. Last time I checked my driver’s license, I was old enough to make that choice for myself.” I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to put some space between his torso and mine.
“Let’s get one thing straight, Isabella.” His hot breath tickled the nape of my neck as he put his mouth against my ear and spoke. “I will have you in my bed tonight.”
I rolled my eyes and pursed my lips, trying to hide exactly how excited that statement had made me. I didn’t want to date the man, but shit, I wanted to fuck him.
“You’re quite sure of yourself,Jimmy.” I emphasized his name, knowing it would drive him crazy.
“There are things I’m very sure of.”
“Like what?” I spat.
“From the moment I saw you, I knew I wanted to be inside you. When I touched you, I felt something, and I know you felt it, too. There’s something between us. I think I need to fuck you out of my system.”
“Is that the best line you have?” I hissed, feeling his lips against my ear. I groaned, closing my eyes to let the feel of his mouth on my skin soak into my bones.
“I don’t need lines, Izzy,” he growled, with his teeth caging the flesh of my ear.
My toes curled inside my heels; I felt him all over my body. No one had ever affected me in this way.
“I’m down for a challenge.”
“Doll, there’s no challenge with a willing participant.”
I pulled back, feeling his mouth slip from my skin, and looked him in the eye. “I was referring to your ability to keep up with me.”
Again, he laughed and held his stomach. “Izzy, Izzy. Baby, if you can walk right in the morning without still feeling me inside you, I’d be shocked. I have no doubt I can keep up with you. You’ll never be the same after I’ve fucked you.”
