“Sure.We’re in the back, and Marquita saved two seats at our table for you.”
I give him a chin lift, wishing I didn’t have to waste another minute on Tracie.“Thanks, man.”
He’s barely five feet away when Bianca moves out of my grip and faces me, eyes narrowed and expression totally pissed off.
“I’m your crazy-chick repellent?”She puts her hands on her hips, and I know she wants to clock me.“Are you fucking mad?”
I run my hand through my hair, feeling like an asshole.“The coach said I needed to make a very public statement that Tracie and I were and never will be a couple.He told me to bring my girlfriend with me to prove to Mr.Turner that his granddaughter is indeed off-the-rails insane again.”
“Again?”Her mouth hangs open.“She has a history of this shit?”
“She has a history of stalking players.”
Her shoulders bunch up near her head like she’s a volcano about to blow.“I’m your bait, aren’t I?I should knock your ass out right here,” she says in a low, scary voice, and I feel like she could do it if given half a chance.
She’s so damn hot when she’s mad, too.
“You’re my saving grace.”I reach for her, but she slaps my hand and pulls away.
“Don’t.”
“Bianca, come on.Don’t be that way.”I take a step toward her, wanting nothing more than to smooth things over.
She stops moving away from me.“You should’ve warned me, Vinnie.”
“Would you have come?”
“I don’t know, but at least I would’ve had a choice.”
“She’s gone now.She won’t be a problem,” I promise her, but I don’t know if it’s entirely true.“Don’t let her ruin our evening.I was enjoying myself until she showed up.”
“So was I.”
This time, I move faster than her, wrapping my arms around her back and locking my fingers together.Our bodies are touching, and she feels fucking spectacular in my arms.
“Do you like me?”I ask point-blank.
“What?”She doesn’t fight me or my hold.
“Do.You.Like.Me?”I ask again.
“I… Uh…”
I flatten my palms against her back.“It’s an easy question, Bianca.Are you attracted to me?”
She blushes.
“I’m attracted to you,” I say with complete honesty.This may have started as a favor, but there’s no one else I’d rather be here with.
She glances up at me, and there’s sadness in her eyes for a moment before it passes.“I don’t think I’m really your type.You probably want some skinny supermodel.”
I stare at her, dumbfounded by her statement.“The last thing I want is some twig at my side.I’m a big boy, and sometimes I can be rough.”I can see her swallow as the vein in her neck starts to pulse quicker.“You are very much my type, and I like you, too.Big attitude and all.”
“You like me?”She looks surprised.
I don’t get why she’d believe any differently.I think I’ve made myself pretty clear in the limited amount of time we’ve spent together.Why would a woman as pretty as Bianca think a guy wouldn’t want her?It makes no sense.
I nod.“Very much.”
