“It’s you, Wilder. He’s looking at you. Don’t lie to yourself.”
I shake my head at her. Why does she have to read me so well?
“What is it that changed your mind about him? You’re usually more set in your opinions than my grandfather complaining about kids these days with their dirty music and tight pants.”
I’m not sure whether she intends it as an insult or a compliment. But it makes me think. What is it that changed my opinion of him? His first impression left such a stain on my brain I never thought I’d forgive him. But there’s something behind that polished facade of his. Something that makes me want to take out an ice pick to chip away at it. I pull my lower lip out from between my teeth. “There’s a lot more to him than most people see.”
“Like a big dick?” Her lips are pressed together to keep the laugh in, but I let mine out as my shoulders ease up.
“My lips are sealed.”
“I’ve heard things.” Now her eyes are gleaming with curiosity.
“They’re probably true.” I wink at her.
Her low whistle echoes in the small room. “Nice. I’m going to tell Beth she owes me five bucks.”
“No betting on his dick size, Maisie.” But I’m talking to her retreating back, and the warning vanishes into the ether.
At least I think it does.
“What’s that you were saying about me, Wild Thing?” Beau’s tall frame replaces Maisie’s in the doorway. He’s wearing greypants that can only be described as slacks. They’ve got freaking creases in them. His navy polo shirt looks like it belongs at a country club.
“I wasn’t talking about you.” Of course, that’s the one sentence he happened to overhear.
A blond eyebrow arches straight up to his hairline, taunting me.
“Forget it.”
He pushes off the doorway, stepping closer. My heart rate picks up at the thought of following through on my conversation with Maisie. It’s not like we didn’t already talk about this the other night. I was the one who vehemently claimed I’d never be interested in anything more with him. And he agreed.
“I can’t. It was incredible. I think we should try it again sometime. Make sure it wasn’t a fluke.” He’s got a look in his eyes. The one that says I’m the only one for him. But maybe that’s one more thing he’s good at pretending.
“I don’t want to.”
With another crack in his veneer, his mouth pops open. The shock on his face is satisfying but also irritating. He’s so damn sure of himself. Sometimes I wish I had that kind of confidence.
“Okay then. I guess I’ll head out. I was going to ask you...”
“That’s not what I meant.” I have to get this out before he goes any further, and now I’m wondering if he was thinking the same thing I was. Now I want to be the brave one. The one that puts myself out there. If only to one-up him. That can’t be healthy. “I’m not interested in a fling, but I’ve been thinking maybe we should see if we’re compatible in other areas.”
He swallows hard. “Other areas? Why, Wild Thing, I didn’t know you were into the kinky shit.”
Maybe this was a terrible idea. Monumentally bad. “No.” I shake my head, shut my eyes and imagine I’m standing in the face-off circle. “What I meant was, would you be interested ingoing on a date with me? See how it goes. We’ve got so much in common anyway, plus the sex was pretty good. Maybe we should try it out.” I keep my tone as casual as I can, proud that there’s no warble in my voice to give away the rising anxiety. My hands are locked in my lap because they’d be a dead giveaway.
“Pretty good? You wound me. I thought it was fucking incredible.”
He and his over-inflated ego went straight there. Why did I let Maisie talk me into this? “Never...”
“I’d love to.” My eyes fly open as he cuts me off before I can take back the request.
“Really?” I squint hard at him, trying to spot the lie. “I thought you said you weren’t interested in dating?”
“I never said that.”
“Yes, you said...” I search my mind for his words, but I think they wandered off into the bliss.
“I said I wasn’t planning on giving you a ring. You were the one who said it was just a fling. I’d love to take you out. In fact. There’s this black-tie fundraiser thing I have to go to next weekend. You should come with.”
