“That sounds like a bet.” I keep my tone light. “Are we betting money, a service, something fun?”
She stands, eyes locked on me, contemplating. Calculating.
“If you don’t land a hit, you behave. You leave me alone. You act like the perfect gentleman. You’ve convinced plenty of people you are.”
I grin. “And if I win, you kiss me.”
It’s out of my mouth before I can second-guess it. Luisa stares at me, jaw tight, teeth grinding, planning her next move like this is a chess match.
I arch a brow. “I thought you were confident I wouldn’t land a hit, Topina.”
“I’m already bending the rules since you’re not allowed to touch me,” she mutters, more to herself than to me.
I smirk. “Well, if you’re too afraid—if you can’t back up your words?—”
“I didn’t say I was!”
“You didn’t take the bet.”
Her nostrils flare. “It’s not a mandatory part of getting in the ring!”
I smirk. “But youwantto get in the ring.” I lean in just enough to watch her glaresharpen. “Aren’t you tired of doing what you’resupposedto do and ignoring what you want?”
Her lips press together.
“Having to kiss you is a punishment that’s too steep.”
I snort. “I didn’t say you’d be kissing my ass or my dick. It’s a kiss.”
Her eyes narrow. “It’s not, or you wouldn’t be fighting so hard for it.”
Smart girl.
“I’m on the clock.”
I shrug. “Fine. Chicken out. I won’t hold it against you. I’m nice like that.”
Her mouth opens. Closes. And then she follows me downstairs. I pull her gloves on, tightening them just a little too much, just enough to watch her hiss and growl at me.
She watches me the entire time.
“One kiss,” she says, voice tight.
I grin. “One. And it’ll be our little secret.”
She grumbles. “We’re not making a habit out of secrets.”
“Two isn’t a habit.”
Her eyes flick to mine. “We don’t have two.”
“So I should tell the next officer I seethat I slept with you six years ago?” I ask, voice low, teasing. “That you moaned for me? That you clawed my back so hard I had scabs?”
I take a step closer, watching her jaw tighten.
“Or should I describe how much you liked having my palm on your ass?”
Luisa’s eyes narrow to slits. “Two secrets, but no more than that.”
