I shake my head and smile wider. “Persistent, huh?”
“Exactly. I’m hoping it will work.” He looks at me more closely, and once again the cockiness in his eyes disappears. “Is it?”
“Unlikely.”
“How come?”
“You don’t fit my usual type.” Which isn’t completely true. I don’t really have a type. I just know that this man standing in front of me makes my insides shake, and that in and of itself is terrifying.
“Well, you’re not mine, either.” His laugh is low and rich and sounds genuine. “But I like you,” he murmurs. “And for someone who’s not your type, how am I doing so far? Intrigued at all?”
Of course I’m intrigued. I’d have to have no senses to not be intrigued by this guy. Not because he’s rich and famous but because he’s absolutely perfect. Not just physically. He’s one of the sexiest, most personable, attractive human beings I’ve ever laid eyes on.
I bite my lip. “You’re pretty arrogant. You know that?”
He smiles. “I’m actually not. Not right now, anyway. I just can’t help noticing you.”
I try to speak but can’t. My mouth has gone completely dry. I grab at my drink and take a swig. But I choke on the liquid. While I hack and cough, Dylan pats my back and offers me a napkin. I take it from him and struggle to compose myself.
Once I recover, I try again. “Look, Dylan. I mean Mr. Wild…”
“Dylan. Please call me Dylan.”
“Okay.” I tap my foot on the ground. “Dylan…” God, I like the way that sounds rolling off my tongue. “I can’t spend any time socially with you. Now or at any time in the future. Good-bye.”
I dash off as fast as I can without looking back. I won’t have to worry about Dylan Wild again. I’m sure I made my point clear.
* * *
Dylan
Once again, I watch Jasalie walk away from me, and I know I’m grinning like a fool, but I don’t fucking care. I enjoyed talking to her and bantering with her. I love that I can speak to her without bending myself in half like a pretzel. She’s nearly my height, and she doesn’t try to shrink from that fact, either. She stood toe to toe with me, practically daring me to back off. She’s smart and funny, and the fact that she walked away doesn’t turn me off—it winds me up.
For the second time in as many meetings, she turned me down. And just like the first time, I like that she said no. I love that she said no. I can’t remember the last time a woman turned me down for anything. Jasalie Gordon doesn’t just want Dylan Wild the celebrity. In fact, she seems like she would rather be a million miles away from that part of me. Which suits me just fine.
But her telling me no and thinking that’s the end of this?
Not going to happen.
I love a challenge. The bigger the odds, the better I perform.
All I want is one date. If she says no to the whole weekend idea after trying it out once, I’ll accept that. But I need a chance for her to get to know me first.
I finish my drink and put the empty glass on the bar. Colton’s right. I need a plan.
* * *
Jasalie
Football players certainly like to party. I’ve catered more events than I can count for Apex, but these football parties always seem interminable.
“Hey, Jase.” Lilla finds me sneaking in a quick break at the end of the bar. Her eyes half close as she slumps onto the stool next to me.
“Hey, Lil.” I pat her back. “You all right?”
“I’m so tired. It must be after midnight, and we’ve been working like dogs all night. This one feels as tiring as the Super Bowl party last week even though there’s far fewer people.”
“I know. Bill said we could leave soon.”
