He was swiping up random coffee cups left on the tables and setting them on the now-empty platter. “The match didn’t go through.”
“But the information I gave you was correct, wasn’t it?”
Bellamy hesitated enough that she knew it was.
“Then you owe me regardless.”
He scoffed. “I’ve canceled the bargain.”
She wasn’t prone to easily losing her temper like her redheaded da and older sister Enya. But at the moment, her temper felt like a wild beast in a cage, and for some reason Bellamy had a way of poking the beast so it longed to be unleashed.
She fisted her hands at her sides.
Bellamy tossed her a dangerously crooked grin, one that almost seemed to mock her. “Go home, Zaira Shanahan, and stop trying to play grown-up.”
Play grown-up? Now he’d really done it. He’d not only poked the beast, he’d set it free. “I don’t need to play grown-up.” She started toward him, a thud to each of her steps. “Because I alreadyamgrown-up.”
At her approach, he narrowed his eyes upon her.
Back at the bar counter, Jenny hadn’t moved from where she’d placed her tray. Her round eyes were watching every one of Bellamy’s moves. And so were Georgie’s.
Zaira guessed the other men were enjoying the interaction too. She might as well make this as dramatic and interesting as possible. No sense in the whole scene being boring.
She didn’t stop until she was in front of Bellamy. Before he could react, she took the platter from his hands, practically tossed it on the table, and then clasped his hands in hers. She didn’t give him time to react or pull away. Instead, she jerked him forward so that he stumbled against her. In the same motion, she slid her arms up around his neck.
His eyes widened in surprise. He obviously hadn’t expected her to force him to carry through with their agreement. But she was, even if she had to initiate it all.
She locked her hands in his hair, digging her fingers indeep. Then, before she could allow herself to second-guess what she was doing, she stood on her toes and pressed a kiss against Bellamy’s lips.
He remained as still and cold as a marble statue and didn’t bother to put his arms around her.
His lack of response only fueled the redheaded temper again. She knew nothing about kissing, but she was determined to make the most of the moment, especially now that she’d started it. With an enthusiasm she’d witnessed when her older siblings kissed their spouses, Zaira moved her mouth against Bellamy’s, opening up and capturing his lips with hers.
She could admit she loved the hardness of his mouth and the firmness of his lips. She loved the strong length of his body so near to hers. And she loved the smoothness of his hair in her fingers.
Aye, she was conscious of her audience. And aye, she could hear a faint warning bell at the back of her mind telling her she was taking things too far. But she was too mad to care and too stubborn. She was kissing Bellamy, and that was all there was to it.
Besides, Bellamy wouldn’t push her away in front of the customers. She was betting his pride would force him to interact with her just a little.
“Give it back to her!” came a call from one of the men.
“Unless you don’t know how,” said another.
“Maybe that’s why he failed in the senator’s match. Because he doesn’t know how to kiss.”
She could feel Bellamy’s muscles tense, the comments obviously needling him. Still, he didn’t move.
She leaned toward his ear and whispered one word. “Coward.”
Then she started to lower herself and pull away. Should she raise a hand and slap his cheek? Or should she toss him a glare, then stomp out?
Before she could decide, Bellamy’s arms snagged around her, he angled his head in, and his lips caught hers in a surge of emotion.
Passion.
Fire rippled through her body, especially the parts of her that were connected to Bellamy. Her flesh was scorched, her blood hot. And her lips? They felt suddenly cherished and desired and needed all at the same time.
This was what she’d been wanting, the emotions she’d needed to experience, the pleasurable connection she’d been waiting for.
