BAD DOG
KATIE
“Because I said so.”
The person who uttered those words was not me.I felt like an impostor playing a part.Would Katie Martinez really say that to a handsome stranger?
No.Never.
But I didn’t feel shy or anxious about his reaction, which was a surprise.
When he told me he would grade me on my flirting skills, I imagined how I’d flirt with Justin, my crush.But I got nervous and kept stuttering until Dex kept pushing me, and the way I acted… seeing his annoyingly hot smirk with dark molten eyes—it was most definitelyveryKatie-like.
Because I wanted to grab his soft hair and kiss him.Surprise him until he relented under my touch.
I knew how depraved it was, knowing I was learning these skills to impress Justin, but I wanted to touch Dex and have fun with him.He had a boyish charm that made me feel like I could do whatever I wanted to him, and he’d take it.
My eyes dropped to his hands.His long fingers tugged up his shirt and slowly (such a tease) revealed his chiseled abs.
I swallowed hard, heat rushing to my cheeks.His gaze locked on me, and in the room’s darkness, it seemed searing, like he could read me.How nervous yet thrilled, shy yet curious I was.My pulse thundered, my breathing uneven, the air between us heavy with unspoken want.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Dex stripped off his shirt and tossed it onto the armchair.
I couldn’t help staring at it, fighting the ridiculous urge to fold it neatly so it wouldn’t wrinkle and ruin the perfect order of the hotel room, but that thought vanished quickly.Because in front of me was a man carved from sin, eight perfect abs on display.His eyes were fixed on me with a hunger that demanded action, challenging me to make a move.
I licked my lips, my body moving on instinct as I stepped toward the bed.Towardhim, toward his long, spread legs waiting for me.
You’re in control, Katie.
Right.I was in control.Not my desires.Not the thoughts of getting an A-plus grade or how I would flirt with Justin.
He wasn’t here.
Dexwas.
“You’re cute,” I said, standing between his legs with my thigh brushing against his.I raised my hand to touch him but stopped.“Can I?”
His dark green eyes seemed bigger, pupils dilated, with color slashing his cheekbones.He had a very symmetrical face, and he was handsome enough to be considered a model forArmani,but there was something awfully sweet in the way he gazed up at me.It made my heart beat faster.As if I had hung up the moon for him.
Oddly enough,thatlook seemed familiar.
Dex lifted his hand and held my wrist.His skin was warm and pleasant when my palm touched his cheek.“You can touch me anywhere you want,” he said, his voice low and throaty, making my stomach flip.“I’m yours for tonight, Katie.”
I didn’t want to admit how much I liked the sound of that.If I did, I might hire him again, which would be veryun-Katie like.
I rubbed my thumb over his cheekbone, feeling him nuzzle my hand like a needy puppy.The thought made me smile, and I leaned closer.
He swallowed, his hands staying by his side.“Why am I cute?”he asked, almost pouting when I rubbed his ear.It was nice to touch someone like that.“Not hot?Sexy?Handsome?”
That close, I could smell his cologne.Woody and spicy with a hint of rain.It suited him perfectly.From his tousled dark hair to his dark jade eyes and his plum lips, which looked good enough to kiss.
“You must get that a lot,” I said, biting my lip when his hands went to my waist.They were large and comforting.I wanted them all over me.“But there’s something about you that makes you cute.”
I tilted my head when he raised his brow and bit my thumb.My stomach dipped when his hot tongue licked the pad of my finger, his eyes mischievous.
“Bad dog,” I whispered, almost blurting sorry and stepping away when his hands inched up to my back, pulling me closer.
“I’m your dog now, hm?”he asked, his eyes lit.“You want me on my knees for you?Wear your collar and be yours?”
