And then he’s gone.Gone. I came all the way here, and he leaves like it’s nothing.
I’m still trying to process what happened when a broad, familiar silhouette sits on the bench. Jake looks very smug as he sets his full pint on the table, pushing Owen’s half-empty one away.
“Are you proud of yourself?” I ask, irritated.
“For what?”
“You scared my date away.”
“I didn’t do anything, red.”
I snort, unimpressed by his failed attempt at appearing innocent. “You knew exactly what you were doing, with the whole…” I’m unsure how to explain it, so I gesture toward his general demeanor.
“It’s not my fault if he was a wuss, love.”
“But it’s your fault for acting like a territorial caveman.”
He pinches his lips, aware there’s nothing to reply to that. Because it annoys me that he thinks he can decide who I hang out with, I ignore him and look around instead. Out of spite, I want to find a guy and flirt with him all evening while Jake can do nothing but watch.
That sounds insane, but I can’t help the crazy thoughts this man triggers in me. It’s like he accesses the deep confines of my mind that I so fiercely try to keep locked. In his wake, I’m careless, impulsive, and uncontrollable. And I hate that. I hate not having a hold of myself and not being in charge of my mind and body.
I’m not that person anymore.
“If you’re looking for a replacement date, you should know that half of the people here are convicted felons.”
It works like a charm on me, and I swiftly halt my search, focusing back on him instead. “Well, since you’re the reason I’m dateless, the least you can do is point me in the right direction.”
He tilts his head to the side and gives me a look that clearly says, “And why would I do that?” Instead, he offers, “Spend an hour with me, red, and if you don’t want more when we’re done, I’ll tell you which blokes here are worth a shot.”
His suggestion is tempting, even just to move on after that hour and show him he doesn’t have nearly as much dominion over me as he thinks. But in all truth, an hour might get the best of my resolve, so it’s a risky bet.
“Half an hour,” I counter.
“Forty-five minutes.”
“Half an hour.”
He smiles one of his lopsided smirks, and I feel it echo within me. “A hard bargain you drive, Miss Kensington. Half an hour it is.”
And just like that, I made another deal with the devil. Whenever will I learn?
Chapter Ten
Jake
If Gen was truthful and hadno idea she was coming to the one place I mentioned, then I’m confident there’s someone up there looking out for me.
I wasn’t lying when I told her she’s been on my mind since that night. For two weeks now, I’ve been trying to find that high again, to relive a fraction of the fun I had with her. But nothing’s been as thrilling as fucking the uptight lawyer turned sex-crazed siren.
And now she’s here, handling something on her phone, and I have half an hour to convince her she wants to give it another go. She probably does since her body language is all over the place, but she’s too proud—or stubborn—to admit it. I have to get past those thick and tall walls of hers again. I did it once before, so I’m sure I’ll manage.
“Alright, let’s get on with it,” I say, picking up our glasses and getting up from our booth.
Ah, I almost forgot how her doe eyes widen whenever she’s surprised or shocked. “Where are we going?”
“The back room. This is too loud.” When she hesitates, I give her an encouraging wink. “Come on, love. Where’s your sense of adventure?”
She pouts as she shimmies her way out of the booth. She looks fucking gorgeous in that dress, her appealing curves heightened by the perfect fit. Because she can’t help herself, she takes the lead and walks over to the back room, easily noticeable thanks to the sign. I don’t mind, as it allows me to admire her perky bum.
