I tilt my chin up and stand my ground. “You heard me. Why don’t you want to finish the game?”
He takes a step toward me.
I step back.
He takes another step.
My back hits the wall. I scan his body—his chest rises and falls faster and faster the lower my eyes go.
He leans one hand on each side of my head, caging me in, but not touching me. Our bodies are so close I can smell the peppermint scent that always follows him, and feel the heat radiating off of him.
He scoffs. “Why don’t I want to finish the game? Do you have any idea how much I’m restraining myself, Hawkins? Any idea the things I want to do to you? With you.”
My eyes widen, and I swallow. He’s never said anything thisdirectto me before.
“We aren’t finishing the game, Jessie, because you might regret it in the morning. As much as I want to strip you naked and have you screaming my name, I don’t want it like this. Butdo not,for one second,everthink you are not the sexiest woman I have ever seen. If we ever fuck, it won’t be because we’re drunk, and playing a stupid game.” He leans in, his breath moving my hair as he whispers, “It’ll be because youbegfor it.” He pulls back just enough to look me in the eyes. “I want you. I’ve wanted you since the day I first saw your picture with Kacey on Knox’s phone. This ‘view’? This is the best fucking view in the world.”
Goosebumps cover my neck and arms. Heat rises in my cheeks, and I just know they’re red. I don’t know what to say to that. That–that was . . . honesty. He’s right. We need to stop this here. I realize then what upset me in the first place isn’t the fact that he stopped it—it’s the fact thatIdidn’t.
He must see the hurt behind my eyes because he continues, “Everyone calls me a player, and there is a lot of truth to that, but I’m not a douchebag. I care about you, Jessie. So, if we ever do this, I don’t want you to have any regrets.”
Gathering my composure, I cross my arms and glower at him. “I will never beg for it.”
“There’s my girl.” His lips twitch before he pushes off the wall and walks away. “Go to bed, Hawkins.”
“Wait, where are you going?”
“To take a cold shower.”
“You know this means I won, right?”
I can hear him laughing from behind the bathroom door. Grabbing my phone off the table, I do something I’m sure I’ll regret tomorrow.
Jessie
I've brought shame to my household.
Kacey
How very Bridgerton of you. But I thought that ship sailed the night of junior prom.
Jessie
No, that brought shame to his household. Worst 30 seconds of my life.
Jessie
Remember the other day when I said, there has been no removal of clothes?
Kacey
You have my attention...
Jessie
We got drunk and played strip gin.
Jessie
