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Chapter Six

Carly

“I knew it,” I whisper, twisting in the mirror to get a look at the back of the dress my mother “suggested”. It’s worse than I even imagined with the deep V that stretches down to my belly button while also showing off so much side boob it’s almost obscene. I’ll have to use a whole damn roll of tape to keep my tits from popping out during the silent auction. And the back is no better. The material clings like a second skin and the way the dress is cut in the back frames my ass, making it look even larger than it is. The black lace is pretty but I’m straddling the line between risqué and just plain desperate. Shaking my head, I run my hands down the front and sigh. My mother bought this dress with one purpose in mind—to snag me a man. I wonder when her daughters became meal tickets for her instead of people. Hell, maybe we always were.

The doorbell rings, pulling my attention away from the mirror and I sigh, grabbing some fabric so it doesn’t drag on the floor as I walk across the living room and throw the door open without looking through the peephole first.

“Damn, Princess,” Chance says, flashing me a killer smile as his gaze lingers on my chest and he places his hand over his heart. My lips twitch, barely holding back my satisfied smile, as I roll my eyes and hold the door open for him. He steps inside, carrying a bag of takeout, and I close the door. “You didn’t have to dress up for little old me.”

“I didn’t dress up for you, egomaniac. You’re not the only thing in my life.”

His brow arches and his eyes darken as he sets the food on the island. “I damn well better be the only man in your life. We had a deal.”

“I said thing, not man and not really,” I tease him, my blood racing with the thought of getting him riled up. Why does egging him on excite me so much? “You threw out your rule, but I never agreed to it.”

Ignoring his glare, I stride toward the fridge and open the door, fighting back a smile as I search the shelves for a bottle of wine. As soon as he steps up behind me, I can feel him, almost like there’s a magnetic pull between us, and he grabs my hips, pulling me back into his body. Ever so slowly, he runs his nose up the side of my neck before his warm breath brushes over my ear.

“Even though I know you’re just trying to piss me off… it’s still working. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since the day we met, Carly, and I’m willing to play by your rules if you play by mine.” He trails the tip of his finger down my side where the dress is showing off plenty of skin and I suck in a breath. “So, tell the truth, do you want me?”

My dream from this morning flashes in my mind and my desire returns tenfold. He already knows the answer to the damn question, but he will make me say it anyway like the way my body is leaning back into his or the way all the air is punching out of my chest isn’t enough.

“Why do you think you’re still here?” I grit out, my legs trembling as he gently presses his lips to my neck in a kiss that’s meant to make me lose my damn mind.

“That’s not a yes, Princess.”

I nod. “It’s not a no, either.”

“That’s not good enough,” he rasps, his patience running thin. It takes everything in me to stop myself from flashing a victorious grin but there is no way in hell I’m letting him win this game.

“It’s the best you’re going to get.”

With a loud growl, his hands lock onto my hips and he spins me around, allowing the fridge door to close before pushing my back against it.

“You have got to be the most stubborn, infuriating woman I’ve ever met,” he snaps, his nose pressed against mine and the scent of his cinnamon gum fills my nose.

“Get used to it, baby.”

He holds my gaze for a moment, his pale green eyes filled with a fire that ignites one in me but I’m not willing to back down. No matter how much my legs are shaking right now. Without warning, his lips crash down on mine, all aggression and raw, unrestrained need. It completely sweeps me up and I’m a goner. A moan slips out of my mouth and my legs give out. I’m saved from crashing down to the floor by his arm slipping around my waist and I thread my fingers together behind his head. He grabs my leg and pulls it up to his waist as the fabric slips back, revealing my bare thigh.

“If you want to keep this dress, I suggest you get it off. Quickly,” he whispers against my lips, his voice rough and demanding. Leaning up on my toes to kiss him again, I reach behind and slip the zipper down my back, letting the dress fall off my shoulders. He glances down and hisses a curse when he realizes I’m completely naked pressed up against him. Reaching down, he hooks my legs and lifts me into the air, letting me take control of the kiss as I flick my tongue against his and he hums in approval.

“Bedroom?” He doesn’t pull away as he asks his question, almost like it’s an afterthought and he would be perfectly happy to fuck me on the kitchen floor. I can’t say I’m opposed to the idea either. A shiver twists down my spine as I pull away.

“Around the corner.” I point to one side of the kitchen and he nods as he takes long strides across the marble tile floors, intent on getting me in a bed as quickly as he can. He consumes me with his mouth again, dragging me into the depths of pleasure and somehow gets us into my bedroom before pulling away.

“Nice view,” he murmurs, nodding to the large windows that show off the twinkling lights of Baton Rouge below us. “Although, it’s got nothing on you.” He glances down my body, still in his hold and I shake my head.

“Flattery will not work with me.”

Smirking, he moves to the edge of my king-sized bed and drops me onto my back, caging me in before I even get the chance to sit up.

“Liar,” he whispers, his warm breath caressing my skin just as thoroughly as his hands and my eyes flutter closed as the sensations overwhelm me. Warm lips press against my flesh and a breathy moan slips out of my mouth as my body arches off the bed toward him.

“Why do you still have clothes on?” I growl when I rub up against his t-shirt. I want to feel him, his heat, as he covers me with his body. His soft chuckle forces my eyes open and I lose myself in his gaze.

“Maybe I like seeing you like this. No, scratch that. I fucking love it.”

“Sadist,” I accuse and his face splits into a grin as his eyes shine with amusement.