Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
That startling realization brings me to a halt. Because why do I care about his layers? wasn’t it only physical attraction and a little banter and fun before he stepped too far?
I have to cut whatever this is here and now. I already have enough to think about without my friend’s brother chasing my skirt. “Thanks for the apology, but no, thank you.”
“How about another bet?” he suggests.
My mouth falls open in shock. I clearly didn’t hear him correctly, right?
Did he just suggest another bet?
He’s either deadly serious or absolutely trying to get another bite out of me. And it works. Every fucking time.
“So you can rig the next one too?”
“Nope. You pick the terms and the prizes this time. And I’ll play along like a good boy.”
“How would that benefit you? Win or lose, I could choose that you fuck off either way.”
“I think you’ll be fair. I mean, my prize should still stand. You let me have you for one night. And for yours, you pick what happens if you win.”
“Not if, when,” I correct him.
Damn, I just played right into his game.
I hate that I’m so competitive.
I hate that I want to play any type of game with him.
I just can’t shake him. Is it just sex? Is that what we need to do to end this? Just fuck already?
That’s when a car pulls up to the curb and Dawson and Honey climb out. Honey is carrying a bag of what looks like baked sweets.
“Well?” Will asks.
“You need to leave. I have work to do. And shouldn’t you be chasing someone down and getting your bounty money somewhere or something?” I wave him off as Honey approaches me. I ignore Will as he and Dawson begin talking.
“Why does it look like we just walked into something we shouldn’t be a part of?” Honey whispers as we enter the shop.
I sigh, exhausted and somewhat perplexed. Honey has been very vocal about becoming friends, but I don’t know where to draw a line since I’m working for both her and Dawson. But it’s the same feeling I have with Maria, that it’s an immediate friendship and surely they know more about Will than I do being his friend. She’s already prodded me so many times about what’s happening between us, and I want answers, too. Why is he so persistent? But I don’t want whatever is happening between Will and me to ruin this gig for me. “He just won’t leave me alone,” I tell her with a casual shrug, trying to probe casually. When she looks over her shoulder, he’s staring at me while still in conversation with Dawson.
“Looks like he doesn’t intend to leave you alone. He seems mesmerized.” She laughs. “These are for the workers, by the way. I made them fresh today for everyone.”
Jerry is walking past when I tap him on the shoulder and point to the baked goods. His eyes go wide as he happily takes them from Honey and whistles to the other guys working. I’ve never seen men stop so quickly, and they meet in the middle of the room to look through the bag.
Honey seems pleased with herself.
“I didn’t know there was anything between you two before he recommended you to redesign the shop,” she quietly whispers.
I roll my eyes. “There is no us. And I don’t know why he won’t leave me alone. Yesterday he almost got me murdered by a beautiful Russian woman. I’ve never been more terrified in my life. If looks could kill, I’d be dead.”
“You aren’t talking about Anya Ivanov, are you?”
My head whips around. “Do you know her?”
“Of course. And if Anya wanted you dead, you would be dead without a doubt.” She pauses, raising a brow. “What did you do?”
I scoff and head to the back of the shop so I can get farther away from Will. I’m somewhat reluctant to speak with Honey since her husband hired me, but she also has that immediate “you can tell me and trust me with anything” vibe. Damn her for being so kind.
I lean against the counter and pull out my camera. I take a few photos for my social media before I hesitantly say, “He made a bet with me.”
“A bet?” she asks, confused. A few of the men thank her for the baked sweets, and she smiles brightly at them. I have the distinct feeling if her husband saw her smiling at other guys, he’d sack them all in an instant. What is it with these men?
I can’t imagine Will being possessive, but then I think about how he spoke to the contractor. I push the thought away, reinforcing to myself that Will and I aren’t anything.
I pick a piece of lint off my shirt, then explain, “Yes. You see, I have issues with saying no to things I could win and I also love a challenge.” I give my best eye roll. “Anyway, he bet me I couldn’t get some guy’s number.” Her eyes go wide, as if already knowing where I’m going with this. “Turns out he was married.”