“Your choice?”
“Yep.”
“And when I win?”
He grinned, a sexy smirk that made my insides quiver. “I get to treat you to dessert.” His voice lowered seductively. “My choice.”
I laughed, more to cover up the tremor of awareness that raced down my spine. This man was dangerous.
“You’re on,” I said when I could speak.
He winked.
Then we were off.
For the record, I didn’t stand a chance. The man scaled that wall as though he’d been born to do it. I hadn’t even made it halfway up when he was ringing the bell. So much for chivalry.
Not that I minded. As far as I was concerned, it was a win-win for me. I was out on a date with him and the night wasn’t over yet.
In fact, I got the feeling it was just beginning.
CAV
“I’M STARTIN’ TO WONDER IF YOU LET me win,” I teased as I linked my fingers with Jamie’s and stepped out into the relatively cool evening.
Her laugh was so sexy. “Seriously? I didn’t make it halfway up.”
“I know.” I opened the passenger-side door. “I thought for sure you’d be a challenge.”
Jamie leaned in close, her breath fanning my lips in a daring move I honestly didn’t expect from her. “Believe me. I am.”
When she pulled back, I chuckled. “I’ve figured that out already, cupcake.”
The night had been incredible already. Unlike our first date, there was no awkward silence or uncertain glances. We’d gotten that out of the way and tonight was all about enjoying our time together. When she’d mentioned rock climbing, I’d been pumped. Although she’d tried to play herself up as experienced, I’d known the instant we stepped inside that it was all an act.
I waited while she got settled in the truck, then closed the door and joined her on the other side.
“So, where to?” she asked as she clicked her seat belt in place. “You won fair and square. You pick, my treat.”
“I’m in the mood for … a cupcake.”
Jamie held my gaze for a moment, licked her lips. I knew where her thoughts had drifted. The same place mine had. Although I was definitely attempting to seduce her, I wasn’t sure what my end game really was. Despite my overwhelming desire for this woman, I wasn’t ready to take her to bed. Not only because Edge and I had agreed, but also because I wanted to see if this thing between us had more substance than mere chemistry.
For the record, that wasn’t usually my MO. One-night stands were more my forte.
She jerked her gaze away. “I know a place.”
“Perfect.” My voice had a slight hitch to it, but neither of us acknowledged it.
With her as my navigator, I backed out of the spot, then out of the lot. A short time later, we were pulling into another parking lot.
“This is one of my favorite places,” she told me as I took her hand and led her into the small bakery.
She proved that she was a regular here when the woman behind the counter greeted her by name. I watched the exchange, admiring how easily Jamie interacted with the woman.
“For you, sir?” the woman asked, her keen gaze shifting to me.
I glanced at Jamie. “I’ll let you pick for me.”
The glimmer in Jamie’s gaze said she’d taken that as a dare. “Okay.”
While we stood there staring at each other, the woman stood patiently by.
“I’m going to guess that you’re generally a chocolate guy,” Jamie mused. “However, you’re also open to all sorts of possibilities.”
“Good assumption.”
“And tonight, although you’d be content with ordinary, you’re not really in the mood for it.”
I grinned.
Jamie turned to the woman. “He’ll take red velvet.”
The woman smiled gleefully. “Perfect choice.”
When I tried to pull out my credit card to pay, Jamie quickly put her hand over mine. “No way. You won fair and square. This is my treat.”
Little did she know, but her treat to me was simply being here. I would’ve been content to sit in my truck all night if it meant spending some time with her.
Since it had been a bet, I conceded. “Fine.”
As though she’d won a huge battle, she took care of the payment.
Luck was on my side because a big party left, opening up two booths at the very back. I led the way, then ushered Jamie into the side that would put our backs to the room. I slid in beside her. With no one in the booth across from us, we had a bit of privacy.
“Do you always get birthday cake when you come here?” I asked as she pulled her plate toward her.
“No.” She gave a shy, sideways glance. “But it kinda feels like my birthday.”
Damn, but she was sweet.
Placing my arm over the back of the seat, I teased her ponytail with my fingers while she dipped her finger into the frosting. My dick hardened as she slowly sucked it off.
