Page 44 of That Kiss

“Uh, Bernice,” Decker interrupts, “I think my mom was looking for you.”

“Okay.” She pulls her arm from my shoulders, looking over at him. “I’ll go find her.”

“I thought your mom wasn’t volunteering because of her knee surgery?”

“She isn’t. She’s not even here.”

I can’t keep a smile from creeping up, but I quickly stifle it. Bernice can talk, and it’s damn near impossible to extract yourself from one of her tangents about her back injury. “Thanks, by the way.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I was being sarcastic . . . since you decided to volunteer me for the beer tent with you.”

“Well, how else am I going to get you to see that I meant what I said?”

“Hmm, being held hostage . . . yeah, that usually works out well when trying to prove to someone that you’re sorry.” He lets out a laugh. “But seriously, did you ever consider that I did believe you when you said those things, but it doesn’t mean I want to be with you? I think you might be giving yourself a little too much credit in the bedroom.”

His head falls back, a loud laugh booming from his mouth. “No, I didn’t consider that you don’t want to be with me.” He looks over his shoulder then over mine before stepping forward and lowering his head toward me. “Because the way you milked my cock and took it deep and rough and still came back for more . . . sweetheart,” he grabs my hand and presses it against his rigid cock, “you want me more than you want your next fucking breath.”

And just like that, my body goes from tense and frustrated to slick with need. All it takes is one dirty comment like that from him to make me realize this man sees right through me. He can read me like a book and there’s nothing I can do about it. No amount of ignoring him is going to get rid of him, and no amount of lying to myself can convince me that I’m over him.

“Yeah, that’s right, isn’t it?” He circles me, not touching me again. “I know you’re angry with me, but we’re gonna work that out together. And as for you and this bratty little attitude you think you can have with me because I fucked up, well, we’re gonna work that out too. Only it won’t be together. I’m going to work it out of you even if it means you fight me on it.”

A bead of sweat trickles down my spine. “We’ll see about that. Just because you talk a good game doesn’t mean shit, and it definitely doesn’t mean I’m going to fall back into bed with you.”

“Baby, by the time this Fall Fest is over in a week, I’ll have you backing that ass up onto me like a cat in heat.” He barely gets the last word out before his Uncle Drake is walking up to him with an outstretched hand.

“Deck, how ya doin’?” They immediately launch into conversation, Decker not missing a beat and looking completely unfazed while I’m trying not to melt on the spot. He winks at me and it sends my stomach into a somersault.

I take the distraction as an opportunity to excuse myself to the restroom and regain my composure.

“Hey, Jun—oh, you are glowing tonight.” Amelia walks out of one of the stalls, coming to stand next to me at the sink. “By the way, congrats on taking over the family business! I know exactly how stressful it can be, so if you need anyone to vent to, I’m your girl.”

“Thanks.” I blush even more knowing the glow she’s referring to is arousal. I thought pressing a cold, damp towel to my neck would ease the ache that’s growing between my thighs, but it’s not helping in the slightest. “Yeah, it’s been a bit tricky. I may or may not have had a meltdown or two, but my dad is back in town, so I’m hopeful I can regain some lost footing with his help.”

I hate and love the sickening level of control Deck has over me. I want to be angry with him, but I know I have no right. I had every opportunity to tell him how I felt—to tell him I would fight for him, that I wanted more—but like him, I never said it either.

“Oh, good.” She smiles. “I just love your parents; they’re the sweetest. Anyway, that perfume you’re wearing is divine.”

“Viktor & Rolf, Flowerbomb.”

We chat for a few more minutes, but my mind is back with Decker. I want to march back out there and demand he take me in his truck, because there’s no way I’m going to make it the entire drive home without him touching me. When I finally exit the bathroom, my entire body aches with need. I’m weak. I walk back toward him, the decision made.

“Promise me you’ll think about it? We could really use you up there this year. The bachelor auction will be counting on you.” Celeste gives Decker a peck on the cheek before scurrying off to talk with someone else.

“Bachelor auction, huh?” I try to smile, the subject matter pouring a bucket of ice water on my burning loins. “Are you doing it this year?”

“I told her no, but you know Aunt Celeste. She just asked me to think about it before making a commitment.”

“Why’d you tell her no?”

He smiles at someone who waves to him. “We both know why. I’m not single. I’m with you—you just have your head too far up your ass to admit you want it too.”

“You really know how to make a girl swoon, don’t you?”

“I can make you wet with one fucking word, baby. Hell, I don’t even have to say a single thing to get you throbbing, but that doesn’t mean I can’t seduce the fuck out of you too.”

My laugh comes out in a rush. “You are the most arrogant, presumptuous prick, you know that?”

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