Page 21 of Exposed

“Momma cooked for an entire football team. I can’t eat all of that, Dominic.”

“Try for me, and I’ll give you something in return.”

She rolled her eyes and went to sit down on the couch. I picked up my plate and sat down next to her, passing the movie I picked out.

“Lethal Weapon,” Lauren said.

“Why not? It’s a classic, but you’re probably too young to understand the dynamics of the buddy cop movies.”

“I’m twenty-five, Dominic, not eighteen. I can teach you a few things, probably. This is the first time I’ve seen you actually smile, and you’re wearing regular jeans and a shirt. Thank God you didn’t drive over here in a double-breasted suit and tie. I would probably have to pretend I didn’t know you,” Lauren joked. I nudged her in the side playfully.

“And I’m thirty-six, which means I get the first pick of the movie.”

“OMG! You’re such a big baby. For someone that’s older than me, you probably think I can’t kick your ass.”

“I know you can’t. Navy, baby, you can’t touch this,” I said, showing off my muscles under my t-shirt.

“Boy please, those little muscles aren’t fooling anybody,” she said, putting her plate on the table, challenging me to arm wrestling.

Shaking my head, I put my plate down and sat around on the opposite end of the table with my arm up, ready to battle.

“How do we do this? Best two out of three or just one round and shake on it?” I questioned.

“One round and shake on it, and if I win, you have to do whatever I say for one day.”

“What do I get if I win?”

“I won’t question you back when you need me to do something, especially on-location at a shoot.”

“Let’s shake on it,” I said and extended a hand. She placed her hand in mine, and we agreed.

“On the count of three. May the best person win,” Lauren replied.

“Agree.”

“One, Two. Three.” We both spoke at the same time, and she was way more durable than I thought, but I knew I had it in the bag until she lifted her shirt, and I lost my concentration, and she slammed my hand down, jumping up, yelling I won.

“Hold up! You cheated.”

She started dancing around the room and ran over to the window, yelling out, “I won! I won!”

“Lauren, you cheated,” I fussed, and she sauntered over chuckling, clapping her hands together.

“I never said how I would win.” The smile in her eyes maintained a sensual flame. Lauren pushed me in the chest gently, winking.

Grasping her hand, I pulled her down on the couch, caressing her cheek.

“Based on you cheating to win, princess.”

Chapter Thirteen

Lauren

My whole being seemed to be filled with waiting. Slowly, his gaze raked over me, and I licked my lips in silent expectation. His nearness made my senses spin. It was too easy to get caught in the way he looked at me. I wasn’t sure if he felt the same way about what should happen next, but I needed to know if this was just a one-sided attraction. I had no desire to back away from his touch. I leaned up closer, giving myself freely to his kiss.

“What are you doing?” he whispered, peering into my eyes.

“Claiming my prize, I want you to kiss me, Dominic,” I said, gripping his shirt.

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