Page 42 of Caribbean Crush

“I appreciate your time,” I say, hating how formal I sound. Aren’t we past this?

His lip curls in a deliciously wicked smile. “Care to tell me what this is about?”

His gaze falls to my wringing hands, and I immediately pull them apart. Thinking I might look as relaxed as he does, I try to lean against the table. But when it catches my weight, it teeters, and I blanch and reach out for a vase of flowers sitting on top before it topples over.

With an ever-encroaching flush creeping up my neck, I decide to just have out with it.

“All right, let’s cut to the chase. I’m prepared to offer you an exchange.”

Good. I managed to sound confident.

He doesn’t even balk, which is slightly disappointing. I’d hoped to catch him off guard.

“An exchange would require interest from both parties,” he says, nearly sounding bored. “You have nothing I want.”

“Sure about that?”

His icy-blue eyes seem to carry a question.

I arch a brow and sweep my hand down my body like I’m an all-you-can-eat buffet open for business. Still, he seems to have a hard time piecing things together. Maybe he isn’t regularly offered sex in this way. Admittedly, I’m a novice at it, too, but subtlety has no place here. I’ll clearly have to spell it out.

“I’m offering an exchange of favors. Mine will be of the sexual kind. If that wasn’t obvious already ...”

Chapter Ten

CASEY

Phillip doesn’t say a word, but I can tell he wants to laugh at my proposition.

Dammit. That’s what I get for being cutesy rather than sexy. I wish I could snap my fingers and create some luscious curves. The kind guys go gaga for. I settle for arching my back a little, accentuating my nice, full C-cup chest.

Phillip notices. Oh yes. His eyes widen just enough to let me know that he’s not immune to my advances. I watch his Adam’s apple bob before he narrows his eyes and asks shrewdly, “You’ll sell your body for a story?”

I cross my arms and reject his judgment with a bored tone. “When you put it like that, it sounds crass, but yes, I suppose so.”

He advances on me then with a dark look. Apparently, the time for conversation is over. This is happening. He’s going to pounce.

My arms drop back down to my sides. My lips part in anticipation.

“You’re going to show me how badly you want that exclusive, Casey?”

Oh, how dirty.

I didn’t think ole Mr. Quiz Bowl had it in him.

“Yes.”

There’s no tripping over that word; it spills out of me like I’ve been waiting to say it for days. His eyes spark with mischief, and that little muscle in his jaw works as he clenches it, approaching me confidently as I hold my ground despite my shaking knees.

I’m frozen in surprise. I didn’t think we’d get here this fast. I thought there’d be a bit more give-and-take, some convincing on my part, but his blue eyes challenge me to uphold my promise.

“Show me what you’re willing to do, Casey. Make me believe it.”

Oh my god.

I try not to panic.

It’s happening! IT’S HAPPENING!

---