Page 36 of The Wrong Promise

We messed it up once. If we become enemies, then Penny will never forgive me. Pretending is as good as it gets.

“I’m pouring a gin.” She strolls into the room wearing her sweatpants.How does she make baggy pants look sexy?

She prepares a drink, then hops onto the couch and crosses her legs, keeping a tight hold on the glass. “I think tonight went well.”

“It went very well.” I sit at the other end of the couch, away from her roaming hands, but it’s me who can’t be trusted. She’s a temptation I can’t give in to.

Zara holds up her hand, and I high-five her like a child. “We make a good team.”

I smile at her enthusiasm. “I believe we do.”

“Who knew how awesome we’d be together.” She laughs and takes a sip of her drink. Her words hit me straight in the gut, seeing I was thinking it, and now she has brought my words to life. “I mean,” she doubles back after seeing my face change. “We’re good at acting.”

“How much of it was an act?” Because she was testing me.

She frowns. “What are you saying? That I was coming on to you?”

“Could you kiss me now with no one here to witness it?” I hold her gaze, challenging her. For most of the night, Zara left a hand on my thigh, caressing my muscles, her fingers sliding high, dipping down to the inside of my thigh. My dick twitched with every touch, and I wondered if she was teasing since they couldn’t see her hand. And once, she leaned in and kissed my lips. A peck, but it surprised me.

“It meant nothing, Jobe.”

“Prove it. Now.” Christ, what am I saying?

“You’re overreacting because I’m better at showing affection than you.” She downs the rest of her gin and stands to pour another.

“I, at least, could control my hands.”

She turns and stares at me. “We’re supposed to be a couple. Couples touch each other.”

I glare at her. “Take a seat, Zara.”

“You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

“Take a seat.Please.I need to hear you say there is nothing going on between us.”

Otherwise, because of your little performance, I’m on the verge of throwing you over my shoulder and taking you to my room.

She laughs sarcastically and stands in front of me. “Oh, please. You’re not that irresistible.”

I take a long breath to withhold an urge to prove her wrong. “We have one upcoming event we need to get through without complication.”

“I’m not complicating anything.” She plops down beside me.

“Touching my shoulder, my arm, my hands, even my chest is acceptable. A quick squeeze of my thigh is okay, but you left your hand there most of the night.”

A subtle smile crosses her lips. “You liked it.”

“Of course I liked it. I’m a fucking man,” I growl out.

Her smile grows wide. “You’re the one struggling because you haven’t had sex, and you liked me touching you.”

“Your point?” I snap.

“I’m better at this than you.” Her confidence is infuriating.

“There is no winner, Zara. We need to get through this together, and I’d prefer not to blow in my pants when I’m out at dinner.” I throw back my whiskey, frustrated that I had to explain myself to her.

“Best give yourself a hand before going out.”

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