Page 14 of Tangled

“What are you thinking?” I pop my hip out, resting my hand there with some much-added sass. This guy has no idea who he’s up against.

“Next round of drinks is on the loser?” He stands once the balls are neatly tucked into a triangle, reaching around to grab two pool sticks from the rack.

I purse my lips in thought, then an idea pops into my head.

“If you win, I’ll buy the next round,” I nod, which he seems to like. “But if I win, you owe me a dance.”

He instantly straightens his spine and then eyes me suspiciously.

“A dance?”

“Yeah. Since you were so intent on interrupting mine from before, I need a full song with no interruptions in redemption. And I only feel it’s fitting for you to have to join me.”

He takes a moment to mull over my suggestion before reaching his hand out to solidify our stakes with a handshake. His confidence is cute, and I can’t wait to wipe that smirk off of his face in a moment.

“You can break,” I offer as he hands me my stick.

“You sure?”

“Yup. Go for it, Garrison,” I tease as he smiles over at me. That smile is making me warm and wet between my legs. But I have to give him a chance at least before I wipe the floor with him.

The delicious man in front of me bends over the pool table, tucking his stick in close to his body as he narrows his eyes in focus on the balls in front of him. All I can think about is what his face would look like staring down at me beneath him, or better yet, looking up at me from between my legs.

He pulls back and slams his stick into the cue ball, breaking the formation effortlessly as the balls scatter all over the green felt. A striped ball finds its way into a pocket as he declares he’ll take stripes for the game.

I nod, watching him peruse the table searching for his next shot. Once he finds one he deems worthy, he hunches over again and pelts another ball into a corner pocket.

“Damn, looks like I might not get that dance after all.”

He gazes over at me, shrugging with confidence. “I wouldn’t make a bet I didn’t feel confident about,” he says as he takes his next shot, but misses.

Sauntering over to the table, I grab the chalk from the edge of the wooden frame, rubbing it on top of the nub on the end of my stick. Placing it back down, I lock eyes with him, searching for any indication that I shouldn’t keep this game going.

“Neither would I,” I fire back, turning to approach the table, adding a little more swing to my hips for his enjoyment.

I’ve never been a shy woman. I’ve never been one to feel intimidated by a man. But given everything that just happened with Trevor, my confidence is shaken. This man is slowly helping rebuild it though with every perusal of my body and bit of attention he gives me.

I don’t even know this guy’s entire name. I don’t know what he does for a living, where he grew up, if he’s respectful to his mom, if he’s a serial killer, or if he secretly wears women’s underwear for fun.

But if the way he makes my body all hot and bothered is any indication, I’d say my hormones may take the lead tonight. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a down and dirty fuck. Maybe this guyisjust what I need. And judging by the way he’s been eye-fucking me for the past hour, I think we’re on the same page.

I lean over to line up my shot, chuckling to myself at how easy this is about to be. I watch his eyes travel all over my body, zeroing in on the ample cleavage my shirt is offering. I laugh and then smack the cue ball, sending the solid ball to sink in the corner pocket.

“Nice shot,” he offers while he observes my every move.

“Beginner’s luck,” I joke as I find my next shot and complete that one with ease.

Garrison watches me as I sink ball after ball, the smile on his face slowly falling as he realizes he’s just been played. Once the eight-ball is all that’s left, I take a break to gather a sip from my beer as he grins up at me from his seat.

“You hustled me,” he confronts me as I stand before him.

“You’re the one who raised the stakes. I was honest that it had been a while since I’ve played, but it’s kind of like riding a bike. Well, that and understanding geometry. Playing pool is all about the angles.”

“I’ve noticed. Personally, I like curves a lot more,” he says as his eyes shift down my body. I feel the desire radiate from my chest as my heart picks up and beats frantically. God, this man is dangerous.

“Well, let me end this right now so we can get to our dance,” I reply, sidestepping his comment, but peering back over my shoulder as I watch his eyes soak up all of my curves. I sure am glad I wore my favorite jeans tonight.

I sink the eight ball in the side pocket with little effort before Garrison grabs my stick and returns both his and mine to the rack.

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