Page 32 of Just Between Us

Despite wanting to run to her like a giddy schoolboy, I sauntered through the crowded bar, stopping to shake hands and make small talk with friends. With one eye on the hall that led to the bathrooms, I watched and I waited.

When her bright eyes and dark hair came into view, I cut her off in her path. “Hey, Precious. You having fun tonight?”

A disgusted sound rattled from her throat. “I bet women fawn over how special you make them feel.”

Playfulness danced under my skin. “Are you saying I make you feel special?”

Her sharp eyes flicked to mine. “Hardly.”

Her arms folded. It was clear her guard was up and her frosty exterior was a defense mechanism. No way in hell anyone would approach a woman like Veda Bauer and leave with their balls intact.

Odd thing was, I kind of liked that fire.

The challenge in her eyes was invigorating. Her body language screamedback the fuck up, but she hadn’t made a move to rejoin our group yet. I knew from our online conversations that a funny and complex woman was hidden beneath her hard exterior.

It was a side of her I was certain that very few were privy to.

I leaned in, dipping my voice low so only she could hear: “Hey, Black Cat, you’re safe here ... with me.”

Her eyes shot up to mine, but her hands dropped to her side with an exhale. I was rooted to the ground, pinned into place by her arresting beauty.

Her voice was small but strong. “You’re probably the most dangerous person in here,Mr.Right.Now.”

Hearing my username tumble from her lips sent heat straight to my cock. Oh, the depraved things I wanted to do with her to show her how good she could feel if she allowed someone else to take control.

I wanted to chip away at her armor and show her the queen she had learned to lock away beneath it ... but she had towantit.

I swallowed hard at the realization. “We should probably get back.”

She nodded.

I took one step forward before my hand reached out, gently capturing her forearm and stopping her progress. “You like winning, right?”

A surprised eyebrow crept higher on her head, but I continued, “You like to show everyone that you’re the best, that you’re in control.”

She stayed silent.

I crossed my arms. “Tell me I’m wrong,” I challenged.

Pink flushed her cheeks as her lips parted. With her shoulders set she looked up at me. “I always win, and I don’t back down from a challenge. I’m here to do a job and I plan on doing it.” Her eyes moved over me. “Without distractions.”

My blood hummed and my stomach bunched. “I want to offer you something ... a little challenge of sorts.”

She paused, her eyes melting down to my lips before her tongue darted out to wet her own. “I’m listening.”

My biceps flexed. “If you win, I’ll leave you alone and let you do your job. When I win, you let me teach you how to let go a little bit.”

A disgusted noise rattled in her throat. “Whenyou win?”

I grinned. “Exactly.” I leaned in to whisper. “I don’t play to lose, either, Precious.”

Veda rolled her lips as she considered it. “What’s the challenge? Brains or brawn?”

I rubbed my palms together. I was making this shit up on the fly, but it had to be perfect. “A mix of both—so you have a fairshot.” And then the perfect idea hit me. I grinned. “How do you feel about paintball?”

Her dark eyebrows rose. “Paintball? Like, running around in the woods and shooting each other?”

“Sure.” I shrugged. “You can use that pretty little brain of yours to strategize, and I can use the physicality of it to my advantage. Seems pretty fair to me.”

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