Page 56 of Worth the Risk

“I wouldn’t say staring, more like admiring. Also making sure nothing came flying out.”

She laughs and it feels good to have banter back between us, even if it is heavily laden with sexual innuendo.

“Oh, how’d I do?” She spins around to check the TV at the front of the room, scanning the list of names for hers, disappointment registering when she sees where she landed. “Damn, how am I almost dead last after I busted my ass in there?”

“Those people are animals.” I drape my arm over her shoulders as we step out onto the sidewalk, her skin still warm and sticky with sweat. “You just need to work on your cardio.”

She looks up at me. “I’m waiting.”

“For what?”

She pulls herself from beneath my arm. “Some comment about how I can improve my cardio?”

“Well.” I play coy. “I’ve invited you to go running on the lakefront with me. The offer still stands.”

“Yeah, I’ll still pass.” She turns to walk down the sidewalk but I stand still.

“What am I allowed to say?”

“What do you want to say?” She turns around to face me, walking back slowly.

She’s baiting me. I can see it in her eyes, that same back and forth struggle ofshould weas she tiptoes around the line.

Then it hits me.

She likes this game.

This fucked-up little mind game she’s playing with me.

She likes the innuendos, the comments, the stares.

She likes being teased.

She likes being tempted.

“Why didn’t you respond to my text?”

Her face falls, clearly not the response she expected.

“I— I should have. I’m sorry.”

We continue down the block, neither of us adding any more to the conversation, but I can feel the tension building. Finally, she stops and looks at me.

“Did you mean it?”

Do I tell her yes because I want to mean it? Or be honest with myself and her?

“Do you agree I never should have kissed you?”

I’m staring down at her, both of us waiting on the other to say or do something.

“I— I thought you said it because you felt that way after finding out about that night—that I went to Noah’s.”

My stomach sours at the memory but the look in her eyes feels so much worse. “No.” I brush her hair from her face. “That’s not why I said it, Taylor, and I never should have made you feel bad for your own decisions that night.”

Her eyes soften and she steps an inch closer. “Really? I thought…”

She doesn’t have to explain what she thought. I behaved like a dick. I want to pull her to me, kiss her, hold her, remind her how good I can make her feel, but I stop. That’s not what she needs right now. That’s not part of my plan to tease her.

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