Page 29 of Not a Perfect Save

She nods to herself then turns on the couch to face me.

I tilt my head and adjust, so we mirror each other, each leaning on our hands with our elbows propped on the armrest.

She takes in a deep breath as if steeling herself. “You said you like me.”

Not the conversation I was expecting. “I do.” There’s no hesitation in my voice.

“But you haven’t made any moves on me.”

My lips quirk. “Would you like me to?”

Ella looks at me so suspiciously I have trouble hiding my grin.

“I know what you are doing, you know?” she says, scowling.

“And what’s that?” There’s no hiding my smile now.

“Fattening me up for the kill.”

This time, I crack up completely. Only she can make me react like this. Full-on belly laughs rock my body, while my chest fills with helium, making me feel almost weightless.

“Who, me?” I say when I can take in a solid breath, holding up my hands to show I’m harmless, even as I give her another wicked look. “It’s a brave new world. Maybe I’m waiting for you to make the first move.”

“And why would I do that?”

“Because you like me, too.” My voice is all confidence.

She gives me a condescending look, but I can tell she’s enjoying our flirtation too.

My voice comes out low, husky. “I dare you, brave girl.”

Chapter Seventeen

ELLA

Connor’s expression is smug.But when I reach out and lay a hand on his leg, he swallows, losing some of that cockiness. A rush of power fills me at the want in his eyes. It’s been like this, night after night. This slow build up. I’m still apprehensive, but I’m more impatient than anything else. Greedy for him now. Only he hasn’t made a move since his ‘I like you’ comment.

I toy with the hem of his cashmere sweater, and my fingers idle along a loose thread. Even expensive clothes aren’t immune to unexpected snags. With slow deliberation, I bend over his lap. His sharp inhale makes me smirk. Drawing the stray bit of wool between my teeth, I nip it cleanly off. But I linger an extra moment—I’m pretty sure something twitches in that region. Slowly, I rise, bracing my hands on each of his powerful thighs. I give him an innocent look.

He clears his throat. “You, Ella Marie Dixon, are an evil, evil woman,” he mutters.

My lips curl into a smirk. This femme fatale business is more fun than it looks, and I’m relishing the sensation. “You really thought I’d fall for that ‘I dare you’ teenage silliness?”

Broad shoulders lift then lower. “You don’t know if you don’t try.”

I raise my brows. “And I suppose this type of thing has worked for you in the past?”

He doesn’t answer.Of course, it has. With his Ken doll looks and superstar status, why wouldn’t it?A pang rushes through me, and a little of my new-found confidence wanes.

But I push on. He’s already said he is interested in me. All I need to do is take this for what it is. Temporary.

Flashing him what I hope is a coquettish look, I say, “Your turn.” Now’s when he’s going to make his move. I’ve left myself open.

I wait.

But his expression is bland, his head cocked in my direction—though I spy a hint of smugness behind it.

My eyes narrow.

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