Page 43 of The Love Wager

“I’m all yours, handsome.” The statement sends a shock of realization through my system. I’m all his for the next two days, that’s it. There’s a metaphorical countdown clock hanging over our heads, and the buzzer keeps going off, reminding me that this has an expiration date. It’s depressing.

Brooks slides out from the table beside me before moving behind my chair to pull it out and offer me his arm as I stand next to him. “What are the chances you’ll let me blindfold you?” he asks as we make our way out of the barn.

“Promise not to lead me into the pond?”

“Promise,” he says, loosening the knot of his tie before pulling it free from his collar.

The night is refreshing against my alcohol-flushed skin, the promise of warmer spring days to come. Brooks leads me to the firepit, his tie hanging from his free hand.

“Turn around, beautiful.”

I spin on my heels, losing my balance in the gravel, and his firm hands steady me. The silk tie glides across my eyes, blacking out my vision. It’s off-putting, having one of my senses stripped, but that’s when I notice the sounds of crickets chirping and the croaking of a bullfrog near the pond. The fresh country air full of allergy-invoking scents fills my lungs and I relax in his hold.

I trust him.

Our journey is slow moving. My heels dig into the moist earth, throwing me off balance and threatening a twisted ankle. Finally, I’ve had enough and jolt to a stop.

“Are we almost there? We’ve been walking forever!”

“We’ve made it fifty feet. We’re not even close.” Brooks chuckles.

“Can’t we take a golf cart or something?”

“Sorry, out of those for the weekend,” he mocks.

“Well, you need to figure something out, because I’m not walking another foot. Taylor will kill me if I show up in the morning with a wrapped ankle.”

His warm hands leave my shoulders, and I wobble until my core tightens. His light footsteps build a picture in my head of him moving around my body, and I stiffen in anticipation. I’m off the ground in a flash, bent in half over a strong shoulder, a breeze blowing up my dress. An unladylike squeal rips from my throat at the manhandling.

“Really!”

“At the rate you were moving, we’d be late for the wedding tomorrow. Enjoy the ride.”

I do. Using my proximity to his sculpted backside to my advantage. My hands grope at his body, eliciting a huff of fake annoyance at my continued efforts.

Brooks walks for what feels like forever, not once gasping for a breath as he hauls me along. Finally, we come to a stop, and he hefts me back over, slowly gliding my body against his front, letting me feel the ridge of his erect cock, before gently setting me back on my feet.

The blood in my head makes me woozy, being back upright. My feet take the lead, shuffling to the left as the world spins. I reach up, ready to rip the blindfold off and give myself a spot to gain my balance, but Brooks beats me to it.

Blinking my eyes open, I stare up at the handsome man before me. His gaze bores into mine, digging in as if he’s looking for the answer to a long-forgotten riddle. The moment sweeps me away. I push onto my tiptoes, hanging a hairsbreadth away from his supple lips. I want this, need it even. My knees shake from the strain of standing like this, or maybe it’s the excitement of being wrapped up in his arms like I was earlier.

“I don’t want you to go,” he whispers, closing his eyes and dropping his forehead to mine.

Instead of returning his sentiment that has my heart galloping in my chest, I close the space between us. His arms close around me, dragging me into his body, leaving no space between us. His scruff scratches against my cheeks when he tilts my head with a hand tangled at the nape of my neck, gaining better access to break the seam of my lips.

This kiss isn’t rushed. He doesn’t hurry, even though we have less time now than we did the other night. He savors it, taking his time to make me feel the words he just shared. He’s not alone. The more time we spend together, the less I feel ready to head back to California, but what’s the alternative? My company’s there—my life.

What life?

The one where I’m lonely and broke. The one where I don’t really have any friends that mean anything to me. No one to check on me if I suddenly go missing one day. My company’s holding on by a thread, barely gaining a foothold in a city where we’re a small fish in a raging ocean with creatures who eat businesses like mine by the thousands. California isn’t the home I imagined it to be when I moved out there with big dreams. It’s an overpriced, sunny depression that’s killing me slowly.

He pulls away and wipes at my cheeks, clearing the tears I didn’t realize were falling.

“Hey now, what’s got you so upset? Last time I checked, my kisses didn’t leave you in tears.” His dimple pops with the slight smile he pulls. I know he’s trying to make me feel better.

“I’m not ready.”

“You know I don’t expect you to stay. That’s not what I was trying to say.”

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