Page 20 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

The breath whooshes out of me. Yes? “You made me wait this long for a yes?”

“If.”

“Skylar Constance Bennett-”

“If you come hiking with me today. Survive it, and I’ll do it for free. If you don’t, you’re paying me ten dollars an hour. Choose.”

I don’t like her underselling herself, but I don’t like her terms either. Physically, I can hike for miles without going out of breath, but I’m not big on the outdoors. Growing up here, it was expected that I’d love hunting, love hiking, love anything to do with nature, but that gene skipped me. I’m an indoor man, and that’s one thing I’ve never hidden, which means it’s the one thing she’s throwing in my face.

But Sky and her damn infinite patience is going to wear me down. I groan. “Today?”

“Right now actually.”

“If I have plans?”

“Oh, no. You have to pass up some pussy for a day.” She traces an invisible tear down her face.

It’s such a low blow that I can’t help but laugh.

She doesn’t pull her punches. She doesn’t hide how much she doesn’t like me. She doesn’t give an inch, and for some reason … I love it. Maybe because she’s not falling at my feet like every other girl I’ve met.

“Fine.” I say. “You win. I’ll go.”

“I’m calling the shots. You’re driving.”

“Full of demands. Isn’t it exhausting?” I tease, despite walking her to my car.

“Well, I have to prepare to spend time with you. It just might kill me, after all.”

“And yet you’re trusting me to take you out into the woods alone.” I get in the car and see her do the same. “Seems like a risk.”

“I can take you. Don’t you remember I won our wrestling matches?”

“Used to. These muscles aren’t for show.” I flex my arm just to show off.

Her eyes trace my bicep, and she shrugs despite the slight blush. “Good, you can lift yourself over trees. I’ll put your height to use too.”

“Still a firecracker,” I murmur.

“You threw enough at me.” Always with a dig. At least I don’t have to control my mouth around her.

“Buckle up,” I order.

She watches me, eyebrow raising as she sits back. Even at my worst I never wished any physical harm on her. I’ve been in an accident or two and was damn lucky I had a seat belt. She’s getting one. I reach over her, grab it and buckle her in without dropping her eyes.

I don’t miss the way she sucks in a deep breath, and her eyes widen. She may notwantto be into me, but that alone tells me that she doesn’t feelnothing. I make sure my fingers don’t skim her body, but that obvious flare that tells me she wants me to … It’s a win. I smile and pat the top of her head.

“All ready to go. Are you sure you don’t need a booster seat?”

“Start the fucking car.”

“Ask nicely.”

She swallows. “Please start the fucking car.”

“You have a dirty mouth.” And she’s damn lucky I have some self-control. I don’t want to wash her mouth out with soap, I want to show her all the better things she can use that tongue for. I close my eyes for a moment. “Tell me where I’m going.”

She leads me to Pokagon State Park, and the ride is almost silent. I turn the radio up, she turns it down, over and over until I see her grin with satisfaction as I fume. She’s definitely making me pay for just fitting in and surviving life with friends.

---