Page 35 of Playing with Fire

So, you handled all the tasks? I asked, hiding a laugh. Before setting down the whisk on the countertop he spun it multiple times.

He shot me a glare then spun to face me and rested against the counter. "What?" I raise my eyebrows at him. My words came out in a sarcastic tone as I said, "I'm just asking."

"What does it look like?" he asks, referring to his neck. While I nod and smile my head bobs to the microwave's beep. I take a step towards the cabinet before grabbing a few bowls.

I put additional packet inside the microwave and wait for it to heat. I faced him to ask my question.

"Hmm?" he looks up from his phone.

"Why do you hide them—the uh–hickeys?" I ask. He stuffs his phone into his pocket before straightening his posture. "That's what you want to know?"

I shrug. Being the self-centered person you are I thought that you'd want everyone to see what you're up to. The microwave signaled completion, and I inserted the final popcorn bag.

When I reached the island, he stood before me, so I climbed onto the counter next to him. "But you always cover them up. And I mean always." I add.

He rotates his body to face me before placing his elbows on the marble surface. "I don't know. I guess I prefer keeping them hidden.

"Okay...but why?" I pressed him.

"Personal preference," he says nonchalantly.

I nodded. My opinion might not matter to you, but I believe you're wasting your time with them.

"I waste my time?" he repeats.

I shrug. When you really think about it you get nothing from them except for fast sex and the hickeys you need to erase.

He stands up from the counter while saying he's unsure. He boasts about being a lady's man who can't stop himself.

I scowl in response. Ew.

"Whore." I mutter.

Jaxon's glaring look and eye roll revealed to me how loud my voice really was. I acknowledged Jaxon heard me, so I pushed forward.

"You know it's true." I blurt.

"I know I'm charming." he compliments himself.

"Charming my ass." I cross my arms. Their ability to believe in your foolish schemes baffles me. "Maybe it's my sex appeal." The smile on his face reveals small indentations along his cheekbones.

Wait.

Why am I noticing that now?

"Not your sex appeal." I laugh.

"Wanna bet?" he challenges.

"No need. I've already met someone who possesses greater sex appeal than you do. I roll my eyes.

"Who?" His interest grows as his eye spark transforms.

Without much thought, I blurt, "Me."

Oh God, Em. Way to flaunt your self-confidence. His smirk indicated he expected my exact response. So, in that moment,I did the only thing I could think of: I smiled back at him—sarcastically.

"Your stupid tricks won't work on me and your so-Called charm doesn't impress me," I announce while stepping down from the counter. "So that's a bonus."

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