Page 71 of Playing with Fire

But he knows I'm never easy. I refuse to accept defeat in this wager. The bet didn't set any rules against my winning. So, what's another player going to do?

I breathe deeply to regain my composure. "You haven't won anything," I mutter.

Your stillness combined with this position's striking familiarity makes me think I might have won. he retaliates.

My anxiety swells within me when he makes his point. I could be the victor of this bet. I lift my brow at him while my courage slowly comes back.

He cocks his head at me which shows he's curious about my intended direction. "And how have you won?" His method of questioning causes my face to nearly show weakness.

"Well, look at us, Rowan.

You positioned me against this door and locked us in this room before making out with me. I direct my finger toward his heart while his expression becomes increasingly ominous.

"So, what are you saying?" he asks.

"I'm saying this bet isn't over. Expectations can change to include another participant.

The room felt like it was heated up thirty degrees because my words came out with unexpected confidence. I couldn't comprehend that I entered this bet on purpose yet knew losing would destroy my pride, so this outcome was unacceptable.

He narrowed his eyes at me as if he was searching for the right words to say to me.

"I'll even make it harder for myself." I blurt. I'll include kissing you in the closet as part of the count even though I was drunk when it happened which shouldn't count.

His lips moved just a little bit, and you needed a close look to notice it. Wait. Why am I looking at his lips? The reason they draw your attention is because they're located right before your eyes.

A terrible idea popped into my head, but I didn't care at that moment. I gripped his forearm which held me againstthe wall while I stared directly into his eyes. You expect me to participate in your ludicrously sinful game

Rowan? I'll play the damn game." I rise onto my toes while whispering.

I smirk as I spot his eyes dart downward.

I start at his elbow and move my fingers downward until they settle on his wrist. When faces get this close it means people have one thing in mind.

To kiss. "I. Will. Win." He lunges for the kiss I baited before I swiftly pull away to remove his hair tie in one fluid motion.

I open the door while smiling and call us out before I exit the room.

I'm shocked at what I just did. I sped down the hallway.

Going to dinner couldn't be more tense. The tension arose solely because Jaxon was seated beside me. Although dialogue surrounded us at the table we remained in complete silence.

I attempted to hide my emotions, but my stomach churned with butterflies when he slid his foot beneath my ankle to pull my leg closer which made it difficult to maintain my guise.

My frustration grew because I couldn’t stab the butterflies at the speed I needed.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

I'm an idiot.

I resolved to terminate this bet instead of letting her become involved. I wanted to terminate this situation quickly, but my haste led me to blame her.

The situation has escalated because I created a much larger problem.

The outcome depends on our desire to win because it can conclude in these three days or extend over a few months. Despite my dislike of it the outcome will be the latter.

The situation became more complicated because our presence here has not been beneficial. She pretends to understand everything but misses half of what's happening in her surroundings.

This situation reminds me of how that guy at the bike rentals flirted with her. There's no way I asked her to attend a party. He stole a look at her face while he spoke to her. The thought of it infuriated me.

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