Page 29 of Tempt Thy Neighbor

“Just because I was young and dumb once doesn’t mean I’ll make those same mistakes again.”

“Then prove it. Let me be your roommate. Let’s see if you can keep your hands to yourself.”

She scoffs, curling her lips back. “Why? Why do you want to be roommates, Sutton? Ran out of Daddy’s money? Can’t afford a place on your own? Tell me why I should allow you, the Barnes family fuckup, to live with me. So you can wreck my apartment like you did that boat?” She barks out a laugh. “Yeah, I know all about why you’re living here. I know why your family kicked you out.”

I hate the way she’s taunting me. Which, yeah, makes me a hypocrite because I’m goading her right back. But she has no idea the shit I’ve been putting up with when it comes to my family.

Instead of telling her my side of the embarrassing failure—it would be pointless as she’s already made up her mind about it—I say, “All I’m hearing is a weak excuse and you being unable to admit what we both know is true.”

Her eyes fall to slits again. “You were the one who couldn’t keep his hands to himself.”

“As I recall it, you’re the one who hiked her dress up andbeggedfor release.”

“You’re delusional.”

“Am I? Prove me wrong, then. Let’s share the apartment, see who can’t keep their hands off whom.”

“What, like a bet?”

Shit. She’s playing right into my plan, and I almost feel bad about it.

I knew if I plucked at her strings long enough, that competitive side of her would come out to play eventually. She used to love to one-up me, always feeling like she had something to prove.

“Whoever can last six months without caving first can keep the apartment.”

She rolls her eyes. “You’re delusional. I am not participating in this idiotic idea.”

“Why not? Scared you’ll lose?”

“No!”

“Then it’s a deal?”

“Yes!”

A victorious smile curls over my lips and her face falls, realizing what I just cornered her into.

She pinches the bridge of her nose. “Dammit, Sutton.”

“Your word is your vow, Evans. We both know how that game works.”

“I hate you,” she seethes.

“Then you should have no problem keeping your hands to yourself.”

“And if neither of us caves?”

“I don’t think we need to worry about that,” I say confidently.

“Sutton…”

“Then we renew it for another six months.”

Her green eyes swirl with irritation, and I have no doubt she’s planning my demise as we speak.

“I have conditions,” she says after several silent beats.

I roll my eyes. “Of course you do.”

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