Page 73 of Obligation
“Yeah… no…” She stepped around him as if she were going to walk away.
The library wasn’t more than a few feet away, and she headed toward the building. Bradley wanted to go after her, but he couldn’t chase her forever. He needed her to want him, to come to him.
“It’s okay if you want to keep it for yourself, you know. All you have to do say so,” he called after her.
She stopped and turned around. “I threw it away.” She took a few steps backward, her gaze trained on him. “Couldn’t have evidence of my little indiscretion just laying around, now could I?”
He smirked. “You’re such a liar.”
Tossing her head back, she laughed. “Guess you’ll never know, will you?” She stopped walking, still hugging the stack of papers against her chest.
Bradley closed the distance between them, his heart pounding harder with each step. Something about her and her demeanor was different today. She seemed… happier, like she no longer had a worry in the world. What had changed with her?
“I call bullshit,” he said, stopping in front of her. “I think you still have that shirt, and I think you have it hidden somewhere safe.”
“Nope.” She shook her head, her long hair swaying against her face with the motion.
“Then prove me wrong.” His chest ached with each breath he took, and his body buzzed with longing. Why did he always have such a visceral reaction to her?
“And if I do? What’s in it for me?” She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling.
He licked his lips, his gaze dropping to her mouth before moving back up to meet her eyes. What he wouldn’t do for a kiss right now. “If I’m right, you have to do something for me.”
The idea popped into his head without warning, but he latched onto the thought. If he could get her to agree, he’d essentially kill two birds with one stone—he’d find a way out of his sister’s bachelor auction without upsetting his mom, and he’d secure some alone time with Carissa.
“Do something for you? Like what?” Her tone dripped with suspicion. “If you’re trying to bet me into having sex with you, I—”
“Whoa! No.” He held up his hands, eyes wide. “That’s not what I’m doing. First, I don’t need to bet or coerce or trick anyone into having sex with me, especially not you.”
“Especially not me?” She shifted on her feet. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It means that when we have sex, you’ll do so willingly. Not because you lost some stupid bet.”
“Ha! When. Don’t you meanif?”
The attitude she threw at him right then should’ve probably deterred him, or pissed him off, but he found himself excited. Aroused. Most of the women he knew kissed his ass in the hopes of snagging him—and his billions. But not Carissa. She was the exact opposite, always pushing him away, making him work for every second he had with her.
“No. I mean when. I’m confident this will happen between us eventually,” he said coolly, confidently.
She took a step closer, bringing their bodies within touching distance. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you that arrogance isn’t charming? In fact, it’s a major turn off.”
“Is that why your face is flushed right now? I bet your heart is racing, too.” He leaned down so his face was inches from hers. “Besides, there’s a fine line between arrogance and confidence.”
“Are you confused as to where that line is?” she asked, her tone sickeningly sweet.
The corner of his mouth lifted in a cocky smirk. “Stop trying to deflect. Back to this T-shirt… Prove me wrong, and I’ll do something for you. Whatever you want. But prove me right, and you have to do something for me.”
He expected her to pull away or take a step back. But yet again, she shocked him when she leaned even closer.
“Deal,” she said, her warm breath breezing across his lips. “But first, copies.” She held up the stack of papers in his face, effectively blocking her from his view.
Bradley gently guided her hand down so he could see her again. “I’ll help,” he said.
“I’m sure I can figure out how to make copies all by myself.” She once again turned on her heel and sauntered away, a little extra sway to her hips that he was positive was for his benefit.
He stood watching her for a moment, enjoying the view. But then he snapped back to his senses and jogged to catch up to her. “I’m sure you can, too, but we’ve got a bet to settle, and I’m not letting you out of my sight until we do. Don’t want you rigging it in your favor.”
Bradley grabbed the library door and held it open for her. She tossed him a flirty look as she stepped inside. A blast of cold air hit him when he entered behind her. Having grown up in Texas, he was used to both the heat and the subsequent shock of cold air upon entering a building.
