Page 2 of One Hot Night
Downside . . . we’ll have to Uber back.
Absently I wonder how much longer we have to stay. This isn’t really my scene. The macho, proud peacock man parade isn’t my catnip. I’m all about equality in a relationship, even if it’s only a casual hookup. It’s judgmental of me, but the guys at this party all seem as if they got stuck a few levels back on Darwin’s evolution chart. As if to prove my point, one of the guys watching the fights on television jumps from his seat on the couch and literally beats his chest. I glance away and bite back a laugh.
I might as well grab another drink; looks like we’ll be here a while. I slide through the crowd and make my way toward the kitchen where they’ve set up a makeshift bar.
“Aww . . . you missed me.” Cam’s smile greets me the second I step into the galley kitchen. He widens his stance, blocking me from reaching the fridge.
I roll my eyes. “I’m thirsty.”
“Yeah, you are.” He drags out the words and his lips widen with a grin. There’s that confidence again.
My body thrills with the promise of what he could offer.Stupid body. “No.” I pause to enunciate my annoyance, albeit feigned. “I’m really not. I need a beer.”
I am not here for a man, or a hookup. I’m turning over a new leaf. Trying to be a relationship kind of girl. I have another date tomorrow with one of my fellow interns at work. A third date, no less. Only, the thought of spending an evening with Preston doesn’t hold even a fraction of the thrill as the thought of dragging Cam back to one of the bedrooms.
“I got you.” Cam swings around and opens the fridge to grab a can from inside. He turns back and holds it up out of reach.
“If you think I’ll climb you for it, you’ve got the wrong woman,” I say dryly.
“No doubt.” But he doesn’t stop smiling as he hands over the beer. “Rematch? I need to reclaim my dignity.”
My brow scrunches with confusion as I pop the top to my can. “I’m not sure that’ll ever be possible. I’d bet your reputation was sullied years ago.”
“Flip cup. Come on.” He nods to my red cup, his gaze full of determination. “You and me. Right now.”
I shake my head and let loose a genuine laugh as I dump the contents of the can into my cup. “No way.”
“It’s okay. I understand.” He nudges my shoulder with his and drops his voice even though we’re the only two in the kitchen. “Don’t blame you. Hard to recreate a fluke.”
Umm . . . what?
“I’m sorry,” I say incredulously and not apologetic in the least. My spine prickles at his arrogant tone. “I don’t have anything to prove. You’re the one who threw a hissy fit when your team got their asses handed to them by a bunch of women.”
“Anomaly.” He shrugs his shoulders, staring back with challenge as he takes a sip from his beer. “Lucky break. Bet you couldn’t do it again.”
I set down my beer, my hands go to my hips, and I lift my chin. “And why’s that?”
He strokes the stubble of his jaw as if he’s considering my question. His eyes light up and meet my gaze. “Because everyone knows men are superior to women at drinking games.”
I suck in a sharp breath. Anger bubbles in my veins. My hands ball into fists. A brief moment passes between us, one in which I debate ripping that ignorant blank stare off his lips with a verbal lashing so harsh he’ll wish I kicked him in the balls. That, or letting loose a scream and storming out of the room before I smack him in the gut.
But before I do either, his brow lifts and the tight line of his pressed lips quivers. “Dude.” A chuckle escapes his mouth and his shoulders shake. “You should see your face right now.”
My irritation lightens.He’s fucking with me.Damn it, could I be more gullible? I refuse to laugh at his ruse. “Oh, so now you’re a comedian?”
His jovial laughter softens his eyes and takes away the big bad alpha vibe he’s been sporting this entire party. Not that I’ve been watching him. Okay, so maybe I have. But my interest has more to do with his brother dating my friend. At least, that’s what I tell myself.
“You have to admit I almost had you.”
I almost had you. His words do something to my body, and my thighs press together with the idea of him having me in an intimate sense.Fuck. I’ve only had a few beers. I can’t blame alcohol on my impaired judgment. Why am I so attracted to this man? I roll my eyes to chase that bad idea from my mind. “So glad you find this amusing.”
His gaze flickers with interest and he leans one hip against the counter. “You’re not having a good time?”
I bite my lip as I decide whether to lie or tell the truth. Parts of tonight have been fun, but really I’ve only made the best of it because Callie needs me here. This isn’t my scene, never really was. “Not particularly.” I go with honesty.
“I know what’ll make it better.” He grabs my beer off the counter and hands it to me, a serious look on his face. “Come on.”
But I’ve already fallen for his charades once tonight. “I don’t want to see your dick.”
