Page 29 of The Worst Guy Ever
“Ordering the same as me.”
“That’s what I wanted,” I shrug. “That’s my order.”
“Whatever.” I almost repeat it back to her, but I catch myself in time. If she wants to act like a child, I’m not going to sail straight over the edge with her.
“So, joint stag and hen party. I have some thoughts.” I pull up the browser on my phone to show her the research I did last night. The research I did while she was out with fuck-knows-who doing fuck-knows-what.
“Let me guess, you want to take us all to a strip club? Or someMagic Mikeshit.”
“I think that’s more your vibe.”
“Don’t make assumptions about me,” she says, nudging me under the table. “I find that whole thing really weird, actually. All those oily men slipping around on the floor, gyrating like a cat trying to throw up a furball.”
Wow. What an image.
“I think we should do a tasting menu dinner, followed by drinks on a riverboat. It’s classy and elegant.”
“Oh, fuck you,” she says, slouching backwards. “That’s actually good.”
“Here’s the menu.” I slide my phone across the table. “We can keep the meal part small. I know Kara said immediately family only, but I think some of the staff from Sunshine would love to celebrate, and maybe some folks from your book club too? That’s why I think this…” I swipe to the next tab, “is the perfect way to spend the afternoon. And hopefully the weather will be nice.”
While she scrolls through photos and reads the description of my proposed river tour, my hand comes to a rest on her wrist. I don’t think either of us even realise until Maggie appears.
“Oh, look at you cuties,” she says. “I almost don’t want to interrupt such a gorgeous couple, but here are your coffees.”
Hattie’s eyes go wide and she snatches her hand away, rubbing her wrist as if my touch has left a mark. Her cheeks redden a little, and I’ve got the perfect view across the table. She’s affected by me. I don’t say anything, just lean back and keep my eyes on her while I sip my coffee.
“What are you smiling at?”
“She thinks we’re a couple. A‘gorgeous’couple. We’ve gotcouplevibes.”
“She’s deluded.” Hattie tips three sugar sachets into her coffee, stirring so intently I wonder if she might be summoning a spell in her head. I want her attention back on me, craving the playful Hattie that jokes around with me, not the angry one that has my pulse racing and my cock thickening. Stretching my leg out underneath the table, I slide my foot in between hers until our ankles graze alongside each other.
She lifts one leg, kicking out at my knee, but I grip her calf in my palm before she can make contact, and lift it into my lap. I slip my thumb underneath the hem of her leggings, circling the soft skin there.
She leans in close and lowers her voice. “Let go of my leg before I scream this fucking place down.”
I pull it towards me as she pulls it away, and somehow the back and forth ends up with a fast jab of her foot that hits me right in the balls.
I’m dead.
I’ve died.
Pain sears right through me, white light blurring my vision.
“Fuuuuuck.” I bend over the table, cupping myself and breathing through the searing agony. “Why are you so determined to destroy my nuts?”
“You’re the one who grabbed my leg! Are you OK?”
“No I’m not fucking OK. Jesus, you’re a monster. I can’t believe I nearly fucked you.”
“Oh, piss off. You were never even close.” Her words sting, adding a pain in my chest to the one in my crotch.
“Bullshit. You wanted it. I saw it in your eyes. I felt your body heat up. You were so ready to give it up in my garage, you know I nearly won.”
“That’s all it was to you, wasn’t it?” she says, a tinge of hurt in her voice. “A game.”
Of course it was. A stupid bet between two hot people who would clearly benefit from a little time spent naked together. Except it wasn’t just a bet in the end, and I know it’s still not over for me. Regardless of what I’ve said, regardless of the fury in her words and the fire in her actions, every part of me still wants her. Even the parts she seems hellbent on smashing to pieces.
