Page 9 of End Game
“You don’t have to tell me anything,” I say, grabbing a couple of almonds out of a dish in front of me and popping them into my mouth.
A hefty sigh passes those lips I want to lick as she hangs her head. “We’re going to be here all weekend. I don’t want to look at you and see the questions in your eyes every time, okay? Just ask me and let’s get this over with.”
Contemplating if she’d actually answer as to why she has a sex therapist’s card in her purse and if I really want to put her on the spot, I toss another almond into my mouth and grin. “Fine. You’re right. Layla, do you need help getting off?”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing as I watch her head snap up. Her eyes widen as her mouth hangs open.
“Fuck you,” she says on a laugh.
“Yes, please.” Pausing to give her a moment to recoup, I lean back in my chair. “I’m kidding. Wait. No, I’m not. I’d totally bend you over this counter in a half a second if I thought that’s what you wanted and Finn wouldn’t walk in and castrate me. But, being that I’m only ninety-eight percent sure that’s what you want and a solid hundred-percent sure Finn would remove my balls, I am only playing.”
“Ninety-eight, huh?”
“Fine. Ninety-nine,” I grin.
“You’re all the same,” she scoffs, placing both hands on the counter. “You think I’m a guaranteed thing because people wear your name on the back of their jerseys.”
“Ah, come on, Layla. You know you want me,” I tease. “It’s okay to admit it.”
“You flirted. I smiled. That’s hardly asking you to put your cock in me.”
Those words shoot fire through my veins, a charge that lands between my legs. If it fazes her, she doesn’t let on. She stands all sweet and innocent, taking in my reaction.
My equilibrium is thrown off, my head spinning a little faster than I care to admit—much faster than I care for her to know.
“You think that was flirting? You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
“So that wasn’t flirting? What was it then?”
“I was just trying to do you a favor,” I say with a shrug.
She laughs. “Oh, you were, were you?”
“You were what?” Finn’s voice rings from the doorway, announcing his arrival.
My shoulders slump, irritation scratching my nerves as I sense him coming up next to me. “I was offering to help your sister with a few things this weekend.”
“You’re not helping her with shit, you jack hole.”
“I’m an expert in the field she needs help with,” I goad, looking at Layla out of the corner of my eye. “Just trying to be a nice guy.”
“There’s nothing nice about you,” Finn jokes. “Now come on. There are plenty of women down at Crave who would love for you to show them your expertise tonight.”
Standing up, I keep one eye on Layla. Her brother’s comments have washed away some of the playfulness from her features and I’d give my left nut to get it back somehow. Opening my mouth, I close it again when Finn begins to talk.
“Heading down to the bar for a few,” Finn tells his sister. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Be careful. Don’t do anything stupid.”
“It’s Linton,” he laughs. “If I do, I’ll call the Sherriff. The last time it just took two autographed pictures and a couple of passes to a game.”
She looks at me. Her eyes are electric, moving with so many things I’d like to ask her about, but can’t. Not right now. “Have fun,” she says, throwing her bag over her shoulder. “I’m going to find Poppy and take a nap.”
Finn heads to the door and I follow. Before I turn the corner, I stop. “Offer stands, Sunshine.”
With a wink that brings back some of the lightness to her beautiful face, I follow her brother out the door.
CHAPTER 5
