Page 58 of Every Bit As Perfect
“Friends?You think I want to be yourfriend?”
My smile faltered.“Don’t you?”
He rocked back on his heels, his expression grim, and released my wrists.“I can see by giving you space to get used to the idea of us I’ve failed to make myself clear.”
Chin tipped up, eyebrows down, jaw tight, his gaze riveted on my face.
I inadvertently stepped back.
He followed, backing me up further.Wrapping his hand gently around my throat, he stroked my pulse and tipped my chin back to look at him, his handsome face framed by the night sky.
His expression severe, he clipped shortly, “We, are not, fucking friends.But we’re definitely going to be fucking.And you can bring your toys.I love toys.I’ll play with you all fucking night because, Harley?I may as well put this out there as well.There’s nothing vanilla about me.”
My eyes skittered back and forth between his.
I swallowed, awareness of his hand at my throat sending my heart into overdrive.
His thumb stroked my racing pulse.“Well.You certainly don’t look scared so I’m guessing by your pulse you’re on board.”
“What?”
His eyes lit with amusement as his lips curled into a soft smile.“There’s something about making you speechless that really does it for me.”
I frowned.“Well, it doesn’t do it for me.It doesn’t thrill me at all.”
He laughed and released me.“Come sit down with me.”
I twisted to look back at the front doors.“I need to—”
Grabbing my hand, he spun me back around to face him.“You need to come sit down and talk to me.Tell me why you continue to underestimate yourself.”
“I do not,” I clipped.
Toys?He said to bring my toys?And he would play with me.All.Night.Long.How was I supposed to string two thoughts together after that?
He led me to a bench and sat down beside me.“You worried endlessly about this evening, and it was perfect.And you have a great deal of trouble accepting my very deep, very genuine, interest in you.”
I shrugged and attempted to pull my hand from his grasp, but he only tightened his grip.
There’s nothing vanilla about me.
I swallowed.
What had I gotten myself into?
“Everyone underestimates me.I guess I worry they’re right.”
“And are they?”
“No,” I replied immediately, my discomfort with him fueling my adrenaline and spurring me to change the topic.“Do you know how much revenue weddings bring in every year?I’ve already told you about the success of the fundraisers, and you got to see for yourself tonight.”
We’re definitely going to be fucking.
“And community outreach!”I rushed to add.“Making Sage Ridge Resort accessible to the community instead of just tourists is not that big a deal!But they never think I can pull it off.”
“But you always do, don’t you.”
I lifted my chin and nodded.“I always do.”
