Page 92 of Counter Bet

Emily.

After separating from the others, I make my way straight to the spacious kitchen needing a drink to ease my nerves.

I’m pouring myself another shot when Jack finds me.

I smile to myself. I knew he would seek me out despite my earlier doubts, and here he is, leaning against the kitchen doorway, dressed in a black Henley and distressed light blue jeans.

“Fancy seeing you here, Em.”

I don’t reply.

His brown hair falls in his eyes, and he drags a hand through it, messing it up further. “Are you having a good time?”

I take a sip, eyeing him over the rim. “Sure am.”

Jack is attractive, and he knows it. I can tell by the way he carries himself. Even I feel drawn to him when he pins me in place with his jade eyes.

He pushes off the doorway and invades my space, placing his hands on the island behind me.

I neck my shot and put the glass back down. I’m boxed in against the island with nowhere to go. Jack is so big I can’t see past him.

I swipe my tongue over a drop of tequila on my bottom lip. Jack’s eyes follow my movements, lingering on my mouth. It’s confusing how he looks at me as if he wants to take me right here on the kitchen island after he was all over Matt earlier. I can’t make sense of him which is both intriguing and frustrating.

The Jack I know cares about what others think of him. His image matters to him, but the Jack who let Matt seduce him in the bathroom is not the same guy looming over me now.

We’re a lot alike. I hate to admit that heintrigues me. I want to find out more.

“Dance with me.” I take his hand and lead him into the crowded living room, where the cream couches have been moved aside to create a temporary dance floor.

Jack pulls me to him just as Somebody Else by The 1975 starts playing. I bury my hands in the curls at the nape of his neck and press up against him as he begins moving us to the beat. He leans down and nips my neck playfully with his teeth.

Why does he have to smell so good?Feel so good?

I close my eyes and enjoy his hard body against mine. I love how he commands my body to the beat with such ease. His touch is firm and confident.

In a different world, I could fall for Jack. We make sense together. Too much sense.

He turns me in his arms, guides my hands behind his neck, and bands his thick arms around my waist. His lips brush my ears. “You know how to move.”

I grind my ass against his crotch and smile. “You’re not so bad yourself, big boy.”

He chuckles, guiding me in his arms again until I’m staring into his jade eyes. He touches his forehead to mine and moves us to the beat. It’s just the two of us in this moment as everything else fades away. Even the bet is forgotten about as we move together.

His silky brown locks tangle with my fingers, and I pull on the strands to bring his lips closer to mine.

I’m turned on—shamefully so.

“Close your eyes, Emily,” he whispers.

I do. I lose myself in the song, in his heat and breath on my tingling lips. He cups my jaw, releasing another trembling breath.

“Em—” he whispers, but I shake my head.

“Let’s just dance, Jack.”

I don’t want to ruin this moment.

We move together effortlessly. His heart beats rapidly beneath my touch as I run my hands down his hard chest and over his contracting abs.

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