Page 25 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

“No,” I say, holding his stern look, “but it certainly doesn’t hurt.”

“All right. I won’t play the SEAL card, but in return. I get to choose your target man.”

“What? No,” I say, leaning away from him. “You’ll choose some guy who’s way out of my league, so you can win the bet.”

“There’s no man who’s out of your league. In fact, just the opposite is true,” he says, pointing his finger right in my face. “And I’m going to choose someone who I think is probably way more terrifying to you—someone who you’re attracted to and even worse, someone who’s attracted to you.”

I grip the armrests as anxiety shoots through my body. “Well that just sounds horrible. I’m already stressed out and we haven’t even landed.”

“Do we have a deal?” He holds out his hand.

I push it away again. “What do I get if I win the bet?”

“Hopefully an exciting and very satisfying night with the gentleman that I chose for you. Is that not enough?”

His eyes narrow as my face scrunches up again.

“Wait,” he says, finally lowering his voice to a whisper. “Are you a virgin? Do we need to have the sex talk?”

“I’m not a virgin,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I just feel like if we’re betting, there should be a prize at least.”

“Oh, there will be prizes, plenty of prizes—”

“Shut up,” I say, shifting in my seat until I’m inches from his face. “Here’s what I get if I win the bet: You promise me that when we get to San Diego, you’ll let me set you up with a normal woman, someone who’s a real possibility.”

He pushes my face back and looks away. “I told you I’m not looking to date anyone.”

“Because you’re scared to put yourself out there,” I say. “We’re not that different, Butch. We just handle it in different ways.”

He turns around to look at me and nods. “If that will make you finally shake on this bet, yeah, go crazy, set me up.”

“We have a deal.” I hold my hand out, he pushes it down.

“If I win,” he says, “you have to ask Culver if he banged the waitress at The Baja Grill.”

“What?” I say, my mouth hanging open. “You’re insane. He’s our boss. Not to mention he’s scary as fuck.”

“He’s not really our boss anymore,” he says, nodding his head, “but he’s definitely scary as fuck. That’s why none of us have the cajones to ask him. Come on. You want to know if they slept together—”

“Of course I want to know, Butch, but why does the smallest person on the team have to ask him?”

“You’re the only one he wouldn’t hit,” he laughs.

“Are we sure about that?”

“I guess we’ll find out when you lose the bet.”

“Then I’m winning because I’m not asking him that.”

He holds out his hand again. I blow out a long breath. “Fine,” I say as I shake it.

His lips form a terrifying grin. “I can’t wait to choose your man.”

The flight attendant stops at our aisle. “Ma’am, may I get you another drink?”

“Yes, please. And keep them coming,” I say, pulling my hand away from Butch. “I’m going to need all of the liquor if I’m going to get through this trip.”

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