Page 31 of Bad Love

"I bet Nellie I could sell vibrators through his tax-shelter sex toycompany."

He shoves himself out of his seat, returning a moment later. "Take it back." His low, flat tone is barely audible over the boat’sengine.

"Ican't."

After the meeting with Kendall, I’d felt the first sliver of doubt. That maybe this isn’t just another of our reckless bets I’ll win like all theothers.

The way she talked about the market, the competition, and Nellie’s products gave me a sinking feeling that shit just gotreal.

I called Nellie and tried to make light ofthings.

“It was a dumb wager. The penthouse isn’t even yours togive.”

“Actually, the penthouse is in my name, so I can do whatever the fuck I want with it.” My stomach sank. “Come on, Hunter. We’ve been escalating for years. You never had a problem taking what was mine. You can’t back down the moment I have a chance to take what’syours.”

He’s right. I can’t backdown.

I’ve smugly accepted the winnings for our last dozenbets.

And he’s always seen themthrough.

It’s something all of us have held to over the years: a sense of integrity, even if it’s warped. If everyone follows the rules, we honor our word to eachother.

Monty grabs a life preserver off the desk, twisting it in his hands until the seal pops and the air deflates with a whine. "You have twenty percent of the company, Logan. And a board seat. You can't gamble away a boardseat."

"Technically, I can. Up to forty-nine percent can be reassigned without the approval of the other private shareholders. I’ve read the shareholderdocuments."

"Forgive my lack ofgratitude."

“I'm not going tolose."

“You better not fucking lose,” my best friendsays.

I cut a look over to see him staring out the front of theboat.

My phone buzzes with amessage.

Kendall:You have a lot ofvibrators.

The knotin my chest eases a degree, both at her message and the fact that she textedme.

“Trade you,” I say to Monty, getting up without waiting for him toagree.

I shift into the next seat over as I typeback.

Hunter:GET OUT OF MY NIGHTSTAND,WOMAN.

I’mglad I got her actual phone number from her colleague Rena. I had the impression she might be on my side, and I turned out to beright.

Yesterday, watching Kendall present, I was torn between concern over this bet and attraction toher.

The more I learn about Kendall, the more I know she’s not my type. She’s competent, serious, careful. But there are moments she lets her guard down. When those lips curve or when her eyes widen onmine.

In those moments, all I can think about is shifting her up on that wood table, kicking everyone out—or not—while I suck on her pale neck and work one of those toys insideher.

Then showing her that nothing with batteries could do what Ican.

Because let’s be honest—there’s no way she’s dreaming about the coffee guy. Finding that sheet of paper in the elevator sent my libido into overdrive. Having a drink with Maria ended with nothing because all I could think about was this damned girl with her notebook and stranger fantasies andflats.

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