Page 5 of Truck You

He lets out a deep, throaty laugh that causes my body to zing with excitement. What in the hell is happening to me? I never react this way to men, no matter how damn cute they are.

He narrows his gaze, but his smile remains. “You expect me to believe you’re thinking about the skeeball challenge right now?”

“Yep.” I nod. “I’m a very competitive person.”

He leans forward until his lips are almost close enough to touch my ear. “What do I get if I win?”

I suck in a breath from both his words and the husky sound of his voice. “What do you mean?” I ask, my voice way too breathy and weak.

He stands up straight and shrugs, looking smug and sure of himself. “If I win, what do I get?”

I narrow my eyes, a bit of my composure returning. He thinks he can beat me. “What do you want?”

“To spend time with you,” he says without hesitation.

I chuckle. “Aren’t you currently spending time with me?”

The full force of his smile returns, and my damn belly does acrobatics that nearly knock me on my ass. His smile is dangerous. “Maybe I want to see you again after tonight.”

“You don’t even know my name.”

“I would if you gave it to me.”

I stare at him for a moment, debating my next move. He’s cocky, for good reason, and I want to spend time with him, too. But I have no clue what I’d ask him for if I win.

I hold my hand out, offering it to him for a shake. He takes it. A jolt shoots up my arm, causing my lungs to constrict and struggle for oxygen. Based on the way his lips twitch, he feels it too. “I-I’m Sophia.”

“Nice to meet you, Sophia.” His voice is rough and scratchy, like it’s a struggle for him to get his words out.

“Skeeball,” I say in a rush because I need to refocus my brain before I do something really stupid like jump his bones in the middle of this crowded street. “Loser buys the winner a caramel apple.”

“Red, I’ll buy you a caramel apple regardless of if you beat me.” He winks. “But if I win, I get a date.”

“A date?” I square my shoulders and place my hands on my hips like I’m going to challenge him. I’m totally open for a date, but I don’t want to look too eager. “What if tonight is my only night in town?”

“Is it?” He quirks a brow.

My shoulders deflate just a tad. “Well, no.”

“Okay, then. If you win, I buy you a caramel apple. If I win, you go out on a date with me. Not exactly a fair arrangement, but I accept.”

I narrow my gaze as his smile grows. Cocky isn’t a strong enough word to describe how sure of himself he is. “Fine. It’s a deal.”

* * *

Twenty minutes later,and I’m gloating. We played five rounds, and I beat him four out of five. He totally owes me a caramel apple.

The best part is, he doesn’t seem the least bit upset about it. He’s grinning from ear to ear like he knows something I don’t.

“Come on. Let’s play the ring toss game.” Mac points to the booth next to us.

“How about I watch this time?”

He gives me a side eye. “What’s the matter? Scared?”

“Nope.” I smile and step up next to a father trying to win a stuffed dog for his daughter. “I know my strengths and weaknesses. Ring toss isnota strength.”

“In that case, let me show you how it’s done.” Mac pays the teenager manning the booth. “You may have kicked my ass at skeeball, but I’ll win you a stuffed animal. Watch and be amazed.”

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