She shoved at his chest. “Such a romantic.”
He held her fast. “Got you to smile, didn’t it?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Bet I can get you to feel good even during this rotation’s performance and trials?”
She bit her lip. “I don’t think that’s possible. Even for you.”
“Did you just issue me a challenge?”
“Maybe.” Her lips finally tilted upward.
His heart rolled over.
He leaned in close and brushed his lips against her ear. “I’ll take that bet.” Setting her down, he made sure she was steady before he lifted his hands. “Stay right there.” He was across the room, digging through the crates, and back in a flash.
She eyed the item in his hand. “What’s that?”
“The way I’m going to win the bet—and prove you should never doubt me.”
He ripped open the packaging.
She moved closer, studying the translucent rod in his hand, it’s length shorter than his pinkie. “What is it?”
“A little care package from home. From my sister.” Anya was the only one who knew where he actually was, though as word spread about his fighting wins, his brothers would hear soon enough. “She’s always giving me shit about my lack of experience and sending me crap like this. She says it’s her way of helping her future sister-in-law.”
“I can’t wait to meet this female.”
He wrapped one arm around Scarlett and hugged her close. “I can’t wait for that either.”
He could already picture his return home: finally enough money in his pocket to help his brothers, his reputation as a formidable fighter assured, and Scarlett by his side. Everything he’d ever wanted.
But for now, that meant keeping his cool—and keeping his female happy.
“In the meantime,” he rolled the device between his fingers, warming it up, “let’s take advantage of Anya’s outrageousness, never say her name in relation to this item ever again, and have some fun.”
Scarlett laughed. “Deal… but I still don’t know what it is.”
As a prize, she really had been sheltered from so much fun.
“A toy. For you.” He pressed a button and the small oblong rod sprung to life, vibrating against his palm. “For your pleasure.” He turned over his other hand to reveal a small metal sphere. “And this is the remote. For my pleasure.”
She shivered, her gaze growing glassy. “Show me more.”
He fucking loved it.
He pressed the toy to her shoulder, stroking it against her, allowing her time to acclimate.
“Mmmm.” That purr he lived for vibrated softly from her throat. “That feels good.”
“You like that? Just wait.” He rolled it to the other shoulder.
And smiled wider when she moaned again.
“Fuck. The sounds you make. But wait, it gets better.” Then, he slid the flat rod down her belly.
She stilled, a kaleidoscope of colors dancing across her skin—even brighter than before.