Page 13 of The Bet

“Honey.” Kameron puts his arm around Tabitha’s shoulders and rubs her skin.

“Yes?” Tabitha slaps a hand on her hip.

“Don’t be rude.”

Her eyes narrow into slits, and she steps away from his reach. “Are you standing up for Chloe, now?”

“Let it be.” Kameron’s face stains a deep red as he shifts his weight from one leg to the other.

“It was good to see you. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow at work.” I stare pointedly at Kameron, hoping he’ll get the hint to leave. Kameron isn’t that bad of a guy, but his girlfriend is something else entirely. She’s an anvil holding him down – one he needed to dump – yesterday.

“Sorry.” Kameron nods, grabs Tabitha’s hand, and walks to their table.

Chloe growls. “Tabitha is such a cunt.”

“Chloe?”

“What?”

“You cussed.”

Her hand flies to her mouth. “Darn it. I wasn’t going to do that tonight.” She drops her hand to the table. “But she’s so vapid. Do you remember her from high school?”

“Yeah, she was one of the cheerleaders.”

“God…” Chloe shudders. “Tabitha, along with Jamie Wright, made my life miserable. They made fun of me every day for being flat-chested and not stick thin.”

“I’m sorry.”Fucking bitch. I hate bullies.My eyes dart to Chloe’s chest. There’s nothing wrong with her tits, as far as I can tell.Shit.I jerk my attention back to her face. “You’re a better person than Tabitha. Any guy would be lucky to have you.”But I’m going to keep you.

Her gaze is stuck to the tablecloth. “Thank you.”

My knee brushes against hers, and the desire to forget about our meal and head back to my place is stronger than anything I’ve experienced. I’ve had my fair share ofmeaningless hook-ups, but no one has captured my attention like her.

Am I ready to settle down? Get married? Have 2.5 children and a white picket fence?When Chloe’s tongue darts out of her mouth to lick her plump lips, I know the answer. I want Chloe Sparks to be my wife. Now, I have to convince her.

Chapter Ten

Chloe

As I walk to the fire station the next morning, I’m carrying a bag of breakfast goodies. Rich was the ultimate gentleman the entire evening. He’d been charming, attentive, and sexy enough to eat.

Sadly, he hadn’t allowed me the opportunity to partake. When we’d reached my apartment, he’d given me a sweet kiss, and then, his cellphone beeped. Another of the firefighters had fallen ill, and Rich had to take the night shift.

After having pulled a double, he’ll be exhausted and ready for bed. My nipples tighten at the thought of tucking him in bed and then joining him.Dang, it. This isn’t real. He could have any woman in town or in the state, for that matter. Rich is hot as sin.

When I make it to the fire station, my heart flutters. He’s standing outside in a pair of fireman pants and the same black t-shirt he’d worn to dinner. His bicepsbulge as he unloads gear from the back of a truck.

As if he can sense me drooling over him, he twists in my direction and smiles. “Hey.”

When he waves, my stomach dives to my feet. “Hey, Rich. I brought you breakfast.” I dodge the protective coats, hats, and gloves that littered the ground until there’s only a couple of feet between us.

“Thank you, Sweetheart.”

“You’re welcome.” I glance around to see if anyone’s outside.No one’s around. Why is he so sweet to me? What’s in it for him? He can’t want me.My breath hitches in my throat.Can he?

“Come here.” Rich motions me over with his finger. “We were interrupted before I could give you a proper goodnight kiss.”

“Yeah?” I inch into his space. When he hauls me against his firm body, I squeal with delight.

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