Page 14 of The Bet

“Sorry for the sweat and dirt, but I’ve got to kiss you. I need to know if you always taste like cupcakes.”

As his mouth claims mine, I clutch his chest.Oh. My. God.His hands thread into my hair. Then, he tugs on the strands to tilt my face upward.Holy hell’s bells.No one has ever pulled my hair. The sensation goes straight to my clit.

When he has the perfect angle, his tongue strokes along the seam of my lips and plunges into my mouth to meet me thrust for thrust.

My heart thuds as I latch my arms around his neck – the bag of baked goods crinkles as it hits his upper back. I arch against his body. When his swollen cock juts into my stomach, my eyes roll back into my head.He can’t fake that, can he?

A loud throat clearing breaks our concentration. My face floods with heat, and I unlatch myself from Rich’s grasp and stand back. My breath is ragged as I look into his eyes. The raw desire reflected in them floors me.

“Get a room.”

I jump and twist on my heel.Anthony Timmerman.“Tony?”

“Chloe. Rich.” Tony gives Rich a pointed look as he walks from the fire department parking lot toward us.

Tony was Rich’s best friend all through school and Jenna’s secret crush. Back then, Tony had been the star tight end for our football team. Now, he’s a professional football player, and the last I knew, he was playing for a team several states away.

“When did you get back in town?” I wipe my hands on my skirt.

“I got traded to K.C. last week.”

“Wow.”

“Rich forgot to mention you two were a thing.” Tony crosses his arms.

“We’re –” Rich rubs a hand over his face.

“Umm.” They talk over each other.

Shit. How’re we supposed to answer that?We aren’t in a real relationship, but if we tell Tony, he’ll tell Jenna. Not that the two of them talk, but with this shitshow in the works, he won’t be able to keep it to himself.

“Rich, you’d better lock this thing down before someone else comes along and snatches her up.” Tony waggles his eyebrows as his gaze travels over me and lands on my hand. “What’s in the bag?”

“Breakfast.” I open the bag so Tony can look inside.

“Damn, girl. That shit smells delicious. I might snatch you up myself.”

“Stop it.” I giggle and swat at his hand. Even though he’s a total screw off, he has a heart of gold. Tony loves having a good time and being a football god.

“It’s mine.” Rich snatches the bag from my hand.

“Asshole. You should share.”

Rich’s jaw clenches. “I don’t share.”

“Testy, aren’t you?”

I roll my eyes. Their banter is typical of how they interacted with each other. “I can’t believe you moved back to town.”

Tony crosses his arms and tips out his chin. “I’m thrilled to be back home. Although I’m extremely disappointed youdidn’t know. Where have you been? Living under a rock?”

I cringe. “I’ve been busy.”

Obviously, the bakery has taken more of my attention than I’d realized. When was the last time I caught a game? It had to have been during the previous season. I love football, and it’s a tad embarrassing that the season is about to begin, and I have no idea how our hometown team is expected to perform.

“Listen, Tony. Can you give Chloe and me a second before we go?”

“Sure.” Tony winks. “See ya around, Sugar.”

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