Page 15 of The Bet

“Later, Tony.” Sugar had become my nickname during high school because I’d loved trying new recipes and passing them out to my friends. At first, I’d hated the label, but now, it’s a badge of honor.

After Tony saunters off, Rich sits the bag on the back of the firetruck and raises his eyebrows. “What was that about?”

“What?”

“You and Tony?”

“What, me and Tony?” I stand motionlessly.He can’t possibly believe I have the hots for Tony. Can he? Good Lord, I practically melt in a puddle in Rich’s hands. How could he think I’m interested in someone else?

“The flirting.”

“I wasn’t flirting with Tony. For goodness sake, he’s a football player, and I’m a small-town bakery owner. Like that would ever be a thing.”

“Why not?” He shoves his hands into his pockets.

“He probably hasn’t eaten a sweet since training camp began.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“Listen, Rich. I don’t know what all the twenty questions are about, but I’m not interested in Tony. He’s a good guy, though.” I’m not about to say that Jenna has been in love with Tony since freshman year. I would never violate Jenna’s trust like that.

Of course, Jenna would break my nose after vehemently denying her interest in said football jock, but I know better. Iwant to be with Rich, but I can’t get up the nerve to say it. What if he doesn’t feel the same?

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t have any claim over you,” Rich sighs. “I’m tired and hungry.”

“You have a right to be. Working almost twenty-four hours straight has to be taxing.”

“It is. Thanks for breakfast.” He runs a finger along my jawline. “You want to go out tomorrow night?”

My heart races inside my chest.Please let it be ‘the night.’ Damn it. If I have sex with him, there’ll be no reason for him to see me again.He places his lips on mine again, and my knees buckle. I never want to stop kissing him.

As he ambles to the fire station, I clutch my chest.How can I seduce someone like him and blow his mind?

Chapter Eleven

Rich

When I walk into the fire station, it takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the change in lighting. The area is quiet as the other guys take turns sleeping and catching up on paperwork.

Tony is leaning against the wall with one hand shoved into his jean’s pocket, and in the other, he holds his cellphone. He swipes his finger across the front screen.

As I approach Tony, I narrow my eyes.He has my cellphone.“What the fuck?”

Tony glares at me like I’m the biggest asshole he’s ever met. “Does she know?”

“Does she know what?”

“That you’re going to fuck her for a bet.”

“Son of a bitch.” I snatch my phone from his hand and hit the backscreen. “What are you doing on my phone?”Shit.The last person I wanted to know about this situation is Tony. And Jenna.

If Tony knows, he’ll feel some type of moral obligation to spill his shit to mysister. Of course, that’s dependent on Tony getting Jenna to talk to him.

“Jenna called. Of course, she hung up on me when I answered. Then, I saw some bullshit about Chloe on there.” Tony shakes his head as his hands ball into fists at his sides. “How could you do something like that to her?”

“Quiet.” I glance around. “Give me a minute. I need to change, and then, we’ll talk.”

“Fine. I’ll still be here.” Each word is said with venom. Tony leans against the wall with a jaw tight enough to break through a brick wall.

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