Page 37 of Deal Takers

Adam instinctively takes a step back, enough for me to shut the door. I don’t bother waiting to see if he says anything else. I turn the deadbolt and head straight to bed. Hopefully when I wake up, I’ll forget the last three years of my life ever happened.

CHAPTER 24

A FEW MONTHS AGO

Brody

“Happy Birthday, dear Nathan. Happy Birthday to you.”

As our collective group finishes singing, little Nate attempts to blow out the candles on his cake. I make a mental note to refuse a piece when I see his spittle flying everywhere.

“Good job, sweetie!” Devyn praises.

You’re probably wondering how I got roped into attending a four-year-old’s birthday party. The answer to that is two-fold. One, Uncle Drew would kick my ass if I didn’t show. The second reason is standing right next to me, smelling like fucking peaches, which my dick really seems to like.

“Mommy, I did it! I’m a big boy!” Nathan says with a fist pump.

Okay, my presence may have alittleto do with the fact that this kid is fucking adorable.

I lean into my neighbor’s ear so only she can hear me. “So, Rainey. Do you want to duck out of here and get naked?”

She swats me away and whispers, “Shut up!Nobody is getting naked!”

“Tell me, how many times did you make yourself come last night while thinking about me?” I prod. “Feel free to give me the recap inexplicitdetail.”

Rainey digs her nails into my forearm and yanks me to the back of the small crowd. “First of all, you’re a pig. This is probably the least appropriate conversation to have at a toddler’s birthday party.”

I match her whisper when I ask, “And second of all?”

I don’t know why I always goad her. Other than the fact that angry Rainey is wicked hot, that is.

She rolls her eyes. “And second of all, what I do in the privacy of my bedroom is none of your business.”

“What about what happens betweenyou and mein the bedroom?”

“Nothingwill ever happen between you and me in the bedroom.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” I counter. “You know chemistry has never been a problem for us, and you’re bound to get sick of your battery-operated boyfriend one of these days. And when that happens, I’d bemore than happyto take care of you.”

“You’re ridiculous,” she scoffs. “For your information, it keeps me plenty satisfied.”

I smirk. “So, you admit no one is warming your bed these days?”

“I’m not admitting anything,” she says, a little defensively.

“Besides the fact that you want me, you mean?”

“Ido notwant you, Brody. The sooner you get that through your thick skull, the better.”

I waggle my eyebrows. “You know what else is thick?”

She shoots me a side glare. “I’m done with this conversation.”

“You keep telling yourself that, honey.”

CHAPTER 25

Rainey

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