Page 60 of Wild As Her

"That you like me."

She makes a noise that’s somewhere between a scoff and an outright laugh. "I’d rather admit I enjoy stepping on a pile of Legos."

I grin, turning my body slightly toward hers. "And yet, here we are. You, ruining a perfectly good whiskey just to defend my honor."

She shrugs. "Maybe I just hate whiskey."

I lean in, just a little, staring down at her. "We both know that’s not true."

Her breath catches, just for a second. It’s so small, so quiet, I might’ve imagined it. But I didn’t.

Because suddenly, the air between us isn’t just charged, it’s an electric storm.

I see it in the way her fingers tighten around her glass.

I’ve spent my whole life pushing this woman, waiting for the moment she’d push back. And now?

Now, I want to grab her by the hips, pull her against me, and make her forget every single reason she’s ever had to hate me.

But we’re in a bar. In public.

So instead of doing what I want, I do the next best thing. Icrowd her just enough to make her notice. Just enough that when she finally looks up at me, her breath hitches again. "What do you want?" she says, exasperated.

You.

The word nearly slips out. Nearly.

Instead, I grin. "Just wanted to thank you."

"For what?"

"For letting everyone in this bar know that if anyone’s gonna ruin my reputation, it’s you."

She finally smiles, and damn, if it doesn’t hit me square in the chest. She shakes her head, setting her drink down with a soft clink. "You’re welcome."

I tilt my head, considering. "Or maybe you just like things difficult. Or you just like hearing yourself talk.”

"Maybe. But you’re still standing here, listening." She huffs, exasperated, but she still hasn’t moved.

And neither have I.

Then, before I can talk myself out of it, I reach out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her hair falling down in waves like she finally let it out of that damn braid she was wearing.

She freezes. For a split second, everything stops. The bar noise fades. The people around us disappear.

It’s just her. Just me. Just this moment that neither of us were ready for.

Her lips part slightly, her pulse flickering at her throat. I could kiss her. Right now. She knows it. I know it. But then?—

"Hey, lovebirds!" Ollieyells from across the bar, ruining my life. "You gonna make out, or can I buy another beer without throwing up in my mouth?"

Cami jolts back like she just remembered where we are.

I turn slowly, glare set to lethal. "Knock it off, Ollie."

He grins. "Not achance."

Cami shakes her head, clearly needing an escape. "I’m getting out of here before I commit a crime."

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