Page 13 of Anti-Hero

Kit smiles as he fishes the shred out of his glass. That was the reaction he expected, I realize. I’m not sure how he knows me so well.

“You know what I like most about you, Collins?”

“My excellent aim?”

“You do what you want.”

“Wow.Whata compliment.”

“It is,” he insists. “Most people aren’t that brave.”

I’m a better actress than I realized. Because I haven’t feltbravelately. I’ve felt like I was lying on a trampoline and life was jumping all over me.

“Youdo whatever you want,” I say. “And that’snota compliment, by the way.”

“I do, huh?” His tone is wry.

“Name one thing you want to do, but can’t.”

His reply is immediate. “Make you come.”

My lips part, but no words leave my mouth.

I should have expected some variation of that answer.

Kit thrives acting on—and saying—the outrageous. He’s pushy and obnoxious. Yet there’s something oddly compelling about it. Like a reckless riptide that seizes control and sweeps you away.

I’m a strong swimmer, even though I avoid the ocean.

I drain the rest of my drink and use setting the glass down as an excuse to hide my flushed face for a few seconds. He might be a playboy billionaire and Lili’s brother, but he also happens to be an extremely hot guy. Willpower has its limits.

“At least you’re honest,” I state. “My ex didn’t have that self-awareness of his skills.”

Kit’s chuckle is dark and dangerous. Goading him wasn’t my most brilliant idea.

“It has nothing to do with myskills, Collins, and everything to do with how you won’t let me touch you.”

“And if I did?”

His slick billionaire smirk appears. It might not be genuine, but it’s damn effective. And it reeks of smug superiority that I can’t help but want to challenge. “Then I could make you come in one minute.”

Oneminute? I’m a chronic overthinker.IfI come, it’s never a quick process.

“I don’t believe you,” I say truthfully.

“Too bad there’s no easy way to prove it.”

The simple statement lands like a grenade. A challenge poised to explode.

He doesn’t think I’ll agree. I’m certain about that, the same way he predicted I’d rip up the check. And it’s suddenly of the utmost importance that I surprise Kit Kensington. That I stand up on thetrampoline.

“Then prove it.”

Idosurprise him. Startled blue eyes meet mine as my impulsive reply registers.

The worst, unlikely outcome? I enjoy an orgasm that doesn’t involve a battery-operated toy for the first time in months. Best-case scenario? I get to wipe that cocky smirk off Kit’s face before resuming my search for a hair dryer.

There’s no smirk now. Kit’s head tilts as he studies me, his expression surprisingly serious for a childish bet.

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