Page 6 of Curveball
His eyes have golden flecks. I know this because I’m looking that intently.
“Why accept a dare if you don’t expect to win?”
“I think you and your friend have a sense of humor.” His face brightens, as though the idea amuses him. “I like that.”
And despite it being a bit of a whiplash, I like this new, lighthearted side of him.
“You say that like you haven’t been laughing with your boys since you settled at that table.”
He quirks one eyebrow. “You were watching me.”
He says it as a statement, not a question, andoh, fuck. Again.
“That’s good, darlin’. I was watching you, too.” He shuffles closer still, and his taut abdomen presses against me. The dooris solid at my back and he braces one hand against it, shoulder high. His other arm hangs benignly at his side. “I’d say there’s a good chance you’re going to win your bet, but I think we can make it a whole lot more interesting.”
He lowers his face into the crook of my neck and rubs his nose and the soft stubble on his chin against the sensitive skin there. I’m back to speechless, my heart hammering, my inhibitions in a dead faint.
I move one hand and place it tentatively on his chest, not sure whether I mean to pull him in or push him away. When he raises his face and his arm disappears from beside me, a low moan escapes me.Decision made.
But there’s a softsnickand the door behind me gives way. My hand clenches a handful of his shirt, and his strong arm wraps around my waist before I lose my balance and land on my ass on the somewhat disgusting bathroom floor.
“You’ve got quick reflexes, don’t you, bad boy?”
I peer around at the elegant tile and white china sink, and realize this dare isn’t going to end with his undoubtedly manufactured phone number on a crumpled bar napkin. I have no complaints.
“I got you, darlin’. Though . . . maybe we don’t want an audience.”
His eyes soften right before his lips take a gentle swipe at my neck, causing goose bumps to erupt and cover my skin. I give him a gentle tug and he raises his head. His bright gaze meets mine with a curious glint.
“Right. No audience. But I might like to know your name.”
“Well, aren’t you amusing.” The solid wall of muscle under my palm vibrates with what I realize is silent laughter.
“You think my request is funny?”
“Absolutely, considering you haven’t shared your name either.”
Well, crap. Do I give him my real name?I already decided I feel safe with him, as illogical as that seems. He definitely doesn’t give off theickvibe. My arm slides up his chest till my hand wraps around the back of his neck.
“My friends call me Palmer. What should they call you?”
He cocks his head and stares, as if contemplating his answer. He takes my free hand and wraps it around his trim waist, his grin morphing to something almost playful.
“Palmer, girl, my friends call me Murph. But there was a time whenbad boyfit too.” His palm splays wide over my cheek and he lowers his lips to whisper at the sensitive skin behind my ear. “Let me show you just how bad I can be.”
Ooh, lordy, this is going to be good.
Chapter 3
Max
I’ve scored a hot kiss in a ladies’ room plenty of times in what the press refers to as my wild and wicked past. Got a piece of ass there, too, once or twice. Cleat chasers are into that shit. Though, with Natalie in the picture full time, those days are behind me.
But this right here? This is not the same.
Even though this woman is playing coy and only gave me her last name, she’s not as assertive as some I’ve met. She may be trying to win a bet with her friend, but I’m not positive she even knows who any of us guys are. What I do know is I’ve been imagining her smooth lips on mine since I first walked down this deeply carpeted hallway in search of an intriguing woman with a mass of untamed curls framing her beautiful heart-shaped face.
Somehow, I knew she’d be different—real, as opposed to the Barbie doll type—and my game sense paid off. Then again, the straining of my cock against my zipper is pretty fucking real too. It’s a high leverage situation right here, but I’m known for making the big play under pressure.
