Page 12 of Ready to Snap
“Actually,” I huff, “I’ll have whatever he’s drinking. And we’ll start with the stuffed mushrooms.”
Our server glances to Will for approval, and the bastard can’t hide his stupid grin. Will nods to him, then demands, “Only if she cancels her date later.”
“Really?” I scoff. After another patronizing nod from Will, our server scurries off. “You’re a manipulative asshole, you know that?”
“Cancel your other date, Elle.”
“Why? What if the man I’m supposed to meet later is my soulmate? You’d deprive a woman—who you claimed was ‘going to die alone with a dozen cats’—of a chance at happiness.”
“What if you already met your soulmate and he’s sitting across from you?”
“You?” I let out a humorless laugh. “This is ridiculous. First thing tomorrow, I’m reporting this to HR.”
“And say what? That you want me? That you’ve fantasized about what it would be like to have me pull orgasm after orgasm from you until I’ve branded every inch of you as mine? I don’t think that will go over well.”
“Will you keep it down?” I snap, nostrils flaring once. “If someone heard you, they?—”
“Would be laughing at how I’d give just about anything for you to be mine, even if it’s only for the night.” Will swirls the bourbon in his glass as if he didn’t just suggest wantingme. “But it’ll never happen since you’re entirely out of my league.”
“Out of your league? I’m not—” I take a deep breath and collect myself. “What are you talking about? Youhateme! You make my life a living hell most days.”
“Fighting with you is easier than admitting I want you.” Will glances around, then leans in. “Do you want me?” While his tone is teasing, his eyes betray him—vulnerable, pleading.
No. I’m reading into it.
This is William Darling, the same man who’s argued with me for years every time I asked anything of him. Still, I can’t deny that from the moment we met, I’ve loved every single time he picked a fight with me.
“Of course not,” I lie, heat pooling in my belly at the thought of him touching me.
“Well, you can’t fault a man for trying. You’re easily the most powerful and beautiful woman I’ve ever met. And it’s not as if I can blame the dress. You could be wearing a fucking potato sack and I’d happily bend you over right here and eat you from behind, just for the chance to hear you moan my name.”
“So, it’s just a sex thing? Figures,” I sigh. “I should’ve known better. You want me because you can’t have me.”
“Quite the opposite. I could spend all night naked with you and never touch you. I figured if we had dinner, you’d admit you are just as interested in me as I am in you. Worst case, I’m wrong. Best case, I’ll be in Denise’s office bright and early tomorrow to sign whatever I need to keep our jobs safe.”
I’m lightheaded from all of this. Maybe it’s the vodka, or maybe the fact that one of the most beautiful men I’ve ever met just confessed he wants me. It’s likely the latter.
“Cancel your date, Elle. Spend the evening with me. Let me prove I’m not the asshole you think I am.”
It’s a terrible idea, but what if—for one night—I got to be with someone like him? A night of no-strings attached. I wouldn’t want to only have dinner—I’d want the full experience. Is he all talk? Would it be over in three minutes? Or would I be ruined for every other man? Part of me wants to ruin him for any other woman who slithers their way into his bed.
“Let me make sure I’m understanding this correctly. You knew last night that we matched on the app, but didn’t tell me because you want to… What? Date me?”
He hesitates, but only for a moment. “Yes. I’ve wanted you for years, Elle. If I had asked you to have dinner with me, what would you have said?”
I shake my head, unable to speak the truth. If he wasn’t our quarterback, I would say yes in a heartbeat. Who wouldn’t? We fight constantly, but it’s more the equivalent of throwing insults at your crush in elementary school—terribly executed flirting.
“Exactly. I saw it as an opportunity to spend time with you away from the stadium.” The server sets a glass of amber liquid in front of me. I thank him and as I bring it to my lips, Will warns, “If you’re going out with another man tonight, you’re not drinking.”
I set it down and sigh, “You were serious about that?”
“Yes. I want you to be safe.”
“I’m safe with you?” I cock an eyebrow.
“Always. You know I would never do anything to make you uncomfortable.”
“Except insinuate that you were going to spread me wide and feast on me in the middle of a restaurant,” I laugh.
