Page 66 of Hoax and Kisses
Scoffing, she crosses her arms over her chest. The move makes everything so much worse. “And why’s that?”
“Because…”
Because I can’t think straight when you look like that. Because I’m gonna be staring at you like a creep all night and people are gonna ask what’s wrong with me. Because if anybody looks at you for a second too long, they might not have anything else to look at ever again.
“Because?”
I scrub a hand over my face. “Because I’m gonna have a hard time focusing if you wear this all night.”
Her lips twitch. “I didn’t peg you for a lingerie type of guy.”
The lump in my throat makes it tough to swallow. “Something like that, yeah.”
She watches me, hunger flickering in her eyes. It’s the same emotion I saw there when Cooper suggested we use his shower.
She’s looking at me like I’m the starter, main, and dessert, and she doesn’t know where to begin.
And the worst part is, if I thought she’d act on her urges, I’d stand still for hours, allowing her to make up her mind. I’d be her toy, hers to command and use as she pleased.
A jolt of electricity runs down my spine at the thought, and I shudder with pleasure.
She’s dangerous for me. Too dangerous.
She makes me forget all the reasons I don’t want to get attached. The nights I lay awake hoping Andie would come back and accept me and my family for all we are fade into a distant memory when I’m caught in her spell.
Actually, Zoey hasn’t made me forget those reasons. Instead, she keeps proving at every turn, with every action, that she’s different. And in some ways, that’s almost scarier. Because then, how do I protect myself?
“Why do you need to focus anyway?”
“Uh?”
Zoey smirks, the expression a little wicked. “Tonight. You said you needed to focus. Why?”
Ah, yes. The fundraiser. Andhowwe’ll be raising the money.
I take a deep breath. “We’re holding a bachelor auction. Folks will bid on…” I cringe. “Pine Falls bachelors for dates, activities, and all kinds of other stuff.”
She snorts out a laugh, clapping a hand over her mouth. “Whose idea was this? Wait.” She sobers up. “Are you… are you going to be on the auction block?”
“Cooper’s idea, and yes.” I squeeze the back of my neck. “Unfortunately. Didn’t have a choice.”
All because I lost a bet with Lola this summer. I wagered I’d kick her ass at the annual Pine Falls Triathlon. I didn’t. She wiped the floor with me.
Zoey sits on the bed. “And what are you offering to the lucky winner?”
“Flowers and dinner. And the ‘lucky winner’ won’t just be anybody.” I give her a pointed look.
Her eyes go wide. “You want me to—”
“Yes.” I nod sharply.
“Because we’re—”
“Yes.”
“And if I don’t—”
“Our cover is blown,” I finish, then force a cheerful tone. “Congrats, you’re the lucky winner.”
