Page 114 of Redemption
Her breaths are hitched as I lean down, letting my words brush against her neck. “What’s the bet, MJ?”
She swallows, and the muscles on her neck bunch, tensing against my lips before relaxing again.
“I—I can’t think.”
A chuckle blooms deep in my chest. “That sounds like a problem. Maybe you should see a doctor about that?”
With each word, I pepper her skin with a kiss, relishing in the sharp intake of her breath each time I do.
“This is torture.” She means it to be a whisper, but it comes out as a plea instead.
“We can play a different game if you can’t think of your bet. The rules of this one would be simple—admit you want me to kiss you. Well, actually, that’s the whole game, but the prize is pretty great.”
I pull back, giving her a wicked smirk. Her eyes are unfocused. Smug satisfaction prickles at my skin, turning my smirk into a genuine smile.
The fog clears from her eyes to my misfortune.
MJ flicks my chin, and I wince, rubbing at the spot.
“Focus, Hayes.”
“I don’t think I was the one having trouble focusing.” She flicks me again, and I stick my tongue in my cheek to prevent myself from laughing.
“Painting. That’s the bet. You take a wall, and I’ll take one. Whoever finishes their wall first wins.”
“Are you just trying to get free labor out of me?”
“I’ll pay up if you win.” She shrugs, slipping out of my arms and walking away, but she doesn’t make it far. I grab her wrist, pulling her back to me.
“And what do you get ifyouwin?” I ask, leaning down so my cheek is pressed against hers, my question a whisper in her ear.
She leans back, winks, and says, “I’ll tell you after I win.”
Then she’s sashaying away, leaving me watching like a fool.
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“You’re painting it wrong,” MJ hollers from her side of the room.
There’s plastic on the floor, and we are each on our respective sides. MJ chose to start by trimming out the ceiling and windows, while I’m more of a wing it and go kind of guy.
I don’t care which way is right or wrong as long as I win.
“I am not. I saw someone do it this way on the internet.”
MJ snorts, and I keep my back to her to hide my smile.
“I’m surprised you even know how to use the internet.”
“You know,” I say, stepping away from my wall and toward hers. Her back is to me, and I stay light on my feet so she doesn’t hear me coming. When I’m standing right behind her, I grip her waist, spinning her so she’s facing me. She lets out a squeak of surprise. “I think you enjoy driving me crazy.”
Her chest is pressed against me, and I can feel each breath she takes. They’re erratic, each one fanning against the base of my neck. It doesn’t take away her sass, though.
“And I think you are trying to distract me to put off losing.”
Raising her arm, she wraps it around my neck and skims her fingers against my skin.
I wink and lean down, kissing her cheek, the whiskers on my beard prickling her skin.
