Page 29 of Wicked Flirt
“I’m cool with it.”
He blew out a breath, looking at a point over her shoulder. “I don’t do that rush-to-bed thing anymore. You’ve got to get me to at least a third date nowadays.”
She gaped at him, standing in front of her and not touching her. Ooh, wasn’t this the ultimate irony? She’d found the best turn-on—a reformed bad boy—which was also the worst tease. At least she hoped he was reformed. She still had some niggling doubts, mostly due to what Ellie had told her, but could she really trust Ellie’s word? It sounded like work gossip.
He leaned down and dropped a kiss on top of her head. “See you soon for a second date.”
“This was a date?”In her ratty sweats?
“Yup.” Then he walked out the door.
She stared at the door, still in shock. Did that seriously just happen? What guy walked out in the middle of a hot makeout session with an eager lusty woman? What guy walked out on his favorite team’s game? She turned to the TV. It was still paused at the beginning of the third quarter and they were tied. That was not at all a sure win. He should’ve wanted to know who won, should’ve stuck around to find out.
It was because of her. Because he adored her. A warm tingling feeling seeped through her, giving her a hot shiver. This was a more dangerous situation than she’d realized. Lethal.
He was trying toromanceher.
And despite all of her defenses and natural resistance to any and all vulnerability, her heart squeezed with the possibility of her very own true romance. Was it really possible the man she’d thought was everything she despised was actually everything she’d ever wanted?
OceanofPDF.com
Chapter Eight
Marcus was hunkered down at Garner’s Sports Bar & Grill, watching the end of the Knicks game. The fact that he had to haul himself across town to avoid the temptation of Lexi down the hall was a conundrum. He’d made his move—pure instinct—but then he’d had to stop because this woman was different. He didn’t want to do the same old wine-dine-bed, though he wouldn’t exactly call chicken wings and the Knicks a wine and dine. He’d intended it to be a friendly thing like Ethan had suggested, getting to know each other by doing what he liked. He’d even incorporated Zach’s advice to bring meat.
He let out a manly sigh. Now that they’d crossed the line—he’d admitted he adored her—the pressure was on to do something special, but what? He supposed he could ask her what she liked to do, but what if he got stuck doing embarrassing girly things like getting his nails done or antique shopping or, the absolute worst, shoe shopping.
“Yes,” he whooped as the Knicks won. He’d missed a tense third quarter, but the fourth had been awesome as the Knicks kicked ass.
Josh moved over to him, working the bar as usual. “Want another beer?”
He considered Josh for a moment. His dark brown stubble was nearing serious beard territory, like it had been at least a week since he’d shaved. Was Josh going through something? Maybe the fallout with Hailey last week at ladies’ night had hit him hard. Or maybe he was missing his ex. They’d been together for two months, probably Josh’s longest relationship. But that was back in December, more than two months ago. It had to be Hailey.
Marcus waved the offer of a beer away. “No, thanks. You okay?”
“Sure, fine. Why do you ask?”
“Hailey.”
Josh set his jaw, close-mouthed like always when Hailey’s name came up.
Marcus had grown up with Josh like a brother, which was why he didn’t pull any punches. “What the hell happened that night? She was so upset she walked home in the cold of a February nightandshe forgot her dog. You know how she loves her dog.”
Josh clenched his jaw. “I offered her a ride back.”
“What’d you do?”
He threw his hands up. “I didn’t do anything!”
Marcus cocked his head. “What’d she do?”
“None of your damned business.”
Interesting.“Okay, okay.” Though it was odd that Hailey was to blame if she was the one who walked home in the cold. Something wasn’t adding up.
Josh shifted away, checking on the other customers, mostly guys there to watch the game. Marcus waited for him to refill beers before gesturing him over.
Josh took his time getting to him. “What?”
