Page 6 of Payback
He shakes his head. “I need to get in good with the Harrises is all.”
“Why do you say that?” Annoyance prickles my skin. “Because their dad is your team manager?”
“Well, that, and because I recently took Camden’s position with Bethnal Green after he signed with Arsenal. Tanner is my fellow striker. We need to play well together or I’m sure they’ll get rid of me faster than I can unpack my bags. Tanner and I haven’t exactly clicked yet.”
I don’t know if it’s the alcohol or the crushing disappointment of my mission being thwarted, but a low growl comes from somewhere deep inside my throat. “This sucks.”
“What sucks?” Roan asks, confused. Even the way he says “sucks” in his South African accent is sexy.Damnit.
“Nothing,” I sigh dramatically, already hating what I’m about to say. “Look, Roan, you seem like a nice guy, but I think we should just end our night now.” I look over my shoulder to find a clock and see that it’s almost time to head to the ballroom for the reception. Maybe there’ll be a single guy I can pick up there.
Roan’s warm hand cups my wrist. “Why would you want to end this? It’s barely started.”
Goosebumps ripple on my skin around his touch, and it’s frustrating. He would have been so perfect for my plan…If only he wasn’t trying to be so perfect.
My exasperated eyes find his. “Can I be blunt?”
He nods. “Please. I’m more than curious.”
“I’m getting past a monumentally fucked-up breakup. Like, imagine the worst thing that could happen and times it by a million. My mind is a wreck and I am not at all ready for a nice date.”
“So, what are you ready for exactly? Vi said you wanted a date for tonight.”
“I wanted a one-night stand,” I blurt out unapologetically, my inner Harris Ho stretching out her feminist wings proudly. “Sorry to be so candid, but I’m looking for a rebound. A fling. A no-strings-attached night of sex. But, in all honesty, we’re probably doomed from the get-go because my cousins won’t let us frolic along all night if things are tense between you and Tanner. They’ll be prying in my business and wondering why I’m with you of all people. And if you’re worried more about kissing Harris Brother ass instead of kissing mine, this won’t work.”
He rises with me as I stand, gently gripping my forearm. “Lis, just wait. I need a minute to think—” He releases me and begins fumbling for his wallet.
His face looks tormented, like he’s conflicted about what to do, and even though I know he’s not trying to be cruel, it hurts. It hurts because this entire night is uncharacteristic of me, and this small form of rejection is shining a big bright light on how out of control I am right now.
Those fucking unwanted tears rear their ugly heads again. I don’t know if it’s his urgent touch on my arm or the sympathetic look in his stunning light brown eyes, but I can feel bitchy little salt droplets forming around my irises and it’s not happening. Not now. Not ever.
I begin walking away knowing I should have paid for the drinks, especially after blowing him off. But if I stay too long, these tears could form rivers and I refuse to give them the satisfaction.
When I approach the bar exit, I see my cousins walking in to the lobby. There’s a gorgeous red-headed woman walking hand-in-hand with Camden and a coppery blonde-haired man with his arm wrapped around Vi and her baby bump.
For Christ’s sake, I can’t deal with them right now.
I take a sharp right toward the kitchen, hoping for a rear exit. As I push into the smelly, noisy room, two hands snake around my waist and twirl me on my feet.
I glance up into Roan’s urgent eyes as the kitchen door swings closed behind us. He’s tall. Perfectly tall because I’m over five-seven in these tall heels and he still has a good four or five inches on me.
He pins me with a steely look as he gazes down at my lips like he found exactly what he was after. Before I can catch my breath, he grips my chin firmly with one hand and presses his silky-soft lips to mine in a claiming caress. His tongue invades my mouth swiftly, like an expert seaman navigating an ocean, searching for buried treasure. My surprise turns to lust as his free hand brazenly reaches down and cups my ass, pulling me against his hard body. Pulling me right into his bulge. And what a bulge it is.
I moan loudly for no reason other than I absolutely have to. Nothing about this kiss is gentlemanly and I don’t remember the last time I’ve experienced anything like it. The thought makes my body weep with sorrow and gratitude. To be taken…kissed…acquired. No manners, no polite chitchat. No asking! Just two people, tongue-dancing and enacting exactly what we wish our bodies were doing.
Fuck. Yes.
I give as good as I get, but he still won’t let me move my head. That’s more than okay, though, because I like it this way. I like the ravishing hold he has over me. I like that he took what he wanted and wasn’t polite. It makes me feel desired for nothing but sinful pleasure.
A voice cuts into our intense make-out session. “Holy shit.”
We break apart and discover a young female standing on the other side of a long, stainless steel counter with a knife in one hand and a sack of onions in the other.
Her wide eyes are fixated on us as she drops the onions and says, “Seriously. That was bloody hot.”
I feel a shaking sensation and turn to find Roan attempting to stifle a laugh, but his eyes are still on fire when he looks at me. “Sorry about that. This woman evidently makes me do unusual things.”
I bite my lip and smile, pushing his hefty frame toward the door we entered. Maybe this night can work out after all.
