Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
“ I ’ve been called worse.”
I jumped before whirling at Cole, his face illuminated by a taper candle he held in his hand. Shadows danced over his sinister features, and a chill crawled down my spine. Perhaps I should be worried about Cole killing me.
My body couldn’t seem to make up its mind whether Cole posed a threat to me or could make my body purr. He’d referred to me as a kitty, not a bad analogy when it came to him. He raised my hackles and summoned my claws, or he made me want to rub against him, purring.
I frowned. “Not surprising.”
He put the candle on the table with a pile of other items. “I found a few flashlights. Thought it might be easier moving around than carrying a lit candle. I wouldn’t want you to start the place on fire.”
A snort breezed through my nose as I shoved off the wall, moving toward him. “You should be concerned. I’m not just a burglar but a pyro as well.” I plucked a flashlight off the table.
He moved behind me, his arms pressing into either side of the table and boxing me with his body once again, a move he seemed to enjoy. His chuckle glided over the back of my neck. “Another thing we have in common, Killer. ”
I gulped. Oh, he’s quick. How witty he must think he is.
My head turned to the side. I didn’t dare spin completely around. It would put us too close, and the prick was already invading my space. I kept my eyes trained on him. “The nickname’s not cute.”
The house trembled as if a giant had just slammed his fist into the ground, and without thinking, I instinctively turned into him, my fingers clutching the front of his shirt.
“Are you sure this isn’t your first hurricane?” he whispered, a hand moving to the small of my back.
I stared into his eyes, and for a second, I forgot the question. Then his fingers brushed over my hips, and a crackle of energy jolted me out of the spell his gold-flecked eyes held me under. “Why are you always touching me?”
Candlelight flickered over half of his face, the other cloaked in shadows. “Are you complaining?” His hand pressed a tad harder into my hips, not painful, but to make me more aware of his touch.
It worked much to my indignation. “Yes. Is it hard to believe a girl wouldn’t want you?”
“It’s never happened before,” he said matter-of-factly.
I almost laughed in his face. “Prepare to meet your first.”
His eyes stayed on mine as he bit his full bottom lip, a daring glint flaring in the center of his gaze. “I bet before the power comes back on I’ll have tasted your lips. And probably a whole lot more of you.”
Wisps of heat stole into my body. Not a fucking good sign. “You’re on. There’s no way your mouth will ever touch mine.” The acceptance flew out. Regret came an instant later. Would my mouth ever stop and give my mind a moment to think before speaking?
My hip remained trapped under his fingers as his head angled to the side. “What do I get if I win?”
Careful, Arie , a little voice warned, and yet I still asked the question. “What do you want?”
A smug, victorious smirk tugged at his mouth as if he’d already won. “I want you…for the entire summer.”
What? He was joking, right? Clarification was necessary. My gaze narrowed. “Want me how?”
He grabbed strands of my hair, letting them slide between his fi ngers. “Do you want me to give you details?” His voice lowered a few octaves, doing funny things to my belly, and I didn’t like it.
Sarcasm became my default defense mechanism. I scrunched my nose. “If this is where you offer me money to be your girlfriend for the summer, I’ll pass. I’ve seen Pretty Woman too many times to know how it ends.”
Cole shifted closer, and my nipples grazed his chest. He lifted a single brow, the one highlighted by dancing candlelight. “With you falling in love with me?”
The mood shifted, and I didn’t like the direction it moved. Fear and panic no longer dwelled at the forefront of my emotions. Something darker and sinister shoved its way forward. I shook my head. “You’ll fall in love with me,” I corrected, a glimmer of a smile on my lips. He wasn’t the only one who could play the arrogant game.
“I can assure you neither of us is in danger of losing our hearts.”
He might not be worried about his heart, but mine wasn’t made of stone. I could get hurt. “Do you lie to everyone or just me?”
“Everyone,” he assured with a cruel smirk that made my heart cartwheel.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
Since when are deranged, rich assholes my type?
Never. And I planned to keep it that way. I was looking to spread my wings and fly the coop, not plant roots.
He reached past me, plucking a candle from the stash on the table. “Besides, I’m not looking for a girlfriend.” Digging the lighter out of his pocket, he took a step back.
I exhaled, undecided if it was relief or disappointment in my chest. “Sex? For the entire summer? Seems like a steep debt for just a kiss. I have responsibilities. I can’t just ignore them to have sex with you.” A small part of me was flattered. He must have found me attractive to suggest such a bet. Why else would he want to spend the summer with me? It just didn’t make sense. Was I some weird charity case?
“Fair enough. Then just your nights,” he conceded, flicking the lighter. The flame came to life between us.
“Are these the kinds of games bored rich boys play?” I asked, attempting to figure out his angle. He had to have one, right ?
He lit the candle, placing it on the table. “What else are we going to do until the power comes back on?” His eyes darted to my lips as he reached for another candle.
“Fine, what are you offering me if I win, Cole?” I couldn’t believe I was agreeing to this.
Something flashed in his eyes when I said his name, and it made me curious. I didn’t know him at all and definitely not well enough to read his tells or expressions. “Tell me what you want, Killer.”
“For starters, for you to stop referring to me as Killer .” I folded my arms over my chest. “If I can resist your so-called alluring charms, you leave me alone. We never see each other again.”
A muscle ticked along his jaw, and I thought he might argue. “Agreed.”
“I plan to win, just so we’re clear.”
His eyes smoldered under the flame as he lit a third candle. “I never lose.” He tipped the taper candle slightly so it leaned closer to my chin. The flame warmed my face, but I didn’t flinch or look away. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. “I have a feeling I could take you right now. On this very fucking table,” he murmured.
My chest rose and fell in heavier movements, and I couldn’t understand why my body found his words so hot. No, it wasn’t just what he said or the way he said it; it was him. Cole.
I backed into the table, my fingers clutching the sides. “If you did, it would be against my will.” My chin lifted defiantly.
“You’d spread your legs for me, wouldn’t you, Killer?”
“Fuck off.” I snapped the words hot and fast, my eyes flaring with anger. “I’d as soon cut off your dick then let you touch me.” I shoved away from him, taking off in the dark with my flashlight in hand. He was lucky I didn’t whack him over the head with it. The urge had been there.
God, how can someone make me so damn mad? Especially someone I barely know?
I had no idea where I was going, but thankfully, Cole didn’t follow me. Switching on the flashlight, I remembered there was a bathroom off the hallway. It seemed like the easiest escape route.
Ducking inside, I locked the door and set the light on the counter. It offere d enough of a glow so I could pee and avoid bumping shit. As I washed my hands, I stared into the mirror.
God, what a mess.
“What are you doing?” I whispered to my shaded reflection.
This wasn’t like me. Well, not exactly. I’d been known to not back down from a dare, but when it came to the summer assholes, I never toyed with them. Not like Frankie did. I had no interest in rich boys who came to Fallen Oaks looking for a fling. And most of them learned quickly not to mess with me.
Why was Cole so different?
I washed my hands and sighed.
Now what the hell did I do? Stay in the bathroom? How long could I hide out in here? An hour? Two? A day?
Surely, at some point, he could come looking for me.
I splashed cold water on my face. A window sat to my left, boarded up like all the others in the house. Outside, the storm winds continued to lash, and it occurred to me that I’d forgotten about the hurricane and my fears and worries while I’d been arguing with Cole. Had he riled me up on purpose?
Or I could be giving him credit he didn’t deserve.
He was a sanctimonious asshole. That much I could be certain of if nothing else. His nonsensical bet could suck it.