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“What else do I bring out in you?”

He stared at me but didn’t speak.

“Hmm?”

His expression turned stony, like he’d caught himself being weak. He leaned in so our faces were inches apart. “Are you going to kiss me like you kissed Enzo?”

“Do you want me to? Did that make you jealous?” I asked, not moving, letting his warm breath curl around me.

I felt like we were in a hunters' game, both of us trying to get the other to break, and it was intoxicating.

His eyebrows lowered. “You wouldn’t be able to handle me.”

“Is that a warning or a challenge? Because I never back down from a challenge.” I closed the gap so our lips were only inches apart.

“No. I’ve just seen how inexperienced you are.” I saw the devilish grin slide across his face as his gaze settled on my lips.

He had seen me, I thought he had, but wasn’t certain. Heat flashed through me, causing my blood to boil and my cheeks to flush. My core tightened as a mixture of embarrassment and lust created a confusing mix.

He wanted to embarrass me and so I’d slither away like some hurt animal, but that’s not who I was. I wasn’t going to pretend I was experienced. I knew it and he knew it. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to, rather, I didn’t have the opportunity. I have the opportunity now and whether he wanted to admit it or not, I knew I had an effect on him.

“Then show me.” I leaned forward and gently placed my lips just beside his mouth and pulled back, looking up at him through my lashes.

His eyes flashed as he sucked in a breath, and I could tell that was not the reaction he expected.

“You couldn’t fucking handle me.” He repeated, his voice shaking slightly.

“I think I could.” I whispered, cautiously letting my hands rest on his chest. My body was buzzing right now, and I was throbbing between my legs as moisture began to puddle. How was it possible the mere sight of him caused my body to react like this?

“So you want to fuck me? Is that it?”

He licked his lips and I wanted nothing more than to press mine against his and taste them, taste all of him. I let my hand slide down so it was resting on the outside of his pants, pressed against his hard cock. “What if I said yes? Then what?”

He stared at me for a moment without speaking, as his eyes darted back and forth between mine.

I raised my eyebrows. Was this it? Was this what he wanted? Was this actually happening?

“No.” He said simply, answering my internal dialogue.

“No?” I was confused. I could tell by the bulge in his pants he wanted to.

He straightened up, pulling away from me. “No. I don’t want to sleep with you.”

He pushed past me and walked inside.

That was it.

That was the end of our conversation.

I stared at the door, flabbergasted, and then sat in the chair. No. No, he didn’t want to sleep with me?

That was a lie. I could see it in his face he wanted to.

I tried to steady my breathing because I was more alive than I had ever felt.

It was Gage. He did that to me.

After I calmed down, I walked inside to a dark and empty room. All the lights were off and it was deathly quiet.