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“You’re definitely giving me a run for my money,” I acknowledge, brushing my thumb over her lower lip.
“Good,” she whispers. “It shouldn’t always be so easy for you.”
“Sweets, you are anything but easy.” Her brow pinches together. “And I mean that in the best possible way.”
Chapter Twelve: Hunter
The words flow so effortlessly from his silver tongue, and I want to believe them. Want to believe him so badly. But my insecurities hover beneath the surface, reminding me I’m nothing like the beautiful, exotic women he’s probably used to dating. There’s no way I am Knox Beckett’s type. Not a chance in hell.
Feeling self-conscious, I grab the rubber band from around my wrist and use it to pull my hair up into a messy bun. He watches as though it’s the most fascinating thing he’s ever seen.
“What?” I ask softly.
“I like your hair like that.”
“Like a rat’s nest?” Disbelief fills my voice. Now I know he’s full of shit.
“Wild and free—like you.” He places a slice of pizza on a plate and hands it to me. “Although, I really like it down, too. I’ve never seen hair quite that shade of red before. It’s beautiful.”
I shift, not used to so many compliments. Especially from such a good-looking man. I’m having such a hard time reading him, and it’s driving me crazy. Normally, I can figure people out pretty easily. But Knox Beckett keeps throwing me for aloop. The moment I think I have him all figured out, he says something sweet.
Is he truly being sincere, though? Or is he so used to being a charmer that it just comes naturally?
You also thought you knew Shane,I remind myself.And look how that turned out.
“Talk to me, Pyro,” he says, and I can’t help but smile, immediately recognizing the reference to the famous line fromTop Gun.
Talk to me, Goose.
I decide to go with blunt honesty. “You’re hard to read. No, that’s not exactly right. Every time I think I have a good read on you, you do something that throws me.”
“I’m just being me.” He holds my gaze then leans in closer. The hint of a smile plays on his lips and his yummy scent tickles my nose. “Can I tell you a secret?”
Caught in his stare, I nod, breathing him in deeply.
“I really, really like you, Hunter McGrath.” His voice slides over me like hot butter. So low and sexy it makes my stomach flutter. When his fingers lightly brush my bare knee, I try not to melt. “Yet you keep looking at me like I’m full of it. I promise you, I’m dying of curiosity over here.”
Now, he’s lightly trailing his finger in a circle on my knee, and I bite my lip. His touch is igniting a desire that usually stays under control. But Knox makes me want to throw caution to the wind and have some fun. Indulge like I never have before.
“What are you curious about?” I ask, barely recognizing my own voice. It’s so husky, and I’m breathing harder, waiting for his answer.
“Everything. From your favorite color to what you look like naked.”
Oh, God.
His fingers dip to my inner thigh, still lightly caressing, but only venturing up the slightest bit. “I want to know how you taste and the sounds you make when you come. Too forward?”
All the air rushes from my lungs and I can feel my panties growing wet. “Is that a line?” I ask, trying to make light of the situation. Trying my damndest not to succumb, but completely focused on his hand between my legs.
And how very much I like it there.
His entrancing blue eyes narrow slightly. “No, it’s not.”
“Give me your best line.”
“What?”
“I want to hear your best line. I know you have one.”