Page 33 of Infatuation (The Josh & Kat Trilogy #1)

We all look at Jonas. Obviously, this is his cue to say, “Me, too.” Or better yet, “No, baby, lemme take you out to celebrate how you kicked the bad guys’ asses today.

” But Jonas doesn’t say either of those things.

Of course not. Because he’s an imbecile—a socially inept imbecile.

Instead, my stupid serial-killer-moron of a dumbshit-brother just stands in the corner, silently sipping his beer.

Well, I guess I’ll just have to give the fucker a little push.

“Nah,” I say. “You two kids should go out and celebrate .” I look at Jonas pointedly. “Or stay in and celebrate, whatever floats your boat. Either way, definitely celebrate —you both kicked ass today.”

Jonas’ eyes flicker with sudden understanding of what I’m trying to tell him. He looks at Sarah, but he’s already blown it—she’s looking away, gritting her teeth. Oh shit. She looks like she’s ready to join Kat in roasting some testicle s’mores.

I grin at Sarah, trying to charm her into forgiving my stupid brother. “The three of us will move our party down to my suite and let you two crazy kids swing on the chandeliers up here.”

Jonas takes a long, slow sip of his beer, staring at Sarah—and she’s flashing him the most adorable look of defiance I’ve ever seen.

Well, actually, she’s flashing him the second most adorable look of defiance I’ve ever seen—the first being the look Kat flashed me last night when she stood in that hallway in her skimpy undies, dripping wet, absolutely crazed with jealousy, banging on the call button for the elevator.

Jonas drains his beer and puts the bottle down—a good start—but then the moron doesn’t cross the room and take Sarah into his arms. Dumbshit.

Does he have fucking eyes? Or half a brain?

Clearly, that’s all Sarah wants him to do—take her into his arms and give her a kiss.

I always say, when it comes to women, especially an angry one, just about any problem can be solved with a fucking awesome kiss.

Jonas crosses his arms over his chest and stares at Sarah.

I lean into Kat. “I feel like I’m watching Wimbledon.”

She nods. “I think it’s Jonas’ serve.”

I snicker.

“What do you say, baby?” Jonas finally says. I nod enthusiastically. Definitely a good start.

But Sarah doesn’t reply. She juts her chin at him, her eyes on fire. She’s such a cutie, I don’t know how he’s resisting her right now.

“You up for a little celebration tonight?” Jonas asks.

I hold my breath. How could she possibly resist him? He’s clearly at least trying to turn on the charm. But Sarah shrugs and looks away .

“Why doesn’t he just walk over to her and kiss her?” Kat whispers to me.

“Maybe she’s told him kissing is off limits—maybe she’s a fucking terrorist on a jihad,” I whisper back.

Kat scoffs. “Or maybe she’s just a frickin’ genius .”

“Or maybe she’s painted herself into a corner she doesn’t know how to get herself out of,” I say.

Kat grunts.

“I think we should celebrate,” Jonas says.

Sarah shrugs again. Oh man, she’s holding firm.

“She definitely learned that stonewalling thing from her best friend,” I whisper.

“Hmmph.”

“Aw, come on, baby,” Jonas says, grinning at Sarah. “You wanna have a little fun?”

“There it is,” I whisper. “Game, set, match.”

“Not so fast,” Kat whispers. “Not gonna be that easy.”

“Twenty bucks says she lays down her weapon right here.”

“You’re on. She’ll hold out for at least two more asks. Trust me.”

“ Maybe ,” Sarah says.

“See?” I whisper. “He’s got her.”

Kat puts up a finger, as if to say, “Wait for it.”

“And maybe not ,” Sarah adds, pursing her lips.

Kat puts out her hand. “Pay up.”

Jonas mocks Sarah’s pout. “What if I said please ?”

“Double or nothing?” I whisper. “Next ask.”

“You’re on, fool,” Kat replies.

Sarah’s trying to suppress a smile. “Then I’d say possibly .”

“Ha!” I whisper. “Pay up.”

Kat puts up her finger.

“But not probably ,” Sarah says.

“Fuck,” I say.

Kat puts out her palm again and I lay forty bucks in it, rolling my eyes.

“What if I said pretty please?” Jonas asks, smiling broadly.

“Double or nothing again?” Kat whispers.

I shake my head and Kat giggles .

Sarah shrugs again.

“Jesus. Glad I didn’t make another bet,” I whisper. “She’s as stubborn as you.”

“What if I said pretty please and that we can do whatever you want, anything at all, you name it?” Jonas asks.

“Okay, whoa. I think he’s overdoing it,” I whisper to Kat.

She giggles. “No, he’s doing the bare minimum.”

“ Anything at all ?” Sarah asks.

“Don’t do it,” I whisper to Kat.

“He will,” Kat says.

“ Anything at all ,” Jonas confirms.

Kat giggles. “Sucker.”

“Pussy,” I say.

“But sweet,” she responds.

Sarah touches the platinum bracelet on her wrist. “You’ll be at my mercy completely?”

Jonas squints and bites his lip, considering.

“Don’t do it,” I whisper.

“He will.”

Jonas still hasn’t replied.

“Hang tough, man,” I whisper. “Fight the good fight.”

“He’s toast,” Kat replies.

“Stand strong,” I whisper.

“He’s a goner.”

“Well? Will you be at my mercy or not?” Sarah prods him. “What do you say?”

“He says yes,” Kat says.

“Definitely,” I agree.

“Hmm.” Jonas walks slowly toward Sarah like she’s pulling him on a string. “What do I say?” he says softly. When he reaches Sarah, he takes her face in his hands and whispers to her, but I can’t make out what he’s saying. Clearly, whatever it is, he’s saying it with passion.

“Really, you should owe me at least a hundred bucks,” Kat whispers. “Are you always this stupid, or just when it comes to women?”

“How was I supposed to know Sarah’s a terrorist like you?”

“Who do you think taught her all her tricks?” Kat says .

We both giggle.

Jonas and Sarah are whispering to each other and kissing like they’re the only two people in the room.

“Hey, PG,” I say, leaning into Kat. “Why’d you look like you were gonna have a stroke when Henn said it might take five days before he’s able to crack The Club’s system?”

She waves me off. “Oh nothing.”

“Tell me. You looked like you were gonna throw up right then.”

“Which isn’t an unusual look for me, unfortunately.” She shoots me an adorable smile. “Sorry about your shoes again.”

I chuckle. “No worries. What’s going on?”

She rolls her eyes. “I just, you know, I’ve got a job.

Bills to pay. I don’t have enough vacation days to cover me staying in Vegas that much longer.

If it takes five days for us to complete this ‘mission,’ whatever the heck it is, I’ll probably have to quit my job.

Or maybe take an unpaid leave, if they’ll let me, I dunno.

But it’s okay. Wild horses couldn’t drag me away if Sarah needs me here.

It’s a no-brainer. Don’t worry about it. ”