Page 19 of No Shot (The Toronto Tundra #2)

“ Actually, that ’ s what I was about to say. She ’ s sound asleep, and the sitter said she had an awesome night. We have her for a few more hours, and I thought maybe we could go out to celebrate?”

Scott ’ s eyes widen, his breath catching for a split second.

Her whole world revolves around Kaia. It ’ s amazing, but it ’ s more clear than ever that the two of them haven ’ t had child-free time in a while.

Then, a slow grin spreads across his face, his gaze softening as he leans in.

“ I ’ m so proud of you. I ’ d love to go out. Are you girls ready now?”

“ Actually,” I object. “ I think I ’ m going to call it. You two kids have fun.”

“ Need us to drop you off first?” Scott asks.

“ No, I ’ m all set. Don ’ t do anything I wouldn ’ t do.” I point to Cami with a jokingly firm stare.

Scott nods, and just like that, they ’ re off, and I ’ m left standing in shame, waiting for a man. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The least I can do is control my reaction, so I straighten my back, pop out my hip, and cross my arms.

Penn falters, doing a double-take when he exits through the door a second later. Of course, he ’ s in a suit again, but I refuse to get caught staring at his freakishly attractive body. He turns back, fist bumping Jack, who gives me a quick nod hello before moving past us.

“ Huh, fancy seeing you here.” His voice trills with excitement, his smile blinding me. “ Can you remind me how many goals I scored tonight?”

“ Can ’ t recall,” I quickly reply, refusing to engage in his taunting. He levels me with a commanding look, raising a single eyebrow like a warning. I ’ ve never seen him so… dominant—heat floods my body.

“ Three,” I reply. To which he offers a bemused smile.

“ Appreciate the motivation.” I knew he was going to really draw this out. If I thought the loser would actually score, I obviously wouldn ’ t have made a bet like that. Now it ’ s just another thing going to his head. He ’ s a hot, hat trick hotshot. It ’ s an alliteration nightmare.

To my surprise, though, he doesn ’ t gloat. Instead, he just smirks, not saying anything more. Somehow, though, this is worse, and I ’ m left feeling like I ’ m going to burn from the inside out.

“ Can I come home with you?”I mutter.

Silence.

He tilts his head at me, eyes aflame with energy. God, it ’ s kind of intimidating looking at him so deeply.

“ Not like that,” I add. Well, a little like that, considering I ’ m getting wet just thinking about tonight. A deals a deal, and I ’ m not about to owe a debt to Penn of all people.

“ Come on.” A warm laugh escapes him, easing the tension in the air. His giant hand settles on my back, guiding me forward, and in a second, I ’ m right back to where I started. Hot and bothered. Irritating.

Penn ’ s sports car is as flashy as you ’ d imagine, but the interior is comfortable, and I settle in easily.

It’s quiet for most of the ride, kind of a peaceful silence settling between the two of us.

It’s odd that it rarely feels awkward with him.

It’s a bit like we’re old friends. Except he ’ s actually the worst and I despise him… kinda.

I ’ ve always really liked evenings in the city.

Growing up, I dreamed of towering buildings, bustling streets, and even traffic.

Coming from a small island without much of a downtown, it was exciting to think about.

The yearning for something different fueled me.

I wanted nothing more than to experience the hectic pace of a big city, and somewhere along the way, I grew comfortable in it.

Even tonight, with the moon high in the sky illuminating the glass panes of the towers around us, I feel at peace. I like being in the chaos, and I like being reminded I ’ m where I ’ m meant to be.

My eyes roam over Penn ’ s one-handed grip of the steering wheel, his other hand resting lazily on the back of my headrest. Ugh, why does everything he does have to be so alluring?

“ You love checking me out, eh?” Anddd then he goes and opens his mouth.

I scoff, playing it off like the absolute pro I am. “ I am not into you.”

“ Oh, I think you are. And I think it kills you.”

“ That ’ s a lot of thinking for one night.

You should probablytake it easy, champ.

” I pat his thigh twice, but his eyes snap to mine.

They ’ re darker than usual, his warm brown eyes replaced with a deeper, more intoxicating shade.

He looks down at my lips for a moment while my heart tries to flutter its way out of my chest.

Have you ever been sucked into a moment? It ’ s all-consuming and altogether distracting .

I don ’ t even realize I ’ ve left my palm on his leg until he drops his gaze, bringing attention to it.

Retreating my hand back, I try my best to maintain my composure, but the corner of his mouth tugs up like it usually does when he ’ s being smug.

Clearing my throat, I mentally shoo away any thoughts of a moment developing between the two of us and turn to face him.

“ So, how do you want to do this?”

“ Do what?” he asks, nonchalantly, still focused on the road ahead.

“ You know…” I try my best to convey a message with my eyes, but he ’ s not looking at me. I really don ’ t want to say it out loud. Come on, man. “ The bet… remember?”

His body stiffens, grip tightening on the wheel. “ I remember,” his reply sounds very unlike him. Adjusting in his seat, he continues in a much more lighthearted tone. “ Probably played the best game of the season, maybe even my career.”

“ So…” I supply.

“ So?”

Come on, Penn. Two and two, please, for the love of god, put them together. “ Can we just get it over with? I kinda want to get home to study some more before bed.”

He hisses out a breath, his jaw ticking.

“ We had a deal, three goals and I… you know…” I try to remind him, but I ’ m fumbling over my words a little. “ ... and I lost, so I ’ m gonna pay up.”

“ No deal.”

Oh .

I swallow hard, resting my hands in my lap. I hate feeling like I ’ ve misread the situation. Our bickering has been entertaining. Annoying as hell. Aggravating sometimes, but still fun. I know he ’ s a flirt, but I kinda thought he was into me too.

“ Oh, okay.” I face forward once more, shame rising in my gut.

Watching the streets ahead of us buzzing with people, I try to disassociate from the situation.

Why does this feel like a rejection? Fuck.

Why do I feel disappointed? He ’ s a prick, and I ’ m free to spend the night rotting in bed; this is a win.

Penn looks over briefly, but I avoid his gaze.

The last thing I need right now is him spotting my flaming cheeks.

He lets out a long sigh, shaking his head. His free hand moves to my arm, fingers stroking my skin. This time, when he turns to me, I ’ m hit by the impact of his eyes on mine.

“ Let me get one thing straight. There ’ s nothing I want more than for those lips to be wrapped around my cock.”

Holy-fucking-balls. My neck flushes, feeling the heat radiating throughout my body. He reaches over and nudges my chin up, not allowing me to look away.

“ When that happens, though, it ’ s going to be because you want to. Not because you lost some stupid deal. Got it?”

Oh shit.

I nodded.

Like a freaking submissive unable to articulate words.

My head moved in silent agreement.

Get. It. Together. Bri.

“ Good.” The deep timber of his voice vibrates through me. He drops my chin and pulls into the parking garage like normal.

How did this happen?

Damn it, Bridgette.

I ’ m going to sleep with Penn Brooks.