Page 50 of The Arrogant One

It was quite the mansion, full of glass on the two-story exterior, and due to where we were, I knew the view out back had to be spectacular. You lived in the Hills if you had money, and it was clear from everything I was seeing that Lockhart had plenty.

“I’ll show it to you in a second.” He nodded toward my hands. “I told you, you didn’t have to bring anything.”

“This”—I glanced down at the plastic lid—“is nothing.” I laughed. “Just some pineapple cupcakes.”

“You really made them?”

I continued to smile. “They’re not straight-up pineapple. They’re piña colada. I found the recipe online, so we can both be daring tonight. I hope you like coconut.”

“I don’t.”

“Sounds like you’re going to love them, then.” I winked.

“My hatred for coconut won’t stop me from eating them.” He held out his hand. “Come here.”

I closed the distance between us, and he took the dish from me, his other hand going to my face, tilting it up toward him.

“God, you smell good.”

“So do you.”

“With a little hint of scotch mixed in. I pregamed.”

My eyelashes fluttered as I took in more of his breath. “I just so happen to love that smell too.”

“Kiss me.”

“I think you’re forgetting the promise we made to each other. No touching, not even kissing until we eat these cupcakes.”

He let out a deep exhale. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I smiled, the biggest one I’d had on all night. “Really? Have you gotten amnesia since we spoke? Which must mean you’ve also forgotten that we made a bet. We just didn’t wager anything, so I took it upon myself to up the unknown ante a little.”

His eyes narrowed. “How?”

I pulled at the tie that held the sides together, making sure it was tight. “The only things I’m wearing under this jacket are red lace panties and a matching bra.”

His head fell back, and he groaned, “Sadie … fuck me.”

“Oh, I’m going to. I’ve decided that will be your present if you can go the next couple of hours without touching me.”

“You’re telling me that you’re giving yourself to me?”

“I think I’ve already done that in the past, haven’t I?” I paused. “But what I’ve decided is that you can have me any way you want me.”

He licked across his lips, and when his tongue reached the end, it stayed out, pulsing against the corner. “You trust me that much?”

“I think I do.”

“Enough so that I can do absolutely anything to you?”

“There are things I haven’t done, but I’m willing to experiment, and I think you’re the perfect person to do that with.”

He chuckled. “And what happens if I do touch you in the meantime?”

“That touch won’t lead to anything because then you won’t get me at all. Which is going to be quite painful since the moment your fingers graze me, I’m going to take off this jacket and torture you for the rest of the evening.”

He pulled at his hair. “You’re fucking mean.”