Page 28 of The Devastation You Reap

I allow her to grab it before leading her from the dorm, regretting it with every step that we take.

Her coconut scent fills my nose as we make our way down to my car, and it only gets stronger, more tempting the second we're shut in the enclosed space.

"You got me on this non-date. So what happens next? What line and plays does Leon Dunn use to get what he wants."

"I have no lines."

"Oh, so you rely on your personality and wit to woo a woman?"

"Firstly," I say, starting the engine and backing out of the space beside her Mini. "I don't woo anyone. It's no longer the nineteen-twenties if you hadn't noticed. And secondly, you're implying that neither of those are good enough to get a woman when really, I don't need either. Everything I need to convince them to spend time with me is right here," I say, cupping my junk.

"I don't know who I feel more sorry for, you and your big head, or the delusional women who fall for your crap."

Looking over at her, I can't help but laugh at the disgusted look on her face.

"You know, for someone who's trying to prove he's not the person I think he is, you're doing a really stellar job."

"I think you love it. Plus, I know I've got you as curious about what I'm rocking under my clothes as much as I am you."

"I couldn't care less. But experience tells me that if you need to make such a big deal about it, then you're probably just trying to compensate."

"Got a lot of experience, huh?"

"Less than you, I'm sure."

7

Macie

He neither confirms nor denies my comment and I can't help but smile as his grip on the wheel tightens as he continues down Main Street heading toward the other side of town.

Silence falls between us, but weirdly, it's not uncomfortable.

I think back over what's happened since he steamrolled Micah and I can't help but wonder who this sassy woman is, who stood up to him.

Pulling the stunt with Nathan's basketball jersey isn't something I ever thought I'd do, but the second the idea popped into my head, I knew it had to happen.

In the space of forty-eight hours, I've gone from being a blundering idiot pinned between him and the wall as he growled at me, to the girl who's getting more joy than I ever thought I would trying to play him at his own game.

I just wish I knew what the endgame was.

I glance over at him, wondering if he's lying about this not being a bet. It has to be. There's no way that Leon Dunn would willingly put this much effort into chasing anyone if there wasn't some fucked up football team dare at the end of it.

His hair is perfectly styled, almost too perfect. His green eyes are focused straight ahead but there are creases at the sides as if he's trying not to laugh at me, I'm not sure if that amuses or annoys me. His nose is perfectly straight and his lips… they're so full. I wonder what they'd feel—No.

I slam the doors on my thoughts and rip my eyes from him, wrapping my arms around myself as if they'll protect me from… from whatever this is.

"What are you thinking about, Red?" he asks, clearly sensing my attention.

"Still trying to figure out the game."

"Why does there have to be a game? Why can't I just want a date with you?"

"Because boys like you don't date girls like me."

"Says who? There are no rules."

"If there were, I suspect you'd break them all anyway."