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She snorted. “You just push them into bets to get what you want.”
“Now, darlin’, you didn’t have to take that bet . . . or cheat.”
“I did not cheat! And even if I did, you ended up getting your kiss and an extra one to boot.”
“So you’re now saying that the only reason you kissed me was because of our bet. And here I thought it was boredom.”
She crossed her arms. “The second kiss was boredom. The first was because I always pay my debts in full. Something you need to point out to your friend, but not if it means I have to hop into bed with the likes of you.”
It was amazing how much this woman could piss him off.
“I wasn’t the one who brought up sexual favors,” he said. “I believe that was you. Which leads me to believe you’re the one who wants to swap sex for the deed to the ranch.”
“As if! A ranch isn’t worth having sex with an arrogant rodeo bum.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Those two kisses we shared said just the opposite, darlin’. I bet if we spent any time together, you’d be the one begging me for sexual favors.”
Her eyes widened. “Like hell I would!”
“You want to bet on it?”
Her eyes flashed fire. “You bet I want to bet on it!”
“Great. If you can keep yourself from falling into bed with this arrogant rodeo bum by the time Corbin gets back into town, I’ll talk him into letting Rome pay off the loan.”
She opened her mouth, but he held up a finger.
“But you have to spend time with me.”
“How much time?”
“As much as I want.”
She studied him for a long moment and he could almost see the wheels of her mind working. The wheels of his mind were working too. What in the hell was he doing? He had decided starting something up with Liberty was a bad idea and now here he was starting something up with her. All because he wanted to prove a point.
Of course, that wasn’t all it was.
He wanted Liberty. He wanted her like he’d never wanted another woman. So why couldn’t he have her? Not forever. Just for a while. It wasn’t like she was a woman hunting for a man to spend the rest of her life with. Like him, she was too wrapped up in making money to want a serious relationship. Which made it a perfect arrangement.
Of course, if she won, he’d have to talk Corbin into letting Rome pay off the loan. Jesse never went back on a bet. And maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Letting Rome pay off the ranch was a smart business move. Not just financially, but also for public relations. For whatever reason, Corbin had an attachment to this town. Otherwise, he wouldn’t still be hanging on to the beat-up trailer his uncle had willed him. If he foreclosed on the Holiday Ranch, the townsfolk were likely to run him out of town on a rail.
That wouldn’t be good for anyone.
Of course, Jesse wasn’t about to tell Liberty about his change of heart and give up this game.
A game he planned to win.
“So?” he said with a slight smirk he knew would goad her. “Is the bet on? Or are you too afraid of losing?”
Chapter Nine
Liberty should tell Jesse to take a flying leap at a rolling donut. Being at the arrogant cowboy’s beck and call was the worst thing she could possibly imagine. Not only because he annoyed the hell out of her, but also because there were times that he didn’t. Times when she caught herself actually enjoying their sparring. As much as she hated to admit it, he had a quick wit and an easy charm that entertained her. She couldn’t remember the last time a man had entertained her.
Or caused her panties to feel like they’d been set aflame with just one look.
Which is why she should probably decline the bet. After two heated kisses, she had come to realize she was more than a little sexually attracted to Jesse Cates. And today had only solidified that realization.
Being this close to him had her libido doing jumping jacks. Every time he took a sip of coffee, she couldn’t help watching the way his bottom lip curved under the rim of the take-out cup. The way he sipped the hot liquid into his mouth. The way he licked away any wayward drops. All she wanted to do was jerk him to her and suck the steamy caffeinated flavor from his mouth.
