Her gaze narrows, her lips curving into a wicked smile. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
ChapterFive
Ledger
“So,where are we starting, darling? Are you showing me your pussy or letting me lick it dry?”
I lean back in my chair, my lips curving into a slow, deliberate smirk as I watch her reaction. She’s tipsy—two glasses past tipsy, if I’m being honest—and her eyes widen for just a second before narrowing again.
“You’re ridiculous,” she mutters, grabbing her champagne glass like it’s the only thing saving her from me and this game. But I can see the way her lips twitch, fighting a smile.
“Ridiculous?” I echo, letting the word roll off my tongue. “No, sweetheart. Ridiculous would be not taking me up on the offer.”
Her gaze flicks to mine, cautious but intrigued, and I see it—the tiniest crack in her armor. She’s warming up to me, even if she doesn’t want to admit it.
“Why do you talk like that?” she asks, sounding genuinely curious.
“Like what?” I drawl, swirling the last bit of champagne in my glass.
“Like you’re auditioning for the role of the world’s filthiest man,” she retorts, lips fidgeting with the rim of her glass as if that’ll somehow hide the blush spreading across her cheeks.
I chuckle, low and deep, letting the sound fill the room. “Because that’s how I talk when I’m in the presence of a beautiful woman I want tofuck.” I say the last word slowly so it sinks in. “And know that I mean every word I say, darling. Though, if I didn’t think you’d enjoy it, I wouldn’t bother.”
Her breath catches, barely audible, but enough for me to notice. I stand, closing the distance between us in a few strides. She shifts slightly in her seat, her legs pressing together as she glances up at me, her expression somewhere between defiance and curiosity.
“Tell me something,” I murmur, resting my hands on the back of her chair and leaning down just enough to make her tilt her head back. “Why are you still sitting here, letting me say these things to you?”
Her lips part, but no words come out.
I study her. “You could’ve stormed out ten minutes ago. Hell, you could’ve thrown that champagne in my face.” I smirk, letting my voice drop lower. “But you didn’t. Want to know why?”
She swallows hard, her throat working against the tension. “Why?”
“Because you’re curious,” I say. “You’re wondering if my mouth is as good as it sounds. If I could make you forget every shitty thing that’s happened this week. If I could make you beg for more.”
She exhales shakily, her cheeks flushing deeper as her gaze flicks to my lips, then back to my eyes.
“You’re full of yourself,” she whispers, but there’s no heat in her words.
“Maybe,” I admit, my smile widening. “But I’m not wrong.”
She laughs, breathless and disbelieving, shaking her head like she can’t decide whether to push me away or pull me closer. “You’re unbelievable.”
“And yet, here you are,” I counter, straightening up just enough to let her breathe again.
She exhales like she’s been holding her breath the entire time. Her fingers tighten around the stem of her glass, her knees still pressed together so tight they might even fuse. I know I’ve gotten under her skin.
“Your move, darling,” I say, my voice light but laced with intent. “Truth or dare?”
“I thought you were the one about to dare me,” she counters, her gaze flicking to mine, teasing but cautious. “I just haven’t decided what I want yet.”
My lips twitch with amusement. “Take your time.”
She swirls the champagne in her glass, her expression turning contemplative. “Maybe I’m not drunk enough to ask you to fuck the memory of Chase away,” she muses, her tone low, almost to herself. Then her eyes flick back to me, glinting with a mix of boldness and vulnerability. “But I am tipsy enough to indulge in this conversation.”
“Is that so?” I ask, leaning forward slightly, my gaze steady on hers.
She pauses, biting her lip, and then blurts, “Aiden—my best friend from kindergarten. She told me to use you as my rebound guy.”
