Here we go. Men were so predictable… and I thanked the Monopoly gods for it! I leaned in, elbows on my knees. I tilted my head and let my voice drop an octave.
“I mean… maybe I give you something else instead.”
He blinked once, slowly. His eyes went darker, softer, but his expression stayed unreadable.
“Something else,” he repeated. “You tryna barter?”
“Negotiate,” I corrected.
“Negotiate what? What you got, Little Thug?”
I traced one finger along the edge of the board, sliding it in his direction.
“My… services.”
His eyes snapped to mine. “Your what?”
“My services,” I said again, biting back a smile. “In exchange for the debt.”
He stared at me for a few seconds, then shook his head like he was trying not to grin. “You wild,” he said.
“You like it.”
He shook his head. “Nope.”
“You lying.” I guess I was a little conceited.
“What kinda ‘services’ you offering?”
I pretended to think. “Premium ones.”
“You tryna seduce your way out a bill?”
“It’s twelve hundred dollars! That ain’t a bill. If it was a crime, it wouldn’t be a misdemeanor. That’s a felony.”
He laughed again, something in him loosening. He needed this, the distraction, the silliness. It even felt like he neededme.Me. The thorn in his side. His eternal aggravation. Mekhi Venzant needed what I was offering.
And I was happy to give it.
I shifted closer, crawling forward until we were only inches apart. The game board was pushed aside, half forgotten.
“You accept my offer?” I asked, sounding breathy.
“And what offer is that?” he countered, voice low.
I moved closer. “Whatever you want.”
He caught my waist gently, moved me until I settled into his lap. His hands stayed there, feeling big and warm and a little protective.
“Farrah, this how you handle losing?” he murmured.
“No,” I said, leaning in so my lips brushed his jaw. “This is how I handle losing toyou.”
He let out a breath, almost a laugh. “You trouble.”
“So you tell me. You love that, though.”
His hands tightened on my hips just slightly. “Maybe.”
