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“Oh those ideas are already planted…in his head,” I taunt.
Payton’s from Montana, but he’s quickly fit right in with the family. Though he’s usually quiet, he gives off a bad boy vibe with his tattooed chest and ripped body. I’ve seen him shirtless a few times since most guys work that way in the heat.
After the final bachelors are claimed, the event comes to an end. Grandma Bishop tallies up the amounts and thanks everyone for coming. Then she reminds us to eat and bid on the silent auction items before we leave. We applaud her for her efforts, and a line forms at the food table.
Knox and Kane find Hadleigh, and I might feel bad for her if two guys weren’t literally fighting over her. Hadleigh apologizes profusely to Kane, but he shrugs it off as if someone didn’t shatter his heart, but it’s more than obvious.
He’s devastated, and I’d even say a little jealous too.
“There’s my woman,” Grayson sing-songs, flinging his arm around my shoulders like he’s lost his goddamn mind. I quickly shrug him off and put space between us because we aren’t friends.
“You owe me three fifty,” I say, crossing my arms.
He steps toward me, bringing his lips to my ear and sending a wave of unwanted shivers down my spine. “That wasn’t part of our deal, sweetheart.”
When he pulls back, he licks his lips and flashes me a wink.
I’m regretting this so damn much.
“Maybe I’ll tell Sarah she can have you after all…” I scowl, turning to walk away, but he grabs my elbow and pulls me into his chest. My breath hitches as I look up at him.
“Nice try, darlin’. You’re all mine.”
“Could you two get a room?” Kane bites out, and it’s what I needed to break the spell that Grayson’s suddenly put me under. I push against him and take a few steps back.
“Don’t be bitter. I’m sure you and Sarah will have plenty to talk about,” Grayson tells them, though the sarcasm in his voice isn’t missed.
“If she lets you get a word in…” Kaitlyn adds with a chuckle.
Kane rolls his eyes before walking away in frustration.
“Nice work…” I shake my head at Grayson.
“He’ll be fine, trust me.” He shrugs it off. As I grab a plate, Grayson’s arm brushes mine as if he’s never heard of personal space in his life. “So this finalizes our truce agreement, right?”
His voice is so low that only I can hear him.
“I guess,” I mutter.
“You almost sound disappointed,” he taunts, grabbing a large piece of pie.
“Only in myself that I agreed to this in the first place. And I’m out three hundred and fifty dollars,” I deadpan.
Grayson’s whole body shakes next to me as he chuckles. “I think you’re finally warming up to me. Only took what? Almost six years?”
I stop and look at him, nudging him to pay attention. “This truce in no way means I like you, got it? As far as my hatred for you, it’s still there. I just won’t act on it for the sake of our agreement.”
“Fuck, I love that fire behind your eyes. Just imagine how hot the sex is gonna be when you finally succumb to your desires.”
“Christ, do you have wax in your ears or something?” I roll my eyes at his arrogance. “You’ve lost your mind.”
His lips tilt up in a smug grin. “We’ll see, baby.”
I groan, grabbing a mini sub and cookie. “Do not call me that. Or any other term of endearment.”
“Now I know that was definitely not a part of the deal, sweetheart.”
“Consider it added, or I’m calling Sarah over here right now.”
He chuckles. “You prefer to be humiliated and demeaned in the bedroom, right?” His chest presses to my back, and the hair on my neck stands up as his breath brushes against my ear. “You wanna be my dirty little slut? My filthy little whore who likes to be handcuffed and teased.”
I jerk my arm back and elbow him in the ribs as hard as I can. He huffs, nearly choking on his tongue.
My cheeks heat as the anger flows through my blood. “Call me either of those words again, and you’ll lose the appendage between your legs, got it?”
He sucks in a breath, slowly covering his junk with both hands.
“Good, glad we worked that out,” I mock, patting his chest and walking away.
Hadleigh tries to hide her laughter but fails. She’s probably wondering what the hell is happening between us, and honestly, so am I. This was supposed to be a simple arrangement, a truce to end this five-year war, but now I’m fighting another battle—the way my body reacts to his.
Chapter Ten
GRAYSON
It’s been four days since the bachelor auction, and Kenzie’s been mostly keeping her word. I’m convinced she enjoys getting a rise out of me, which is why she’s constantly forcing herself under my skin. Though I usually don’t mind since it gives me leverage to return the favor.
