CHAPTER 1
PACE
I still recall that day in the pool last summer when I'd
taken the crying baby from her and entertained him all afternoon. I couldn't
even be sure why I'd done it. I suppose, looking back, she just looked like she
could use a hand. I've never liked seeing a woman struggle. Although a damsel
in distress, she is not. I get the sense she's not the type to back down from a
challenge and has enough strength and determination to succeed at just about
anything she tried. A sexy quality, to be sure.
As we stand there, me sipping my bourbon, and Kylie grinning
politely at the crowd, the silence between us grows. I feel like we have
nothing in common, and I'm at a loss, trying to think of something to say,
anything that will keep this beauty in my presence. There are so many things I
want to know about her, but none of them are any of my goddamn business. How
she tastes, what noises she makes when she comes. I also want to know how she
ended up a single mother, and if Max's dad is still in the picture. I tried
asking Colton about it once, but he remained incredibly vague. The asshat. If
there was a worst wingman award, it would go to my brother.
"Have dinner with me this week," I say. It wasn't
what I'd been planning to say, but once the words leave my mouth, they feel
right.
"Pace, that's sweet of you to ask, but I can't…"
She pauses, like she wants to say more, but doesn't. Her body language is all
wrong too. Where women are normally vying to get closer, placing their hand on
my bicep, or even brushing their breasts against my arm, Kylie stands straight
and tall, like she wants to avoid physical contact at all costs.
"Are you here with someone?" I ask. It's also
absolutely none of my business, but I'd happily shell out ten grand just to
find out if she's fucking someone.
"No," she confirms.
"No boyfriend?" I press further. I need to know
what I'm up against.
"There's been no one since Max's father," she says
quietly.
My inner alpha male beats on his chest in triumph.
"That's quite a dry spell."
"Indeed," she murmurs.
"It's just dinner, Kylie. It's not like I'm offering to
step in and play daddy." I treat her to a playful, crooked smile, my
dimple out in full force. I've heard it's quite irresistible and that's what
I'm banking on.
"That's exactly why I can't. I'm sorry."
Fuck. Why am I such a fucking idiot?
"Oh," I stammer, at a loss for words for the first
damn time in my life. Christ. Grow a pair, Pace.
"Besides, something tells me if you're interested in a
woman like that," Kylie tips her chin toward the bar where Sheena, or
Trina, is making a spectacle of herself, "you can't possibly be interested
in a woman like me."
Hold the fuck on. Now that's where she's wrong. "Why's
that?" I ask, meeting her fiery green gaze. If she's about to criticize
herself, I will not hold back in proving to her how very wrong she is.
"Pace," she admonishes. "Look at her. They
look…inflatable."
When I realize she's not tearing herself down, but instead
chastising my taste in women, I almost want to laugh. "A woman like that
is good for only one thing and we both know it," I say.
She raises her eyebrows, waiting for me to explain.
"One good fuck," I continue.
"You're crass." Her eyes light up, and her mouth
twitches in an attempt not to smile.
"I'm direct, and you like it."
She shrugs. "At least you're honest. That's more than I
can say for most men."
"Go out with me. One time, Kylie. What do you have to
lose?"
I can practically see the wheels turning in her head, and for
one brief, beautiful moment I think I might have a chance. "Bye
Pace." She turns and walks away, her long legs carrying her across the
room while my heart throbs.
Fuck.
"Kylie, wait."
She turns and tosses me a sexy wink. "Go have fun with
Malibu Barbie.
This is not over.
I play to win.
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