Perfectly Toxic (Sterling Shore 9)

Why me?

“Really, you’re in my seat. This is my date. See? That’s my inhaler.” Barry, bless him, actually points to the inhaler as though he thinks Ethan needs proof.

Ethan picks up the inhaler and carelessly tosses it at Barry without looking. Barry squeals and tries to catch it, juggling it a few times before he finally manages to grasp it. He holds it to his chest, his jaw open as though he can’t believe Ethan’s audacity to throw it.

He really is a virgin. Damn.

“You can have my seat until I’m finished,” Ethan tells him, still staring at me as he points, and I turn to see a vacant table with a piece of chocolate cake sitting on it.

When I turn back around, Barry is frowning at Ethan.

“But this is my seat. This is my date.”

“He’s right,” I point out, hoping against hope that he’ll move. “That really is his seat, and I really am his date.”

Ethan slowly turns his head, cutting his eyes toward Barry. Gone is the amusement, and in place is that arrogant, asshole glare. Shit.

Barry immediately turns to face me. “I’ll be right over there when you’re finished,” he says quickly, before darting by me on his way to the other table.

I roll my eyes while muttering, “Coward.”

He’ll stay a virgin.

Ethan is smirking again when he looks at me.

“You’re a bully,” I state matter-of-factly.

“You’re not answering my question.”

“You’re not entitled to any answers.”

“I’ll make another scene. This time I’ll make sure everyone hears me.”

Glaring at him seems to be pointless. If anything, the jerk gets off on me getting angry. Deciding I’d like to leave with some dignity intact, I finally answer him.

“You’re a player.”

He cocks his head, but still looks as though I’m his evening entertainment.

“How could you possibly know that? Isn’t that a little judgmental? One look at me and you think you have me all figured out?”

I lean over the table, slowly getting some of my composure back. He’s hot enough to rattle me, but no one is hot enough to keep me rattled.

“You want to get serious? You want to wine me and dine me? You want to make pretty babies after we get married?”

His smile slips, and he clears his throat before shifting in his seat a little awkwardly.

“My point exactly, Ethan. You and I are in two very different places. You’re looking for a good time, and I’m looking for something real. As for judging you, I apologize.”

His eyes narrow. “You’re a wildcat trying to be a good girl. I can tell by the way you look at me. You’re not timid or blushing or stammering. You’re obviously well versed with this dance. So why are you playing a game you don’t want to be playing?”

Rolling my eyes, I laugh while sitting back, slowly getting more comfortable. “Who is judging whom now?”

I cock an eyebrow, amused, and he glares at me. The tables have turned. This is how I should have handled him to begin with. I might have avoided this whole fiasco.

“Why are you so determined to make me want you?” I muse, poking the bear a little.

“Just tell me the real reason you blew me off for Inhaler Boy, and I’ll leave.”