A left hook to the kidney would have packed less of a punch. Because he was right. She had set this up, agreed, with the end goal that she’d walk away with sexual experiences, know herself as a woman better, and find the kind of man she wanted long term.
But how could she have guessed Bass would turn out to be that man?
“You made it clear that when we’re together, it’s us,” she said. “The woman is yours, remember? I’m that woman right now. Until the two weeks is up.”
“Or until you say no,” he said.
She nodded. “Well I haven’t said no, and the rehearsal dinner is on my time.” And she would fight for her time. “So, we’ll try this another way,” she said, then shot the ball, swishing it.
He looked at her with shock.
“I played in high school,” she said, shrugging. “I may not have as much experience as you, but I can hold my own.”
Judging by the glare on his face, he knew she wasn’t talking just about basketball anymore.
“I want to finish out the week with you because I like spending time with you. More than anyone I’ve ever been with,” he admitted.
“Do you care about me?” she asked.
After a moment, he said, “Of course I do.”
“More than friendship?”
He clenched his teeth.
“You promised me the truth,” she said. “Said this whole thing is built
on trust.”
He took a deep breath. He was obviously racing to think of a clever way to speak his way out of this one. But she wasn’t having it.
“I asked you a question,” she said, using words he’d used on her. That got his attention in a hurry.
He stalked toward her with a lust-crazed look. “What I feel for you goes so far beyond friendship it’s fucking laughable.”
That made her stall. So there was hope.
“However—” he started, but she cut him off. She was clinging to that hope. And the best way to bring the real Sebastian out, was a challenge.
“So here’s the deal.” She dribbled the ball, walking toward him. “First one to make a basket wins.”
She nudged his sweaty chest as she passed him, gingerly making her way toward the hoop.
“What are your terms?” he asked.
“If I win, you take me to the rehearsal dinner. As my date. And we’ll deal with the aftermath later.”
“Penelope…” he warned.
But she didn’t care. This was her shot. Literally. “Deal?”
“And what if I win?”
She looked at him. “What would you like?”
He growled and moved in front of her. His hard chest was now a wall between her and the basket.
“If I win, I’m going to tie you up and spank your ass for pulling this stunt. Then I’m going to fuck you until sunrise.” He leaned in and bit her earlobe. “And if you beg me long enough, I may just let you come too.”