Ho Ho Hennessy

He had fucked up so badly with the way he had treated her last night, and then agreeing to the bet. Now he didn’t know if Arin would even give him a chance to repair the damaged opinion she had of him.

Deciding to take a hit to his male pride, he walked around the counter to leave, wanting to find Core and take yet another hit by asking for the advice he should have asked for outside.

“Here’s your cocoa.”

Surprised, he reached over the counter for the cup. Then he stared down to see at least a dozen mini-marshmallows swimming at the top. Maybe she wasn’t a lost cause, as he had thought.

Giving her an appreciative smile, he took it and hurried from the room, making sure to keep his mouth shut until he could talk to Core.

See? Look at that. He was going to use one lesson that Viper had given him—keep his mouth fucking shut and enjoy the first cup of cocoa anyone had ever made for him.

Chapter 10

Rinsing out her cup, she looked up to see Hennessy coming back into the kitchen.

“Thank you for the cocoa. It was good.”

Opening the dishwasher to put the cup inside, she heard him rinse his own cup out before he put his inside next to hers.

“How are you liking Treepoint?”

She didn’t trust his friendly attitude any farther than she could throw him, knowing the amount of money that he had bet with Winter. He needed her to win the bet, and she had her own bet on the line. She wanted Jewell in her business more than she wanted a few hours in bed with Hennessy. Then again, it wasn’t in her to be rude unless it was deserved.

“I like it so far. I’ve only been out once to go to town.” She watched as he went to the fridge to get a drink.

“You’ll have to get Jewell to drive you through the mountains. They’re beautiful.”

“I’ll mention it to her.”

“Do that. Just make sure she borrows a vehicle that has four-wheel drive. Some of the roads can be pretty steep. I’d hate for you to get stuck when I was the one that suggested going.”

“I will.”

Opening a soda, he leaned back against the counter as she started the dishwasher.

“It’s pretty cold here. I’m going out to pick up some thicker shirts since I’ll be staying until after Christmas. Can I get you anything besides marshmallows?”

“No, I’m good.”

“If you change your mind, let me know. I’ll be leaving in ten minutes. Unless you would like to get out of the club for a while, then you could go with me.”

“No, thanks. I better stay here.”

He cocked his head to the side. “Why would it be better? Is there any reason you can’t go?”

Taken aback, Arin tried to retract her words. “I meant that I don’t think it would be a good idea for us to be alone together.”

At the seductive expression that came over him, she tensed, wishing she hadn’t given him that ammunition to use against her.

“Are you afraid to be alone with me?”

She pulled her shoulders up to her full height. “I’m not afraid of you.”

“Not of me, then of yourself.”

Just like that, she crumpled, humiliated that she had made the first move on him last night, that he hadn’t wanted her, and that he only wanted her now because of a bet.

Mortified, she started around the corner, just to be brought up short by a hard arm wrapping around her waist.

“Whoa … slow down. Whatever the fuck you thought I meant, I didn’t.”

Turning her around to face him, he smoothed her hair away from her face. “I’ve been trying very hard to apologize all day for the way I talked to you last night. I could make a bunch of excuses, but truthfully, I’ve never been much of ladies’ man. Most of the company I keep are bikers, and most of them can’t stand me either.”

“I’m not a bet to win.” Avoiding his gaze, she turned her face away.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t agree with that.” Hennessy raised his hand to turn her face back toward him. “It’s a bet worth winning, and you’re a hell of a prize. You’re everything.”

She almost believed the glimmer of truth that she could see in his eyes.

Shaking her head, she pulled herself away from his touch. “You’re good. I almost believed you.”

“You think I’m lying?”

“I know you are.”

“Last night, you told me I was beautiful. Was that a lie?”

“No.”

“I don’t lie either. You have a zero opinion of me, which I deserve, and which I’m not even going to talk my way out of.”

“You’re not?” Skeptical, Arin had expected him to do just that.

“No.” Taking his soda, he walked to the kitchen door.

Arin still didn’t believe it until he actually left her alone in the kitchen.