The Bet (The Bet 1)

It worsened when Travis lifted his hands in the air and said, “I was trying to be discreet.”

Kacey glared.

His entire family laughed, and she kicked at him again under the table. He moved his foot in time and then stuck out his t

ongue like a two-year-old.

And really, maybe it was the sexual frustration, but she lunged for him, his chair tipped backwards and she straddled him, shoving pie into his beautiful face all the while screaming, “I’ll get you!”

In her mind the family was cheering, when really everyone was completely silent.

Except Travis who was yelling and cursing and spitting pie back out at her. Luckily they had hardwood floors instead of carpeting.

Finally, when the pie was done, she wiped a berry off his face and licked her fingers. His eyes darkened, and for a minute it looked like he was going to kiss her.

He leaned forward and reached up behind her. And suddenly she had hot pie all over her face.

“I win, Kace,” he whispered huskily into her ear.

Yes, yes you do.

Chapter Thirteen

Kacey checked her phone for the tenth time that night. Nothing, not even a text from Jake.

What the heck was wrong with him? She was here helping him! And he had work? She didn’t buy it. She wasn’t stupid. But it did make her feel awkward when his parents kept giving her concerned looks.

They finally went to bed shortly after the pie incident, which she decided was one of those freak moments where you lose control of bodily function as well as logic and make bad choices. Kind of like when you’re drunk, which she wasn’t, because according to Jake’s parents she was carrying his love child.

Damn Jake Titus.

“Kace!” Travis strolled into the room, absolutely shirtless and wearing nothing but pajama pants. Was her tongue hanging out of her mouth? Oh God, she was beginning to sweat. Geez, at least turn the air on in this place.

Averting her eyes, she managed an awkward laugh. “What’s up?”

“Movie night.” He threw a pillow at her and went to the DVDs.

“Um, is it naked movie night? I’m not sure I got that memo.” She looked him up and down when he turned around.

“I’m sorry, does my masculinity frighten your prudish nature?”

She snorted. “Please, I just don’t want to get last night’s skank on me. I hear diseases travel through too much skin contact.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’ll put on a shirt if you take off yours.”

How tempting that was…. “Take off my shirt? So you can finally see my boobs? Oh gosh, Travis. Let me think. Give you the fantasy you’ve been dreaming of for years or keep my pride? Yeah, I think I’ll keep my pride.”

He shrugged. “Suit yourself, but it really isn’t a slumber party if you’re not naked.”

“What the hell kind of slumber parties were you subjected to as a child?” Kacey asked.

Travis grinned shamelessly. “Only the good ones. Now seriously, go change into sweats. I’ll wait.”

“Fine.” She hopped off, her heart beating erratically out of her chest. This witty banter had to stop. For crying out loud, they were adults! Not teenagers! She grabbed some short Victoria Secret shorts and a black tank and put on her slippers to make it look less… seductive. Not that she was seducing him. Her stupid skin betrayed her in the mirror as it turned a very nice crimson color.

She really needed to start dating more.

Taking the stairs two at a time, she went back down to the living room and saw Travis opening a bottle of wine, thankfully he had put a shirt on. She wasn’t sure she could handle any more of his glistening muscles that evening. “Thought you could use this, even though it’s not good for the baby.” He winked.