The Wager (The Bet 2)

And then he cursed for a good few minutes. “You know what I’m asking.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do.”

“No, I don’t think I—”

“Char.” Jake walked around the car and reached for her. What she should have done was laughed off his concerns and pulled away. The smart choice would’ve also been to lie her ass off, but she couldn’t, not with him touching her like he was. Or with the full force of his chiseled face so close to hers. “Answer the question.”

With her heart slamming against her chest, Char swallowed past the dryness in her throat and answered. “You may have to remind me since the memory’s kinda fuzzy…”

He broke out into a grin. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“I think I can manage that.” His hands slid up her sides.

And then her damn phone went off again.

Work.

Crap. Jake took a step away while she hit ignore.

“Something wrong?” His brows drew together in concern.

“Nope. It’s actually, really good.” She stepped up on her tiptoes and kissed him hard on the mouth.

With a groan he placed both hands on either side of her and used his body to push hers against the car. “What are we doing?” he whispered against her lips.

“Kissing.”

His tongue dove into her mouth. It was impossible to describe the way he kissed, the way he tasted. Heat pounded in hundreds of places all over her body; her nerves were on edge so that every single touch of his tongue sent shivers all the way to her toes; and even when he touched her lightly she was a puddle at his feet.

Everything he did seemed to singe her, mark her. If this was kissing, she would be ruined for all other men’s kisses.

“Are you”—he pulled back—“sure you want this?” It was the most vulnerable she’d ever seen him. His eyes were filled with need but it was more than that; it was… desire and insecurity. Her whole life she had wanted to be his security, his rock. She’d wanted the best of both worlds, friends turned into lovers, and now she felt as if she could actually have it.

“I’m sure.”

The phone rang again.

Jake cursed. “Seriously, I’m going to throw your phone into the river.”

She stole a peek and sighed. “It’s Grandma. We either take the call or suffer the consequences.”

Jake took the phone from Char and answered it, putting her on speakerphone. “This better be good.” His eyes darkened as he licked his lips.

“I’m dying!” Grandma wailed from her end.

“Are you at the house? Where are you?” Jake shouted.

“The house! Hurry!”

“Shit!” Jake unlocked the car doors and they scrambled inside.

Panicked, Char could only grip the seat as he drove and hope that Grandma would be okay. She had to have the worst timing in the world!

Chapter Thirty-nine