"You want us to get Isaac’s blessing? Fine. Let’s go out to dinner together."
"What?"
"The three of us. You, me, and Isaac—family dinner tonight."
Her features take on a doubtful expression. "I’m not sure if that’s a good idea."
"It’s just dinner," I say impatiently. "Surely the three of us can sit around a table and have a civilized conversation?"
"Have you managed a civilized conversation with Isaac even once so far?"
I open my mouth and shut it again.
"That’s what I mean." She raises her hands. "Dinner isn’t going to work. We need something else. Maybe we need to do something where our hands are occupied. Something where we don’t have to just focus all of our attention on each other."
"I’d happily focus all of my attention on you," I shoot back.
She scowls. "You know what I mean. We need to do something that involves physical activity."
I smirk. "I know exactly the kind of physical activity I can indulge in."
"Oh, hush." She rolls her eyes. "I mean, something that keeps us busy… Something like… Bowling."
"Bowling?"
"Bowling."
"Bowling," I say slowly. "I’m not surethat’sa good idea."
"Why? Surely even you’re not too old to enjoy it."
I scowl. "Don’t sass me, young lady."
"Don’t talk to me like I’m sixteen."
"Sometimes you act older than your years. Other times, I swear you act like someone much younger than your years, purely to aggravate me. If you want to be spanked, you only have to ask me and I’ll gladly oblige."
Her blush deepens, and her pupils dilate. A telltale sign that she definitely does relish the idea.
"Goddamn…" I shake my head before I bend my knees and peer into her features. "That’s what this is about. You like being a brat. You like acting out just to find out if I care. You want me to take charge of you and direct you and command you. You may be career-oriented and independent, but in bed, you’re submissive."
She flips her hair over her shoulder. "I have no idea what you’re talking about."
"Don’t lie, little girl." I move in closer until our feet bump. Until my breath raises the hair on her forehead. Until the nervous tension vibrating off of her body hits me squarely in my chest. My groin hardens. My gaze narrows. A familiar excitement licks my veins. The thrill of a chase. The thrill of closing a deal in the boardroom. Of sitting across from some of the most seasoned gangsters in the land and pitting my wits against them. It’s always a mind game. A contest of who’s going to blink first. And I never do. I’ve never lost a challenge before, and I don't intend to now, either—even though all those confrontations pale in comparison to the struggle that shimmers between us.
Run, little girl. If I catch you, you’re mine.
"Excuse me." She blinks rapidly.
I peel back my lips. "You want to play? This is your chance. You get to choose the game, and if I win then…Iwin."
"What do you mean?" She scowls.
"You want to go bowling, so be it. But if…whenI win, you will move into my room, no questions asked."
"And if you lose?"
"I won’t."