“Come on, Alex. You can’t say you haven’t enjoyed our chats and you can’t argue that we don’t have chemistry. Are you going to lie and say you don’t find me at least a little attractive?”
“What’s the point? You’re good looking and you know it. Good for you. That doesn’t mean you’re my type.”
I smirk at her. “Fair enough. What’s your type, then?”
Her eyes flare, pupils dilating as she studies me for a long couple of heartbeats. Then she wets her lips and sighs. “Look, I grew up in a stuffy Ivy League family. I think it’s fair to say that’s not what I want for my future.”
I laugh and give her a broad smile. “So, you think I’m boring.”
Alex’s lips part like she’s going to say something, but then she crosses her arms and leans back in her chair again. “When you say it like that, I sound like a bitch.”
“No, it’s honest, and I’m all for it. You called me Mr. Clean Cut. Did it ever occur to you that maybe there was more underneath that? Or that I dress a certain way to put my patients at ease?Youhave a uniform you wear for work.”
She frowns, but the anger has all melted away and her eyes sweep over my face thoughtfully. “Okay. Maybe you make a fair point.”
“Maybe?”
“Don’t push it,” she warns, but there’s a hint of a smile in her voice.
“How about this?” I say, leaning in, loving the way she nibbles on that lower lip as I get closer. “You think I’m boring and clean cut. Give me 24 hours to prove you wrong.” I cock an eyebrow at her, and she mirrors the expression.
“And here I thought you were just trying to get me to sleep with you,” Alex sasses back.
“No. I mean, I want that too,” I chuckle ruefully. “But that’s not my point. I want all of you. And I want you to admit that we could be good together. It wouldn’t be fair if I melted your brain with orgasms before you decided.”
Alex rolls her eyes, but she’s fighting back a smile. “You’re cocky as shit, you know that?”
I shrug. “Maybe, but I can’t have you saying I didn’t play fair. Spend 24 hours with me. At the end of it, if I’m wrong and you never want to see me again, I’ll leave you alone.” I’m not actually sure I can do that, but it doesn’t matter. I will not lose.
Alex leans in, putting her face just inches from mine. She pulls her lower lip between her teeth as she studies my face. Scrutinizing me. “And if you win?”
“Then I’ll do what you asked for on your dating profile. I’ll get out the handcuffs and make you be my very good girl.”
Alex visibly shivers. Her eyes dart away for just a second, but then she lifts her chin, eyes full of defiance.
“Fine. Twenty-four hours.”
9
Alex
My heart is pounding in my chest. What did I just agree to? Branson is all kinds of persuasive, and the way he looks at me… whew. I’ve been avoiding him for weeks and now that he’s inches away, I remember why. His eyes pull me in and make my mouth say things it shouldn’t. If I had any common sense at all, I would have turned around and left the second I realized he tricked me.
“But you have to be completely honest with me. No more omissions,” I warn.
“Fair, but that goes both ways.”
“I never lied to you,” I remind him, but far from looking abashed, Branson grins at me. He reaches across the table and strokes the back of my hand with the tip of one finger. Goosebumps climb up my arm and run down my spine, making it hard to breathe.
“I know, but if you’re going to see the real me, I want the same courtesy.” Lord almighty. I’ve never heard someone say the word ‘courtesy’ and make it sound so dirty. I don’t know if it’s just me, but it seems like every word out of his mouth is laced with innuendo.
“Fine. A question for a question.”
He grins like this is the greatest game in the world. It’s contagious and despite myself, I feel my lips pulling at the corners. I nod, and pulling out my phone, I set a 24-hour timer on my phone. I hold it up so Branson can see it as it ticks down.
“Twenty-three hours and 59 minutes,” he says, drumming his fingers on the table.
“That’s a long-ass date,” I reply. “Are you sure you won’t get bored?”