I had to make her fall for me. For real. But the only way I could do that was to pretend to fall for her first. Gain her trust, get her on my side, make her believe there could actually be something between us.
I let out a sigh and rubbed my face. “Fuck,” I muttered, feigning a combination of nerves and anguish. “You’re right.”
She blinked. “I am?”
I nodded slowly, scratching my jaw. “Yeah. I feel it too.”
“Oh,” she said in a small voice. “Wow.”
“Look,” I went on. “I don’t want to, okay? So whatever this shit is between us, we need to get it the fuck out of our systems. Just like you said.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose and exhaled deeply. “This one-night thing… I guess it could be worth a shot.”
Laney looked shocked. Almost horrified.
“Did you not want me to agree?” I asked, arching a brow.
“I did. I’m just surprised,” she replied breathlessly. “I really wasn’t sure if you’d say yes or not. But I… um… I’m glad you did.”
Her face was scarlet now, and her legs were trembling.
I smiled inwardly. It was beginning already. Even if this little plan of hers had started out as an obvious, inelegant attempt at manipulation, she couldn’t resist me once I turned the charm on. It was only a matter of time until I had her eating out of the palm of my hand.
“So, Friday at eight?” I said.
She nodded. “Yes. That works for me.”
I smiled. “Good.”
She awkwardly shifted her weight again, hands trembling by her side. “Okay, well… I’ll see you then.”
“Yeah.” My smile grew wider. “I can’t wait.”