His attention slides to my drink, and he signals the bartender. “Another round for her, and I’ll take a shot of what she’s having and a Pabst.”
“I don’t want another round,” I say, just to be stubborn.
He chuckles. “Then don’t drink it.”
I hate that he doesn’t argue with me. It’s annoyed me since he stepped into my office that first time. It makes me want to pick a fight—an impulse I ignore, but with the shots and a light dinner, I’m fuzzy.
“Maybe I will, maybe I won’t.”
“Suit yourself,” he says, and the bartender returns with our drinks.
Caden stands, pulling money out of his pocket.
The bartender points at me. “She’s got a tab.”
“I’ll settle it.”
Like he has the right. I frown. “No, don’t settle it.”
The bartender looks at him, then at me, then back at him. “I’ll let you two figure it out.” He walks away.
I point to the empty seat at the end of the counter. “Did you not hear me say I want to be alone?”
“I did.” He points to the shot glass. “You gonna let me do a shot all by myself?”
“You would have been doing it all by yourself if I wasn’t here.”
“But you are here,” he points out, oh so helpfully.
I contemplate throwing the tequila in his face, but that seems a bit too dramatic and wouldn’t really work in my favor. Not only does it show my cards, it wastes perfectly good alcohol.
Doesn’t mean I can’t work out a deal.
I scowl. “If I do a shot with you, will you leave me alone?”
“Probably not.” He grins.
I think he intends it to be all good natured and disarming, but it doesn’t come across like that.
Heat kicks up low in my belly. I shake my head. “You know, I kinda hate you.”
“Oh, I know you do.” He laughs, and it hardens my nipples under the thin cotton of my tank top.
“I find you annoying.” I straighten my spine, feeling justified. Which is probably the liquor. But isn’t that the point of drinking? To justify your actions while you’re in the headspace to not give a shit about the consequences?
“You don’t say.” He takes a drink of his beer before placing it on the bar and shifting toward me. “What else?”
“You’re infuriating.”
“Not the first time I’ve heard that.”
I wrinkle my nose. “You think you know everything.”
“Not everything, but most things.”
I’m on a roll now, and it feels good to let loose a little. I’ve been strung too tight for too long. I need to snap to find some balance. “I hate how everyone likes you.”
He flashes that smile at me. “That is frustrating.”
I roll my eyes at him. “Oh my God, stop it.”
“I’m just listening to your list of grievances.”
“Well, stop.”
He picks up his glass and tilts it in my direction. “About that shot.”
I growl, peering at the clear liquid. Maybe if I do it, I’ll get rid of him before I do something stupid.
I pick up the salt and lick my skin. I glance back at him. “Are you ready?”
“Ready.”
Caden
Cat’s tongue darts out, pressing against the back of her hand, and I have to stifle my groan.
The gods are torturing me. I came here to find some relief from her, but I can’t seem to escape, so I give in. It’s exhausting trying to fight her.
As she licks the salt from her skin, my grip tightens on my glass. She isn’t trying to be seductive, but it has that effect all the same. She downs the shot, and I do the same, hissing at the burn in my stomach.
She pops the lime between her teeth and sucks before tossing the rind in the empty glass. She shakes her head a little. “I probably shouldn’t have any more.”
“You drive here?”
“Yeah.” She props her head on her hand.
“I’ll drive you home.” Being enclosed in my truck with her sounds like a terrible idea. But since that night of the card game, I’ve been a perfect angel, and it’s starting to wear on me.
“What about my car?”
“We can come back and pick it up tomorrow.”
“What if I don’t want to go with you?”
Since I met Cat, she’s seemed determined to bait me, and I don’t give in. I’ve been telling myself it’s to be good, but the truth is, my continued politeness appears to infuriate her.
And it’s fucking adorable.
I raise a brow. “You’re such a responsible woman. I wouldn’t take you for a drunk driver.”