I turn, intrigued. Hell, everything he does intrigues me.
“In your chair,” he directs with a playful grin. “Need some distance for this game.” His mouth curves into a leer. “Wouldn’t want to lose control or anything, now would we, darlin’?”
I circle around to my chair, looking over my shoulder asking, “Way over here?”
“Sit.” His eyes twinkle. “You’ll need a drink for this game. Do you want another whiskey or a beer maybe? You might be doing some drinking.” He laughs. Standing, he walks to the fridge.
“What? Are we going to play quarters or something?”
“Although I am sure you would kick my ass at it, this is a different kind of game.”
“Ok, beer.”
He pulls a cold longneck out of the fridge, setting it in front of me and crosses to the other side of the table. He smiles a wicked smile and says in an intentionally casual tone, “It’s well after midnight so it’s Saturday.”
Shit, of course it is. I didn’t get home until two am. I am such a dork. Rolling my eyes, I stare at him like a petulant child. “What? So, you want to talk? What about?”
“And she’s gone again.” His face undeterred, he continues, “For every question I ask, you have to answer. If I get a truthful answer devoid of bullshit, you get a reward. If I don’t, you get a punishment and have to drink. Same goes for me.”
“I’ll get to punish you?” A smile curves over my lips gradually as the myriad of possibilities formulate in my mind. This could be fun. Payback can be bitch. Hmmm.
“Yeah. “ He smirks. “If I seem like I’m not being truthful or evading a question, you can punish me.”
“But, you’re an open book,” I mutter, looking at my feet already feeling my bubble pop. “You say whatever you want. I’ll never win.”
“The winning’s in the rewards, darlin’, not the punishments.” His eyes slide over my body, inching carefully over every curve. He licks his lower lip, his eyes heat with a silent promise of delicious rewards. “Do you want to go first?”
“Fine. I’ll go first.” I sit up straighter, leaning in, calling up all my great poker skills. “Don’t expect me to go easy on you.” Sizing him up, I ask, “How many women have you been with?”
“I’ll have to think on that one.” He pauses.
“That many?” I ask. The man has obviously got mad skills in the bedroom and he’s hotter than hot…but he has to think about it?
“Well, I went through a phase when I first became a musician.” His eyes study mine, searching for something, I’m not sure what. “Hmmm. I had one girlfriend through high school, two, no three in college. When I became a musician and first moved to Nashville, I got around, had my share of one-night stands, but that got old real quick. Since I got back, I’ve dated one or two ladies.” His smile surprises me. I’m taken aback by its purity and sweetness. “All told, I would say about forty or so. Does that bother you?” he asks, his face impassive, waiting for my response.
“No. Not at all, I was curious. Ever been with any men?” I look him straight in the eye.
“Eh-eh-eh, where’s my reward?” He wags his finger at me.
Standing and still on my power high, I cross around, taking his face in my hands, softly kissing his lips, possessing his mouth. As I pull away, I give him a tiny wink, snickering, and return to my seat.
“Okkkaayyy. Not the reward I was hoping for…but, ok.” He chuckles. “How many girls have you been with?”
My mouth drops open, but I’m not sure why I’m shocked. I thought I had mentioned it, but I couldn’t remember. Once I think about it, I’m actually relieved. If he has a problem, it’ll be easier to end this now. Better to move on since I’m not entirely sure if the “I don’t share” runs both ways. A guy like this gets hit on constantly. Hell, even Aunt Patty took a shot.
One of many...That’s all I am. Gotta be with a face like that. Who does he think he’s kidding?
Looking him straight in the eye, I answer him definitively. “Five.”
Fuck it, this is who I am. Take it or leave it.
Studying my face, he contemplates for a minute. Standing, he moves around the tiny table, gingerly, considering me. Circling behind me, he bends to nuzzle my neck below my ear. Bit by bit, pulling my turtleneck away from my neck, he