Black Jack (Advantage Play #5) - Kelsie Rae Page 0,30

lucky I’m good at this kind of shit.”

“Is that what you want?” he murmurs.

My icy reservations melt a bit more when his sincerity shines back at me through his words. What I want? Since when does it matter what I want? I want to laugh at the audacity of such a statement, but I hold it back.

“I already told you what I wanted,” I answer, holding his gaze. “I want to elope.”

“Then let’s elope.”

“B-but I––”

He can’t be serious.

Collecting myself as quickly as I can, I try again. ”What about your boss?”

With a shrug, he replies, “I’ll figure it out.”

“You’ll figure it out?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Because there’s two people in this marriage, Bianca. And even though I keep screwing up the engagement part, I really do want to make you happy when it comes to the actual marriage portion.”

“So, you’re willing to possibly screw up your life even more?” I challenge.

“To make you happy?” He shrugs. “Yeah.”

“Why?” I repeat on a sigh.

We’re still too close even though he isn’t holding my arm anymore. I can feel his breath fan across my cheeks. The way his Adam’s apple bobs up and down anytime he catches me staring at his mouth. The way his blond hair falls across his forehead, desperate for a trim yet somehow sexy in an effortless way that feels almost impossible for someone like me.

I spend hours trying to look like perfection every single day. Hell, I wake up early and slap on a fresh face of makeup before I hit the gym to keep up the charade I’ve spent years creating. I learned the ins and outs of being unattainable yet within reach by the time I hit puberty. But the guy in front of me makes all of those things look easy. Effortless. And oh so attainable. And he’s being nice. To me. Not just regular ol’ Bianca, but Bitchy Bianca. The girl who keeps me safe from letting anyone get close enough to hurt me. But it’s a double-edged sword. One I’m all too familiar with.

His voice is raw, almost gritty, as he breaks the silence. “I’m not like all those other guys, Bianca. And as long as your brother holds up his end of the deal, I’m going to prove it to you.”

Reality hits like a bucket of ice water.

My brother.

The deal.

Right. Because this is an arranged marriage where I’ll wind up using Jacky Boy just as much as he’s using my brother.

Jack just doesn’t know it yet.

But if that’s the case, then why do I feel guilty?

“You’re going to prove to me that you’re not like every other guy I’ve spent time with?” I challenge.

“Yes.”

My gaze flicks upward. “Good luck with that.”

“Thanks.” He grins. “I have a feeling I’m going to need it.”

What is it with that easy smile that makes me want to melt? And why is he so freaking close to me still? I could’ve sworn I’d stepped away from him, but apparently I’m smoking something. If I just shifted my weight onto my tiptoes, I’d be able to taste him again. Not out of hatred or annoyance or to prove something, but to just…taste. Just because I want to.

What the hell is wrong with me? I need to get out of here.

Hooking my thumb over my shoulder, I point toward the elevator. “I’m uh, I’m going to go shower.”

“I should probably hit the weights for a bit. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Yup.” I flounce past him, but try to keep my pace steady. I can’t let him see how easily he turns my world completely upside down by just…being close. I’m going to have to get a restraining order soon if I can’t keep myself in check, but that’s proving to be a lot easier said than done.

After dropping the used towel in the discard bin, I exit the gym, then hit the up button on the elevator.

Don’t turn around, Bianca. Don’t you dare turn around.

When the door slides open, I step inside and catch my breath as soon as I’m out of his sight. Because I know he was watching me. Like some strange sixth sense, I could feel it.

But the scary part? I liked his attention. And that’s dangerous. Not because I want to use it against him, but because I’m afraid he could use it against me.

And so could my brother if he ever saw it firsthand.

I can’t let that happen.

13

Jack

As I step out of the shower, my phone vibrates against the granite counter and flashes with an unknown number.