Charity Case - The Complete Series - Piper Rayne Page 0,224

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“Sweets were my weakness,” she says. “I almost killed for a chocolate cake once.”

Chelsea ventures over to Sonya, the two of them talking about pregnancy cravings and whether the whole pickle thing is actually true.

Victoria’s phone rings and she heads back inside the tent to answer.

“I guess that leaves us,” Roarke says stepping up alongside me.

“Unfortunately.”

He ignores my comment. “How do you like the place?”

“What’s not to like? It’s gorgeous. I have no idea how you got it, but I’m worried that young girl has a crush on you.”

He shakes his head, stepping up to the edge of the patio. “She’s doing me a favor that’s all. Before you get all single white female thinking I’m dating her, I’m not.”

“You’re so forthcoming.”

He turns around at the edge. I try to keep my gaze poised on the lake, but his eyes pull me in instead. “I’m many things, but a liar is not one of them, Hannah. I’ll always be straight with you.”

“Well, forgive me for not believing you. History, as they say, is usually the best teacher.”

He laughs, stepping forward, reaching out to push a stray hair behind my ear. I turn my head away from his touch and the loose strand from my sleek ponytail falls back down.

“When will I live that down?” His voice is low and tight. “We’ve been over this, he was my client. I did what I needed to do. That will never change.” He dips his head down to meet my eyes. “I thought we were moving forward after Sunday.”

“Because we shared a meal?” I scoff.

I pick my head up and meet his gaze head-on. I will not let this man intimidate me.

“Because you stayed. Because we laughed. Because we shared. Because I made the best opening statement of my entire career.”

“So arrogant.” I shake my head in disbelief.

“Don’t act like you don’t love how arrogant I am. I’m arrogant because I can back it up. You find that quality sexy.” He steps even closer, his lips right at my ear. “Your shoulders straightened when I announced my arrival and you sucked in a breath. I guarantee that if I was to slip my fingers between your legs right now, I’d find your panties wet.”

My mouth drops open at his crassness. I really wish it didn’t turn me on.

“Wrong.” I let the one word fall from my lips. “You’d find the complete opposite.”

“If we were alone I might challenge you to prove it.”

“Well, we’re not alone.”

Come on Hannah, you can do so much better than this.

“If what you say is true then favor number three shouldn’t be a problem.”

My eyes lock with his. “Favor three? You’re really whizzing through them.”

“Are you complaining?”

“Not at all. The faster we’re through them, the faster I’m done having to be in your company.” I give him a saccharine smile.

He leans in again and chuckles lightly in my ear. Although not even a fingertip touches me, my body anticipates it, is eager for it like Lucy is when I bring home a special bone from the pet store.

Oh my God, did I just compare myself to my dog salivating over a bone? What is happening to me?

“Let’s revisit that after all five favors are fulfilled.”

“What’s the next favor?” I ask, trying to move the conversation forward.

“I’m sorry to steal you for another weekend, but I need you to be my date for a wedding.”

“This Saturday?” I ask. I’m supposed to have a girl’s night with my college friends, but I’ll cancel to get these favors over and done with.

“It’s not local. We’ll be leaving Thursday night and coming home Sunday evening at some point.”

“What?” My voice raises and Roarke steps back, readying himself for a fight I’d guess. “That is a huge imposition.” I cock my hip and place my hands on my waist. “Way more than a favor.”

He stuffs his hands back into his pockets, a cocky smirk on his lips. “Well, I think favor one was pretty easy. Who’s to say favor four won’t be just as simple? We never agreed to the extent of the favors.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “So, you could ask me to move to Africa and I’m expected to consider that a favor?”

“You’re being a tad dramatic. It’s three nights. You’ll have your own room and we’ll be around other people almost the entire time.”

“Almost?” I raise my eyebrows at him.

“You can’t fault me for stealing away a few private moments with you.”

“Actually I could.” A smile fights to