Chapter 54

“Fine. You want to play games over this? Then we’re on. No sex until I sign? Get used to a very platonic relationship, baby!” I respond, using his term of endearment. I grin smartly as I wiggle my ass into his crotch before sauntering off and leaving him standing alone with his contract and credit card on the table. An inner goddess has lifted her sassy head and decided to beat him down with his own methods. He follows close behind, catching me by the arm and pulling me back, a smug look on his face.

“Game on, sweetheart. No rules. The first one to cave loses. Either you sign the contract, or I can’t take it anymore and fuck you. I do not doubt you’ll sign it before we head home, bambina.” His voice is thick and laden with intent; I can see the glint of excitement in his eyes at the chance for a new game. His cocky confidence that he will win only ignites something inside of me.

Well, really?

“No rules? At all?” I flutter my lashes innocently before running my hand up his sweatpants-covered leg, sliding it under his waistband and seeking out his manhood, rubbing him under his boxers until I get a response. He catches my wrist and yanks it away, nose-to-nose.

“You forget who’s better at the art of seduction, Emma. You’re the one who likes instant gratification and can never wait… I, on the other hand, like to drag things out, remember?” His mouth lingers close enough to mine; I think he will kiss me, our breathing heavier as lust builds in both of us. The excitement of this little game sparks something naughty in me and pushes all my anger out of the window.

He moves even closer, breathing against my lips as his hand comes up my inner thigh slowly and deliciously under my short dress, creeping closer to my now wet panties until he sees my lips part and my eyes get heavy with longing. With his mouth teasingly near, I struggle with the urge to reach up and suck one of his perfect, smooth, soft lips. He smiles and pushes me off, turning and walking away. I’m left reeling, my body tingling and my inner core throbbing with heat. That backward smug look of his as he saunters away only ignites my self-doubt.

Why did I start this? I know better than anyone that he has more “sexpertise” than most.

I tremble at the thought of what he’s capable of, but I try to push aside the thrill of excitement I feel over the lure of being chased and turned on by Jake to have me begging him for sex. The thought of him pulling out all stops to make me yield is strangely appealing.

We’ll see. I know one thing for sure—when he said “no rules,” he didn’t consider that by turning me on, he would have to fight himself not to lose control. On the other hand, I can seduce to my heart’s content, which tips the odds in my favor. I can make Jake insane with longing, push him to take me forcefully.

A shiver of excitement courses through me; I can pull out all the stops to seduce him, but he has to keep it at a level that leaves him able to stop. I know how to push his buttons. It’s almost certain that I’ll win if it comes down to that. I can’t deny that I feel excitement at seeing my aggressive lover again, that part of me that needs primal sex and his lack of control.

I walk out into the hall in search of him and find him in the middle of a friendly group of casually dressed people, with more appearing from various directions, all talking animatedly. He pulls me close to introduce me to his brother again, his current girlfriend, his cousins with women in tow, and a few other family and friends his mother invited.

Arrick and Jake head off into a quiet corner together, laughing and joking; I know he’s trying to put distance between us in the name of his game, and I’m left in the maternal hold of Sylvana’s arm, in a throng of loud, energetic people all vying to get each other’s attention. The overall atmosphere is noisy and bustling, but I can feel the genuine warmth and energy. These people actually like one another.

Before long, Sylvana moves us to the poolside loungers, where everyone spreads out, forming little huddles. Arrick’s young girlfriend seems painfully shy and sticks close to me, probably feeling as left out as I do, with both our men seemingly ignoring us. Jake has barely looked my way and is doing a magnificent job of making me feel invisible.

Just great!

I like Arrick’s girlfriend, I guess; Cara’s sweet and shy, and despite being maybe five years younger than me, it’s striking how similar we look. We both have tawny hair, highlighted to blonde in waves, small and busty, with soft gray-blue eyes. I guess the Carrero brothers have a type. The only obvious difference is that she seems incredibly shy and mousy, whereas I’m more of a silent, outwardly confident type by manufacture. She shadows me to the loungers and seems relieved to get a seat right beside me on the double bed.

Across the other side of the pool, Jake and Arrick strip off, so different in build. Arrick is athletic and young with a lot of lean muscle to his frame, whereas Jake is all hard ridges, power, and manliness. There is a lot more of him compared next to his smaller sibling. He throws me a look and a smile that screams “game on” and then dives expertly into the water, closely followed by his equally stunning younger brother.

“Wow, Jake has a lot of tattoos,” Cara exclaims, watching the men in wonder. I glance over at her and get that familiar hint of jealousy starting to rise from my stomach. Her eyes are wide with appreciation, and her mouth is parted; I can see she’s starting to pant.

For God’s sake.

“Yeah, I guess… He got them all in his late teens.” We have never really talked about the tribal ink across his upper torso scattered down his arms. I know he also has one on his upper back spreading across his shoulder blades, all black, no color.

“It’s kind of hot. I wonder if Arrick would get some?” she whispers dreamily, watching the two swimming easily across the pool and then splashing water at each other. I can hear Jake’s laugh echoing my way, making my insides clench.

Is it now? Want to put your eyes back in your head, sweetie?

“I’m sure his parents wouldn’t be impressed,” I respond flatly. “I know they both hate Jake’s.” Which isn’t entirely dishonest. I know they both gave him a lot of grief about them at first, but neither seems to have noticed the additions in later years. Jake briefly mentioned wanting a new tattoo only recently.

“What’s to hate? I mean, on that body, they only accentuate things.” She grins, then immediately drops it when she catches my look, inner green-eyed me scowling unnecessarily. I know it’s normal for people to check out Jake. Everyone does it. Still, I don’t need someone sitting beside me verbalizing it, especially not someone so young and beautiful with an obvious resemblance to me, a more youthful, less fucked-up model.

That’s called severe insecurity, Emma!

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,” she adds hastily. “How long have you been dating?” she asks quietly, obviously trying to make amends for the ogling, her eyes still on the water and the swimming men.

“A while,” I answer, contemplating poking her in the eyeballs. In truth, not long at all, but as Jake always tells me, this relationship started long before it officially did, and I’m happy to let her believe it.

Marking your territory?

“Wow, so, like, as in real dating, not just sex?” She looks impressed. Her eyes again flick to him as he pulls himself out of the water at the far side, a vision of smooth muscle and gorgeousness.

Maybe you need a poke in the brain, followed by a sharp jab in the throat!

“If you’re asking if we’re serious, then yes. I live with him. He loves me,” I point out flatly and turn to the magazines on the low table, picking up the first on the pile, trying to act indifferent to her and succeeding, something I was always good at.

“How did you manage that? I heard Jake was a hopeless womanizer, more chance of getting blood from a stone.” She looks me up and down, and I can tell she’s comparing us as she pushes her bust out and rearranges her legs on the lounger.

I swear, honey, you’re going to meet the water in a second, and I’m sure swimming will be hard with my foot on your head.

“I didn’t do anything; Jake is the one who pursued me…relentlessly.” I smile to myself. Even though our relationship is far more complex, it sounds good to summarize it that way. I glance over at him, now back in the pool, and see his smile turned our way, that familiar inner heat hitting me with eye contact and distracting me from my crazy jealousy for a second. I still my response and raise an eyebrow at him instead.

He’s the one keeping his distance. He doesn’t get a smile for it.

“I guess you either had a chastity belt to stave that off or were an absolute tiger in bed to keep him interested.” She smiles, her eyes focused on Jake as he pulls himself out of the pool again, his shorts now clinging to his butt and thighs and showing off every muscle perfectly, not to mention how much he is packing below the waist. Her head follows him as he strolls across the side, her eyes widening at his obvious bulge and how his muscles flex and tense as he moves and lifts a towel from a nearby lounger.

I hate you.

The girl has irritated me enough; I ignore her and turn on my side, away from her, to get a grip on my irrational thoughts and violent intentions, opening the magazine to make it clear I’m done.

She shifts on the lounger, and her foot grazes me as she maneuvers herself into a new position. Glancing back in anger, I catch her posing like a wanton tramp, thrusting her bust forward and exposing her leg through her open wrap as Jake approaches.

I guess I was wrong about this one. Not so sweet and nice after all. Definitely ripe for a brutal beating.

I jump up and walk away from the lounger. Jake doesn’t stop to acknowledge me; instead, he continues walking toward the lounger and sits beside her in the space I’d just vacated, making me stop dead in my tracks.

What the f…? Jake always soothes my jealousy!

She positively beams at him despite him shedding water all over her. Giving him a haughty glare, I go back and sit on the lounger next to them. I’m not leaving with him acting like an asshole. I sit a foot away and pick up my magazine again, ignoring his grin and jutting my chin out in anger. I can feel his wicked gaze flicking my way and see how he’s sprawled out casually beside her, all tanned, carved torso and long legs.

Asshole.

“So, Cara… Arrick tells me you’re a freshman in college?” His smooth Casanova Carrero voice eases over her, and I want to throat-punch him. He’s in flirt mode. I can tell by his entire manner. I suppress the urge to openly glare at him, pushing the magazine open to another page aggressively.

“Umm, yes, Jake.” She rolls his name on her tongue as seductively as she can. I look up and see Arrick shaking his head in amusement, which only angers me more.

Isn’t this his girlfriend? This girl who’s practically spreading her legs for my boyfriend to bang her?

My rage ignites, and I get up and storm off toward the house. I need to get out of this sundress and into something that Jake will notice. I reel when I see he doesn’t follow me. Hurt and anger battling one another, I catch a smug look in his eye when I glance back. It’s all part of his little game; he thinks he can make my jealousy work against me, so I’ll cave and beg him to come to make love to me.

I think not.

I lift my chin defiantly.