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“We still have a game to play, buttercup. So let’s do our best to keep the charade going. I’ll walk you back to the room.”

“Remove your hand from my shoulder,” she says frostily.

I take my hand off her shoulder but can’t resist having the last word. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re cute when you’re angry?”

“No, because I’d probably kick them in their balls. You, however, don’t seem to have enough sense to keep your mouth shut.”

“You’re holding onto a lot of aggression. I know a great way to work that out of your system,” I say suggestively, just to further piss her off. Because why stop now? “I could have you horizontal and ready within minutes. Yeah, I think a good fucking is all you need.”

My throbbing cock is so damn hard I can barely hold this conversation with her. The angry, heated look in her eyes is doing nothing to cool me off. If anything, it has me wanting her more.

“You seem to have an overblown opinion of your sexual prowess. I doubt you could even handle me if I said yes,” she says confidently.

“Wanna bet?” I counter.

A choking laugh comes from her throat as she moves her eyes downward. “I’m afraid the only action you’re going to get tonight is whatever your own hand gives you.”

Then, she pivots and starts swimming toward shore.

All I can do is stare after her. Somehow, she managed to have the last word after all. She thinks I can’t handle her?

That’s a challenge I’m just about ready to accept.

Chapter 7

Jess

That short time we had together at the beach is only going to make our interactions more difficult. Hours later, I’m still feeling the effects of being near him. When Dax pulled off his shirt, his sleek muscles glistening in the sun, my mouth went as dry as the desert. My hands wanted to reach out and caress his thick arms while my mouth itched to lick the ocean salt off his chest.

He has the freaking body of a Greek god. Yeah, Zeus has nothing on this guy. He’s built like a tank. A very strong, well-defined, sexy tank. Who would’ve known all of that sexy was hiding under his business suits? And you know what? He knows he’s a good-looking guy. He thinks he’s so irresistible, so cute. He thinks that he can get any woman he wants. Well, he’s going to learn that I don’t play like that. Sure, I let things get carried away today. And sure, I know it’s probably my fault that the kiss happened. He gave me time to say no, and instead, I just stood there and waited for him to kiss me.

Hell, I begged for it.

Did that really happen? Did I kiss Dax? In the ocean? In front of a hundred people? I don’t know what’s gotten into me.

I don’t understand this sexual attraction between us. It’s not like I haven’t seen a good-looking guy before. As much as I hate it, I can’t deny that I’m attracted to him.

He probably saw that kiss as no big deal. If those articles about him are right, and I’m sure they are, he gets plenty of action with the ladies. I’m just little Jessica Roberts, another plaything for him to try to win over. Guys like this are in it for the chase, and apparently, I’m giving him just that. He might be able to get any woman he wants, but he’s not getting me.

After what happened, how am I supposed to get through dinner with Dax tonight? His infuriating attitude has a way of getting under my skin so easily. It’s as though he is doing it on purpose. Now that I think about it, he probably is doing it on purpose. I bet it’s just a way for him to pass the time and make this road trip more fun for him. Well, I’m not his entertainment, and I am no longer going to let him rile me up.

It’s time to leave for dinner, but maybe I’ll make him wait on me just a bit longer. I’ll show him that I’m not some weak-kneed female who falls at his feet just because he flashes those pearly whites in my direction. I take the time to put on some fun dangling earrings and dab some perfume behind my ears. I’m happy to see the face looking back at me in the mirror is a picture of confidence. Dax may think he can rattle me, but he’s wrong. If I can deal with an asshole cheating fiancé, I can certainly deal with a rich, spoiled playboy.

Then again, in truth, I didn’t deal with the fiancé. I avoided him. Too bad I can’t do the same with Dax.

No matter. I’m ready to conquer this dinner. I will play nice and be on my best behavior. I won’t let him get under my skin again. Dax and I have three weeks together. We can get through this, no problem.

I step into my black sandals and give myself one more look in the mirror. The dress I chose fits me to perfection, and I know I look great in it. The deep emerald color brings out the vibrant green of my eyes, while the deep V-neck draws attention and shows just enough cleavage to be on this side of risqué. It gives me the added boost of confidence I need. I’m as ready to face the beast as I’ll ever be.

Dax is relaxing on the sofa when I come out, his arm draped over the back of the sofa. He stands up when he hears the door close behind me. I steal a glance at him as he’s walking toward me. He’s wearing black slacks and a tucked-in fitted gray button-down shirt. The top two buttons are undone, showing a peek of his sun-kissed skin underneath.

He is studying me with an unnerving look. “That color of green is beautiful on you,” he says softly.

“I bet you say that to all the girls,” I instinctively snap back at him.

He shrugs and looks away. “Yeah, something like that. Are you ready to go to dinner?”

I hear the now irritated edge to his voice, and I immediately feel bad for snapping at him. He was trying to be nice, and I didn’t need to respond that way.