Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
I clear my throat. “Thank you.”
He opens his mouth to respond, but before he can, a young boy approaches our table. “You’re him, right? Mads? Kason Maddox of the LA Rebels?”
Kason grins, and I try to disappear in my seat.
“I am.”
“Can I get a picture with you?”
“Of course!”
Kason stands while I do my best to stay out of the shot. The boy’s mom takes a couple of photos, and then the three of them talk for a moment, Kason being charming like he always is, smiling and joking and just making people feel at ease. He says something playful to the boy before ruffling his hair like they’re old friends. The kid beams up at him, the mom does too—can’t say I blame you, lady—and after Kason signs a napkin for him, they’re on their way.
“Sorry about that,” he says, sitting back down.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. You’re good with people. They gravitate toward you.”
He quirks a brow. “Do you gravitate toward me?”
It’s just innocent flirting, it’s just innocent flirting, it’s just innocent flirting.
“Eh. The jury is still out,” I tease, and he clutches his chest playfully.
“You’re breaking my heart here.”
I give a small shrug and have to bite back a smile. “I mean, I’m here. That’s a good sign.”
“Okay, you’re getting warmer. Just a couple more compliments, and I’ll feel my ego is adequately stroked.”
I roll my eyes, but this time, my grin is impossible to hide. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Yeah, but you like me.”
I do. I like him even more than I thought I would. “You’re growing on me.”
“I’ll wear you down, baby. Just you wait and see.” Kason winks. The word baby makes me tremble and my dick chub slightly. Maybe it’s not the word so much as how he said it, all sexy and sultry.
“Flirty Boy is back.”
“Flirty Boy never left.”
I’m at a loss for words, which isn’t like me, damn it. I’m a good flirt. I worked hard to be a good flirt. Even if there’s nothing else, the one thing I’m confident about is my sexual appeal and my ability to go head-to-head with any guy in this department, but those other guys weren’t Kason Maddox.
“You’re so annoying.”
He barks out a laugh. “I have to admit this is the first time someone has called me that when I’m being so playful and charming.”
Yeah, well, I’ve been known to mess things up a time or two. “Annoyingly charming?”
“That works.”
The waitress comes over and takes our plates. I insist on paying, and then we head out. Kason talks me into ice cream at this cute little stand near the beach before we drive back to West Hollywood.
Kason comes in for a few minutes but doesn’t stay long. “I should head out. The game tomorrow is home, but I’m going to the youth center early in the morning for a skate session with the kids.”
I perk up hearing that. “Is that something you do often?” I don’t know why I’m surprised. It fits exactly who Kason is for something like this to be important to him.
“It is. They’re a blast. You would love them. Does this new information make me even more irresistible?”
“I don’t remember using that word.”
“I read between the lines.”
My laughter is impossible to hold back, damn him. “I can’t with you. Come on. I’ll walk you down.”
I don’t normally do that, but today felt different. And Kason is so incredibly sweet to me, it’s the least I can do.
“Aww, I think you like me.”
The back of my neck tingles, and my face feels flushed. He’s in a mood today, and it’s doing all sorts of things to my insides. Would it be bad to hook up with Kason if he’s interested? Maybe that’s what he’s been hinting at all day. Would it hurt so much to try friends with benefits with him?
Don’t do it, Ant. You’ll fuck things up.
But the truth is, I like Kason.
I want him.
And I don’t want to lose him. Why do I lose everyone?
Just as I’m about to ask him if he has to go, my good sense kicks in and I bite my tongue. Kason seems clueless to the war going on inside me. He’s chatty and smiley as we exit the building.
“Do you want to come to the game tomorrow?”
Yes, I do, but… “I can’t. I work.” I am the boss. I could take off. That would leave the other dancers hanging, though, and I’m not the type to do that.
“Okay. Maybe next time.”
We do that annoying grinning back and forth where he starts it, and then I look at him all goofily too, and we both just smile at each other like a couple of idiots.
Before I do something stupid, I step forward and give him a hug. “I’ll see you later. Drive safe.”
“I’ll see you soon.” His smile presses to my temple in a sweet kiss, and then I stand there, watching him leave, heart beating faster than it has any right to beat.