Page 33 of Fix You
“That’s why I want you to repeat it.”
With a playful lift of my shoulder, I countered, “You’ve never danced with an Irish girl, and I’ve never kissed an Italian man.”
“But your brothers–”
Trying to keep the mood light, I joked, “I don’t think they want to kiss you.”
“Maeve,” he growled, which sent a spark straight between my thighs.
I shook my head. “This bet is between us, not them.”
“You know it’s not that simple,” Rafe argued.
Well, this certainly wasn’t the stumbling block I’d imagined when enacting my plan. I thought I wouldn’t have the balls to actually take control of my sexuality. Never did I imagine a man refusing me. Especially not a man who had asked me to dance just to make me happy. It was ridiculously frustrating, and I couldn’t help my agitation.
“Fine. If you’re too afraid of my brothers, we’ll just forget about it.” I gave him a pointed look. “But just realize, no kiss, no jig.”
His dark eyes narrowed. “Let’s get one thing straight. I’m not fucking afraid of anyone or anything.”
“It sounds like you are.” Oh my God, was I really goading him at the moment? He was a future capo, and I was carrying on with him with the same familiarity as I would one of my brothers.
“I’m being practical, not fearful. The alliance between our families is still unstable. I have to be concerned about setting fire to it. Because trust me, kissing you…” He gave a harsh shake of his head. “It’s the equivalent of dousing it with gasoline.”
“They don’t have to know. This is just between you and me.”
Rafe’s jaw clenched as he stared down at me. It caused a shiver to flutter through me. For the first time, I realized he wasn’t just fighting kissing me because of my brothers but because of his own feelings.
“You want to kiss me,” I stated.
“I shouldn’t,” he gritted out. His gaze fell to my lips. “But I do.”
Although my heart threatened to beat out of my chest, I said, “Then take the wager.”
A growl erupted from low in his chest. “Fine. A kiss for a dance.”
As I bobbed my head in agreement, I wondered what the hell I’d just agreed to.
Chapter Six: Raphael
What the fuck had I just agreed to?
With a shake of my head, I stared at Maeve in disbelief. I never took women up on their demands. If anything,Iwas always the one making demands ofthem. If they ever tried to make demands of me, I cut ties immediately.
How was it possible that I was letting a woman I barely knew lead me around like a lost puppy? Part of me knew she was leading me more by my cock than anything. And dammit me to hell if I wasn’t enjoying every moment of it.
Although she paled slightly, Maeve’s gaze focused on the dance floor. Drawing her shoulders back, she said, “Right. Time for my part.”
My lips quirked at her reaction. “Break a leg,” I mused.
She shot me a look. “I don’t think what I’m about to do warrants that comment. After all, this isn’t a performance,” she argued.
“Isn’t it though?” At her furrowed brows, I replied, “It’s a command performance for me.”
She grinned. “And instead of a bouquet of roses at the end or applause, I get to kiss you.”
I laughed. “Sounds like a disappointing prize.”
With a playful roll of her eyes, she replied, “Please. You know you’re a prize.”