Anyone But Rich (Anyone But..., #1)(55)

“What you’re saying is you like how I look after you’ve had your way with me?”

“Actually, I liked how you looked before, during, and after.”

Kira’s smile hinted at amusement. “I hope this doesn’t come off like I’m fishing for compliments, but I’m genuinely curious. What is a guy like you doing with a girl like me?”

“A guy like me? You mean someone with money?”

“There is that part. I mean, what if I was just some kind of gold digger? How would you even know? Isn’t that why rich guys usually end up dating rich women?”

“Are you saying you’re only interested in my money?” My tone was loaded with sarcasm. Kira might not have thought so, but I knew her. The real her. I had no fear that she was chasing the zeroes in my bank account, but I also enjoying teasing her.

“I mean, I’m a teacher. We’re kind of notorious for being poor. It would make sense if I was making a move on you for your money, wouldn’t it?”

“Refresh my memory. When was the last time you made a move? From my recollection, I’ve been the one with all the moves.”

She smirked. “You’re right. There was the infamous dinosaur room. The helicopter. Dumping me and then sleeping with me the night after. You’re absolutely loaded with top-notch moves. I’m surprised you’re not already married.”

I raised an eyebrow at her. “And with a mouth like that, I’m surprised you don’t get into more trouble.”

“Trouble . . . is that what you call last night? Because I’ll happily keep talking if it’s going to lead to more of that.”

“Last night is what you get if you behave.”

Kira nodded seriously and made a lip-zipping motion.

I walked over to her and hugged her from behind. I put my lips to her ear and whispered. “I should tell you, though. The reward for good behavior is taking you to my bed. The punishment for bad behavior is bending you over and slapping your ass so hard you’ll feel it the next day. And I have to admit, the idea of slapping your ass kind of leads me straight back to fucking you again.”

Kira bit her lip. “When did you get to be so dirty?”

“I’ve just been on my best behavior before now. Besides, this is the good part. We need to enjoy it while it lasts.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean there’s no such thing as good or easy. Not from my experience. My parents wanted me with Stella. Your friends didn’t want you talking to me, let alone sleeping with me. There’s too much tension out there for this to just go off without a hitch, trust me.”

“Life doesn’t have to be like a movie. There’s not always some secret blowup looming in the distance. Besides, Miranda and Iris have come around on the whole us thing. So relax a little.” She reached up and ran her fingers across my cheek.

My skin prickled. I was still leaning by her ear, and the casual but sensual gesture was one of the first she’d initiated. It said more to me than last night or any of the words we’d spoken. I knew my own feelings for her were rapidly spiraling from intense to out of control, but at least the quick caress she gave told me I might not be alone in the plunge.

I kissed her neck and then straightened back up.

I wished I could agree with her about not needing to worry. “Miranda and Iris are probably fine, but not my parents. They’ve spent their lives getting what they want. Have you ever seen how a toddler reacts when you take away their favorite toy?”

“Other than the disturbing mental image, I’m not sure I should be too worried about your parents crying and throwing tantrums.”

“Toddlers use all the tools they have available to lash out when they don’t get what they want. That’s what my parents will do, except they have more than crying and shitting their pants to use as weapons. They have money and connections. Get what I’m saying?”

Kira finally looked like she was taking the issue seriously. Her expression had fallen, and she was frowning at the table. “What kind of stuff are you talking about, exactly? Are you thinking they might, you know . . .”

I raised my eyebrows expectantly.

“Make us sleep with the fishes,” she whispered.

I couldn’t help laughing. “No. They’re old money, not the Mafia. They’ll come at your bank account, not your life.”

“Oh,” Kira sighed with relief. “Why didn’t you say so? They can have it. Last time I looked, it was in the negatives. See, banks do this really great thing where they punish you for being poor by making you poorer. The electric company billed me two days early, which overdrafted me, so they charged me an overdraft fee. Then they billed me a maintenance fee for not having enough money when the month rolled over.”

“I can help you with that, if you want.”

Kira stiffened. In an instant, her body language had completely changed. She’d gone from casual and relaxed to stiff. “No. I’m fine. They made credit cards and debt for a reason.”

“Kira. I appreciate that you want to—”

“Rich.” Her voice was firm. “It’s important to me that I do it myself, okay? I have a real job now. I make decent money. I just haven’t quite had long enough for it to catch me up on everything. But I’ll be fine.” She paused, and when she spoke again her voice was soft and sincere. “I appreciate the offer, though.”