I Bet You(41)

Is it Connor she’s trying to ensnare? I run my eyes over the crowd, but I don’t see his familiar tall frame and dark hair. My fists unclench. Good. Sure, he’s decent, but a kernel of anger rushes through me every time I see the nerdy asshole.

I watch Penelope and Charisma—and is that Margo? Yep. The three of them, along with several other sisters, are laughing as they dance together at the edge of the space. No dudes around them.

I don’t even know Blaze is next to me until he speaks, his gaze on the group. “You got here fast. I see you’re watching the Chi Os,” he murmurs.

“Nope.”

He chuckles, and I turn to give him a sharp look.

“Something you want to say?”

He scratches at his head. “Dude, you’ve got a thing for her, for Penelope. Like bad.”

“No, I don’t.”

He shakes his head and gives me this look like he knows shit. “I’m your go-to guy with the ball, man, and I read you like a book. You can’t keep your eyes off her. Even that day at Sugar’s…” He shakes his head.

I swallow and rub at my jaw.

Blaze muses. “You’d have pretty babies together.”

My eyes flare. “Are you drunk?”

He shrugs. “I’ve had a few, but just because I’m a football player doesn’t mean I’m not romantic and shit.” A grin flashes across his face. “Plus, you deserve some good in your life. I say go for it. Win that bet and get the girl at the same time.”

He’s babbling. I squint at him, taking him in. “Question. Ever watch Twilight?”

“Team Jacob all the way.”

I shake my head. “I don’t even know you.”

He shrugs. “I have sisters. Girls love that shit.”

A slow song comes on, one of Ed Sheeran’s, and I see a group of frat boys eyeing the girls.

Hell no.

With a muttered farewell, I leave Blaze behind and head toward Penelope. The closer I get, the tighter my chest feels.

What’s it going to take to make her see I’m not the person she thinks I am?

Why does her opinion matter to me?

I watch her toss her head back and laugh, her hair curving around her shoulders, lying in copper coils.

“What’s up? Enjoying the party?” I say as I stop in front of them, giving them my signature cocky grin.

“Oh. Hey.” It’s Penelope and she’s staring at me—like she does—as she takes a sip of her drink.

I don’t even pretend to do small talk. She isn’t one for it, and I don’t want to give her the opportunity to run away from me.

“Let’s dance.” It isn’t a question.

I take her hand, clasp it in mine, and tug her forward. She follows.

“Brute. She didn’t say yes,” Charisma calls out after us.

“She would have,” I say over my shoulder.

Penelope hasn’t said anything as we reach the middle of the makeshift dance floor. She curls her arms around my neck and looks up at me. My hands linger on her lower waist, so fucking tempted to press myself completely against her, but I don’t because my dick is a steel rod.

My gaze wanders over her auburn hair. She’s so gorgeous it makes my teeth hurt. “Nice outfit,” I say. “Did you wear it for me?” I can’t stop the bullshit coming out of my mouth. Fuck—the truth is, I don’t know how to talk to her. Sure, I know how to flirt and fuck, but I don’t know how to really like a girl. I recall the fact that I asked her to do laundry with me. I really suck.

“I dress for myself.” She shrugs. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

I nod, staring down at her. “You ran off today before we could finish our conversation.”

“Captain Obvious.”

“It wasn’t cool. I was trying to explain to you that I don’t give a shit about Sasha.”

Her eyes fly to mine. “Really? I figured you were into her…all big boobs and bunny-like. That isn’t me.”

“I know you’re not like that. It’s what I like about you.”

She bites her lip, and my eyes linger there, wondering how it would feel if I kissed her again, this time hard and intense and with so much feeling…

She exhales. “Look, can we forget about everything and just dance?”

“Hi. My name is Ryker. I play football. I love pi?a coladas and getting caught in the rain. I like making love at midnight, and…I can’t remember the rest of it. What’s your name?”

She giggles, and I know I’ve won her over. “Pi?a coladas?”

I pop an eyebrow. “Just going with the flow here. Don’t dis coconut and rum until you’ve tasted it.”

She laughs. “Okay. I’m Penelope, and I also love getting caught in the rain…and yoga?” She smiles. “Sorry. I can’t remember that song either.”

“I’m the football player you’ve looked for…”

“Come with me and escape.”

We both laugh.

“See, this is easy,” I say as I pull her closer, until her breasts are pressed against my chest. “I like getting to know you,” I murmur in her ear.

She tilts her head back, gray eyes glinting up at me. “Is that so?”