Bedding the Wrong Brother(38)

“Yes. That's something most guys like, too. Teasing. Playing with their partner. Not just physically either. Last night, I pushed you a little to talk to me. To tell me what you like. You ever play the alphabet game?”

She followed him out to the car. “I'm familiar with it.”

“Good. Then let's start with that. I was going to propose we start in alphabetical order. Food first. Then the lake. But then I realized I've never really heard you talk dirty before.” At the car, he opened the driver's side door and turned to her with one raised brow. “So what do you think, Melina? Can you talk dirty to me? Tell me some of your favorite sex words. And just for kicks, why don't you alphabetize them for me?”




* * *



Melina didn't know why, but something about Rhys's request rankled her.

She got into the passenger seat and slammed the door shut. As Rhys started the engine and pulled out of the driveway, she glared at him. “You don't think I'll do it, do you?”

“Why would I think that? You're very good at following instructions.”

She felt her temper spike, still not sure why she was so riled. All she knew was that he seemed too calm and controlled for her liking, especially since she felt anything but. “Meaning what? You don't think I have the creativity to be a good lover? Well, you're right. I don't. But if there's one thing I'm good at, it's words.”

“Why are you mad?”

She stared out the windshield and crossed her arms over her chest. “I-I don't know. Maybe because this seems to be one big joke to you.”

He braked so suddenly that she jerked forward against her seat belt. Bracing one hand on the wheel and the other on the headrest behind her, he glared at her. “Tell me one thing I've done to make you think this is a joke to me.”

“It's obvious, isn't it? You're trying to make me uncomfortable by drawing things out. Poking fun at my intellectual side.”

“I'm not poking fun. I love your intellectual side. Would you rather we just strip and do it a few times to get the nerves out?”

“Yes,” she snapped.

“Well, that's not what you need, and it's not what you're going to get from me. If you don't like my methods, I can drive you back home. I'm sure you can get Max to meet you with one phone call.”

With that, he shifted in his seat until he again faced forward.

She pressed her lips together, trying not to cry. “I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me. And I don't want to call Max.” I want you, she thought. It's always been you.

He sighed and started driving again. “There's nothing wrong with you. You're just feeling out of your element. But at some point, for us to go forward, you're going to need to trust me. Trust that I want only the best for you.”

She laughed humorously. “So it's my sweet sixteen all over again. You call the shots, and I just wait for you to make your move. Is Trisha James going to make a surprise appearance, too?”

His jaw tightened. “If you want to discuss that night, we can. Frankly, I don't think you're ready to hear what I have to say.”

No doubt about it, his words spiked her curiosity. What could he say besides he was sorry? She bowed her head. “No, let's not go there. And I do trust you, Rhys. With this, with me, I trust you.”

He said nothing. The mood in the car had grown so serious, and she had only herself to blame. Her one chance to be with Rhys, and what had she done? She'd blown it, all because he hadn't thrown her on the bed as soon as they'd walked into his cabin. Thinking fast, she blurted out, “Afterglow.”

“Excuse me?”

“That's my first word. In alphabetical order. Afterglow.”

He turned toward her, his mouth tilted up and amusement crinkling the corners of his eyes. “Nice, but a little ahead of yourself, don't you think?”

She breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe she could salvage things, after all. “Blow job,” she said, trying to shock him.

“Ah. A personal favorite of mine.” He nodded. “But rather predictable.”

She uncrossed her arms and shifted closer toward him. She swayed slightly with the gentle vibrations of the car, and placed a hand on the dash to steady herself.

“Clitoris. Co-Cock.”

He laughed when she stuttered, but the laugh sounded slightly stilted, so she didn't take offense. “Again, some definite favorites. Keep going.”