Dare Me(26)

“Oh, gosh—” I tip my head back and think about all the books I’ve read.

She eyes me. “Don’t tell me you don’t have a favorite book. You have an entire library in there.” She gestures to the house.

I narrow my eyes in thought. “I’d probably say something by Dan Brown.”

“Interesting,” she remarks, but she keeps any comments to herself. “Eighteen. You’re almost done with today’s interrogation.” She giggles. “When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?”

“A cop.” I smile at the memory of playing cops and robbers with the kids in my neighborhood. “Until my dad told me that being a pig wasn’t an option for his son.” My dad. The thief. Always working against the law. I f*cking hate him.

“Wow, your dad sounds like a real *.” Immediately, she covers her mouth, looking regretful. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

I reach out and touch her hand. “He is an *, which is why he isn’t a part of my life anymore. This is a good thing.”

She blows out a long breath, “Then good. But I’m still sorry I said that. I never want to insult your family.”

I shake off her apology and take another sip of beer. “Next.”

“Nineteen. Biggest regret.”

“Ooooh, you went there.” I laugh. “I believe we all have a lot of regrets, Saige. I can’t name just one. I’m just trying to live my life right now to the fullest, so that I don’t spend the rest of it looking back on things I could’ve done or should’ve done, or said, or did. Make sense?”

She nods gently. “I like that answer.” Her smile is warm “Okay, final question,” she says before taking a quick sip of wine. “It’s a doozy, so brace yourself.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Hit me with it.”

“I don’t do insta-love, Holt, so what’re we doing here?” She tugs at her bottom lip nervously.

I damn near choke on a swallow of beer. Insta-love? It hadn’t occurred to me that this was so quick because I feel like I’ve known her forever.

She goes on, unapologetic. “I mean, we’re moving at the speed of a silver bullet, but I’m not even sure what this is.” Her eyes widen in expectation.

“Does it need to be defined?” I ask, setting down my fork and knife.

Her green eyes are still confident, but they have questions. “Defined, no. But I think we should set clear boundaries. I mean, it’s weird enough that I’ve slept with my boss. But is this going to be a f*ck-buddy thing? Do we get together on the weekends for a roll in the sheets, then at work I’m just Saige, the girl that works for you? Am I going to be your dirty little secret?” She whispers, leaning in. “I think I just need some clarification on what we’re doing here. I think that’s fair.”

I twist my face in disgust that she’d think she was a dirty little secret. “Dirty little secret? God, no, Saige. Come on.” What the f*ck does she think I am?

“Well . . .” She wavers.

“You’re looking for a definition.”

“Clarification,” she sighs.

“We’re definitely not f*ck buddies.” I think about that for a second and frown at her. “Wait, do you have f*ck buddies?” Jesus, I can’t believe I asked her that, but so help me God if she says yes—

“No.” She chuckles and rolls her eyes.

The relief is tangible, but I still have to ask, “When’s the last time you slept with someone other than me?” If we’re going to talk about this, us, I may as well go for the jugular and put it all out on the table.

“Friday night.” She cringes, and my mouth goes dry.

I feel the blood rush from my head and settle in the pit of my stomach. Friday night was the night before we had drinks. The night she asked me out at Bar 51. The night before I had her underneath me. Who the f*ck was she with? Rowan? No, he’s gay. Isaiah?

My fists are already clenching. I’ll f*cking end him.

Suddenly, a huge cackle escapes her lips, and she presses her hand over her mouth. “Oh my God, you should’ve seen your face. I’m kidding! I was totally kidding.” She laughs again.

“Saige,” I warn her, on the verge of a real and true jealous rage. She has to know she can’t mess with me like that.

She continues to laugh, but I have to say it’s contagious. I fight back an angry smile and shake my head. “That’s not funny.”

She sighs, looking only slightly apologetic. “I know, but I wanted to see what you’d say.”

“I want the honest answer,” I tell her and cock my head to the side. “I think that’s only fair.”

Her laughter subsides quickly. She shifts uncomfortably in her chair and tucks a strand of loose hair behind her ear. “I don’t know. Maybe like five months ago? Before I moved here.”

“Who?” Maybe I have no right to know, but I can’t help myself. The idea of someone else touching her fills me with rage. I don’t want anyone touching her other than me.

She looks hesitant. “Really? We’re going there? It’s not like you know him, and it’s not like it’s going to happen again.”

I don’t like that answer. I don’t like the thought of anyone else touching her, but she’s right. It was before she even met me. “Fair enough.”