Rachel Dyken - The Wager

“You’re punishing me, aren’t you.”

Char grinned as she whispered into his ear. “I purchased some lingerie from the party. Be thinking about that during dinner.”

“Great.” Jake swore. “So Grandma’s going to assume, what? Flowers turn me on? I have the hots for oysters? Damn uncomfortable, if you ask me. Let’s just skip dinner.” Once they reached the top of the stairs, he pushed her against the nearest wall, trapping her with his body. “Just one more kiss.”

“It’s never just one kiss with you, Jake.”

He couldn’t help the giant grin that spread across his face. “Good. Because I want them to be never ending.” He kissed her nose. “I have this need to prove to you that it won’t be just one kiss.” His lips grazed hers. “Because it’s going to be the first of a hundred thousand kisses.” He rubbed his lips against the base of her throat. “It’s going to be the first of the last kisses you ever receive.” His tongue swirled around her collarbone as he made his way back up the other side of her neck. “I want to ruin you for anyone else’s kisses. I want to brand you as mine. I want to hear you say my name, not because you’re irritated, but because you’re so damn turned on you can’t think straight. I want to do that to you. I want to make you mine.”

“Yours?” Her eyes welled with tears.

“I’m a very possessive man if you can’t tell. I’m done walking away.”

“Can you promise me that?”

Jake cupped her face with his hands. “Forever. That’s my offer.”

“So this is a business arrangement?” She gave him a teasing smile.

“Absolutely.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. “I’ll of course make you sign this insane gag order drawn up by lawyers who have nothing better to do than to protect me. You’ll have to sign on the dotted line—you know, the usual—that you’ll be my love slave at all hours of the day and night. Then I’ll punish you when you try to leave me.”

“Nice. If you were still a CEO I could call you Christian Grey.”

“Jake Titus!” Grandma’s shout could have awakened the dead. “Where are you! I need to speak with you!”

“Do we run?” Char asked.

“Grandma sees all. It’s like hiding from God.”

With a sigh, they broke apart. Jake lifted her hand to his lips. “We can talk later.”

“About the whole forever thing?” Her eyes looked hopeful, which made his heart basically jump in his chest.

“Yeah, about this forever thing.”

“There you are!” Grandma panted. “I looked everywhere for you two! It’s time for the toast! Wait. Where’s Jace?”

“Sleeping,” a voice said behind them. “I decided to take a nap.”

“In the wine cellar?” Grandma crossed her arms. “Oh dear! What in the blue blazes happened to your eye?”

“Squirrel.” Jace’s gaze narrowed in on Jake. “Seems it found its nuts after all and attacked me, damn thing.”

“Oh.” Grandma nodded. “Right. Well, I’m sure his nuts aren’t near as impressive as he’d like us to believe.”

“Oh, but they are.” Char piped up.

Jake gave her a wicked grin.

Jace covered his smile and looked sternly at Grandma. “If you’re ready, we should probably go back to dinner.”

“Okay.” She took his arm and led him away from Jake and Char.

“Thanks.” Jake grabbed her hand. “For defending my manhood.”

“Ah, it’s taken a pretty big hit lately. Thought I’d help you out.”

With a smug grin Jake tugged her into his body and whispered, “I think it’s going to be more like me helping you out later.”

“We’ll see.” Her eyes met his for a brief moment before she blinked and looked away.

Kacey couldn’t help but notice Jace’s black eye as he made his way back to the main table. Char and Jake followed close behind, both of their heads touching. Char laughed. Jake touched her arm.

Oh no.

Kacey’s eyes narrowed as she sent a seething glare toward Grandma, who was at that moment trying to pat herself on the back.

“She’s winning.” Kacey jabbed Travis in the ribs.

“Believe me.” He banged his head loudly against the table. “I know.”

“Oh stop. You have twenty-four hours left.”

“It’s been the longest two weeks of my life.” Travis sighed. “What’s another twenty-four hours?” He put his arm around Kacey, then tensed.

“What? What’s wrong?”

“He kissed her.”

“Huh?”

“That sly son of a bitch.” Travis grinned. “Look at him.”

Kacey looked where Travis was pointing. Jake was smiling at his plate and twirling his wine glass with his fingers. Every few seconds his eyes would meet Char’s and they’d share a private smile.

“Bloody hell,” Travis muttered.

“Still doesn’t work. You aren’t British,” Kacey sighed.

Grandma stood and lifted her glass. “The best man had a few words he wanted to say to the bride and groom. Jake?”

Jake licked his lips and stood, holding his glass out in front of him. “I kissed you first.”

Kacey burst out laughing while Travis growled.

With a wink, Jake continued. “I seem to remember a stupid bet my brother and I made about marrying the girl next door. Well, brother, I think you won. Thanks for the bill by the way, I appreciate it. You’ve both been a huge part of my life, and I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to see both of my best friends marrying each another. To the bride and groom!” He lifted his glass.

“Cheers!” Everyone said in unison.

Jake motioned to Jace. “Didn’t you want to say a few words?”

Jace waved him off. “Nah, I think you said it all.”

“Holy crap,” Kacey whispered. “Something is very, very wrong. They’ve been at each other’s throats all week!”

Travis looked from Char to Jake, back to Jake, and then to Jace. “I don’t get it. They all seem perfectly normal.”

Kacey gripped Travis’s hand like a vise. Grandma winked at both of them and then pointed to the ground.

At her damn microphone case.

“Shit,” Travis muttered. “Damn woman’s going to beat us.”

“I think,” Kacey pointed to Jake, “she already has.”

Jake was sitting across from Char, making such inappropriately lustful gazes that Kacey wasn’t sure if she should just take pity on Travis and cover his eyes for him.

But when she turned to say something to Travis, a wicked smile had formed at his lips.

“Uh oh,” Kacey said. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking we’re going to get even.”

“Even?”

“He wants her so bad.” Travis chuckled. “And he thinks he’s going to get her, tonight, but—”

“What?”

“What type of brother would I be if I didn’t protect my brother’s heart? What type of person would I be if I didn’t protect poor Char’s virtue?” He shook his head and raised his hand to his chest. “I couldn’t live with myself…”

“Jake’s going to murder me.”

“Misery loves company.” Travis took a long gulp of water. “Yes it does.” 

Dessert was served. Char chose a chocolate soufflé with whipped cream. The minute it was set in front of her, she saw Jake’s hungry gaze.

With a wicked smile she dipped her finger into the whipped cream and slowly licked it clean.

His mouth dropped open, just slightly.

She licked her lips and dipped her finger again.

Jake leaned forward, his eyes almost closing as his half-lidded gaze went from teasing to lustful.

Char wondered when was the last time the player had been played, or that he’d had to actually wait for something.

Carefully, she slipped out of her wedge heels and relaxed a little further down in her seat. Trying to act nonchalant, she took another bite of her dessert and watched Jake watch her. She knew the exact moment her foot came into contact with his leg. With a jerk, he grabbed the edge of the table and cursed.

“Everything all right, Jake?” Petunia asked, examining him through her glasses.

“Perfect,” he said in a strained voice. “A bit hot.” His hooded eyes blinked a few times before he reached for his water glass and took a long sip.

“It is quite humid out.” Petunia fanned herself. “But you look positively flushed. Are you sure you aren’t coming down with something?”

“I wish,” Jake said.

“Pardon?” Her brows furrowed.

“Pretty dish.” He pointed to the butter dish in the middle of the table.

Char bit her lip to keep from laughing; she took another slow bite of soufflé and licked her fork. Jake groaned across the table.

Her foot came into contact with his skin.

“Mother of—”

“Jake?” Petunia shook her head. “You have me worried.”

“Me too.” Char licked her lips and let her foot inch up his leg.

Jake braced both hands on the table, his eyes setting her on fire with how hard he was staring at her. “I’m sure.”

His eyes closed as she rubbed up and down his calf and then braced his one leg with both of hers, jerking him closer to the table.

“Shit.” He exhaled.

“I beg your pardon!” Petunia scolded. “Jake Titus, you stop your filthy language.”

“He’s such a dirty, dirty, boy,” Grandma agreed with a wink.

Jake groaned, his eyes pleading with Char to either stop or keep going and kill him right then and there.

“You know what happens to dirty boys,” Char said helpfully.

“What?” His voice was hoarse.

“They get spanked,” Petunia spat. “Hard!”

Jake swore a blue streak.

“Wescott!” Petunia demanded. “Please control your son! It seems he keeps having urges to use foul language at the dinner table! Well, in my day we’d send boys to their rooms if they did such a thing.”

“Fine.” Wescott rolled his eyes. “Go to your room, Jake, take your punishment like a man.”

“I, uh…” Jake sputtered. “Should probably stay right here.”

“You heard your father.” Petunia shook her head. “You need to be punished.”

“Please.” He whimpered and hung his head in his hands.

“Jake…” Char pulled her foot away and leaned forward. “You should probably listen to your father. Wouldn’t want you getting into any trouble… go to your room.”

“I can’t,” he said through clenched teeth.

Grandma pushed to her, feet knocking an entire pitcher of ice water into Jake’s lap. His eyes bulged out of his head as she leaned over so only he and Char could hear. “You’re welcome.”

“I want to die.” This from Jake.

“You clumsy boy, go change your pants,” Grandma ordered. “Char, why don’t you get us some more water from the kitchen?”

She didn’t have to be told twice.

Cursing, Jake threw down his napkin and chased after her.

Shoes off, she was able to run across the grass. Once she was in the house she stole a glance behind her. Jake was gaining on her. The look on his face was predatory.

With a squeal she ran up the stairs to the bedroom, just as his strong arms came around her, pushing her farther into the room.

“Naughty girl. I’ll make you pay for that.”

She turned in his arms and licked his chin like she had her soufflé. “You promise?”

“Strip.” He released her and walked over to the bed, slowly sinking down into it. “Now.”

“Demanding.” Char put her hands on her hips. “Aren’t we?”

“Yeah.” Jake leaned back on his elbows. “The way I see it, you owe me. Not only did I do a naughty dance for you, with chaps might I add, but you made me suffer through dessert, while my great aunt, the virgin one, you know her, told me I needed to be spanked.”

Char laughed.

“Not funny,” Jake groaned. “Most awkward moment of my life.”

“Before or after Grandma cooled you off?” Char asked.

“If you want me to be able to perform, ever, you won’t mention that again.” Jake swore.

Char fumbled with the straps of her dress. “I remember.”

“Remember?” Jake’s eyes were trained on her fingers as she toyed with the straps pulling them further down her body. “What do you remember?”

“Us.” Char let the dress fall to the ground and stepped out of it. “I remember our night together. I lied. I told Beth I didn’t. I told you it wasn’t good. I was just trying to make you feel bad.”

“Hmm.” Jake stood and slowly approached her. “I deserved it.”

“I know.”

“So… on a scale of one to ten…” Jake reached out and touched her shoulders, running his hands down her arms. “One being the worst moment of your life, and ten being, best…”