The Wager

Chapter Sixteen

Cursing, Jake pulled the car over and turned it off. “I’m so sorry, Char. If I’d had any clue they’d treat you like—”

He cursed again, wanting nothing more than to strangle both of her parents for ruining their daughter’s birthday. What the hell were they thinking, comparing Char to her sister? Char was unique, her own person. Normally that was how he described women with no body or personality, but not Char. He actually meant it. She was different, but in a way that made a man take notice. She was undeniably fierce… With a body as beautiful as sin and an attitude to match, it didn’t even make sense that they would find her lacking. A chemist? Her sister was a boring chemist? It made no sense. They made no sense. The more he dwelt on it, the more pissed he became.

“dirt?” Char offered, wiping her eyes. “It’s fine. I don’t know why I expected any different. I guess maybe it was the car, or the dress, or maybe even you.”

“I thought if they at least saw you they’d feel guilty, and if that didn’t work then at least they’d be envious that you were having the time of your life.” Jake swore. “I swear that was not what I had planned.”

“Oh, yeah.” Char giggled. “What was your plan?”

“Oh, you know.” Jake played with a piece of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. “Sweep you off your feet. Be Prince Charming to your Cinderella… only this time the plan was to actually be the guy to take off the shoe rather than to try to find the girl fitting into it.”

“So you would be the naughty Prince Charming? Taking off the princess’s shoes? Scandalous.”

Jake laughed as his heart pounded loudly against his chest. “I didn’t say I was totally redeemed, you know.”

Char seemed to like that. She laughed and then looked up at him with clear green eyes. “I like a little bad boy.”

She was so close. He hadn’t meant to kiss her at the restaurant but he was just so damn pissed at her parents; he’d wanted to prove to them that even if they didn’t find their daughter worthy, he sure as hell did. The only problem was, as much as Char probably felt like he was being the prince, he really felt like the villain. He couldn’t fall for her—and he was a bit terrified that he was already halfway there.

“Are you going to kiss me again?”

Jake nodded. “Another rule of birthdays.”

“Oh yeah, what’s that?” Char leaned in closer until her lips grazed his.

“Kisses don’t count. So if I kiss you, say, right now…” His lips met hers. “And again right now… you can’t slap me or hold it against me.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah.” He licked the corner of her mouth and then placed his hands on either side of her head as he deepened the kiss.

His phone buzzed in his pocket but he ignored it. He ignored everything but her taste as the tart champagne from her tongue drove him insane.

The phone, however, wouldn’t stop.

Finally, with a curse, he pulled back and answered with a gruff “Hello?”

“Those bastards!” Grandma yelled.

“Huh?”

“I’m on my way.”

“What?” Jake was too focused on Char’s low-cut dress and swollen lips. “Where are you going?”

“To find you. I had Stuart call me. He told me everything.”

“Stuart? Who the hell is Stuart?”

Grandma sighed heavily, as if he was the one being ridiculous. “The waiter, Jake. You know, sometimes I wonder about you. He had a nametag. Meet me at the condo. We’re staying the night and we’re going to give her a party she won’t ever forget!”

Grandma hung up.

Jake swore and looked at Char. “So that was Grandma.”

“Yeah, I heard her. The woman doesn’t do quiet.”

“She wants to throw you a party.” Jake was still staring at his phone, then back at Char’s lips. “We should probably humor her.”

“Well.” Char buckled her seatbelt. “It is my birthday, after all… and I’m starving.”

“Me too.” Jake agreed, but he wasn’t hungry for food. No. He wanted more of her lips. Damn, but he wanted to consume her. Reining in his lust, he started the car again. “Well, let’s not keep her highness waiting.”