She blew out air and picked up the menu. “The game can’t be for the whole summer.”
“Why not?” I asked.
“I do eventually want to spend my time meeting other people in this city. Plus, I have a huge reading list to finish.”
“How long will you give us?” Freddy opened up his own menu, but I could tell it was all a front. Anxiety pooled in his eyes, the sort of fear that he would lose something before even getting a chance to try it. I didn’t see him look like that much, but when he did, I knew he wouldn’t give up. Never surrender. Dawn had no idea, but her annoyance with him had only lit a flame, not put out the fire.
“You get a week,” she said.
“That’s not much time at all, especially when you’ve decided that we’re scum,” he said.
“I never said scum, but that’s not a bad name for you two.”
“Give us a month.” I attempted to get those two back on the right track.
“A month is a long time.” She sighed. “Will I get breaks from you two?”
“Absolutely not,” we both said in unison and then laughed.
“You can’t expect me to be with you both every day.” She flipped the page in her menu, but it had to be some sort of diversion from her glancing at us, since she’d already said earlier that she knew what she planned to order. “I’ll date you two, but it will be one-on-one dates, not the both of you at the same time.”
“Okay,” I agreed.
“I don’t like that,” Freddy said.
“Why not?” She looked up at him. “Are you unable to get a woman without having your brother as a wing man?”
Damn, she’s good. Freddy has no chance. All I have to do is not mess up.
“I can get anyone I want,” Freddy said through clenched teeth.
“I hope you don’t long for me, because it won’t happen, buddy.”
“When I spread your legs, I’m going to make you scream buddy three times before I enter you.”
She raised one finger in front of her. Her hands no longer shook and all I could think of was sucking on that slender digit.
“If,” she said, “and this is a low probability, but if you spread my legs, you better be hungry and lowering yourself to your knees because I don’t give my moans out easily. You’ll have to earn my pleasure, just like you’ll have to earn an invitation to my bed. ”
Fuck. I want to earn it.
My already stiff erection hardened to the point of pain. What was it about this woman that made my body yearn to have her?
Freddy stirred in his own seat. “Are you sure about that, my wicked Dawn?”
“I’m certain.”
He nodded. “Fine. We’ll do one-on-one dates. I would love to have you all to myself anyway.”
“This one tonight doesn’t count.” She gestured for the waiter to come over. “Are we all ready to eat?”
Freddy directed an excited gaze my way. “I guess we are.”
Chapter 4
Dawn
The rest of the night was uneventful, well if you didn’t count each of their greedy gazes, soaking my panties throughout dinner. And I had no idea a look could make me aroused, but I learned that fact the hard way during dessert, when Frederick spent extra time lifting the whipped cream off of his cake with his finger and licking it all away. He watched me as he did it.
Bastard.
He lapped his tongue at that finger like it would give him extra years of life. I’d asked if he really loved whipped cream that much. He told me that I would soon find out.
Then Max began with his own sugary seduction.
He dipped his cherry into the chocolate sauce and brought it to my lips. Like a fool, I parted them without realizing it, and he had the nerve to groan. The sound vibrated through my flesh. By the time the bill arrived, I shuffled out of there with mumbled excuses. Sure I’d been Miss Confident at the beginning of the meal, but at the end, they showed me that they wouldn’t go out without a fight.
It was why nerves wrecked my body as I stood outside on the pier, waiting for one of the brothers to arrive. “Which one of you will fail today?”
They asked me to pick who would be the first date. I refused. This was their little battle. I would let them carry out the dumb-assed-ness of the situation, while I enjoyed the perks of the rich life for a few days.
One day I’ll have my own money and the first thing that I will do is get a bodyguard to keep big-headed jerks far from me.
A massive boat sailed my way. Could I even really call it a boat? No. It was a colossal mansion on water. It had three levels, probably more and soared high above the ocean like a cruise ship, just not quite that big.
But too big for two guys. You two can’t do anything subtly can you?
The wind blew against my dress and exposed more of my thighs than I preferred. As the boat pulled in, Frederick stepped out.
Shit.
I’d been hoping for Max. At least he told the truth from the beginning. If I were forced to trust one of them then it would be Max. Frederick also presented more problems, like the fact that he seemed to go crazy with desire anytime I was mean to him. Being that I found him depraved and couldn’t control the insults ripping out of my mouth when he was around, I guessed that he would be turned on this whole date.
You’re just a glutton for punishment.
Once the boat docked, two men in white uniforms marched off with several bouquets of roses in their hands.
Roses? How predictable? It seems I’ll have to teach him how to romance a woman properly before turning him down.
And I would turn him down. There was no way either of the two pigs would get me in bed. The probability was down in the pool of negatives.
The uniformed men came toward me and instead of giving me the flowers they opened the bouquets and shook them a tiny bit. Butterflies flew from under the petals and swarmed around me. Lots of them. Brightly colored captivating ones. Lavender wings fluttered near. Ivory creatures with silver dotted wings landed on my shoulders as if to rest. They twirled and dashed around my waist, spreading the air with the roses’ flowery fragrance. I could’ve suffocated on the aroma and been happy to die from it.
Frederick stood in front of me. “Hello, Dawn.”
You’re just so happy with yourself?
“Hello.” I tried my best to wipe the huge smile off my face, but couldn’t do it. I was forced to blame the butterflies. They made me giddy, and he had to know it.
“How did you find out I loved butterflies?” I asked.
“I guessed.”
“You’re lying. Tell me the truth or I will forgo this date.”
His smile widened. “Your credit card bill says you visit the Miami Botanical Gardens three times a week. Further inquiry informed me that you only go to the butterfly garden.”
“It’s illegal to pull up my credit card statements.”
“Money allows people to do many illegal things.”
I raised my finger. “Don’t invade my privacy again.”
“Or I’ll get a lightning bolt to my testicles?”
“Exactly.” I stepped around him and pretended like those lovely butterflies following me up into the yacht weren’t enchanting. Too bad, they wouldn’t let up.