Page 131 of Summer Heat
“I want to work with you. You’re the one who doesn’t want me.” Tap, tap, tap of the toe. She wanted him to keep guessing.
True enough, he didn’t want to work with her. He deflated an exhausted breath. “I don’t know what you need me to say. Help me out or go away.”
“Challenge me.”
“What?” He picked the hat off his head, catching a good stare at her.
“Test me. Ask me to do something you think I can’t do.”
“I’m not playing games.”
“I’m not either, but if we’re going to work together, you have to believe I can keep up with you.”
“No—”
“I’m not playing, Cash. Try me. Challenge me. I want to earn your respect.”
“I respect you. Promise. I’m sorry about this whole kissing in the grass thing.” He paused. “Actually, no, I’m not.”
“It has nothing to do with—”
“Then your timing sucks. As usual.” He knocked the cowboy hat back into place. It hung on a tilt, but he didn’t bother to fix it.
“Cheap shot.” She put her hands on her hips, and the foot bounced, bounced, bounced.
“Blue balls. What can I say?”
“Classy, Cash.” She smirked, her face reading sky-high on the bitch-o-meter.
“I’ll tell you what. You want to spar, we can do that. But here’s the deal, and it has nothing to do with working together. You win, you get whatever you want. I win, I get to finish that kiss.”
The foot stopped bouncing. He jumped up and walked away before she could rain a storm of excuses on him.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Best two out of three.” Nicola swore he’d let her win that one. She’d hooked an ankle above his knee and shoved a hard hand against his chest. He should’ve been able to roll out. He should’ve done anything, but nope. Pinned beneath her, Cash looked pleased, sporting a hi-how-ya-doing grin on his handsome face.
Didn’t he want to finish their kiss? Or did he want to see what she wanted? Oh, this was frustrating and confusing. I’ve been hanging with CIA folks too long. The guessing game and lack of trust permeated every question and situation, giving her a constant headache.
“You’re on. I’ll go two out of three.” His sly smirk said he wanted to get pinned.
Nicola jumped up on bare feet, and he followed. She waited for him to move, then charged.
Attack. Block.
Counter-attack. Block again.
She rocked back on her bare heels. “Come on, Cash. This is too by the book.”
He put his hands on his hips. “You started out textbook. I’m taking your lead.”
Shit. She was so concerned about displaying what she knew, that she’d left the heart out of their battle. She’d anticipated, shown off, and lost focus, all of which sucked the fight and emotion out of her natural moves. Proper footwork wouldn’t impress Cash. Heart would. She knew that. She knew him.
Nicola breathed in, centered, and readied her launch. He was taller, stronger. Speed and quickness were on her side. She needed to get in, get close, and get out. Faking a throw, he jumped away, then stepped into her spinning back kick.
She set up high, struck low. Cash grunted with the blow, and a smile of pride slipped across his face. Hell, no. She wasn’t here to impress him. She was here to take him down.
Jab. Jab again. He caught her hand before it fully extended. He took a side step and countered. A leg hooked behind, and down she went. Cash was over her, hovering so close, so sexual. Broad arms trapped her. His heavy weight held her in place. He smelled like masculine effort. Salt from her sweat teased her lips. The air was charged. Hair stuck to his damp forehead. The scent of fresh perspiration tightened her stomach. His beautiful sapphire eyes shone, pinning her to the ground. The air vacuumed out of the gym, and she was done.
