Betting the Bad Boy (Behind the Bar)

by Stefanie London

  And not cast me aside the second he gets what he wants…

  They walked back in the direction they’d come, their pace slow and easy. “And you expect someone to agree to that up front, even before you know if you’re compatible?”

  She blinked. “It’s not like I’m asking them to sign an ironclad agreement. But yeah, I want to know that they’re not looking to use me.”

  Truth was, she gave little thought to compatibility. If two people wanted the same thing, then the rest could be worked on, or so she assumed. Her ex had never demanded anything of her; they’d never fought or disagreed on much. At the time, Paige had taken it as a sign that they were well matched, but in hindsight she’d been so…bored. Uninspired. There had been no spark. No excitement. None of the electric feelings that Noah stirred in her.

  “This isn’t just about your brother, is it?” he asked.

  “What makes you say that?” It was frightening how easily he could see through her.

  “Because your brother’s situation is crap, that’s for sure. But this level of stubbornness doesn’t come from someone else’s experience.” He nudged her with his elbow. “And I have three sisters, so I have a deep understanding of the female psyche.”

  “Is that so?” She looked up at him. “What’s your other sister’s name again? I can’t recall.”

  “Amanda.” His eyes flickered down to her. “And don’t think you can change the topic like that.”

  “That obvious, huh?” She laughed.

  “It’s what I like about you, Paige. You’re as subtle as a herd of elephants.”

  “I’m an inherently honest person,” she said, folding her arms across her chest. “Who may put her foot in it from time to time.”

  The defensive reaction was more to barricade herself against the fact that Noah had admitting to liking her. Well, to liking something about her, which was almost the same thing.

  Could you act any more like a lovestruck teenager?

  “I’m still waiting on an answer to my question.”

  She huffed. “Excuse me, Mr. Sticky Beak. Since you’re so in tune with the female psyche and all, why don’t you tell me what my problem is?”

  She was stalling. The last thing she wanted was to admit to Noah that some douche canoe had broken her heart five years ago and that she still wasn’t over it. It was stupid. She made Bridget Jones look like she had her shit together emotionally.

  “A boy broke your heart,” he said.

  “Find me a girl who hasn’t had her heart broken.” Paige snorted. “You’re going to have to give me more detail than that.”

  “The first guy you slept with broke your heart.”

  She swallowed. The whole ordeal was disgustingly cliché—naive good girl takes her virginity to university and falls head over heels for the bad boy. He was charming, seductive. Had all the right moves and knew all the right things to say. After drinking too much and handing her V-card over, she woke to find out he’d moved on before the bedsheets had cooled.

  Not to mention the fact that she’d been stupid enough not to use a condom. For the next month she’d lived in fear of repeating her brother’s mistake.

  “He cheated on you.” Noah cut into her memories.

  “Not exactly,” she replied. “He’d never promised me anything, but I assumed that sleeping together implied some kind of commitment. I don’t make that mistake anymore.”

  “Ah.” He slung an arm around her shoulder.

  “I’d told myself I wasn’t going to be the dumb girl who got chewed up and spat out. I wasn’t going to give in to peer pressure or let myself be swayed by a cute guy. But I did. I broke all my own rules. And things could have been so much worse.” She didn’t want to find it comforting, but her body melted into his touch, and her head rested against his shoulder. “Thankfully, there were no permanent consequences that time. I decided not to waste my second chance.”

  Noah remained quiet, his hand brushing against her bare arm. She breathed in the scent of him mixed with the balmy summer air, and let herself enjoy the soft rub of his shirt against her cheek. She’d never told anyone how she’d had a one-night stand for her first time. Not even Sally.

  “And then I lost my last job because I let a colleague pressure me into a date. When I wouldn’t put out, he lied and told everyone in the office that I was easy.” She shook her head. “So I stuck to my guns and I still got myself in trouble.”

  “You know I would never risk your job at First, right?”

  “That’s what he said, too. He told me it wouldn’t affect us working together and that it was totally acceptable for people to date within the company.” She snorted. “Turns out that my boss had a thing for him. Of course, she gave me some bullshit excuse for why she was letting me go, but I knew the truth.”

  He squeezed her shoulder. “That’s rough.”

  Frustration and attraction clashed inside her—pulling her from one end of her emotional spectrum to the other. She wanted to loosen the rules for him; she wanted to let go and enjoy this perfectly imperfect man. But he’d already made it clear he wasn’t looking for anything serious. And something told her that one taste of Noah wouldn’t satisfy her craving—it was impossible and unreasonable and illogical…but she wanted more from him.

  “I deserve better,” she said. “I deserve more than a guy who’s going to forget about me the second I get out of bed. I deserve a guy who’s not going to think of me as a number. I’m not saying casual sex is bad, because it’s fine if that’s what both parties want…but it’s not what I want.”

  Noah nodded. “What do you want? Besides someone who’s into commitment.”

  The question silenced her. They walked farther into South Melbourne and passed by First. Where they were going, Paige had no idea.

  “What kind of a question is that?”

  He shrugged. “A simple one. What do you want besides a promise?”

  “I…I don’t know.” Their feet fell in time, slowly eating up the pavement. “I guess I want someone to be there for me when I’ve had a bad day. I want to be able to talk about my problems and to feel like the other person cares about me.”

  “You want a friend,” he said. “Nothing you’ve said here is exclusive to a romantic relationship.”

  Paige chewed on his words. “I’ve never really looked at it like that.”

  “It’s food for thought.” He slowed them down as they approached a low-rise block of apartments. “This is me. I’m happy to walk you home or you can come up for a drink, if you want.”

  Come up for a drink. She knew what that meant. It’s exactly what’d happened that very first time—an innocuous invitation. One drink, then two. Then four. She’d left the next morning in search of a hangover cure, and found him with his arm around another girl’s shoulders as they strolled through the university’s grounds.

  After that she’d learned to make her desires known up front—no man would get close to touching her until commitment was on the table. Only moving to the city had thrown her off balance. Dating country boys had been easier—she’d known them, known their families. There was a safety net in having a reputation for being a good girl. Bad boys stayed away because they knew she wouldn’t bend to a little smooth talking.

  Until Noah.

  The thing was, she knew Noah could do a whole lot of damage if she let him. If it was simple physical attraction it would be easy to ignore. Easy to walk away from. But Noah had gotten under her skin because there was more to it than lust. He made her laugh, he challenged her way of thinking, and despite her initial impressions, he was more than a playboy. Sure, he might not want commitment, but his past had a role to play there. And the fact that he loved his foster sisters and his friends at the bar said he was capable of more.

  He’d just been conditioned to believe otherwise.

  He’s not a project for you to work on. Wishing he would fit into your plans doesn’t make it so—you can’t fit a square peg into a round hole.


  Ugh, now why did she have to think about pegs in holes?

  “I should get home,” she said. The words stuck against the dryness in her mouth as she tried not to think about how much she wanted to give in and break her own rules.

  How much, for the very first time in her life, she desperately wanted to lose a bet.

  Noah smiled, his delectably full lips curving into the very image of sex and sinfulness. “I’ll walk you.”

  “No.” She stepped out from under his arm. “It’s only a few blocks. This area is safe.”

  “I don’t want anything to happen to you.” He brushed the hair from her forehead, his fingers leaving a burning trail in their wake.

  It took all her willpower not to lean into his touch, not to turn her face and press her lips to the center of his palm. Did he care about her? Did he get that strange little hum of intuition that she did, that little voice that asked could this be more?

  Or was this simply another move in the player’s guide to seduction?

  Just because you feel something doesn’t mean he does. And he’s been honest about what he wants.

  Coming to the city had been like university 2.0—she’d had to learn new rules. New ways of protecting herself. At least Noah had the decency to let her know that he couldn’t offer her anything more than sex. He’d been honest about that.

  “I’ll be fine, I promise,” she said.

  “Text me when you get home, okay?” He stepped back, giving her space, and her body howled inside. “I won’t be able to sleep unless I know you got home safe.”

  She nodded mutely. It would be so damn easy to believe he cared, to believe he wanted her on some level beyond the superficial. But he’d been very clear about how he operated, and he’d accepted her bet without hesitation.

  It’s not real. It’s not what you want.

  But suddenly, she wasn’t so sure anymore.

  He hovered for a second before turning and digging the keys out of his pocket as he walked up the path to the building’s entrance. Paige’s feet were rooted to the ground, as if some force held her there against her better judgment. She couldn’t seem to reconcile the confused thoughts in her head. Nor the desire that coursed through her veins.

  Wasn’t Noah doing the very things she wanted? He’d listened to her talk about her past without judgment. He’d taken a chance on her by giving her a job, and he’d made her feel like one of the team. With him, she could be honest. But she could also tease, joke. Noah gave as good as he took, and she’d be lying through her teeth if she said it wasn’t the most comfortable she’d ever been with a guy. The most relaxed.

  With him, she didn’t feel like her life was a shambles.

  He disappeared through the front door and yet Paige still hadn’t moved from the spot where he’d so tenderly brushed back her hair. She did deserve the guy who would still think about her the morning after. Who would still want to see her after she’d given over her body. Who wanted her for more than the physical.

  But maybe she also deserved the guy who made her feel good right now, regardless of what might happen tomorrow.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Noah kept his phone handy as he walked into his apartment. It wouldn’t take Paige long to get to her friend’s place since it was only a few blocks away, but he wanted to know that she was home and safe, anyway. He told himself it was because as Paige’s temporary boss he felt some responsibility to keep an eye out for her. Hell, he might even be able to claim that it was a residual overprotectiveness from looking after three younger sisters.

  But that was total bullshit.

  Part of him hoped Paige would come knocking on his door. And for once, it wasn’t a southern part of him. Whenever he was with Paige, time seemed to speed up. The minutes would fly by unnoticed, because he was too busy enjoying her company. Too busy trying to figure out this sexy, stubborn perfectionist. Their time together always seemed to be over too soon. Like someone had ripped away the minutes, leaving him dissatisfied and craving more.

  It unsettled him.

  But if there was one thing he’d learned about Paige so far, it was that she stuck to her guns. And the fact was, she wanted the one thing he couldn’t give her: a promise.

  Maybe that made him stubborn, too. Because he was sure a lot of guys would say anything to get what they wanted. But Noah wasn’t like that. He might have been with a lot of women, but he never lied to get a girl into bed. Never promised anything more than what he was capable of—a hot night between the sheets. That’s it.

  He turned the phone over in his hands as he paced the length of his living room. It would be so much easier to find a girl who asked for nothing. He could even handle a girl who wanted some non-sex time—hanging out, watching movies, and grabbing a drink. But Paige’s demands scared the hell out of him. They reeked of potential failure and disappointment.

  Of future rejection.

  It was the reason that he hardly ever brought girls home—opting for their place, instead. It allowed him to escape when needed, and it preserved the sanctity of his apartment. His place. The one home he couldn’t be kicked out of. But he hadn’t even thought twice about bringing Paige here—about inviting her in for a drink—because he never had the urge to escape when he was with her.

  His phone buzzed in his hand, and her name lit up the screen.

  I’m still downstairs.

  Noah walked to the window that overlooked the street. A shadowy figure paced back and forth in front of the door, mimicking his movements from moments ago.

  Have you forgotten how to get home?

  It took everything he had not to go down there and claim her. Not to drag her into his home and throw her down on the couch so he could act out all his fantasies with her.

  I’ve forgotten why I said no to that drink.

  Shit. The figure on the street looked up, and a passing car lit her face for a few seconds. Her fingers fluttered at her throat, and when her eyes snagged on his window, she held up her hand in a shy wave.

  What’s your poison? I’ll buzz you in.

  I think you’re my poison.

  Because he was about to lure her into making a bad decision? Guilt zipped through him. Perhaps a better man would have had the willpower to send her away. And while Noah might not be a liar, he wasn’t exactly a saint.

  He texted her the number for his apartment and stalked to the intercom. As soon as it buzzed, he hit the entry button and unlocked his front door. Grabbing two glasses from his kitchen cupboard, he selected a bottle of bitter orange vodka. Libby had given it to him—one of her “failed” infusion blends that never made it into the regular rotation. But he’d loved the strong, in-your-face taste.

  As he poured the drinks—mixing in some fresh orange juice and honey for a hint of sweetness—his heart hammered. Ever since Paige had started at First, he’d been thinking about getting her here. Getting her naked. But this felt like so much more. Pressure weighed on his shoulders.

  Fuck, he wanted to…impress her.

  You need to get your head in the game. This isn’t a first date. It’s a drink. It might be sex. But it’s not more because there is nothing more.

  There was a soft knock at his front door, and he carried the drinks to the coffee table, calling for her to come in. She closed the door behind her and hung back, almost pressing herself against the wall. “Nice place.”

  “It’s home.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and waited to see if she’d move. After a few seconds it was clear he’d need to take charge. “You look terrified.”

  She laughed, the sound a little breathier than usual. “I’m okay.”

  “I made you a drink.” He handed her a glass and inclined his head. “Come sit.”

  She perched herself on the edge of his couch, cradling the tumbler in her hands. He wanted to ask her what she’d meant by calling him her poison, but he resisted. Their chemistry was undeniable, but she’d been clear she wouldn’t indulge, and now she was putting herself on the line.
Risking herself.

  Before anything else happened, he needed to hear her say that she was ready to lose their bet.

  …

  What if…? What if…? What if…?

  The unformed questions pounded in time with Paige’s heartbeat, rushing through her with the unrelenting drone of train wheels over tracks. Noah’s imposing frame took up most of his couch, crowding her into the corner. But she didn’t shrink.

  “What made you change your mind?” His question had a slight edge to it. It warned her to watch her step, to think carefully about her next move.

  But she was done with thinking and watching and warnings. She was done with being a good girl who always missed out because she was too busy following the damn rules to notice that the game had changed. And she was most certainly done with denying her attraction to Noah.

  “I was thirsty.” She brushed a strand of loose hair from her temple and tried not to quiver under his white-hot gaze.

  Seriously, the man could melt icebergs with that stare.

  “How is it?”

  She sipped the orange concoction. “Delicious.”

  Truthfully, she tasted nothing. When Noah was in the vicinity, none of her five senses cared one iota about anything except him. She shifted on the spot, noticing the way his eyes followed her every movement. He seemed to close in on her, like a hunter cornering a deer. She was his prey, and the very knowledge of it made the glass shake in her hands.

  How was it possible that he could render her so aroused that she lost control of basic motor function? That was new.

  Maybe it’s because you’ve always played it safe. Played it boring. And Noah is neither of those things.

  Damn right. The man was human dynamite.

  “I’m glad you like it.” He took a long swallow, downing half of his drink in one go. “It’s not too sweet, but I thought you might enjoy a change of pace.”

  His presence suffocated her words. Never had she thought that feeling would be a positive one, but it was. The confinement left her almost panting with need. And yet he hadn’t even touched her. She’d let this go on too long, let the buildup become too much.