I push the coin forward?—
One.
Two.
Three.
On the third nudge I get it to hang off the table’s edge before flicking it back to myself. I really haven’t played it since school, so it’s been decades, but coin rugby is a bit like riding a bike.
The moment I catch it, I don’t hesitate. I flick it fast, sending it right through his fingers. “One-one.”
He just smirks. “Lucky shot. Don’t get cocky.”
The next round is faster, sharper. He scores again.
I narrow my eyes, focus, and even the score. Two-two.
A small crowd has formed around us by now, intrigued by our curious game, and the group leans in. It’s sudden death.
I take my time, adjusting my angle, lining up the final shot. With one last flick, the coin slides cleanly through the goalposts. The bar erupts.
He leans back, exhaling as he runs a hand through his hair.
“Well, well. Guess I underestimated you.”
I lift my drink, taking a slow sip, savoring his reaction. “Huh,” I muse. “Guess that means I win. Looks like you owe me.”
His grin falters just a little. I relish it. Then, he tilts his head, his smirk returning—slow, deliberate. “Not so fast, Trouble. You forgot to name my punishment.”
I tap a finger against my chin, pretending to think. “Hmm. I could make you buy everyone a round…” I gesture at the sizable crowd around us, “but that’d be too easy.”
I glance around for inspiration. “Or I could make you admit I’m better than you, but that’s obvious.”
He grins, watching me closely. “You done stalling, or do you need me to name my own punishment?”
I huff a laugh. “Fine. Go ahead, genius. What’s your price for losing?”
He leans in, his voice dropping low, smooth and dangerous. “Easy. I owe you a night you’ll never forget.”
For the first time tonight, I hesitate. I wasn’t expecting that. My pulse quickens, the tension between us so thick, I can’t tell if it’s a warning or a challenge. “A night I’ll never forget?”
His lips curl, and he leans in slightly, his breath brushing my skin. “I don’t make promises I can’t keep.”
My first instinct is to overthink. To talk myself out of this. To keep my guard up. This is just a game, right? I don’t need complications.
But then something inside me makes me stop. For once, I’m going to take the plunge. For once, I’m going to say yes without second-guessing.
I meet his gaze, feeling the weight of his words settle between us. “Fine. But no funny business.”
His smirk widens, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. “Oh, don’t worry, there’ll be nothing funny about it. You won’t forget this night. I’ll make sure of it.”
A sharp shiver rolls down my spine. Not what I was expecting. My brain stutters for half a second. But my body? Oh, my body likes that answer way too much.
He sees it immediately. The slight parting of my lips. The way my fingers tighten on my drink. He leans in just a little closer. “Say yes, Trouble.”
And I do.