"Don’t litter!" The words burst from my mouth hastily, and he cocked a brow. "Uh . . . the last thing the band needs is bad publicity for being a bunch of litterbugs . . . and being fined for littering. Let’s just toss it in the trash." It wouldn’t be a great place for my swimsuit, but at least my top wouldn’t be highway debris.
"The trash?" Jax said, his scarred eyebrow raised. "I’ve got a better idea."
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a silver lighter and struck the flint. I watched with terror as he slowly moved the flame toward the dangling strings.
"Wait!"
"I know how you feel about groupies," he said, a flicker of amusement passing over his face. "I’m doing this for you." He brought the flame closer.
"No!" My hand raised desperately.
He paused to look at me oddly. "Why so reluctant? Wait. Don’t tell me. You want to do the honors." He gestured for me to get out of the tub and go over to where he was.
"Oh! Uh . . . sure," I said with a smile, realizing the opportunity. "Bring it over here to me. I’ll burn the hell out of it."
His eyes twinkled devilishly, making my heart thump hard in my chest. I hated how a simple look from him could have such an effect on me. It was impossible to deny his allure. "Nuh uh," he said wagging his finger.
"Nuh uh, what?" My nerves were on edge.
"How do you ask nicely? You’ve been unusually rude to me ever since I came up here."
"Ugh." I groaned so hard it sounded like I was about to vomit. Of course he wasn’t going to make this easy. He never made anything easy. "It’s not unusual. It’s how I typically act around you. Maybe you’re just sensitive."
"I’m waiting . . ." An expression of displeasure marred his beautiful face.
"Fine fine! ‘Please’? There I said it. Happy now?" I hoped he didn’t sense the desperation in my tone.
He crossed his large biceps across his chest, refusing to budge. "That the best you can do?"
"Pretty please?" I said, forcing my voice to sound sweet.
"See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?" He came toward me, holding the bikini in front of him, sending a surge of hope through me. When it was close enough, I reached for it . . . and grabbed nothing. Confused, I tried again. And missed again.
"Hey! No fair!" I shouted, realizing he was pulling it away. I grabbed for the top again, this time more forcefully.
"Who said anything about fair?" He took a step back just in time to leave me empty-handed.
I feinted grabbing to the left, then went to the right. Every movement I made was echoed by one of his, keeping the bikini tantalizingly out of reach. Ugh!
"I’ve never been fishing before," he said with a grin. "But I think I’m starting to understand the appeal."
"What kind of game are you playing?" I cried in outrage. A horrible feeling began to settle in my gut.
I’d never seen his sparkling black eyes so intense as he leaned toward me, so close that I could catch his masculine scent. "The kind where everyone wins." His sultry voice sent shivers down my spine, even with hot bubbles swirling around me. He pointed to the water in the tub. "You’ve been trying to pretend that you’re not skinny dipping in my hot tub. You think I wouldn’t notice?"
My heart slammed into my chest. "I’m not skinny dipping!"
"Sure. This top belongs to some other girl, not the one trying desperately to keep me from seeing her chest under the water."
"I’m wearing the bottom, that’s just the top. Give it back!"
"Nope." He took a step back and smiled.
"Alright, f**k you Jax. I’ll just stay here, then." I sank back into the water and crossed my arms. If he expected me to keep reaching after the top until I fell over or he saw my ni**les, he’d have to think again.
"Will you, now?" he said, his eyebrows lifting. "You say so, but I doubt it. That hot tub’s pretty warm. You’ll either get out or pass out, soon enough. I guess I’ll stay here and fix myself another drink while I wait." He moved to the bar, set the bikini down, and started reaching for the bottles again.
"You’re really going to just stay here until you see me topless?" I cried in disbelief, aware that I admired his audacity as much as I hated it. "I knew you were an ass**le, but I didn’t think you were a scumbag!"
"You can have the top back whenever you want it, Riley," he said with a shrug, pouring himself a second drink.
"What’s that supposed to mean?" I scoffed. "I already asked you for it!"
A half-smile turned up one corner of Jax’s luscious mouth. He sipped, slowly, then said, "You asked, but you didn’t offer anything in return."
I glared at him, confused.
He continued, "Usually, when one person has something of value that another person wants, they make an exchange. I give you something you want, and you," he said, looking at me with seductive eyes, "give me something I want."
"You ungrateful bastard!" I cried, splashing him with water from the tub. "I already saved your life. I think giving my bikini top back is the least you can do."
Jax looked down at his wet t-shirt. "Not quite, Pepper. I saved you when I helped you onto the band bus, which I didn’t have to do. Right now, I’m holding onto your top, which I also don’t have to do. If I let it go, it blows out onto Interstate 80—if we’re talking about the least I could do."
I was mortified. I knew men like Jax didn’t always play fair, but I didn’t expect him to really hold my bikini hostage. "I can’t believe I used to be attracted to you," I said, scowling.
"Believe whatever you want. You’re the one topless in the hot tub. If you want this back," he said, gesturing toward the top, "you’re going to offer me something. And you know what I want. I’m looking right at it." His eyes directed straight at me sent an unwelcome desire fluttering through my belly.
I inhaled sharply. "Dude, I’ve told you before, and I don’t want to have to tell you again. My job—"
"Yes, I’m sure the people at Hans-Peterson take professionalism very seriously. Are you the same Riley I met Saturday night? Picks locks, dodges security guards?"
"My boss wasn’t going to find out I picked a lock. This could get back to him."