“You think? God, do you hear yourself? You sound like an egomaniacal dick.”

He shrugged, a sexy smirk pulling up his lips. “Just protecting my interests.”

“Which are?” I knew he was driven, but I didn’t know what his precise goals were. Not really, anyway.

“My mom and sister have been through a lot. They’ve done so much to make sure I get where I am today. I’m this close to graduating med school and landing a residency. I won’t let pussy, or a woman who thinks we’re suddenly in love because I fucked her better than her boyfriend ever could, ruin my future.”

The only reply I could manage was “Well said.”

During the entire conversation, my heart had been hammering away in my chest. This sexy, forbidden man was giving me a glimpse into his sex life. I could only imagine women throwing themselves at him. Not only was he gorgeous, but he was also a doctor. And if he was telling the truth about how big his cock was . . .

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked.

My heart beat fast and loud and hot. “So you really believe that after sleeping with you one time, women fall in love with you?”

He nodded. “I wish it wasn’t true, but yeah, that’s what I’m telling you.”

Something snapped inside me.

Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was the twinkle in his mischievous eyes. Hell, it could have been the eager bulge in his pants, but the fixer in me wanted to help—wanted to prove him wrong. Of course I wanted to experience true love one day, but in the meantime, I was damn near lightheaded at the idea of having a hot tryst.

“What if I could prove you wrong?” My voice was surprisingly steady for how nervous I suddenly felt.

“What are you saying?” His posture was stiff, as if his body was coiled tight, all his muscles on alert.

Wicked thoughts flashed through my brain. I tried like hell to talk myself out of them, but fuck, I’d seen this man naked, and now we were living under the same roof.

“Are you willing to put your money where your mouth is?”

“And have sex with you?” His lips twitched, distracting me.

My eyes met his and held. I didn’t even need to say yes out loud.

“What’s in this for you?” he asked.

“Aside from a few orgasms? The chance to prove your theory is bullshit.”

He pushed his hands into his hair and stared up at the ceiling. “Fuck.” His voice was thick and laced with need.

Boring Paige had vanished, and in her place, the new Paige was saucy, sexual, and daring. I felt alive and brazen and wicked. I hadn’t felt anything like this in the longest time. Besides, we only had to live together for two months. What was the worst that could happen?

“When do we start?” I murmured. The alcohol must have been hitting me much harder than I’d thought, because holy shit, what?

He sat forward again. His sin-soaked smile sent the thrill of victory through me. I had won; I was going to get everything I craved. He reached out to stroke his thumb along my cheek, and I couldn’t have stopped myself leaning into his touch if I’d wanted to.

“I’m not fucking you when you’re drunk.” His voice was far too husky to be saying something like that. “Sleep on it. If you still want to do this tomorrow, I’m game.” And then he rose to his feet and disappeared down the hall.

Part of me was pissed off—not to mention so horny I could scream. But most of me was relieved. I unsteadily rose to my feet and headed down the hall for my bedroom. That suggestion had passed “bold” and gone straight into “completely insane.”

Cannon had been a gentleman, giving me an out. It was probably for the best. I was sure that by tomorrow morning, I’d come to my senses.

At least, I hoped so.

Chapter Nine

Paige

When I woke up, I was sure last night had just been a bad dream. Then I swung my legs over the side of the bed and saw the champagne-colored cocktail dress crumpled on my floor, frowning as memories of last night clawed at the edges of my brain. But the wet nose of a certain little fluff ball nudged me again. Enchilada had to pee.

I steeled myself and tiptoed into the hall. The house was totally quiet. Cannon’s bedroom door was mostly shut, and I rushed past it. I grabbed the leash from the counter, and that’s when I saw it.

A Post-it note was stuck to my coffeemaker, Cannon’s messy handwritten scrawled across the paper.

We need to talk.

Four little words shouldn’t have had the ability to make me break out in hives, but when the reality of last night came crashing back, I had to grip the counter for support. I had actually seriously propositioned Cannon for sex. This was the reality I had to deal with now. Hanging my head in my hands, I inhaled deeply.

If I could stay in my room and hide all day, I would. But then Enchilada let out another whimper.

“Okay. Come on, buddy.” I grabbed his leash and slipped my feet into my shoes, and then Enchilada and I were safely outside without making a scene.

I breathed a sigh of relief as we crossed the street to our customary patch of grass . . . and that was when I noticed that Cannon’s car was gone. The sinking feeling in my stomach quickly bloomed into full-on panic.

Oh God, had I driven him away with my insane suggestion last night? Maybe he’d gone straight to Allie this morning, told her he was no longer comfortable staying here. I had sexually harassed her baby brother. Holy shit, she was never going to talk to me ever again. I stared at the distant Huron River as Enchilada did his business, and fantasized about throwing myself in.