Page 41 of The Bluffing Game

DALTON

The drive over to Lucia’s house is quiet, though that’s because Sage, Izzy, and Brett are in the car with me, and Rosie, Roman, and Lucia are in Roman’s car. I peek into the back seat, and Izzy is curled up next to the window, sleeping while Brett scrolls on his phone. I look over at Sage in the passenger seat, and she looks small and tired. I know she didn’t want to take Lucia’s offer, but there was no way I would have been comfortable with her staying there.

“How are you feeling?” I ask after a few more moments of silence.

Izzy is still sleeping in the back and lightly snoring, and Brett has his earbuds in, staring at his phone. I can hear the faint sound of music and know he’s letting Sage and me have a private conversation. That’s what I like about Brett—he just gets it.

Sage looks up at me, a hint of a smile on her face as she ponders her response. “I’m not really sure how to answer that question.”

“Maybe just honestly.”

“I’m thinking that I’m in over my head.” She shrugs, and her expression is wry. She straightens her shoulders and then runs her fingers through her hair and lets out a deep sigh, as if to emphasize that she’s unsure if she’s made the right decision. “I don’t want to stay at Lucia’s, by the way. This isn’t the choice I wanted to make. I really don’t want to take advantage of her generosity, of your generosity, of⁠—”

“You’re not taking advantage of anything, and I know you don’t want to stay.”

I make a turn back toward the beach and Santa Capinari. We soon leave the dark, desolate area and are once again driving through fairy lights and palm trees.

“You do?” She sounds surprised. “How would you know?”

“Because I have sight and intuition, and I pay attention to what I see and hear. And even the things that aren’t said.”

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning, I know you’re doing this for your sister.” I smile as her eyes open wide with shock, and I wonder if she realizes just how in tune I am with her and her thoughts. Which is weird because we don’t even know each other that well, but it’s almost like I can read her mind. Almost like I already know her. “I’m observant, you know. You may think I’m just this big, sexy man, but I’m so much more than that.”

“I never said I thought you were big and sexy.”

“Handsome and sexy then.”

“I never said I thought you were handsome and sexy.”

“Gorgeous and sexy?”

“Gorgeous and sexy? I don’t believe those words have ever crossed my lips.”

“Super-alpha male and sexy?”

“No and no.” She bursts out laughing. “I appreciate you helping us, Dalton, but⁠—”

“But what?”

“What I’m going to say may sound rude, and I don’t intend it to be⁠—”

“Let me guess. You’re just using me for my good looks.”

“No.”

“You just want to take me to bed?”

“Be serious.”

“I’m being as serious as I always am, but I guess you don’t know me that well yet.”

“No, I don’t. And that’s the point. Neither one of us really knows each other very well. And while I’m grateful for the offer of employment and I’m very grateful that you came tonight—yes, I’ll admit again that maybe I am in over my head—I don’t want you to think you are somehow the boss of my life.”

“I’m not?”

“You are my boss. At work only.”