Chapter 2

As we exit, a strong gust of air slams me in the face, sending a shiver down my spine, the loud music still pounding in my head, but once we turn the corner, the music is a mere muffle. Declan is no longer behind me, but instead he's quickly walking towards a white two-door Jeep Wrangler glistening under the dimly flickering streetlights.

I think I've fallen in love.

Not with Declan Wilder but with his Jeep.

How is it fair that he gets to party all the time AND own my dream car?

"Are you going to get in or not?"

I never expected manners, but if this man demands me to do one more thing, I might be eating him for dinner instead. And I don't mean a blowjob; I mean cannibalism.

But here I go, doing exactly what he says.

He cranks the beautiful, fully loaded vehicle as I climb in, nearly hitting my head when the loud music blares from his speakers. He obviously thinks it's hilarious, but at least he presses pause, waiting for me to settle in and buckle.

But the car doesn't move. He's just staring at me like he can't decide what planet I'm from or something. It's been quiet for a little too long, and I'm beginning to feel extremely uncomfortable, my stomach flipping from the thoughts of becoming a part of the next Criminal Minds episode.

"What?" I ask defensively.

"You're the one starving. Where do you want to eat?"

My relief exits as the breath I was holding. "Mmm, I'm thinking Mercelli's Pizza."

I know, I know.

Some random hot guy agrees to buy me dinner, and I decide to pick a hole in the wall pizza parlor. Don't judge me. I've been craving it all week, and I just couldn't wait any longer.

"Wow." He says raising his eyebrows.

"What now?"

"Nothing. I'm just didn't expect you to actually pick somewhere. Usually girls always say it doesn't matter."

"Well, some girls probably really don't care. Either that or they just want you to be happy. Even if they do want sushi for the third time this week, they'll settle for a salad at your favorite restaurant just to please you."

"So, do you always have some extensive, smartass answer for everything?" He asks, but it sounds less like a question and more of an insult.

"Not always."

Let's be honest. We're all a savage in our heads sometimes, but I don't always let it come out of my mouth. I guess there's just something about Declan Wilder that makes me lose my filter.

"Mercelli's it is then." He clicks play on his phone, and the music resumes blaring through the system.

Of course, its the typical demeaning rap song with a catchy chorus. I should be embarrassed to say that I know every word, but I can't help it. I'm a quick learner, and that shit is catchy.

With his music on max, I didn't think that Declan could hear me, but I am proven very wrong when his whole head is cocked in my direction, intensely staring at me with a bemused expression.

"You know this song?"

"Yeah…"

"That's kinda hot," He smirks, replacing his surprise with a prideful smile. "Either I clearly misjudged you, or you're one crazy bitch."

"I'm probably just some crazy bitch," I shrug, "but you're the one who decided you wanted to win a bet."

"And you're the one getting paid to go to dinner with THE Declan Wilder."

"Oh, forgive me." I laugh. "I forgot I was in the presence of greatness. I do have a question, though."

"Am I going to be able to answer it?" He huffs.

"I just want to know out of all the girls there tonight. How did I end up being bait for your stupid little bet?"

"You looked like the biggest bitch with her nose stuck up her own ass?"

Damn, that was brutal.

"Oh, really?" I draw out slowly, tilting my towards him.

"No, Chris ran into you earlier, and you literally took off. Then, you were sitting all by yourself looking like you had murder on your mind. You obviously don't take shit. I was almost afraid to approach you."

I roll my eyes in his direction. "Oh, whatever. You're full of shit. I don't think you'd be afraid to approach anyone."

"Maybe, but I like a challenge. It's a fairly simple game. The boys like betting against me, and I like to always win.

"So, I don't take shit, and you like to win. That sounds about right to me."

"Why were you even there?" He questions.

"I just moved here about a week ago. My neighbor invited me, and I sort of thought I might meet some new people, but obviously parties aren't for me. I'd much rather be at home watching Netflix in my sweatpants."

"Yeah, I could tell. You might have left even if you weren't getting $200."

"Don't flatter yourself too much, Wilder." I kind of like the way that sounds. "I hated that place, but I know what happens when someone leaves with a guy like you."

"Oh, really. And what is that?"

"You're wild and charming and could easily make a brick wall think you were interested, but anything with you is only going to end in heartbreak."

"We could break something else while we're at it." He then proceeds to wink at me, lick his lips, and roll his tongue in some extensive figure eight near the front of his teeth. Somehow, I find it oddly seductive, and I'm mentally punching myself.

"I think I'll pass."

I am saved from this conversation when we pull into the parking lot. After not eating much today, I may drool from the smell alone, so I don't waste any time ordering and finding a seat.

Declan ends up directly in front of me at a small booth towards the back of the nearly empty restaurant. For the first time tonight, I can see him clearly in the light.

His eyes are still intoxicatingly blue, but they're not as dark now, taking on the hues of the sky at noon. His long lashes flutter across them as he slowly licks his lips. This innocent movement only draws me to his jawline that could cut glass and is covered in just enough stubble to say I'm here for pleasure, not business.

When he sees me intently staring, he smirks until a small dimple appears on his right cheek.

He's obviously attractive, and he obviously knows it.

He catches my gaze and doesn't let go, staring so deeply into my eyes as if he could see straight through me. All I want to do is look at the floor.

And he's still smirking.

"So, Amelia-Jane. Tell me something you've never told anyone before."