My eyes slowly open from an impossible dream that involved Jake. We were together, and we were happy. I watched as he climbed a stupid ladder and hung Christmas lights on a house…our house. For a moment, at least in my dream, I felt happy, content, loved…but it was just a dream. Instead, I woke up naked, sleeping on top of my bedspread with my old blanket of Grandma Paul’s lying on top of me. I remember Jake fucking me against the wall and then…

There’s something about you. Something I can’t seem to make myself walk away from.

I’m not sure where that thought came from. All I remember is my body was already in shut-down mode—therefore, I don’t remember much after I laid down.

I’m glad he didn’t stay. I’m a little shocked he didn’t, but this is for the best. Sex with Jake is amazing. So amazing I could see myself becoming attached—if I haven’t already—and that’s the last thing I need. I don’t even want a man in my life. Maybe one day, when I finally get my shit together. When I have my student loans paid off, and I’m living in an apartment that doesn’t require six locks on the door just to feel safe. But that time is not now, and that man is not Jake Girard—no matter how much my body wishes that weren’t the case.

I force my brain to start functioning as I go through my morning routine. I’m running later than normal by the time I make it into the kitchen for my morning coffee.

“Dammit,” I groan to myself.

Morgan isn’t here. In the past month, I’ve grown used to Morgan starting the coffee. I glance at my watch. If I fix some now, I’ll be late. I’m already pushing it as it is. I forgo my much-needed caffeine and dart out the door.

The mood on the subway felt lighter today, then again, it’s Friday, and the start of the weekend usually causes people to act a little nicer.

By the time I arrive at my firm, I pause and look for Caleb, but then it dawns on me—he has court today. I pull out my phone and send him a text on the way up to my floor.

By the time I get to my office, I’m already exhausted and ready for the day to be over, but as luck would have it, I have a full day of crappy jobs ahead of me.

I place my phone in my desk before I check my email, knowing today can’t end fast enough.

I feel like a shitty friend. By the time I left my office, my eyes hurt from reading the files that were sent to me for review. All I could think about was going home, to the point I almost forgot I had agreed to meet Caleb.

“About time you finally got here. I’m already on my third beer,” Caleb jokes as he leans forward and kisses my cheek. I don’t know why he does that, but he has from the day I decided we were going to be friends.

“I’ll catch up, don’t worry.” Emotionally drained, I slide into the booth across from him.

“What’s with the bag?”

Oh, shit.

I had shoved my overnight bag from the other night under my desk so Caleb wouldn’t see it. I only grabbed it tonight because one: I need to get my clothing washed, and two: I forgot I was going to see him.

“I have…a bag because…I…” I look down at the damn bag in question, almost as if it’ll answer for me.

“Are you seriously trying to think up a lie to tell me?”

I glance back at him when a sudden urge to tell him the truth hits me. “I slept with Girard,” I blurt out before I cover my face with my hands.

“Lacey, I’m quite aware of the fact you have sex. I’ve seen you in action on a dance floor before.”

I groan. “But that’s different.”

“How is that different, and who the hell is Girard?” He picks up his beer and takes a long pull while he waits for my answer.

“Chase’s big ape of a friend.”

He chokes on his beer. “Are you serious. You slept with the football player?”

I ignore the gleam I can see shining in his eyes. “Yes, the football player. He wouldn’t leave me alone, so I did the only thing I could think of.”

“The only thing you could think of was sex?”

“Have you seen the man? Of course sex is the only thing I can think about when I’m around him, but I figured afterward he’d take a hike and leave me alone.”

“Your bright idea to get the man to leave you alone was sleeping with him?”

I nod.

“And now he’s asked to sleep with you again?”

I nod again. “Only I’ve had a ton of sex with him, and he just keeps popping up. Last night I found him sitting outside my apartment waiting for me.” I blow out a frustrated breath as the waitress walks up to the table. “I’ll take whatever he’s drinking.” Once she walks away, I take a glance at him only to find him staring at me. “What?” I snap.

“Maybe he really likes you? Have you thought of that?”

“No, he doesn’t. He’s a rich, smug asshole who’s used to getting his way. That’s all this is about.”

“Lacey, if you’ve already had ‘a ton of sex’ with him”—he uses air quotes, which gains a laugh from me—“and he continues to go out of his way to see you, then he likes you.”

“You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”

“Really? Because last I checked, I have a dick, and I’m attracted to women, and I would never go out of my way to find a woman I’ve already slept with for a repeat, unless I actually liked her.”

My breathing picks up as the waitress sets my beer down in front of me. Without thinking, I down almost half of it.

“The entire time I’ve known you, you haven’t once tried dating a guy. You’ve had your fair share of hook-ups, but you never take it further than that. Maybe you should give him a chance.”

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I wonder if Jake might actually like me. That maybe this isn’t a huge act, but then my common sense kicks in and reminds me this is nothing more than a game of cat and mouse. Before I can voice my thoughts to Caleb, my phone buzzes with a text. I groan the second I see who it’s from.

I flash my phone at him. “See what I mean? He won’t leave me alone.”

“Then give the guy a chance.”

“He lives in Arizona, not to mention, he’s not my type by a long shot.”

“You haven’t gone out on a date in years. You have no idea what your type is.”

“I know my type isn’t a macho football player who needs his fucking ego stroked on a daily basis.”

“If he’s that bad, you wouldn’t have slept with him in the first place.” He lifts his brows in a silent dare to argue with him.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s my type. I need to focus on my career.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it.”

“The man only thinks he wants me because I’m the first woman who hasn’t bowed down to him. I’m a challenge and nothing more.”

“If that’s the case, then date him. Do the one thing that will ensure he leaves you the hell alone.”

“What?” I gasp.

“I’m being serious. You claim you’re nothing more than a challenge, so remove the challenge. What’s the worst that could happen?”

His plan is perfect except for the part where I risk falling for him. I could easily lose myself to a man like Jake—that’s the whole reason I’ve sworn off men who aren’t on the same playing field I am.

From the time I decided boys were no longer gross, I’ve been attracted to guys like Jake. Big, strong, overly confident men who can make my heart race with just one look. After one bad experience—one heartbreakingly bad experience—I tossed in the towel. Losing myself with a man like that is okay for one night, but nothing more.

“I don’t know,” I finally say in a huff.

“You said so yourself. The man lives nowhere near New York. He plays professional football, which means he’s going to be gone for at least half the year. I don’t see him having time to fly out here on a regular basis, so unless you’re willing to move out west with him, then a relationship will never work. I think if you really want the guy gone, then give him the only thing you think will send him running…a girlfriend.”

A knot forms in my stomach as I continue to process his suggestion. There’s something about Jake—I felt it the moment I first laid eyes on him. Now, months later, he’s here in New York sexing up my life. If I give him a chance, a real chance, I could easily lose the person I’ve spent years becoming, but Caleb’s right. The only sure-fire way of getting him to leave is by removing the challenge he sees when he looks at me. I’ll have to work on my acting skills. I’ve never been one to pretend to like something, but if I come off strong, maybe he’ll purchase that ticket home even sooner than he claims. “I think you might be right.”

I dismiss Caleb’s smug smile and slide open my phone.

I turn my phone around so he can see the text I sent.

“Go a little easy on him, tiger. You tend to hiss when all you need to do is purr.”

“You can be so damn cheesy at times.”

He laughs as my phone buzzes again.

“Have fun with the man. You obviously enjoy having sex with him, so live a little. What’s the worst that can happen?”

My heart could shatter again.

Caleb didn’t meet the old me. The one who’d believe anything. The one who’d foolishly follow a guy around. The one who in the blink of an eye would be willing to put my own life on hold. Caleb has only known the new, harsher version of Lacey Davis. The one who randomly hooks up with men but never dates them. The less I know about the men I sleep with the better.

“Stop stressing yourself and go get yourself some,” he jokes, but this time, I nod.

“I won’t hesitate to kick your ass if this blows up in my face.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

I blow out a long breath before grabbing my purse and bag.

“Call me tomorrow if you want to head down to Club Zen.”

“I will. Enjoy the rest of your night.”

“Thanks, babe.”

I wrap my coat tightly around my waist and walk home. By the time I arrive, Jake is already standing outside my door.

“You were already at my apartment when you texted me, weren’t you?”

He gives me a carefree smile. “What can I say? I was tired of sitting around doing nothing. I thought maybe I could take you out for dinner?”

“Why?”

“Why?” he repeats, obviously confused by the question.

“Yeah, why do you want to eat with me?”

“I know it seems like a crazy idea, but have you stopped to consider the fact that maybe I actually like you?”

My heart starts pounding against my chest. “Okay.”

He quirks a brow as I turn to unlock my door. “Okay? That’s it? Am I missing something?”

I smile, already enjoying the idea of doing everything I can to run him off. Jake thinks I’m a challenge—well, challenge accepted.