Free Rough: Daunting Temptation (Coral Gables Series Book 1) by Drucie Anne Taylor Page A

dinner?"
    "No. I already have a date with my shower and my bed. I'm really exhausted today," I answer.
    "Too bad, but maybe tomorrow. Do you want me to drive you home?"
    "Tomorrow will be fine, yes. And no again on the driving. I feel like walking. Thank you, Ethan."
    "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow then." He pats me on the shoulder and turns into the parking lot, while I walk on down the street.
    Half an hour later I finally get home. I really took my time today. I put my stuff into my room, take my comfy jogging clothes from my closet and trot into the bathroom. I step into the shower and wash myself. When my soapy fingers touch my belly, I cannot help but remember Delsin's touch. A cold shiver of lust runs down my back in spite of the warm water. Before I can give in to the impulse to let my hand move further downwards, I pull it back from my belly and start scrubbing my arms with the sponge I am holding in my other hand. Finally, I wash my hair and then step from the shower.
    Ten minutes later I am wearing my comfy clothes and a towel wrapped around my head. I leave the bathroom and call out: "Thally? Hailey? Anyone in?"
    "Yeah," Thalia calls back. "We're sitting in Hailey's room talking."
    I change my course and walk into Hailey's room. "What time is it now?"
    Hailey looks at her watch. "Six. Only two more hours till we'll know the outcome of our wager."
    I grin. "I'm still hoping he won't come."
    They giggle. "So how about raising the stakes then?" Thalia asks.
    "Sure. How much?" I say boldly.
    "Fifty bucks each."
    My heart skips a beat. Fifty dollars is all I have left until Friday. That's when I get my monthly allowance, sent to my bank account. There's no way I can ask my parents for more money before Friday. My dad chips in only grudgingly anyway, because he also shares the tuition cost with my mom. "I've only got fifty bucks till Friday, so ... I'm afraid we have to stick with the original ten bucks," I finally admit.
    "Or you can pay up after Friday," Hailey suggests with a wink.
    "How come you are both so sure you're going to win this bet?"
    "Because I witness Delsin Rough and his way with women every single day. He's in most of my classes," Thalia grins.
    "Just great. I'll be in my room." I turn away and trudge through the hallway.
    "So fifty bucks each it'll be?" Hailey calls after me.
    "Yeah," I answer without thinking. I want to kick myself for that only a moment later.
    In my room I look out of the window and decide to keep an eye on the parking lot. If Delsin shows up, I'll simply call him on the phone and ask him to come back later. That may not be playing by the rules, but I need this money.
    After I have fetched my tablet, which I use as an e-book reader, I sit down on the padded windowsill and start to read. I will hear any car that drives by, for the window is wide open.
    From time to time, I check the clock on the wall. Time flies.
    ***
    I open my eyes. I must have fallen asleep, and a knock on my door has woken me again. "Yes?" I ask in a sleepy voice.
    Thalia comes in. "Oh. Did you fall asleep?"
    "Yeah," I whine.
    "Oh," she says again and sits down next to me. "Sorry to wake you."
    "That's okay. The windowsill is really not the right place for a nap. I think I'm going to lie down," I say and get up to stretch.
    At that moment, the doorbell rings. "That has got to be Delsin, trying to pick you up for dinner," Thalia grins.
    My eyes settle on the clock again. "And that means I won, because it's past eight." Now it's my time to grin.
    "Shit."
    We both laugh as we leave my room and race each other to the front door. When I open it, it's really Delsin.
    "Hi. If you don't feel like going out to dinner with me, I thought I'd simply bring dinner to you."
    I smile. "Come in. You just made me a hundred dollars richer."
    He looks at me with a dumbfounded expression but doesn't ask what I'm talking about. Instead he comes in.
    Girls, I believe you owe me some money."
    "Oh crap," Thalia swears and takes out a