“At some point,” she said, “you’re just going to have to trust me.”
“Yes,” he murmured. “That’s the problem. Isn’t it?”
Movement nearby made them glance toward the police officer. His partner had joined him, taking a seat at his table. The officer motioned in Rune and Gideon’s direction.
“I’m not sure he’s convinced by our charade,” said Rune.
“No,” said Gideon. “I don’t think he is.”
So far, Gideon was doing all the work in their game of seduction. Perhaps it was time for Rune to join in.
She turned back to find him watching the officers, his brow furrowed and his mouth stern. What would it take to make that mouth smile—even just a little?
Leaning across the table, Rune pressed the pad of her thumbagainst his lower lip. Gideon’s gaze returned to hers as she dragged her thumb slowly across.
Instead of smiling, Gideon shivered.
It sobered her. Rune remembered the day he learned she was a witch. When he made it perfectly clear how sickened by her he was.
I’m not sure what disgusts me more,he’d said.What youare, or that I fell for your act.
Gideon was only pretending he couldn’t keep his hands off her to throw their watching audience off their scent. Deep down, he couldn’t stand the thought of touching her.
It made Rune go cold.
How far could he take this before his disgust overrode everything else?
She met his dark gaze, wanting to know.
Pouring a third glass of wine, she took a long swallow, then slid her gloved hand beneath the table, placing it over one of his. The wine hummed loudly in her blood now, stripping away her inhibitions as she dragged his palm further up her thigh.
Gideon drew in a sharp breath. “Rune…”
See?thought Rune.I can play this game, too.
He made no move to withdraw. “What are you doing?”
“Performing. Same as you.” Her cheeks were warm from the wine. “We’re newlyweds, right? Let’s make them believe it.”
His hand tightened around her thigh. “Is this how you’d behave with a real husband?”
She looked up at him through her lashes. “I suppose that would depend on the husband.”
The shadows in his eyes darkened.With disgust?
No. Not exactly.
In fact, Rune thought she saw desire there.
An echoing desire howled through her.
“Rune…”
She liked how he said her name. Half-desperate. A little crazed.
“Yes, Gideon?”
He leaned in so close, he could kiss her if he wanted to. His lips parted, as if he was about to tell her some secret, when a feminine voice interrupted them.
