She took off running, down the hall and up the stairs, like she actually thought she had a chance.
I stayed where I was for a moment, letting her go, shaking my head slightly. I even gave her a few extra seconds as I checked on the dog.
Then I pushed off and followed.
Didn’t matter how fast she ran.
Didn’t matter where she tried to hide.
I found her within the minute, just past the guest room, pressed up against the wall like that was supposed to hide her.
She peeked around the corner, saw me, and sucked her teeth.
“Damn. You fast.”
I walked toward her, giving her time to run again if she wanted.
She didn’t. She loved this game too much.
“You give up?” I asked.
She folded her arms, “I mean… you caught me. What else you want me to do?”
I stopped right in front of her. Close enough that she had to tilt her head up to look at me. No heels today.
“Don’t play with me, Aurora.”
“I’m not playing,” she said, but her tone said otherwise.
I reached out and caught her wrist when she tried to shift past me, pinning it lightly against the wall beside her head.
Her breath hitched.
“Okay,” she pushed. “So what… you gonna lecture me?”
That slick mouth. That attitude. Her breaking in here after I said no. It’s like she was craving punishment. I stepped in closer, closing the space between us completely.
“Nah.”
Her back pressed flatter against the wall.
“Then what?”
I took her other wrist, bringing both down in front of her, holding them there in one hand.
Her body stilled.
That was the moment she realized this wasn’t just talking anymore.
“Ass or face?”
She looked at me like a deer in headlights.
My grip tightened slightly.
“Choose.”
“Face.”
