She misses.Deliberately.I know it before the cue ball even stops rolling.
“You missed.”I observe, sliding my thumb across my mouth.
“I know.”
My gaze lifts to hers.She’s smiling.Not wide.Not obvious.Just enough to make every muscle in my body tighten.
“You’re doing that on purpose.”
“Doing what?”
“Distracting me.”
Vanessa straightens with slow, deliberate precision, her cue resting against her hip.“Is it working?”
“Yes.”
She doesn’t even bother to hesitate, and her smile deepens into something more sinister.Christ.I set my glass down and move behind her as she bends to take her next shot and slide one hand over hers on the cue and the other against her hip.
Her body stills into awareness as I whisper into her ear.“You’re holding it wrong.”
“Am I?”her voice a little breathless.
I lean closer, chest brushing her back as I adjust her grip, my mouth staying close to her ear.“You don’t sound concerned.”
“I’m trying to focus.”
“I don’t think it’s working.”
Her breathing changes.It’s slight, but it’s enough for me to know what I’m doing to her.I guide her into position, my hand still over hers, my body aligned with hers as she bends lower.It would be easy to turn this into something more, so damn easy.But I don’t.I wait and let her make the choice.
Vanessa’s head turns just enough for her cheek to almost brush mine.“You’re being very restrained.”
“I’m trying something new.”
Her laugh is soft, but carries the slightest tremble to it.“How’s that working out for you?”
“I’m not sure it is.”
She purses her lips and then takes the shot.She misses.Again.And this time, I don’t think it was on purpose.I straighten, but I don’t move away.Vanessa turns within the cage of my body, her back up against the table, eyes bright and dark all at once.
“Your turn.”
I look down at her mouth.“I think I want to play a new game.”
“What about this one?”
“I forfeit.”I concede the loss because I know ultimately, it will be a win for me.
“Well, that’s a shame.”
“Not really.”I arch a brow.
“Why’s that?”Her curiosity peaking as I take a step closer, her chin lifting so that she can keep her eyes locked on mine.
The teasing fades.Not because the mood breaks, but because it deepens.I lean in even closer, lifting a hand to grasp onto her chin to angle her head more.“Because the winner gets whatever she wants.”
Her fingers slide up the front of my sweater, curling into the fabric.“I think you know exactly what I want.”
