I swallow and grin. “Well… mission accomplished, then.”
“Absolutely,” he says, voice low and rough. “Mission: Isobel’s happiness—success.” He bumps his shoulder lightly against mine, teasing, almost playful. “And I’m just glad I get to be the reason for it.”
I shake my head, laughing softly.
We keep walking toward the park, the path barely lit, the shadows clinging to the edges of trees and benches. The night hums around us, soft and secretive.
His hand brushes mine once, then he grabs it. Our fingers lacing together easily.
“I like this,” he murmurs. “No lights, no one watching… just you and me.”
I bite my lip, trying to keep my pulse under control. “It’s… quiet,” I look around. “A little too quiet.”
“Yeah,” he says, voice dropping, deepening. “Perfect for… getting distracted.”
I know what he means before he even looks at me. His eyes are smoldering and unapologetically hungry. I can feel him in every step we take. The subtle heat radiates off him when his shoulder brushes mine.
We reach a secluded corner of the park, where the shadows are thick and branches hang low. Luca stops. And suddenly I’m aware of every inch of him, the way he towers over me, how his chest presses forward slightly, daring me to look up.
“Don’t move,” he murmurs, close enough that I can feel his breath on my cheek.
I can’t. My body won’t obey. Every nerve is awake, every instinct screaming.
And then he’s there. Hands on my hips, pulling me flush against him. My back hits the tree behind me, the rough bark pressing into my shoulder. His lips are on mine before I can react, and the kiss is fierce, claiming. A continuation of the heat we left inside the laser tag arena.
Hands slide into hair, over ribs, brushing the small of my back. His thigh presses between mine, strong, unyielding. I can’t think—can’t breathe—but I don’t want to.
Every kiss, every brush of skin, every whispered growl of my name is electric, almost reckless. The dim light barely illuminates us, but I can feel every magnetic movement, every tiny adjustment of his body.
When we finally pull back—just a fraction—our foreheads touch. I’m panting, heart hammering. He smirks like he knows exactly what he’s done to me.
“You are absolutely delicious.” His lips graze mine again, teasing.
I swallow hard. “I think… you’re just insatiable,” I murmur, voice low.
“What can I say? You’re so irresistible, pretty girl,” he says, eyes dark, almost predatory.
36 DIRTY WORK
I'm hanging from the ceiling by my wrists.
It's Gideon's favorite position to have his prey on display for his sick viewing pleasure. He's circling me like a vulture, waiting for me to die before diving in and feasting on my body.
Though I'm not really sure what he's waiting for.
He stops in front of me and tilts his head. I repress the shiver that threatens to roll through my body. Jace looks so much like him. But something about Gideon sets off all the alarm bells. His fingers reach out and I flinch away from them. His smile splits his face.
“Isobel Ashthorne,” he whispers. He reaches for the leather cord around my neck and rips Tex's ring off.
“No…” I croak.
My body jolts instinctively, wanting to reach out and grab it back. I grip my hands tighter. I can't let him take the pebble, too.
Gideon holds up Tex's ring in the light. It looks dulled from the sweat and grime that covers my skin. My neck feels empty and hollow.
“Ah, the Ward heir. Tex.” He licks his lips.
“What a fun piece he was to move around on the board.” Gideon slides the ring into his pocket.
