Page 127 of Us Defiant Few

“Winnie, I don’t think he wants to play.”

“What makes you say that?” he asked.

She snapped her gaze to Takeshi as he lounged back with that probing, unreadable stare of his.

“Because you have a habit of running away when you get too close to me,” she said, her mind not letting her forget that fateful night. How his lips fastened to hers, whispering things he shouldn’t have, kissing her in ways that should be illegal. And how he closed the door and left right after.

“On the contrary, Kanes.” He spoke with a dark gleam in his eyes. “I want to know every part of you.”

“Do you still have me on your death list?”

Takeshi hesitated, furrowing his brow as if he disagreed with that question, but the cool mask slid over his features. He casually propped an elbow on his knee, his other foot nearly touching her, mocking her with its close vicinity.

“Does it make a difference?” he asked, studying her reaction.

“Exceedingly.”

“Off to a great start already, but I think we can do better,” Winnie interrupted, unable to contain her grin as they sailed across the desert at a much faster speed than before, trying to put as much distance between the bomb and them as possible.

“Winnie will start with questions for both of you so that you can get a feel for the game. Okay!” Winnie clapped her hands. “Question one. What is your favorite meal?”

She waited for Takeshi to answer, but he gestured toward her. “Ladies first.”

Khalani narrowed her gaze. “Rat stew.”

Takeshi nodded, unsurprised at her answer since rat stew was widely known as the best delicacy in the underground.

“Cloned duck broth,” he responded.

“Favorite color?”

“Blue,” she said.

“Black.”

After staring into his eyes for an eternity, it might soon become her favorite color, too.

“If you could have any superpower, what would it be?” Winnie asked, practically bouncing.

“Make him go first this time.”

“Trying to steal my answer, Kanes?”

“Hardly.” She crossed her arms, mirroring his position. “It’s probably superstrength. Or laser eyes. It’s something stupid, I can just tell.”

Takeshi simply smirked. “I would freeze time.”

Khalani blinked, the last answer she was expecting. “Why?”

“I haven’t had the best experiences in life.” His tone shifted, a hollow note ringing his voice. “But when those rare moments of happiness come, I’d like to stop and live in them just a little bit longer.”

Khalani’s heart beat a steady rhythm in her chest.

She was sure he could hear it.

A pounding that refused to fade. A wish for time to stop for her too so she could stare at him without judgment.

“Well, damn,” she whispered.