Page 261 of A Vicious Love

I looked at him. “But you said Julian knows.”

“And Julian believes your excitement makes you reckless. Use that.”

I looked back at my brother. Julian’s expression was calm, but now I saw the way his left thumb brushed the side of his glass. He disliked something.

Maybe the bet.

I raised.

Julian watched the chips, then called.

The river came.

A king.

A lovely card. Proud. Handsome. Alone.

Poor queenless king.

Jamison’s fingers moved at my thigh. “Do not pity him.”

“I said nothing.”

“You sighed.”

“He looks so misplaced.”

“Bet.”

I bet.

Julian folded after a long moment.

I stared.

“I won?”

Jamison gathered the chips toward me. “Yes.”

“With the nines?”

“With the nines.”

I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt. I turned before thinking and kissed Jamison’s cheek.

The room went silent.

I froze. Jamison did too. My lips had touched the edge of his jaw, because he had turned slightly at the last second. I pulled back slowly.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

His eyes locked on mine.

“No apologizing.”

“But I⁠—”

“No.” His hand slid from my waist to my back, holding me there. “If you kiss me because you’re happy, do not apologize for it.”