Page 72 of Play Dirty

“About?”

“You.”

I stopped typing for a second.

“That sounds ominous.”

He didn’t smile. He didn’t move, either.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” he demanded.

I leaned back against the counter.

“About what?”

“Don’t do that,” he growled.

“Do what?”

“Act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

I shoved the tablet aside. It wasn’t like I was getting any work done anyway.

“You mean the part where I can actually play?” I said. “Or the part where you never bothered to ask?”

He stood for a moment longer, then pushed off the doorway. His jaw was still tight as he crossed the room in a few heavy steps.

“You’ve been here for how long?” he asked. “Watching. Talking. Breaking things down like you’ve got it all figured out.”

“I do have it all figured out,” I smiled. “Well, mostly.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Then what is?” I challenged him. “Please. Enlighten me.”

He was close enough that I could smell him now; all ice and sweat and leather. Not to mention some intoxicating natural musk, that was driving me crazy.

“There’s a big difference,” he said, his voice going tight, “between knowing something and actually being out there.”

“I know. And I just showed you I’ve done both.”

His eyes flashed an electric blue that bordered on violet, as he looked me up and down. I wasn’t sure if he was assessing me, trying to intimidate me, or just generally checking me out. One thing was for sure, though:

Ares was trying to keep himself in check again.

“You think I don’t see it?” he said, after a beat.

“See what?”

“The way things changed today, after your little stunt.”

I didn’t answer. I only scoffed.

“I’m serious, Haven. You go out there once, and suddenly everybody’s listening. Suddenly, it’s all different.”

“Wow,” I laughed. “I can’t believe it.”

His expression twisted into a scowl. “Believe what?”