Page 51 of His Winter Wonderland

“We did lose,” War purred. “The victor must be rewarded. It’s only right.”

“Traitors.”

Rhen’s thumb massaged her knuckles. She struggled to control her breathing. This wasn’t dreamland. This was real. She and him had never done this in real life.

“It’s easy. Just lie back, open your legs, and moan. Our vampire will take care of the rest.”

It wasn’t as simple as that. They had issues to resolved.

“We did. He didn’t know it was you in the dreams. And in reality, he got swept away by bloodlust. People fuck up. Forgive and forget then move on. Simple.”

Yeah, it sounded simple. But it wasn’t. There were so many other things to consider. The past. The present. The future. This little bet could affect her future plans. And her plans didn’t involve Rhen Fujisaki.

“It’s just a bet,” Rhen told her, still massaging her hand. “You don’t have to go through with it.”

“Remember, you put a spell on the cards before the game, Kitten,” Vicky reminded her.

Shit. It was more for Rhen than her. Whichever one of them broke the rules, that person would have to suffer a penalty.

“And Rhen let you choose the penalty. And what did your smart ass choose?”

“Whoever loses has to shave their head.”

“We won’t look cute bald. We’ve got a funny shaped head.”

“Silence. Let me think.”

What was there to think about. The spell had already been cast. If she failed to cut her hair off, she’d experience pain unlike anything she ever experienced until she complied. This was not how she’d expected her night to go.

Still massaging her hand, Rhen told her, “You don’t have to go through with it. Okay, Kitten.”

“But the spell…”

“Can’t you reverse it.”

She shook her head. There was only one out. Cut her hair. She touched her hand to her head. She didn’t want to cut her hair.

“Kitten, if you’re afraid that I’ll lose control…”

“That’s not it.”

“What is it then?”

I’m afraid I’ll like it. I’m afraid I’ll want it all the time. “It’s just, we’re enemies and…”

“Enemies is such a harsh word. Kaede and I used to be enemies. Now look at us.”

“You’re wanting to kill him.”

“Yeah. But not because we’re enemies. Because he’s my friend. And because Sinclair is your friend.”

“She’s your friend too. And if she liked you in a romantic way, the two of you would probably be more than friends.”

“Never,” he growled. “I’d never be that way with her or any other woman.”

Winter chuckled. “All your groupies…”

“Are just for show. Just to get you to notice me. A friend once told me that people never want something until they see someone else with it.”