AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re now that much closer to getting what you want.”
“Screw you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I shoved my cards at him, toppling the small piles of chips in the center. “I do not appreciate the graciousness.”
“Clearly.”
“I’m gonna go,” Kai said, backing up. “For a while. That ship still available?”
Theo angled his head at me.
“Go ahead,” I conceded to Kai, though my stare stayed on Theo. “But if you could bring back a few drinks, I’d appreciate it.”
“I am not your—”
“Please,” I said, cutting Kai off. I needed the assurance that he’d be back within minutes. “Vodka. With a twist, on the rocks.”
Kai mumbled something, but as he passed behind Theo, he asked, “And you, sire? What would your palette appreciate on this gorgeous night?”
“Bourbon. Rocks,” I said.
The skin under Theo’s eyes formed little upside-down crescents. Almost a smile.
“You’re interrupting the game with this pointless distraction,” I said to Theo once Kai departed.
The tip of Theo’s shoe grazed up my shin. I shot my leg back, away from him.
“Stop,” I whispered.
“That’s the problem,” he said, coming closer. “I can’t.”
“You’ve been able to for the past—”
“Don’t you get it, Scarlet?” His eyes flashed. “Resisting you is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Being away from you, that made it better, but not easier. And having you in front of me now? It’s a cruel kind of torture.”
“To have me this close?” I challenged. “This is no cake-walk for me, either, but at least I have enough self-control not to caress you under tables and bring back memories better left at the bottom of the—”
He flew over the table, cupped my jaw, and seared me with his mouth.
Hands raised, eyes wide open, I let my lips warm under his, until eventually, inevitably, my fingers dug into his hair and my eyelids shuttered.
Theo wasn’t kind, but I didn’t want him to be. His lips were hard, his tongue demanding I let him in, but I could join in on the sword-fight, too.
Teeth nicked, blood was drawn, and a growl sounded low, deep in his throat. The sound had those rose petals traveling to my nether regions pretty damned fast.
In an instant, cold smacked into my face. I steadied myself against the table, since somehow I’d come to stand, while Theo paced away, wiping his mouth.
“Fuck, Scarlet,” he said.
“Fuckyou,” I snapped back. But licked at my lips.
“You need to go. We can’t do this.”
“You mean, you can’t,” I said, covering the tremble in my voice by crossing my arms. “I was doing just fine in this game.”
He turned, meeting my eyes. “Being with me hurt you. Staying with me, that will surely kill you.”
