“You need to beat him.” The words leave me instead, pride coating them. “He’s terrible at this game.”
She scoffs, rolling her eyes as she squeezes my fingers. Instead of pushing them off her, she keeps my hands in place. “It’s just a game. What’s the point in trying so hard if I’m getting nothing out of it?”
So, she needs a reward? I can do that. My mind immediately goes to an unfamiliar place, to the memory of her breath catching under my hands last night.
“What do you want?” Sliding my hands to her hips, I squeeze them, feeling the delicate curve of her waist through the thin fabric.
Iwant to touch her again. I want to make her moan. I want—
“You get rid of the handcuffs. How about that?” She tilts her head, her green eyes sharp, challenging me. “I’ll try, then.”
A cold knot tightens in my gut.No.What if she leaves?
“I’m not going anywhere.” Huffing the words, she reads my mind. That, or I’ve spoken my thoughts out loud by accident. Her assurance, annoyed as it is, loosens something in my chest.
Considering her words, I wonder if she means what she says. Could she find herself growing comfortable like so many others who have ended up here because of loss? The idea isn’t just appealing; it’s a sudden, desperate hope.
“Fine. I’ll get rid of the handcuffs.” Nodding, I’m blinded by the sudden curve of her lips. A real, genuine smile. It transforms her face, chases the shadows from her eyes. She must be caught off guard by it, too, because it’s gone in a matter of seconds, replaced by that familiar guarded look. But I saw it. And I want to see it again.
With the game set, she pulls from my grip and returns to the table. Their game begins. I lean back in my seat, my arms crossed, but I’m not watching Warden. My entire focus is on her.
I take in her frame as she plays. The way she leans over the table, all fierce concentration, her brow furrowed. My throat goes tight when she bites her full bottom lip, her eyes narrowed on the cue ball.
There’s a strange stirring in my chest, a warmth that has nothing to do with the room’s temperature, when her eyes light up after she sinks a ball. It’s a flash of pure, uncomplicated triumph.
She misses a lot of shots, but so does Warden. He’s getting cocky. Even against a novice, he’s too competitive for his own good.
My cock stirs, heavy and interested, when she lifts her eyes to meet mine for just a second across the table—a silent, defiantglance—before lining up her next shot and sinking a striped ball with a clean thunk.
If I can teach her how to play properly, she can take Warden’s spot as my partner during co-op games. Look at me, thinking about the future. A future that has her in it, standing by my side at this table, as… something else. Mine.
The idea settles deep in my bones, feeling more right than anything has in a long damn time.
My phone buzzes, and I almost ignore it. However, Grim’s contact makes me sober up. Must’ve been a slow day at the funeral home.
He’s outside, waiting.
Fuck. To think he’s already taken care of her request.
The game is taking too long.
Standing up, I coast toward her end of the table. Stepping close, I notice the way her eyes widen. Her cheeks flush. Her mouth…
“Dude. Don’t even think about it.” From the other end, Warden growls.
Holding my hand out, I curl my fingers, beckoning her stick. She hesitates before giving it to me.
With Warden’s bitching in the background, I sink her last three balls without interruption. Already knowing which hole the black will sink into, I can’t help but get a little cheeky when Destiny leans against the table, amazed.
“Yeah, show off for your girl.” He scowls, his nose scrunching as the last ball sinks. “I should win by disqualification.”
Reaching behind me, I pull out my wallet. Pulling out a few bills, I toss them next to all the balls he’s yet to sink. “Give me ten, and I’ll come win it back.”
With that, I’m guiding Destiny toward the front.
“How did you do that?” She’s looking at me in awe. It takes effort not to let that go to my head.
“I like two things in this world. Pool, and money. That game scratches both.” Might need to add a third thing to my list, but does it matter if this beauty is the only one who can satisfy it? “Come on. Someone’s waiting for us.”
