“He doesn't, okay?” I say, leaving the words out in the open between us. It’s not enough. He's still staring down at me with that same expression. The one that has the power to strip away every single wall I’d ever built around myself.
I know there are people watching.
I know this will look really fucking bad from the outside looking in, but I don’t care.
My fingers join behind his neck as I lean up on my toes so that only he can hear me. “I promise he doesn't hurt me merely as much as I could hurt him.”
I skim my lips over his, kissing him so light only he could tell. Kneading my fingers into the strands of his hair, I angle my head to the side. His restraint crumbles like a fortress under siege, his muscles finally relaxing as he catches me around my waist, leaning down to claim my mouth properly.
Oh shit. Well. Everyone is going to see this as clear as day if they’re watching.
A little part of me hopes that they are.
Chapter 19
Ivy
Ipull the beige fur-lined hood up against the biting wind as Daniel navigates the city car through Mount Grim's base terminal. The final Winter Games. Asher dominates these mountains, and the past two that I’ve attended I’ve tried to ignore the fact that he finds me in every crowd.
“Fuck, Ivy,” Atlas whistles low from beside me, his gaze dropping to where my black pants cling to every curve. “That ass?”
I turn slowly, letting my lips curve into something that isn't quite a smile. “Keep looking at it like that, and I'll use it to suffocate you in your sleep.”
“What a way to go,” he grins, completely unbothered by the threat. The colored ink on his neck shifts as he laughs—blues and greens where Asher's are all gray and black. I haven’t got to know Atlas to any capacity since being here, but in another life, I know he and I would become friends.
“You're disgusting,” Camille mutters from his other side, but there's no real heat in it. Her designer ski outfit is all clean white and silver. It makes her look like some ice princess. She’s giving Elsa and I’m more like Mr. Freeze.
Punk snorts from her spot. “Please, like Ivy doesn't know exactly what she's doing in those pants. Girl's got more kills in yoga pants than most assassins have in tactical gear.”
“Professional hazard,” I murmur, adjusting the tight turtleneck that's riding up slightly under my vest. “Men are stupid when distracted.”
“Can confirm,” Jord adds drily. “Remember Budapest? Dude walked straight into traffic watching you cross the street.”
I pause what I’m doing. “That was an accident.”
“Sure it was,” Lucinda's green eyes meet mine. “Just like wearing fuck-me boots to a family-friendly sporting event is an accident.”
I glance down at my fuzzy snow boots. “They're warm. And how are these fuck-me boots?”
I do look good. But fashion comes to me naturally, it always has. I didn’t mean for the fit to make me look dangerous, but I guess it does. All tight black clothes, paired with a beige crop vest.
Daniel pulls the car to a stop near the main entrance where crowds are already gathering. Massive screens show Asher at the peak, preparing for his presentation run.
My chest tightens, saliva burning its way down my throat.
I slide out of the car, cold air slapping across my face. The base of Mount Grim is all gleaming technology. Holographic displays showing real-time stats, drones buzzing overhead capturing every angle. It's something from a sci-fi film.
A robot glides up to us, its mechanical voice cheerful. “Welcome to the Winter Games finale! Can I scan your access passes?”
Punk holds up her phone, the VIP codes Asher sent us gleaming on the screen. The robot's eyes flash green. “Excellent! You have premium access to all viewing areas. The final run begins in thirty minutes. Asher is currently—”
“We know where he is,” I cut it off, already walking toward the lodge. Damn fucking robots. Has no one seen Terminator?
The others follow, Atlas still shooting appreciative glances at my ass when he thinks I'm not looking.
“You know I'll actually remove your eyes, right?” I say without turning around.
“Worth it,” he calls back. “Besides, may as well make the most of this while my brother isn’t here.”
