“Entering a bet with me is dangerous,” his tone edges on something darker, primal, before softening, “But I love your confidence.”
An electric current zaps through me, seizing my damn mind. “Whatever it is, I’ll honor my end of the deal.”
Stretching our palms out, we shake on it as heat threads around our hands and rushes straight between my legs.
He picks up the rifles and ammunition, and I grab the eye and ear protection. Then he thrusts his arm out for me to exit first.
The first time I shot a rifle, I thought I couldn’t do it a second time. In that moment, it was so clear what it could do and cause, the heavy weight pressing against my cheek and shoulder attesting to more than the physical strength, but the implication of killing someone. Combined with the shot of adrenaline that instantly made me dizzy, I placed the gun down and was done with it. But my sister-in-law wouldn’t have it.
I like that Calla constantly pushes me out of my comfort zone, obliterating my fears by making me stand up and face them. I miss her, even knowing what it will mean once they return. But I could never regret her coming back—my only and best friend, and the sister I never had. She’s unapologetic, lethal,and self-confident. And yes, she might have rubbed off on me, because I tapped into a side of myself I thought had vanished when I witnessed the cruelty of people.
Outside, two rows are separate, stretching wide in a vertical line with targets placed one behind the other, each fifty meters apart.
“Ready?” he asks, glancing at me with those silver eyes that feel like shooting stars lighting up my chest.
Sliding my shades over my eyes, I get ready for the shot. “Pucker your lips in advance.”
His laughter fades as I shoot the first target. The bullet taking off almost deafens me, even with the ear protection.
He looks so freaking hot as he takes his position. Legs slightly parted, the heel of the rifle firmly planted in the crook of his shoulder, the fore-end glued to his cheek. Eyes focused on the target, he inhales deeply, letting the air slowly out as the bullet explodes, hitting the middle.
My shot was one inch away, so I don’t let my loss demoralize me. There are more rounds.
He nods approvingly at mine. “Not bad.”
I can’t beat him. At least not right now. I need more practice, but what I mastered years ago is getting what I want.
I pout. “Not perfect either.”
It’s the pout that surely does it. He botches the next hit, and the third one, and I can barely suppress my grin. I won’t apologize because he can’t see me upset. I am using my feminine wiles to rig the game.
“I think you really want to kiss me,” I say smugly.
He slaps my ass before he recharges.
Thankfully it’s the last round because I can’t hold the rifle for much longer.
Sweat beads on my temples and with him so close, it’s a wonder I don’t self-combust.
He shoots straight in the middle, carving a small hole I can peek through. Mine is not even close.
“It’s a tie,” I bite my lip, knowing the more tired I get, the worse my aim.
I look up at him, and he cups the back of my neck. Dragging me to his chest, he erases the space between us. My heart plays a wild drumroll, the beats intensifying into a thunderous crescendo. Chest panting, his eyes burn with a heat that has butterflies erupting in my belly. He digs his hands into my waist, stamping a mark of possession that consumes me.
The air catches fire. Flames of passion dance between us—blazing, uncontainable.
Instinctively, I rise on my toes as he lowers his face to mine. He lifts me up because, God forbid, I feel even an ounce of discomfort by standing on my toes, even if I like it.
This moment feels unreal. A dream I’ve dreamed a thousand times.
I smile against his lips. The reality is so much sweeter than any fantasy I could have conjured. Not even one inch separates our mouths, and my lips tingle, spreading to my toes that instantly curl. My senses go haywire, making me dizzy on my feet. Drunk on him.
If he weren’t holding me, I might as well collapse, and he hasn’t even put his mouth on me.
“You want a kiss?” he asks, that deep, sinful voice eliciting a tremor to electrify me.
“You know I do. Stop teasing me and give me what I want,” my voice rings with impatience.
