After that kiss, I…
I…
Well, I don’t know what I was thinking. What I was feeling.
William didn’t kissme. That was Alexander kissing Dolly. He was playing a part. Just because he kissed me before an audience doesn’t make me special. He’s already confessed that kissing me wouldn’t be a problem. He’s merely proved it.
Now he’s going to spend the night kissing someone else.
And…more.
I’ve never felt such a blazing envy. Everything inside me wants to march after him and sabotage him with my free pass, just like I said I would.
Monty releases another exaggerated sigh. “If only there was something you could do to stop them. Then you could keep your lead.”
It’s like he read my mind. What he doesn’t know is that thereissomething I can do to stop them.
Do I dare?
I want to, but there’s one thing that holds me back.
A small, shriveled piece of my heart that shrank even more when I saw the way they looked at each other. William and Zane have history. Whether as friends or lovers, it’s clear they know each other. Like each other. Want to spend the night together. I can’t ruin that. I can’t come between them or what they have together. What if it’s love?
My chest constricts further, but I don’t fully understand the source. Am I conflicted because I want to maintain my lead in the bet? Or is it more personal than that? Is my envy for academic reasons? Or romantic ones?
I recall the feel of William’s lips against mine. The way he squeezed my palm. The way he asked permission, soft enough for only me to hear.
Desire floods me, followed by another spike of rage, and I can no longer convince myself it’s for the sake of our bet alone. Perhaps I’m petty. Perhaps I’m half out of my mind. Whatever the case, I want to be the last person William kissed. I want what Jolene wanted. I want what I already stole from Jolene, and I want to keep it for as long as I can.
Clenching my jaw, I march away from Monty.
“Oh, did you think of something?” The lack of inflection in his tone makes me wonder if he knows about our free pass after all.
I stride to where I draped my coat and wrap it around me.
“Are you leaving now?” Queen Gemma’s voice fills me with guilt.
I face her with an apologetic smile, only to find most of the book club members looking at me too. I shouldn’t leave them. These are my fans. My readers. People who admire and respect me.
I know what I should do.
And yet…
“I’m so sorry,” I say. “I hate to leave in a rush, but…but I need to ruin someone’s night.”
With that, I turn on my heel and race from the bookshop.
Outside, I pull my coat tight around me, bracing myself against the cold. It must be past ten in the evening now, and the streets are quiet save for the music and chatter streaming from the late-night establishments serving dinner, drinks, andentertainment. It’s a far more subdued atmosphere than either of the cities we’ve been in before, which makes sense for a winter resort town that caters to polite society. As I cross the street toward the Verity Hotel, my boots crunch on fluffy snow, only an inch deep despite the enormous snowflakes that trickle down. My heart races with anticipation, my lips curling. A giddy mood takes over me, fueled by the thrill of my purpose.
It’s that giddy mood that almost gives me pause. I’ve felt this way before—determined, light on my feet, a flutter in my heart—and it didn’t end well. Yet that was different. That was a matter of love. This is a matter of sex. Sex and sabotage.
Oh, what a fun book title that would be!
The doorman allows me entry with a respectful nod, and it takes all my restraint to slow my pace as I move through the elegant lobby, past reception, and toward the staircase. Only then do I pick up my pace again, climbing the stairs to the second floor as fast as I dare. I’m out of breath by the time I reach our hall, but it only adds to my excitement.
I’m going to sabotage William.
Redeem my free pass.
