Earn a point in our bet.
Secure my two-point lead.
Keep my two-point lead.
Win the three-book contract.
Move to Faerwyvae.
Live in a place where I’m famous and respected and surrounded by admirers.
Kiss William.
Kiss…William.
Kiss…touch…make love to…
William.
My cheeks burn hot, and it isn’t only from the strain of activity. I stop outside his bedroom door and raise my fist,poised to knock. That giddy flutter in my chest intensifies, my mind still swirling with thoughts of what I’m about to do with my rival. My mind lingers on the way he kissed me in the bookstore, and for the love of all things, I want that again. I want more of that.
With a deep breath, I let my fist fall in a rapid knock.
My heart hammers so loud, I can’t hear if there’s motion coming from inside the room. William and Zane must already be inside. They left a few minutes before me. What if I’m already too late? What if they’re entangled in each other’s arms, each other’s lips? What if I have no right being here? What if I’m taking our game too far by interrupting what might be love?—
The door swings open just a crack. Inside, the bedroom is dim. The sliver of William I see reveals an open collar and waistcoat, no jacket, his cravat hanging loose and crooked around his neck, his lips quirked sideways.
Mylips.
Those are my fucking lips.
I ball my hands into fists and finally say those two words he’s been taunting me to say. “Free pass.”
William opens the door wider, snakes his hand around my waist, and pulls me into his room. “I thought you’d never ask.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
EDWINA
With one arm, William pulls me against him. With the other, he shuts the door behind us. My hands come to his chest as he shifts to the side and leans against the closed door, pulling me with him. His posture is loose and relaxed. Maybe even relieved. He now has both arms around me, and he throws his head back, an easy chuckle escaping his lips.
I frown up at him. What’s come over him? He’s grinning like he’s won when I’m the one who redeemed my pass. Sabotaged his plans.
Or…
I glance around the room. It’s identical to mine, with two beds and an assortment of fine furnishings. Only one lamp is lit on one of the bedside tables, casting the room in a dim warm glow. There’s no sign of anyone else.
I return my gaze to William and narrow my eyes. “Where’s Zane?”
He lowers his chin until those blue irises fall on me. His triumphant smile remains. As do his arms around me. The way he holds me, his grip firm yet relaxed, the way he stares down at me with that smile, almost feels like a weathered embrace. Familiar. Comforting. Like it’s effortless for him to touch me like this.
It’smyposture that’s tense.Myhands that burn against the firm musculature of his chest, even with the linen shirt that separates our flesh.Mybreaths that are short and jagged. I’m the only one of us who’s discomposed.
He shrugs. “Zane is probably in their room by now.”
“Their room? Weren’t they planning on staying in yours tonight?”
“Nope.”
