As soon as we started dancing and were far enough away from anyone that would eavesdropping, she snarled up at me. “Are you out of your mind? Provoking a god like that?”
“Provoking? I thought I asked nicely.”
“You can’t just go and ask a god to cut in!” She talked through clenched teeth, keeping a fake smile in place, playing the part like nothing was amiss.
“I think I just did.”
She shook her head, and I spun her out, bringing her back in. Her backside became flush with my front and there was a very noticeable item poking at me from her thigh.
I chuckled. “Speaking of things you shouldn’t be doing?—”
“Not a word.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” She spun again, this time coming to face me. She was a good few inches below me and had to strain her neck to glare up at me. Then I watched as her eyes went wide and she awkwardly clenched her legs together.
The knife was slipping.
If she were to be found out, her head would be up on that wall along with the other contestants, and I couldn’t let that happen.
I brought her body close to mine, covering the fact that she was clearly struggling to keep from dropping the damned thing.
We moved together in tandem, her eyes darting around the room in a panic. I gripped onto her thigh, feeling the outline of the dagger.
“Just go with it,” I pleaded with her.
“Fine, but if you fuck it up, I’m taking you down with me.”
She had no choice but to trust me. With my hand pressed against her thigh, I dragged my hand up to her hips, the knife moving with me. Thankfully, she had something protecting her skin from being sliced otherwise, I’m pretty sure she would have gotten nicked by the sharp blade. Finally, with my other hand coming to clutch the knife, I yanked it through the tight fabric that cinched in at her waist.
It wouldn’t hold for long, but it was something.
The song came to an end, and she bowed politely then took off, headed in the direction of the bathrooms. I let her go, watching as she left. In fact, most everyone had stopped what they were doing to watch us. I hadn’t noticed, too focused on the temptress in my arms. I wasn’t ashamed for wanting her. She was gorgeous and had a spark that made me want to fan until it was a raging inferno.
Tomorrow, the games would begin, and we’d be plunged into the depths of this volatile place. I wondered if that was the last, I’d see of her until we were officially opponents, playing against each other for the chance to win.
Chapter 15
Odessa
Iran straight from the ballroom making a beeline for my room, hoping that no one would notice me slipping away. No such luck. The bastard guard, Davis, that had brought me to this wretched place blocked my path down one of the dark hallways, with his arms crossed over his chest and a smile that was devoid of any kindness. I was toast.
“Good evening,” I tried for a sweet tone and a dip of my head.
“Where are you running off to in such a hurry?” he asked taking a step closer.
We were alone, the two of us, and with no audience to see what he would do, I took a step back as well trying to keep a healthy distance away from him. His cruel eyes gleamed knowing he frightened me with that one step back.
“I’ve been meaning to check on you since I brought you here. You’re not trying to hide something from the guards, are you?”
My heart was hammering a million miles a minute as he came closer. This time, I stood my ground.
The dagger sat between the fold of the dress’s fabric and my skin, feeling like it might loosen at any moment.
“No, sir,” I responded trying to figure out how to get away from this creep.
“Mmm, I like the way you say, sir. You know your place and how utterly insignificant you are.”
He grabbed me then, twirling me hard against the stone wall with his hand in my hair and his hot unwanted breath at my ear.
