“So, that’s what has Claric bitching about breaking my hand?” Of course she wouldn’t apologize for the fucking assignment.
“Found some of your cards in their deck.”
Bellamy laughed, a hollow, dry sound. “They cheat. I should be able to too.” Vesper rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, well, they don’t get caught. Also, don’t they own the damn place?”
“Anyway,” Bellamy huffed. She straightened and looked back at Vesper again with a determined look in her eye. Pity party over, apparently. “I still need it more, so I should get it.”
“You’re just gonna waste it all on games you’re apparently too shit at to even cheat properly. Fuck that. You’re not getting it this time.”
“Oh yeah, because spending all your money on whores is a much better use for it.”
Vesper grinned. “At least I’m getting something from the exchange. You’re just acquiring more debt.”
“You know what?” Bellamy scooted over to Vesper’s side. She was on her knees on the cushioned bench so they were eye level. She was way too close. Vesper raised an eyebrow, determined not to let Bellamy affect her. Bellamy didn’t sound angry, so she assumed she was safe and wouldn’t have to dodge a blow. “Let’s make this more interesting. A bet.”
Vesper swallowed. A bet with Bellamy was never a good idea. But she had to admit, she was curious. “Go on…”
“We both give up our vices. Whoever can go longest gets the renewal. I’ll drop gambling, you drop sex.” Bellamy gave her a wicked smile, but Vesper knew the second they were finished with this assignment, Bel would be back at the cards house. This was a bet Vesper could easily win.
She pretended to think about it, her lips pursed. She tilted her head while she watched Bellamy. “Should be easy since, as you so kindly pointed out, I can’t afford the whores in Soveba anyway.”
“It’s not limited to whores, Ves.”
“Don’t worry, there won’t be anyone else I’d want to fuck anyway.”
Bellamy narrowed her eyes. “And it doesn’t stop when we finish theassignment.”
“You won’t make it that long,” Vesper claimed confidently. Deciding that was the best end to the conversation, she dug around in her bag until she found the book she’d packed. She leaned back against the bench and spread her legs, knocking into Bellamy’s still too close knee in clear dismissal.
Bellamy did not move, still feeling petulant, apparently. The heat on her skin where they touched was searing, and Vesper tried not to let her annoyance grow. Just when she was about to yell at Bellamy to get away from her, Bellamy spoke.
“Seriously?” she asked, squinting at the cover of Vesper’s book.
Vesper swallowed her frustration and let out an exaggerated sigh before she set the book on her lap. “What?”
“The History of Magic in Trolleys? That cannot seriously be what you’re reading,” Bellamy said right before reaching out to snatch the book from Vesper’s lap. Vesper slapped her hand away.
“Just because I like to educate myself instead of being a dumbass like you?”
“You’re a liar!” Bellamy cried then lunged for the book, which Vesper quickly held out of her reach.
“Cut it out.” Vesper tried to get away, but she was trapped in the corner she’d chosen to beawayfrom Bellamy. Before she could even try to move, Bellamy had somehow managed to crawl onto her lap and shoved her tits into Vesper’s face while straddling her lap.
Vesper was suddenlyveryaware that Bellamy didn’t give a single fuck about the book. She just wanted to make Vesper lose the bet immediately after posing the challenge. This was going to be a long two days.
Vesper tangled her hand in Bellamy’s loose curls and yanked her back, hard. Bellamy cried out, falling into Vesper’s lap.
“Stop being a fucking brat,” Vesper snarled, glaring at her. “Yes, that is what I brought to read. Now fuck off to your own corner and entertain yourself.”
“You’re hiding something.”
“Even if I was, it doesn’t concern you!” Vesper hissed. Her hand tightened in Bellamy’s hair, and she yanked her head back a second time. Bellamy arched her back and steadied herself by clutching Vesper’s thighs behind her.
Bellamy dug her nails in, her chest rising and falling with each heavy breath. Then, she let out a breathy moan. It caught Vesper entirely off guard, even though she fucking knew Bellamy would pull some shit like this.
Vesper immediately dropped her hold on Bellamy’s hair and tried to shove her off instead, her grip tight on Bellamy’s hips as she pushed. Bellamy squeezed her legs, holding firm around Vesper and ground into her.
