A laugh burst from my lips. "With just two people? Not nearly as fun."
His smirk widened into a grin. "We could always invite the others to join."
I wrinkled my nose, shaking my head vehemently. "No way I'm playing strip poker with Rey. Or your sister. Gross."
The mere thought made me shudder. Rey was like a brother to me, and Jeanette... well, the less said about her, the better. There were some lines even I wouldn't cross.
Luce chuckled, shrugging his broad shoulders. "Just a thought. Guess it's just you and me then, Rissa."
I found myself warming to the idea of a private game with Luce. Just the two of us, the cards, and the delicious tension that always crackled between us. "Just you and me, huh?" I mused, my gaze drifting over his rugged features. "I think I could handle that."
As the words left my mouth, I realized with a start that I meant them. The idea of seeing where this thing between us could go sent a thrill through me. When had that happened? When had I started to catch feelings?
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. No, it couldn't be. I didn't do feelings, didn't get attached. It was just the thrill of the challenge, the rush of butting heads with someone who could keep up with me. That was all.
But as I sat there, watching the way the light played over his chiseled features, I couldn't help but wonder if he felt it too. This inexplicable draw, this magnetic pull that seemed to tug us closer with each passing moment.
I opened my mouth, ready to broach the subject, to see if we were on the same page. But before I could utter a word, a piercing scream shattered the air, echoing from the other side of the yacht.
My cards scattered as I leaped to my feet. Luce was beside me in an instant, his body tense and coiled, ready for action.
Luce and I burst out of the bedroom, our bare feet slapping against the polished teak deck. Rey and Cathy emerged from the second bedroom at the same time. He was in shorts, and she’d thrown on a robe.
"What’s going on?" Rey demanded, his gaze darting around the main cabin.
Before anyone could answer, another scream pierced the air, followed by the acrid stench of smoke. My stomach dropped as I spotted the source: flames licking up from the stove, engulfing the galley kitchen.
Jeanette stood frozen in front of the fire, a fire extinguisher clutched in her trembling hands. She fumbled with the pin, her usually perfect hair falling in disarray around her face.
"I can't get it to work!" she cried in a panic.
Luce lunged forward, his muscular frame coiled with purpose. "Give it to me," he commanded, reaching for the extinguisher.
But Jeanette shook her head, her gaze locked on the flames. "No, I can do it. I have to do it."
I watched, my heart in my throat, as she struggled, then fumbled and dropped it, breaking the pickup tube. It was useless now.
The fire flared.
Rey dashed forward, snatching a thick woolen blanket from the nearby couch. "Cathy, help me with this!" He tossed one end of the blanket to her, and together they rushed toward the stove, attempting to smother the flames.
"It's not working!" Cathy cried as she stumbled back from the stove, the charred remains of the blanket falling from her hands.
Luce lunged for the sink, turning the faucet on full blast and grabbing the little sprayer. With a flick of his wrist, he aimed it at the fire, the water jetting out in a pitiful stream.
I couldn't help but shake my head, even during the chaos. Seriously?
With a sigh of exasperation, I raised my hand and waved it dismissively at the flames. Instantly, the fire vanished, leaving behind only the acrid stench of smoke and the charred remnants of our failed attempts to extinguish it.
"Hello. Magic?" I said, my words dripping with sarcasm as I turned to face Luce, fixing him with a look that could have withered an entire forest.
Luce hung his head, unable to meet my gaze. Shame radiated off him in waves, his broad shoulders slumping under the weight of his failure.
I couldn't help but giggle at the sight. Served him right for losing his head.
Meanwhile, Jeanette shot me a venomous glare.
Rey cleared his throat, breaking the tension that had settled over the room. "Well, if I didn't know any better, I'd say we were being sabotaged by a pack of gremlins."
