Page 62 of Playing With Danger

“Why do you think I deserve better?”

His eyes went stormy and I wondered if he knew when he was uncomfortable his gaze gave him away. The change was ever so slight, but it was there.

“You only deserve the best.”

My phone started ringing. There was at least three feet that separated us yet I could feel Valentine’s relief roll off of him.

“And you’re not the best?”

His relief was short lived. Every bit of tension that had drained out of him when my phone rang came back full force. Steel-blue eyes stared through me, stiff shoulders, a tic of his jaw.

“Sophie—”

“That’s bullshit, Valentine. Who told you you’re not worth it? Who told you, you weren’t the best?”

He blinked at my outburst and that pissed me off more.

“No, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. I have mad internet sleuthing skills and I’ll find the bitch and…”

Shit. I didn’t know what I would do.

“And do what, Soph?” he teased.

Teased.

He was grinning.

“Are you seriously making fun of me right now?”

“No.”

No?

Yes, he was.

“I don’t find this funny, Valentine. More than once you’ve said you’d make it worth it. More than once you’ve talked about what I deserve, and now you’ve said I deserve better. That’s not funny.”

“I can see?—”

“Can you, Valentine? Can you see how that’s so totally absurd it would piss me right the hell off?”

His smile disappeared. So did the distance between us. Then his hand was on the back of my neck and his mouth was slamming down onto mine. My mind raced to catch up but it was too late; his tongue swept in and stole my thoughts. He didn’t let me up for air until I moaned into his mouth, telling him I was ready for him to bend me over the island.

Valentine broke the kiss but unfortunately ignored my silent but obvious request.

“I couldn’t see, but I do now.”

Well, that was something.

“Who—”

“Give me time.”

I wanted to push but with his gentle request paired with the pleading in his eyes I had no choice but to give him what he asked. Besides, asking for time when we were getting to know each other wasn’t the same thing as denying me.

“Okay.”

I knew I made the right decision when he brushed his lips over my cheek.

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