Page 6 of A Fool's Game

This night could not have surprised me more if everyone in the bar got up and started a flash mob dance.

Not only did I snag a reintroduction to a charming, insightful girl from my past—albeit a bit awkward with all the dead mom talk—but now that girl is taking me on an adventure.

And I know what she said about spending one night together, but it’s Christmas. The holiday could still work its magic.

Gem leads me out to the street, which is officially white after the last hour of steady snowfall. I’m wearing boots, but she’s just got on sneakers. I’m tempted to mention it, but I don’t get the chance beforeshe grabs my gloved hand with her mittened one and only thoughts of her touching me remain in my head. I curse gloves and winter and snow. Any other season and I would be touching her skin right now.

“Did you walk here?” I ask, needing to say something. Isuddenly want to know everything there is to know about this girl—and I’ve only known her an hour.

“I’m not telling you where I live,” she says with this fire and sass that does something to me.

I laugh, trying to shake off the tingle running down my spine. “Why not?”

“Because I can’t have you showing up all heartsick and making a fool of yourself in front of my roommates.”

I laugh again and shake my head, even though she can’t see me. She’s a foot or so ahead, pulling me along behind her.

I follow willingly.

We walk like that in silence for a few blocks, Gem leading and me trying not to slip in the snow or trip over my own feet as I watch her long, sandy hair bounce under her yellow knit cap.

I try to keep my gaze above the hem of her coat, although god knows why. She isn’t watching as I check her out. I give in and have to clench my teeth to keep from moaning at the way her hips fill out a pair of tight, dark jeans, swaying side to side as she tromps through the snow.

When she finally turns from the main road, it’s to take us past a dumpster into a dark alley.

“Um, I somehow don’t think the sex will be any more satisfying with the aroma of people’s rotting garbage in the air.”

“It’s winter, Ains. The garbage isn’t rotting. It’s frozen.”

But all I can think about is her casual use of my nickname. How easily the word slipped from her lips, as if she’d been saying it her whole life.

I’m about to call her out on it when she turns us again toward the end of the alley, and I stop short. My hand slips from hers as my heels plant and she spins to face me.

“Come on.”

I’m not a timid guy. I’ve spent my life flying all over the world,bungee jumping, white water rafting, helicopter skiing. But the sight of those narrow, dimly lit steps leading up into complete darkness at the end of an alley in Seattle, led by a woman I barely know who could very well have it out for me or my family…

“I don’t know about this.”

She cocks her head to the side in annoyance, hands on hips. “Don’t worry, Ainsley. I’m not going to tie you up and hold you for ransom.”

I take a step backward.

She stops me escaping by grabbing my hand and pulling me behind her once more. Against all better judgment, I allow myself to be led up the stepsonto a surprisingly beautiful rooftop.

“What is this place?” I ask softly, spinning in place to take in my surroundings.

A dark wood pergola stretches across the back half of the open space, its dormant vines heavy with snow but still sheltering the metal lounge chairs beneath. Jewel-toned planters in deep blue and gold ring the perimeter, while intricate Turkish paving stones blanket the ground, their elaborate patterns just visible under the gathering snow.

In the center of the wide-open patio is a potted tree almost as tall as Gem, adorned with what looks like orange slices and a star holding a snow-covered candle.

“It’s the patio for The Stone Moon downstairs.”

“The junk shop?”

Her gaze cuts to meet mine, sharp and unimpressed. “The crystal shop and tarot reading studio, you mean?”

“Oh, yeah. I guess that’s what I meant.” I’m back to spinning slowly, taking it all in. “Whatever the place is, they really made this roof amazing.”

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