Page 94 of King of Envy

You said you wanted to talk. About what?

“Anything.” Really, I wanted to talk about our kiss, but it seemed uncouth to jump straight into a thorny subject when he’d just arrived.

I walked over to the table by the window and poured a glass of water. It gave me something to do with my hands.

“So,” I said lightly. “Attended any bingo nights lately?”

Vuk gave me sardonic look like,Really?That’swhat you want to talk about?

Which was fair, but it was the first topic that popped in my head. I was still fifty-fifty on whether he was lying about the bingo.

No. I figured I’d give the seniors a break from losing.

“Wow. Beating a bunch of eighty-year-olds must be thrilling.”

Winning is winning.

Of course he would say that.

“Would you bring me to a game sometime?” I asked. “I haven’t played bingo in forever.”

Are you asking because you really want to play or because you don’t believe I do?

“Both.”

A hint of a smile pulled on his lips.Good. Never take anything anyone says at face value.

I shook my head. “That’s a sad way to go through life.”

Maybe. But it might also save your life.

Vuk came up beside me. I wordlessly handed him the water. He took it, his fingers brushing mine in the lightest of touches.

I felt it all the way in my bones.

I studied his profile. It was carved out of stone, its chiseled planes and remote coldness a convincing mask for the world. Every once in a while, that coldness lifted and offered a glimpse of the man underneath.

It happened more often than it used to. He’d shared more of himself with me than I’d ever expected, but there was still so much I didn’t know. His past, his fears, his hopes and dreams.

Our physical attraction to each other wasn’t a question. It was the emotional part I craved. He’d been there for me during some of my worst days this year, and I wanted to offer the same shelter for him.

Trust was a two-way street.

My gaze skimmed past his burn marks to meet his eyes. He was already watching me.

Vuk set the water back on the table.Ask me.

My gaze snapped to his. “About?”

What everyone wants to know. I’ll answer.

My heart thumped. There was only one question at the top of everyone’s mind when it came to him.

I searched his face, trying to gauge whether he was really okay discussing the issue or if he was simply humoring me.

But Vuk was Vuk. He wouldn’t offer if he didn’t mean it.

“What happened?” I asked quietly.

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