Page 43 of Desert King

“You?” I snort. “Please. You couldn’t play the bad guy on your worse day.”

He winces, looking away. “Well, then just for tonight, I’ll play the good one. Raoul.”

“I’m sure you’re just as polite and pleasant without your mask on.”

He doesn’t reply and so I pick up my plate and begin to eat.

“Who is bothering you?”

“No one. I just made the mistake of taking help when I needed it and not realizing the price was more than I’m willing to pay.”

“We’ve all been there.”

I shrug. “What do you do? Are you from here? Or just visiting the birthday girl?”

“She’s my family.” I smile warmly. “But where have you been hiding, beautiful Christine?” His index finger traces up my arm from wrist to shoulder. I shiver. It’s light but erotic.

“In plain sight?”

“Then I must’ve been blind…”

My fork drops on my plate. He’s going to kiss me. I just know it. His finger moves to my mouth. The pad gently touching my lips. I decide to be bold. Flirt. I touch the tip of his finger with the tip of my tongue.

He sucks in his breath.

His hands are in my hair pulling my mouth to his. I turn my head. Our parted mouths meet in the slowest, most sensuous first kiss. On cue, fireworks light up the sky behind us.

I sigh into his mouth. “This is too perfect. You can’t be real.”

He takes my hand, kissing the inside of my palm. “I’ve learned to just take what’s in the moment. And right now, you are in my moment.” He groans against my lips as he pulls me to stand and lean against him. We sway under the falling fireworks, dancing to music we hear with our hearts.

I’m over Tarak.

Over Edge.

I’m finally falling for the good guy.

“Give me your phone?”

“Why?”

“So, I can put my number in it.”

I open my clutch and handing it over. He taps in a number, creating a new contact. Then hands it back to me.

“Phantom?” I giggle. “I thought you were the good guy?”

“Maybe, I’m both. Take off your mask. Please?”

But I can’t. I’m still insecure about my face. I’ve changed so much but insecurity is a hard thing to break. “Just a little bit more… of this.”

Something over my shoulder catches his attention. He stiffens, pulls me closer against him, then changes his mind and forces me behind his back.

“Boss. We have a situation.”

Three men in suits and masks walk briskly forward. Who is this guy? Some kingpin from Vegas? A mafia boss?”

“Can it wait?”

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