Page 162 of Carnal Games

Instantly, the green-eyed monster sheathes its claws.

She looks up when I approach them. There it is! The tip of her tongue peeks out to run along her bottom lip before they tilt on one end, sending all the blood rushing to my cock.

“Hi,” she greets.

I’m a goner. “Hey.”

“I was about to come look for you.”

I glance between her and Dash. “What do you need?”

“I needed the rest of the day off to go meet my mentor across town,” she explains. “It’s important.”

“Take it. Seth will drive you.”

“Umm.” Her teeth clamp down on her lip. Nervously. “That’s the thing. I’d rather not show up with a bodyguard. Dash has offered to drive.”

“Seth knows to be discreet, Iris.”

“I can look after her, Kian,” says Dash. “Unless you think she’s not safe in broad daylight.”

Iris’s eyes go round, fear trickling in. “Am I in danger? Are you close to finding the person?”

“You aren’t in imminent danger,” I reassure her. “I just don’t want to take the chance.”

“Oh. I’ll be fine then.”

“Iris.”

“Please.”

My defenses crumble in the wake of that syllable. I see my future flash before my eyes. She’s going to win every argument with the word ‘please’.

“How long is the meeting?” I ask.

“An hour or two, tops.”

“Fine.” She relaxes. I level her with a serious look. “You’ll call me once it’s over and I’ll come pick you up.” Her mouth parts to argue. I shut it down. “It’s nonnegotiable. Otherwise, Seth goes with you.”

“All right,” she dramatically huffs, “I’ll call you.”

As she collects her bag, I refrain from kissing her goodbye. Before her body brushes past mine, I cup her wrist out of Dash’s eyeline. Her soft gasp is faint, but I hear it as if she whispered it in my ears.

Caressing my thumb over her racing pulse as our gazes lock, I let her go.

But not before I feel her squeeze my fingers back.

Chapter Forty-Two

Iris

My peers atSahara Timeslook at me like I’m a pariah.

Before, they didn’t know who I was. In one flip second, I read recognition in their eyes and the discreet glances at the engagement ring on my left hand.

I’m thankful when Harshita immediately calls to see me.

“How are you?” she asks once I settle across from her. “All healed, I hope?”

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