Page 54 of Vow of Revenge
My skin flushed from my feet to my scalp. His slow sexy half smile made my insides turn to mush. Silence smothered the room because all the words I wanted to say were captured in his intense stare. My mouth was dry and in between my legs was on fire.
“I just thought I should clear that up,” he added.
“Okay.” The words barely crept past my lips. “Thanks.”
His eyes left mine. “The sex was unplanned. For the record.”
Pulling my knees to my chest, my heartbeat pounded in my skull. “I enjoyed it.” I foolishly admitted.
He offered a bemused smile as he lifted from the bed and walked to the glass separating the room from balcony. “I like this room.”
“Thanks.” I gulped. My mind was racing. I was trying so damn hard to keep calm. What else could I say. Why the hell was he here?
“I don’t think I’d like it as much if it wasn’t yours.” He pushed down the door handle and opened the room to the damp night air, then wandered outside and gazed up to the stars. The usual winter rain had given up for the night, leaving behind little drops of water that rolled down the glass separating us.
I grabbed a hoody from the chest of drawers and padded outside. Reaching his side, I folded my arms across my chest because this situation was so different to all the rest. I had no clue what he wanted. We stood in silence. Our eyes drawn to the tiny sparkles of light in the dark sky.
“I used to look up at the stars and wonder if there was life beyond them. Where love didn’t collide with hurt,” I rambled, entranced by his shallow breathing.
His chin lowered and he angled his head towards me. “Love and hate come hand in hand, Freya. There can’t be one without the other.” He bumped his elbow into my arm, connecting us for a brief moment. I exhaled long and low. The sudden weight of his arm on my shoulders was a welcomed surprise as it drew me close to his side. “Life is full of fuck-ups and let downs. Someone like you has the power to turn sparks into stars.”
Perhaps he felt my sigh and that’s why he squeezed me noticeably closer. “Why did you come here?” I whispered, melting in his heat.
He pulled back slightly, wrinkling his forehead. His reaction was one of contemplation or concern. “I was out and about. Thought I’d come over and clear up my visit to your office. That’s all.”
“You could’ve sent me an email.” A slight smile teased my lips. “But I’m glad you came.”
His head bowed, shielding his face with shadows. He seemed different tonight, that usual abrupt demeanour appeared almost defeated. “You don’t need hate in your life, Freya.”
I turned into him, gazing up at his shaded features. Under the pale glow of the moon one side of his face lit up, whereas the other was shielded in darkness. “What does that mean?”
He closed his eyes briefly. A light sensation of his breath teased my cheek. I could see this man for who he was, like he was kissed by light and cursed by darkness. Both sides to his character were struggling to find a balance. His palm rested on the back of my neck, cupping my head. “I should go,” he said with husky growl.
I didn’t want him to go. Life wasn’t always perfect, but with Kaleb standing by my side, it sure as hell felt like it was. The scary realisation was that I could get used to him, to his touch. He was here with me, of his own free will, in my room – for a reason only he truly knew. I felt an urgent need to keep him right where he stood.
“Play with me. I mean, play cards with me.” I quickly reiterated.
His brow creased. “Cards?”
“Yeah, Jack Change It. Have you played it before?”
His eyes lit up with inner glow of amusement. “Are you asking the king card player if he’s ever played Jack Change It?” The right side of his mouth crept up into a rakish smile and my insides quivered. “Yes, Freya Beaumont, I have played it many times, and let me warn you – I always win.”
A giggle bubbled out of my chest. “Oh really? Well, let me tell you, Kaleb De Courcy, I have never lost a game either. Let the best player win.” I jumped back and raced to the bedroom to find my pack of cards.
I clambered onto the bed, covering my bare legs with the sheet.
“Don’t cover up on my account.” He winked. Kaleb joined me on the bed, so we were face to face but a distance apart.
“This has to be a fair game. I don’t use cheating tactics.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Cheating tactics?”
“Yeah, distraction.”
“Fuck, I never thought of that. I take card games very seriously.” He pulled off his tee, revealing a toned bronzed chest. It was only when I tried to avert my obvious stare that I found black leather bands covering his wrist and a golden watch wrapped to the other. He was breath-taking.
My heartbeat stuttered like I’d just been jolted with a defibrillator. “You don’t play nice, do you?” I smirked, swallowing back my need to eat him.
