Page 42 of Double or Nothing
The dust beneath us is cool, a stark contrast to our heated bodies. I feel the prickly stubble of dry desert grass against my palm as I support myself over her. She stares up at me, her heart pounding in a rhythm that matches mine, a rapid beat of primal instincts and raw desires.
Leaning down, my lips search out the silken warmth of her neck, and I give her earlobe a sharp nip.
“Vulcan,” she murmurs, breathing out my name like a prayer. Her voice is the melody that haunts my dreams, a song I hope will be the last sound I hear on this earth. “I knew you would find me,” she says, her hands tangling in my hair and pulling me closer.
“Was there any doubt?” I ask, chuckling against her skin.
“No,” she responds, her voice a rich, velvety whisper echoing with the truth I already suspect. “Why do you think I created the game?”
Her confession illuminates the deeper layers of our playful hunt. She pretended control of the night would fall to the victor, when all along she’s the puppet master of the game, pulling every string.
The realization that she wantsmein control, that she trusts me with the power, fuels a surge of desire that renders me steel hard.
“You love the hunt as much as I do,” I whisper against her skin, tasting her excitement. “Now, it’s time to claim my prize before the others uncover your hiding spot.”
“Claim me?” she teases, biting my ear hard. “You’ll need to catch me first.”
She twists out from under me, springs to her feet and takes off, sprinting into the darkness. I bite back my roar of laughter as I launch myself off, the thrill of the chase electrifying every step, my heart pounding with anticipation.
It’s a game we both relish, an endless dance of predator and prey, of hunter and the hunted. I watch her silhouette blend into the night, her essence mingling with the magic of the desert. She ignites the hunter inside me and a passion that is as untamed as the wild desert wind whipping up around us.
The hunt is not over. It’s only just begun.
I’m on to her game now.
Inside my head, I scream out one word to her.
Run!
I give her a minute’s head start to make the chase more fun before I take off after her, realizing she’ll make me work harder for her this time around. She hasn’t slowed down, and I worry she’ll trip or fall in the darkness. She’s quick and steady on her feet, though.
For a split-second, I wonder where Kit and Seven are. Probably wandering around lost themselves in the dark. Or at least, Seven might be, not knowing the layout of the ranch. I’m sure Kit is holding back, and not putting forth his best effort in order to throw the win to me. I can’t imagine him wanting the power to control the group tonight. He would be too intimidated to force Seven past his comfort zone, and too concerned about his hurt feelings.
I’m not.
And that’s why Jade wants me to win. She knows I won’t hesitate to push Seven past his limits. That I’ll do or say whatever is necessary to draw him back into our group where he belongs. If I have to piss him the fuck off, then so be it. He’ll thank me later, of that, I’m sure.
I’ve almost caught up to Jade now. When she stops and leans over for a second to catch her breath, I tackle her, taking her down to the ground.
19
VULCAN
“Gotcha,” I say.
“You certainly do,” she murmurs in reply, her voice a soft hum of satisfaction. A low, throaty laugh escapes her, and I press my lips against hers to mask the sound, losing myself in her taste.
Her lips are soft and pliant against mine, stoking the ever-present heat between us, a wildfire burning out of control. I deepen the kiss, my tongue exploring the corners of her mouth, tasting her sweetness. Her hands slide up my back, pulling me closer, and I feel her warm breath against my face.
“Tell me what you want,” I whisper, breaking the kiss for a moment.
“You,” she replies, her voice husky with desire. “You’ve won the game.”
I kiss her again, harder this time, my hands roaming over her body, exploring every curve. She moans into my mouth, and I’m desperate to claim my prize.
Quickly, I unzip her jeans and tug them off over her hips. I'm burning to possess her now, here in the dark, before the others find us. Her silky panties soon follow and instantly my face is buried deep between her legs, licking and kissing, devouring her pussy.
My prize.
