her.
God, she’d missed him. Being with him. Being around him. Feeling his touch, knowing he was there to soothe her desires and take away her pain.
But she knew he wanted more from her. More than she could give him. She played with the diamond heart and knew that he had planned on her thinking of him each time she touched it.
He’d told her that he would patiently wait until she was ready for him, but no matter how long he waited, she could never give him what he wanted.
“Eight years old,” she answered as the plane started taxing.
“How is it we’ve known each other for over three years now, and yet we don’t know anything beyond the basics about one another?” he asked.
She felt her stomach roll and looked away from him. Just looking into those sexy eyes made her want to drop her guard.
“We had other things to fill our time with rather than talking,” she admitted.
“Right,” he agreed with a chuckle. “Ever think of trying something else?”
“Like what?” she asked, knowing where he was leading her. She didn’t have the energy or the willpower to pull away at the moment. So she decided to hear him out instead.
“Opening yourself up to something deeper?”
She stiffened and said under her breath, “I don’t have that luxury.”
“It’s too bad really,” he said as she glanced back at him. “Something tells me you’d learn a lot.” He shrugged.
“Like what?” she asked as the plane shoved off, causing her to be pushed back into her seat as they hit the open air.
“Like…” He smiled. “My birthday, my favorite color.” He leaned closer to her and lowered his voice. “Not to mention, my favorite song.”
She rolled her eyes and tried to hold in a laugh. Deciding to play along, she leaned closer to him as well. “Okay, shoot.” She motioned to him.
“No, you don’t. It doesn’t work like that.” He shook his head. “You’re either in or you’re not.”
He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest as if he were done with the conversation.
Her eyes narrowed as her irritation grew.
God, why did he have to be so good-looking. His dark hair fell across his forehead, and he was doing something new with his facial hair, keeping the stubble so that he looked a little dangerous and even sexier than usual.
“Blue,” she said finally and glanced sideways at him.
“Hm?” he asked.
“Your favorite color. Is it blue?” she asked.
He chuckled. “No, that’s not how the game is played.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. She hated games.
“Not playing?” he asked when she remained quiet.
“No,” she answered.
“Fine.” He shrugged. “What if I could guarantee to not cross the line? The same one you set three years ago.”
She felt her heart skip as hope filled her. Was he saying they could continue with their physical relationship and he’d back down from trying to get her to fall in love with him?
“What are you saying?” she asked. “Just so we’re perfectly clear.”
“What I’m proposing”—he leaned closer to her again and smiled—“is a new game. One where you get to keep tight reins on that heart of yours.” He glanced down to where the diamond he’d given her lay over her own heart. “While opening yourself up a little and getting to learn more about me.”
She thought about it and asked a little breathlessly, “What do I get out of this?”
He chuckled. “I would think that was perfectly clear.” He smiled and she felt her heart skip at the thought of his hands roaming over her body once again. How long had it been? God, how had she survived?
She felt her body instantly respond to the possibilities and couldn’t stop the smile. “So, it’s that way, is it?”
He chuckled. “If you want to play.” He was only a breath from her now. “No one is forcing you to go along. After all, it’s just…” His eyes locked onto her lips. “A game.”
God, she was in trouble. She knew there was no way she was going to come out of this unscathed. Hell, at this point, she’d already been scorched by him.
“Fine.” She threw up her hands. “Let’s play. What is your favorite color?”
He shook his head. “Rules first.” He held up his fingers. “Two of them.”
She’d set her own rules when they’d started playing her game years ago. Still, he’d kept the promise to keep their… relationship away from her friends. He’d also kept what was between them physical. Until recently, when everything had changed all