Trick Me Twice - Becca Steele Page 0,55

as I expected. I could feel Carter’s presence next to us, and I kept my eyes closed.

“Time’s up,” Kian called, and Xavier released me, a slow smile spreading across his face.

“You got skills, baby.”

“Carter, you’re up.”

Our eyes met, the gold flecks sparking as he took me in, a dark look on his face. This was the first time he’d properly looked at me since he’d thrown me out of his house, and the full force of his gaze was almost too much. I was barely aware of Anastasia abruptly shooting off the sofa and moving away as I came to stand in front of him. He lazily spread his legs so I could step between them, casually indifferent, but the electric connection between us snapped and pulsed, and a wave of desire shot through me, so strong that I had to clamp my teeth down on my bottom lip to stop a whimper from escaping.

“Raine.” My name slipped from his lips, and as if it was the most natural thing in the world, he reached up at the same time I leaned down, and our mouths collided as he pulled me onto his lap so I was straddling him.

Xavier owned me with his kiss, but Carter obliterated me.

“Time!” Kian’s voice penetrated the fog surrounding me and Carter, and we broke apart, both breathing heavily.

“Is something going on here? I called time five times.”

Carter stiffened, glancing over at Kian, and the heat disappeared from his gaze. “Nah. Just an experiment to see if the geek can actually kiss.” He didn’t even look at me.

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, then opened them and climbed off him. “I think I’ll leave now.” My voice was quiet but steady, and I’d never been so grateful. Without another word, I pivoted on my heel and walked out without looking back.

Lena caught up with me outside. “What happened?” I gave her a rundown, and her eyes darkened. “I will fuck him up. What the actual fuck is his problem?”

“I don’t even want to know anymore. Can we just go—”

“I’m not letting him scare you away.”

“I wasn’t going to say that.” A small smile curved over my lips. “I was going to say, can we just go and dance and forget about him?”

She returned my smile. “Yep. Let’s go.” We made our way back into the warehouse, and I pasted a bright smile on my face as we began to dance, ignoring the ache that was spreading deep in my chest.

24

I lost myself in the music. Gradually the pain in my chest receded, and one song merged into another until I was breathless and dying for a drink.

“Lena!” Shouting over the music to be heard, I waved my hand to get her attention. Her head swung around to face me. Lifting my hand, I mimed drinking a drink, then pointed to the bar with my eyebrows raised. She pulled her phone out of her pocket, glanced at it, then shook her head with a sigh. Stepping closer, she spoke loudly.

“I’ve got to go now really. I promised my mum I’d be back by 1:00 a.m. She’s taking me into London tomorrow to go shopping for a dress for the winter ball.” She pulled a face, letting me know what she thought of that idea, and I laughed.

“Do you mind if I stay? I could get an Uber back with Jax and the others?” I’d heard Lena’s friends mention they were going to book an Uber home, and I knew at least one of them lived close to me.

“You don’t need my permission to stay.” Grinning at me, she squeezed my arm. “Stay, have fun. You’re doing great. I’m proud of you.”

I smiled at her. As usual, my aunt was doing an overnight shift at the hospital, so I had nothing to rush home for.

Bounding over to Jax, she spoke into his ear, and he glanced over to me with a nod and a thumbs up, and I shot him a smile. After saying my goodbyes to Lena and promising to text her, I made my way over to the bar, where I ordered a bottle of water. Downing the water, I leaned against the wall, people-watching.

Through the smoky haze I noticed a large walkway above me that circled the warehouse. Heading over to the metal steps, I ducked under the barrier and made my way up to the top. After I’d placed my bottle of water down on the floor, I leaned on the