The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play #1) - B.B. Reid Page 0,102
a few moments spent in the dark that he was up to something.
“I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I don’t have night vision.”
“Are you afraid?”
My heart rate sped up at his sinister tone. I whirled around but could only make out his shadow lingering by the door.
“A little creeped out.”
“Some people are turned on by their fear.”
“I’m not one of them. Turn on the light.”
For a moment, the only the sound was that of my heart beating. Then light swept the room. I frantically searched every inch of the room as Ever’s arms slid around my waist. The French doors and large windows were covered by bronze shades, shutting out the moonlight. There was a raised wooden platform spanning the length of the room with a black cloth covering whatever rested on its surface. A smaller table with its white surface slanted downward was positioned against the back wall with a high desk chair pushed under. Two black lamps extended from the shelf over the table, and there was a small bookshelf filled with books and large rolls of paper.
When nothing jumped out at me, I drove my elbow into Ever’s gut. His grunt as he dropped his arms and doubled over put a smile on my face. “Asshole.”
“When I fantasized about you driving your body into mine, that was not what I had in mind.”
My skin flushed at his meaning and the vision of us naked and tangled. “And I thought all you and Jamie had in common was Barbie. Interesting.”
His pained expression instantly morphed into a fierce scowl. “Say what?”
He closed in, but I held my ground even when I was forced to tilt my head back. Looking into his eyes was like watching the stars and the dawn collide.
“Jamie came onto you?”
“Not lately.”
“I’m going to break his fucking collarbone.”
“That’s really specific. But before you attack your cousin…again…you should know I only meant the two of you share an unnecessary use of sex euphemisms. Jamie’s weren’t all directed at me.”
“Unnecessary?”
“Very.”
His gaze sharpened as he inched closer, and I suddenly felt as if I were being hunted. “So I should just come out and say I want you bent over that table with your panties around your ankles and my name on your lips?”
“Now you’re just being crude.”
Strong hands cupped my hips as if he might do just that. “And you care?”
“Hey, I can be as classy as you.”
The lustful gleam in his eyes suddenly faded away. “You were never beneath me, Four. I was a shit to make you believe otherwise.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m a tough girl.”
“I know you are, princess.”
“Stop calling me that,” I growled as I gripped his sweater. “I hate the way it makes me feel.”
“How does it feel?” His voice was husky now.
I had to swallow the lump in my throat before speaking.
“It tingles.”
“Where?”
All over.
I didn’t reply, so he added, “Don’t make me go searching.” His gaze was already scanning my body.
“I’ve been meaning to thank you,” I quickly said to distract him. “For Jay D’s stuff. You didn’t have to bribe Dave, though. He was willing to help out.”
“It was insurance to make sure he continued to be.”
“Well, thanks to you, I couldn’t ask him about a job.”
His eyebrows bunched. “Why not?”
“Because I didn’t want him to think the money came with a catch!”
He simply shrugged like it was no big deal. Maybe to an elite with the world at his feet it wasn’t. “My dad gave you a credit card.”
“That I haven’t used once, and I don’t intend to.”
“Then I’ll cover Jay D’s expenses.”
With a huff, I stepped away from him, putting space between us. Thankfully, he didn’t follow. “I don’t want your help. He’s my responsibility.”
The depth of his eyes deepened. “And you’re mine.”
“We discussed this, and the vote was divided.”
“Then hang on tight, little troublemaker. I’m going to make you fall for me.”
I closed my eyes to keep from seeing the promise in his own. There was still so much that stood between us. Namely, the secret pact he had with Barbie and the fact that he risked his life for seemingly no reason at all. My eyes popped open and narrowed. “Why did you skip school today?”
His jaw tightened as he stared back at me without shame. “I was searching for a way back into Exiled.”
“But I thought you were done with that. Why are you trying to get back in?”
“I’m looking for someone.”
“Who?”
I expected him to avoid answering so imagine my surprise when he said, “Nathaniel