The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play #1) - B.B. Reid Page 0,142
going, knowing eventually, I’d find my way out. I could still hear the party going, but I hadn’t run into anyone else, and it seemed the deeper I ventured, the fainter the sounds I clung to became.
Though the maze wasn’t entirely swallowed by darkness, I’d long lost the bright lights. I would have turned back if not for the sudden hair-raising sensation of being followed. I stopped and faced the way I came with feet spread and hands planted on my hips.
“Ever, I’m not in the mood for games. Show yourself.” I immediately shrank in size when a hulking figure dressed from head to toe in black rubber and polyester stepped from the shadows. “Oh. My mistake…Hey, you wouldn’t happen to know where the exit is, would you?”
His silence was like ice-cold fingers tiptoeing down my spine. Maybe I was overreacting but…wouldn’t someone who was not a psycho respond? I stumbled away when he inched closer, but when he lunged at me, I screamed from my belly and bolted. Up ahead, the path split into two, but I didn’t have time to debate which one would lead me to the exit or down a dead end.
My heart pumped in overdrive, and the fist in my stomach clenched tighter as I ran down one path after the next. Were those footsteps I heard pounding after me or only my imagination? I wasn’t sure how far I’d gotten when I collided with a hard body. I clawed and kicked until strong hands seized my arms.
“For fuck’s sake, Four, what is the matter with you?”
The familiar voice penetrated my fear, and I realized it was Jamie staring down at me like I was possessed. I was so relieved I jumped into his arms and threw my own around his neck. There was no way in hell I was letting go.
“What happened?”
“Some creep in a rubber suit was chasing me.”
He exhaled as if relieved. “It was probably just one of those assholes.”
I laid my head against his chest and nodded even though I was still shaken up. It had felt so real.
“Why did you run off like that, anyway?” he scolded.
“Ever pissed me off.”
“You gotta stop letting him under your skin, lass.”
As if it were that easy. “You’re one to talk.”
His strong chest vibrated when he grunted his agreement.
“Do you know how to get out of here?”
“Not really.”
I lifted my head to see if he was joking. He wasn’t. “Damn it, Jamie!”
“Calm down, girl. This isn’t the Bermuda triangle. We’ll find the exit eventually.” His eyes passed over me approvingly. “You look good in my shit.”
I rolled my eyes heavenward. “Let’s go.”
“We will, but first, I’d like to give Ever a taste of his own medicine.”
I was too startled by his hands suddenly cupping my ass to ask what he’d meant.
“Jamie?”
Soft lips pressed against mine, and I had to admit—he was very good. Maybe that’s why, when he sought access, my lips parted just a teeny bit. His tongue had no more than swept inside when he was yanked away, and a furious Ever stood in his place. He was now dressed in light gray joggers and white long-sleeve he’d no doubt pillaged from Jamie.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
I was the one pinned under his black look even though Jamie kissed me. I would have eventually pushed him away, but a part of me had relished the thought of hurting Ever. Needless to say, I was now regretting the impulse.
I looked to Jamie for assistance and found him nowhere in sight. I let out a dry chuckle when I realized he had used me once again to fuck with his cousin. I turned in the direction Jamie had come but didn’t get far when I felt Ever’s arms wrap around me from behind.
“I asked you a question,” he hummed in my ear.
“And I declined to answer. Now let me go.”
Of course, he didn’t listen and manhandled me into facing him, instead.
“Why did you kiss him?” He looked physically in pain like I’d gutted him with a knife rather than kissed his cousin.
“He kissed me.”
“You kissed him back.”
I snorted. “Barely.”
“I fucked up, so I’m trying to be patient, but you’re pushing it.”
“How chivalrous, but I told you I would be done if you walked away. You’re just surprised I meant it.”
“There’s no such thing as done.” His hand slid to my neck and held me in place while the other pulled down the zipper. “We’re in too deep.”