Page 91 of A Game of Love and Betrayal

And then she looked up.

Ryker stood right in front of her. Barely a foot separated the two of them. He was all fae, his gaze dark and hungry as it swept over her.

Brynleigh could barely think. Breathing was practically impossible, and speaking was definitely out of the question. He was close. Far too close.

Fuck, this was a bad idea. Maybe the worst one Brynleigh had ever had. That said a lot, because once she’d challenged Zanri to a drinking game involving Faerie Wine and a trashy reality dating show that followed merfolk and sailors as they tried to bridge the divide between their lives and make love work. The next morning, the two of them had been in so much pain that they’d both sworn off the beverage for eternity.

This was worse than that.

Ryker came even closer. His knuckles brushed her cheek, and she practically melted right then and there.

Brynleigh tried to remember the rules, to ground herself in them, but it wasn’t working. Her mind was blank, empty of everything except for an awareness of the fae before her.

She closed her eyes, which amplified Ryker’s scent until it was all she could smell. Her fangs ached. She wanted to draw nearer. She wanted to leave. Isvana help her, but she had no idea what to do.

She froze.

A finger landed under her chin, and Ryker rumbled, “Look at me, Brynleigh.”

The commanding tone of his voice was entirely too pleasing. Brynleigh wasn’t ready to dissect that, though. She’d never be ready. She grabbed those feelings and shoved them down, down, down.

When she was certain she wouldn’t spontaneously combust, she opened her eyes. “Yes?”

“You were jealous earlier.” Not a question. “I liked that.”

Her breath caught. Fuck, she had no business enjoying the deep rumble of his words so much. Before she could reply, Ryker bent, slanting his lips over hers. It couldn’t be called a kiss because it was barely more than a graze of their mouths. Still, it reverberated in the depth of Brynleigh’s soul.

Her heart fluttered, which was a strange experience. A feeling rose. She snatched it, forcing it into away. Whatever it was, if she didn’t acknowledge it, she couldn’t let it affect her.

“I don’t like them looking at us,” she said honestly, though she didn’t quite know why she was telling Ryker this. “I’ve never enjoyed being the center of attention. When I was young, I did almost everything to stay out of the spotlight. I never answered questions in school, nor did I speak up. It was easier to blend into the shadows, even then.”

Sarai had been loud enough for both of them. She had been vibrant and full of life. Watching her sister bloom like a flower in spring had been a highlight of Brynleigh’s life. It was a cruel joke that now, Brynleigh was still alive and in front of the cameras.

“Let them look. I’m drawn to you and no one else.” Ryker’s voice deepened. “My attentions are firmly where I desire them to be.”

He lowered his head, his eyes never leaving hers. Brynleigh’s heart pounded in her chest. She stared at his lips, her stomach twisting in what she told herself was dread.

She was a gods-damned liar.

Would he kiss her now? Really, truly kiss her? Would she let him? She had no idea.

Brynleigh watched Ryker’s mouth descend upon hers like it was the most interesting thing she’d ever seen. Half of her wanted to dart back into the crowd, but the other half held her still, eagerly waiting for that first touch of his mouth against hers.

Anticipation thickened the air between them.

At the last moment, Ryker turned his head and skimmed her lips, kissing the corner of her mouth. She exhaled a breathy moan as his mouth landed on the side of her neck. Against her better judgment—which, to be honest, was hanging on by an Ithiar-damned threat—her eyes fluttered shut.

A thousand curses flew through her head, but not a single one made it to her lips. No was a simple, two-letter word. She should say it. She should stop him. This was wrong on so many levels.

Brynleigh knew all these things, but none of them stopped her from inching towards Ryker. She tilted her head, giving him better access to her neck.

His large, warm hand landed on her hip, pulling her closer. His sharp canines grazed her skin, not biting but sending enough pressure that the space between her thighs dampened. Her heart raced as he kissed a trail down her neck.

Control was careening out of Brynleigh’s fingers. Some part of her still possessed enough common sense to realize she needed to maintain some power in their relationship.

Recalling their previous conversation was difficult with his mouth on her, but Brynleigh murmured, “And what if I don’t want them looking?”

Truth. She didn’t want anyone watching her with Ryker. Not anymore. They’d shared so much with the world already. She wanted to be alone with him and let him kiss her all over. She would let him remove all the barriers between them and take her however he wanted.

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