Page 44 of Forbidden Game

She barely ate anything at the party because the asshats didn’t think to cater to people’s dietary restrictions.

“Here, try this one.”

She hesitates for a second, eyeing my fork. “I can feed myself.”

“Just trust me on this one, Syd.” I give her puppy-dog eyes. “Please.”

She purses her mouth, but I see her shoulders relax. “Fine.”

Her lips close around the fork, and I inwardly curse myself for this torture I’ve willingly inflicted upon myself.

I see the second she realizes what she’s just bitten into. The corners of her eyes crinkle and a smile stretches across her face before she hurriedly chews to finish the treat.

“Cherries? No way. These are, like, one of my most favorite things in the world,” she says as she stabs another one onto her fork and pops it into her mouth, completely distracted. “I can’t believe they have them here.”

Technically, they don’t.

Oddly enough, chocolate covered cherries aren’t easy to come by. I know Syd makes her own at home, so I had to pay the chef at the Kelton to make some just for us.

I take a sip of the sparkling drink, letting the bubbles fizzle across my tongue as I watch her happily devour the treats. I could watch her eat these for hours and not get bored. The way her lips form a perfect circle every time is mesmerizing.

“I’d feel bad eating all of these if I didn’t know you hated sweets,” she comments, demolishing the cherries at a breakneck pace. “You should’ve gotten something for yourself.”

“This is my treat,” I murmur, picking up a strawberry and holding it out to her.

Her eyes widen, and I watch a war play out across the dark gray skies of her gaze. For a moment, a split second, I think maybe I’ve won. Her tongue peeks out through the small gap in her mouth, licking her lower lip ever so slowly before she bites it.

Everything stops. My breath slows and I wait. Wait for her to make the move. Because no matter what I want, I know it has to come from her.

But the fire dies, and I see the storm in her eyes calm. She reaches out and plucks the strawberry from my hand, popping it into her mouth instead.

“I’m gowwing to hafe a shower,” she mumbles around the chocolate as she shoots to her feet and basically sprints to the bathroom. The door slams shut, and I throw my head against the back of the couch.

I misread the distance, and my head clashes against the wall instead.

“Fuck,” I hiss at the pain. But I don’t move, I just close my eyes and take deep breaths, willing the blood in my veins to cool.

So close.

So damn close.

I’m beginning to wonder just how much longer I can last by her side without the glass castle crashing down around us. I’m beginning to wonder if I even care anymore.

This weekend has been torture.

Hell, the last five years have been torture.

But when I saw Jace next to Syd earlier today, it sent a bolt of ice into my chest. The fear was immediate. Jace makes women fall for him without trying. He’s observant and knows how to make people feel at ease within seconds of knowing them. It’s a talent that has broken more than a few hearts since we were in school.

Seeing Syd share her glowing smile with him sent me into protection mode. I didn’t want him looking at her, let alone touching her.

Sydney Lake has been mine from the moment we locked eyes at that restaurant, even if she doesn’t know it. She branded me, and I’ve never forgotten the taste.

The bathroom door blasts open, and I barely blink before Sydney practically dives into the bed.

All right.

If that’s how she wants to play it.

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