Page 31 of Hateful Games

“Put me down first.”

I slide her down to the ground but keep her pinned against the wall. Her head reaching up to my shoulder. Despite being tall for a girl, she still has to tilt her face.

“Do you need step-by-step instructions?” She huffs in annoyance. “Move back.”

“Stop stalling,” I snap. “Why is your ass in London, let alone at my campus and interrupting my fight?”

I was half sure she would find a way out of this trip, like she does back at home. While the other half of me thought I could just ignore her, if she decided to come. Now after only a minute in her vicinity, I have done everything but ignore the little hellion.

“I didn’t ask you to come to my rescue.”

“Because you were doing such a perfect job of staying out of trouble.”

“I think you needed an excuse since you were clearly losing your fight.”

“The two men I left behind unconscious will say otherwise.” I smirk before raising one eyebrow and demanding, “Did you miss me?”

“What?” Shock swarms her features at the sudden switch in topic.

“Or perhaps a secret crush?”

“That punch must have really hurt what was left of your brain cells.”

I lean close, ignoring her jab. “I think it’s both, since you couldn’t resist coming a day early, unable to stay away a minute longer, that you tagged along with my friend to see me fight from the front lines. I bet you were cheering too.”

“Cheering for you to lose, you mean?”

“Sweet lies.”

“Bitter truths,” she growls, trying to push me away.

I don’t budge, earning an irritated scowl from her. “Was it another one of your mom’s tricks to bring us close?”

“Am I not allowed to surprise my fiancé?” she sweetly taunts. “Or are you worried it will put a damper on your womanizing lifestyle?”

“Why? Do you need a babysitter?” I bite my tongue from revealing I have her days planned to keep her occupied.

“Ha. Like I would trust you with my safety.”

“Even after I just defended your honor?”

“We both know I’m capable of protecting myself. Had you waited a second before going all macho, you would’ve seen for yourself.”

I frown when her gaze flicks to my forehead, where I can feel a cut. My heart thuds when she tentatively reaches forward, gazing at me for a lingering second as if I’ll stop her. When I don’t, she rubs carefully before swiping at the wound. Her thumb shines with my blood after she lowers her hand between us.

“You need stitches. The cut is deep.”

“Hurting for me, Rose?”

“Quite the contrary. I’m jealous.” Her voice is a whisper. “I’m the only one who has the right to make you bleed.”

“Slow down, hellion. We aren’t married yet.”

“We don’t need to be married at all, if you just tell our fathers.”

“I’ve changed my mind.”

Her jaw tenses in anger. I hate when it doesn’t diminish her dark beauty and the fact that I’m thinking of her as pretty. So, when she pushes me away this time, I step back and straighten.

---