Page 62 of Hateful Games

Her throat moves as she swallows while her gaze is unfocused.

Both of us break apart when we wear the front door open and slam shut.

“Fuck!” she curses. “They’re back.”

Miya quickly grabs the mask and puts it in the drawer along with the envelope in the same way we found them. I’m quite impressed. Meanwhile, I think of an excuse as to why we’re in Malcolm’s bedroom, when I catch the sight of my slippers peeking from underneath the bed. I padded out barefoot when I left his bed this morning after he let me spend the night alone.

I reach them just in time as both Malcolm and Nova appear in the doorway. Immediately, their gazes suspiciously move between Miya and I. Miya acts as though she’s casually lingering near Malcolm’s desk and doesn’t bother with any explanation.

“Any specific reason you’re both in my room uninvited?” demands Malcolm in his cold tone.

Nova leans against the doorframe with his arms crossed, waiting for an answer. Still clad in today’s clothes, sans the suit jacket and tie. His arms bulge against the confines of his dress shirt folded up to his elbows.

Since when did arms become so sexy?

“I forget these this morning,” I reply, nudging at the slippers.

“And both of you were needed to carry them?” mocks Nova.

“So she followed me in here. Big deal.” Flicking my chin at Miya, I say, “Let’s go.”

“Not so fast.”

Nova’s voice halts me.

“Why?”

“I think we ought to check you first.” Smirking, he utters, “Just as a precaution.”

“Do I look like a thief to you?”

“You stole my phone this morning.”

I glare at his audacity, wanting to wipe the stupid grin from his wicked face.

“Stop being an arse, Nova,” scolds Miya.

“No need,” I tell her before meeting Nova’s gaze. “You want to pat me down? Fine.” Slowing walking up to him while he watches the sway of my hips and runs his tongue between his teeth like a predator. He straightens in anticipation. But instead of stopping before him, I twist toward Malcolm at the last moment, who has been quietly observing us. “Malcolm, would you do the honors?”

The smirk falls from Nova’s smug face. He warns, “Rose.”

“What?” I feign innocence. “It’s Malcolm’s room. He should check if I took something.”

“Stop playing with fire, trouble.”

I raise one eyebrow at Malcolm and taunt, “Don’t tell me you’re scared of Nova?”

I have both of them cornered and they know it. Malcolm shakes his head once but the challenge lurks in his vivid eyes. They glance briefly over my head before he shifts closer and raises his hands to meet my hips.

A second before they can make contact, I’m yanked toward a familiar hard body, seething with unleashed rage. Nova’s arm circles my waist as he drags me down the hallway toward his bedroom.

I’m too happy in my little victory to curse at him for manhandling me yet again. However, two things become strikingly clear.

Nova is extremely jealous of Malcolm.

While his friend isn’t afraid to go up against him.

Exactly what I need for executing my devious plan, killing two birds—my virginity and destroying Nova’s ego—with one stone.

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