Page 33 of The Duplicity of Thieves

“Alright. You first.” I wrap my fingers around the bottom of the glass, waiting patiently for his first question. He takes a minute to think it through.

“You’re from the capital.”

I shake my head no, and he drinks.

“You like blondes.”

He takes a long swig with an eye roll. “Try to be a little more ingenious.”

“Oh, like ‘You’re from the capital’?”

He chuckles and pours himself another. “Fine. You come from money.” My glass stays on the table, and he has to drink again.

“You’re an asshole,” I counter. Dark amusement flashes in his eyes. He drinks again, leaving my blatant disregard for his rules uncontested.

“You’re adopted.” There’s a bite to his statement.

“Wrong again. Looks like you’ll be sleeping here tonight.”

“As opposed to what? Going home with you?” he chuckles.

“Not a chance.”

“Figures. If you’re not adopted, then what is the deal with you and your sister anyways? You don’t look anything alike.”

People usually aren’t bold enough to ask. I think about the kind of answer I want to give.

“You don’t go through the things we have and not become family. You use women as a bandage for your loneliness.” My statement is unnecessary, but it isn’t wrong.

“I deserve that,” he drinks again. “You learned at a young age to use violence instead of words. It’s easier to keep your distance from people if you intimidate them.”

I take a sip, drinking half of the glass.

He furrows his brows. “The whole thing.”

“You’re only half right.” I shrug.

His muscles tense in frustration. “Which half?”

“That’s not the game,” I remind him. “You enjoyed the kiss as much as I did, if not more.”

He finishes his drink, pours another, drinks that, and then drinks a third. Wetness creeps from between my legs, soaking my shorts. I want him to kiss me again. It’s a reckless impulse. I’m starting to like Aedon, and I don’t even know him.

“So, you enjoyed it?” He graces me with another grin. “You want to dislike me, but don’t. In fact, I think you want to fuck me.”

I finish my drink and use all of my will power to yank myself out of the booth.

His grin falters. “This again?”

“It was nice to officially meet you, Aedonaeus.”

“Aedon,” he corrects me.

“Aedon.” His eyes darken with a different sort of hunger that craves more than witty banter, fries, and a drink. “I’ve more than fulfilled my bargain. It’ll give you something to think about in the years to come.” I enunciate the last word, watching him clench his jaw.

I pull out a wad of money from my pocket to pay for my meal. It probably doesn’t do me any favors when it comes to David’s claim that I’m an escort. Let him think that. Money tends to draw attention. He stands and shoves my hands full of cash back at me with an admonishing look. He pulls out his wallet and slams a massive bill down on the table. So, he has his own secrets. He follows me out of the door, and we pause on the stoop of The Alibi.

“Can I walk you home?” I can’t tell if his question is hopeful, but it doesn’t seem like it.

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