Page 73 of Vengeful Guard

C’est la vie.

“Let's do this.” My determination’s evident in my voice.

Kael gives me a small smile, but there’s some expression on his face that I can’t quite name.

Maybe it’s the break I need, the chink in his armor.

He takes three cards, which is a good sign. I only have a pair of fours, but I’m going to play it up.

“Ready?” I grin to try and bluff him.

He nods. “You calling?”

“Call.”

He lies down his hand and shrugs. “Nothing. Shit hand.”

I whoop, standing up and doing a little dance. “Read them and weep. Two fours!”

Kael laughs. “You got that excited over a pair of fours?”

“Damn right, I do! I won!” I keep dancing, and I realize that Kael is staring at my hips. I snort. “You’re obvious, you know that?”

“Hmm?” He acts as if he’s completely innocent, looking up at me.

“You want me.”

Kael looks at me for a long moment, searching my face.

“Aye.” He pauses. “But I want a lot of women.”

Heat floods through me, and it’s half-lust and half some weird kind of jealousy.

“Then why was it me that you let ride your thigh?”

Kael narrows his eyes. “You wanted that just as much as I did, princess. Maybe more.”

I can’t deny that, even if I want to. Even right now, I’m hot everywhere, especially between my legs. Just being near him does that to me.

“No one has ever wanted me before,” I mumble, and Kael’s face softens.

“That can't be true.”

“It is. I’ve always been alone, Kael. So, having someone like you in such close proximity... I just kind of lose my mind, I guess.”

“So, what you’re saying is I’m just here?” His brows furrow. “That’s why you want me?”

“Isn’t that why you want me?”

Kael doesn’t answer, just looking at me. “Another hand?”

I nod, and he deals out the cards.

I have absolutely nothing, even after discarding and drawing two cards, but I keep on a happy face.

Kael studies me for a moment, and then folds.

“Woohoo!” I stand up again to do my little dance. “I win again. And I bluffed you!”

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