Page 67 of Force Play

“Look at you. Just one more and you’ll be the first winner of the night. Some people have all the luck. That pretty face, a well-trained dog, and a bingo win. Didn’t anyone ever teach you to share?” Stephanie pushes her glasses down and looks over them at me.

I cough at the irony of that question considering where my mind just was. “Did you make that chain yourself, with Bandits’ colors just for me?” I nod to the beaded strand her glasses are attached to.

“And cocky too. I guess you can’t be perfect.” She hmpfs and one bony finger presses her glasses back into place. “This is for Xavier. He’s got what the kids call junk in his trunk.”

“Ouch! Taking shots at my personality and my tushy, Steph,” I tease, daubing my winning number. “Bingo!” My voice breaks through the chatter of the Senior Center.

“Not again,” Fiona groans from the table over. “Janet, I told you to stop inviting him. He’s a distraction and a lucky SOB.”

“Mind your business, you busybody. He’s one of the girls. I’m not kicking him out and you can’t make me,” Janet chirps back.

With my winnings for the night signed over to Saving Paws, I head back to the house, a little more spring in my step after a night well spent. That spring turns into a full-blown gallop when I see the car parked in my driveway.

Putting the car into park in the garage, I look over at Ronnie, who’s watching me expectantly, and pat her head. “She’s back, girl.”

Chapter 26

Indie

Warm water glides over my body, but it has nothing on the heated look on Dom’s handsome face when I breach the surface of the pool. Just like the first night I swam here, I find him waiting. Only this time, the look he’s wearing tells me I’m in trouble. His light brown eyes swirl with darkness and the playful smile he normally wears is dripping with sinful intent. The moon casts shadows on his face that give him a dangerous edge, like he’s a thief in the night, and I’m pretty sure I’m the prize he’s about to steal.

Yep, so much trouble.

With my ankle feeling much better the past few days. I’m still rocking the boot but tonight I’m testing it out by actually swimming instead of just floating through the water. Pulling myself through the pool, I stop in front of him and rest my forearms on the pool’s edge.

He looms over me dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a white short-sleeve button up with tiny—are those troll dolls doting his shirt? Dropping to one knee, he tips my chin up to look at him. “Couldn’t stay away for long, could you, Firecracker?”

My heart is still pounding against my ribs from the swim, and with the way his attention burns through me, it isn’t going to slow anytime soon. The look he’s wearing now is a familiar one.

It’s the same way he looked at me right before he sank into me the first time, with resolve. His jaw is firmly set with certainty, like he understands my nature better than anyone else ever has.

“I’m not sure there are words to explain how badly I need to fill you, Firecracker, to make you mine. You don’t need fancy declarations, do you? I think you know, the same way I do.”

His thumb brushes over my bottom lip, and I tremble. Every word he just said resonates, making my core coil with need. I’ve never needed anything like I need him. It’s crazy and reckless. I get the feeling that fighting it won’t do us any good. I’m giving in, just this once.

“Yes. I’m yours for the night.”

Disappointment flashes in his eyes.

“I can’t do—it’s all I have to give you.” Doubt creeps in as soon as I say it, but he can’t hurt me if I only give him this one night. “If you can’t handle—” The words die on my lips when his mouth crashes against mine.

“I can handle it. I can handle you. For the record, I think you’re lying to both of us right now, but that’s okay. By the morning, you’ll be so thoroughly fucked that I’ll be etched deep within you. Every time your legs shake and your back bows, it’s me you’ll think of. I’m going to fuck you like this is more.”

The air is thick as I stare up at him, lost in memories. He holds his hand out between us, waiting, it’s the same stalemate that started this whole thing when asked me to dance. Over the last year, I’ve asked myself repeatedly if I regret those three letters. The ones that sealed my fate. When I replay it in my mind, my answer to him is always the same, a resounding yes.

And now I know why, this thing between us isn’t going away. Now the only questions are, am I brave enough to give him everything I couldn’t then? And will he make me regret it if I do?

This time if I place my hand in his, it means so much more because there is no escaping back to Chicago. He’s right here, and he’s shown me time and again he’s not giving up on me.

My fingers brush against his as I place my palm in his hand and he helps me out of the water, lifting me onto the pool deck and into his arms.

He leans in close, his nose running up mine. When an overpowering flowery scent hits me, I almost gag on the distinctive smell of perfume. Fighting to calm the anger burning me, I rear back and see the lipstick on his collar. It’s clear as day, right next to a troll with purple hair, a bright pink smear of damning proof.

My palms flatten on his chest and I push, almost stepping right back into the pool when he doesn’t move. Red-hot rage only spikes higher when his grip tightens on me keeping me in place.

“I can’t believe I fell for your good guy act. So damn convincing, too.” My cheeks flame with heat that reaches the tips of my ears. Such a damn fool.

“I’m not going to ask you to calm down because I’d like to stay alive, but I’m going to need some context here.”

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