Page 133 of Mud

Nice,he said. With that look in his eyes he wasn’t fooling anyone.

Taland had always looked very mischievous when he wanted to, but now? Now, he was at a whole new level. Now he oozedborderline-psychoticenergy, and his cockiness complemented the rest of him perfectly.

Wouldn’t change a single thing about him, to be honest, andthathad always been the problem. Girls wanted to change the boys they were with. There was something poetic aboutI can change himorhe’ll change for me.Meanwhile, I’d found him perfect with his biggest imperfections, and I never, ever wanted to change a hair on his head.

Even now.Especially now that he’s an ex-con who can show you areallygood time if you let him…

No, no, no, stop!I shouted at my own self.

“Weapons. A gun and two knives,” I said through gritted teeth, throwing the clothes at the edge of the bed because they really did wet my towel and it was uncomfortable as hell.

“And why would someone care to exchange their coins with you? I’m sure you saw the residents here don’t care much for us players,” Taland continued. Though he kept that smile on his face, he was dead serious about wanting to know those things.

I spoke just to keep myself distracted. “Because I made her laugh.” Crossing my arms in front of me, I said, “I can always call for Vuvu. He’ll kick you out himself.”

“Ah, but you won’t,” the asshole said, slowly stepping to the side of the bed, coming closer. I risked a glance at the closed door—yep, still only two feet away. The room hadn’t gotten any bigger, unfortunately for me. “You won’t because you need me. Favor for favor—how about that?”

He was close now, too close, so I stepped back, trying to act casual. Didn’t work all that well because…well, first, he was tall. Like six foot three tall, and second, he had broad shoulders, and third, I remembered how he handled me. Likehandledme effortlessly, spun me around and had his way with me with those big hands, and then his fingers?—

STOP!

“I don’t need favors from you,” I spit, so pissed off I was seeing red.

What the hell was the matter with me? We were all alone in a room, and when he came closer to me and looked at me like he wanted to eat me, I forgot all about everything and everyone and consideredbegginghim to take me in his arms?

Shame on you, Ro. Shame.

“You do,” Taland insisted. “You need magic to complete this challenge. I already have.”

And again, he looked down at my naked legs, but if I pulled the towel lower, I was going to flash him for sure.

“If you have magic, dry my clothes first. Then we’ll talk.” Because if I wasn’t wearing a damn towel, I’d feel better. I’d have my weapons on me. I wouldn’t be so fucking exposed, and I could focus on the situation for a change, not the state of my body.

“Hmm,” said Taland, looking down at my clothes. Good thing I’d put my underwear under the jacket and pants in case I ran into someone in the hallway. “I can certainly do that—for a favor.”

His eyes sparkled. That’s how amused he was—theysparkled.

“I’m not screaming for Vuvu right now—that’s your favor.”

“No, no, that’s for the game.Thisis something else. I’ll need payment for it,” Taland said, slowly reaching his hand down to grab the sleeve of my soaking wet jacket. The next second, he whispered three words hastily, and warmth came out of him together with black flames, his magic wrapping around the leather, drying it before I could blink twice.

Goddess-damn it.

“What do you want?” I forced myself to say because that sleeve was so, so dry, and I wanted all of my clothes on me. On my body. Just as dry.

“I absolutelylovethat question,” Taland whispered with a chuckle. “I’ll dry your clothes for you, sweetness, but you have to put them on in front of me. Slowly.”

My jaw touched the fucking floor. “No!” Was he absolutely out of his mind?!

Taland shrugged. “Like I said, I’ve seen everything there is to see about you. You’re not that impressive, don’t worry. But that’s my payment—take it or leave it.”

Steam could be coming out of my ears.Not that impressive?Was he fucking kidding me right now?!

“You’re a fucking prick, you know that?”

I would not cry these angry tears in front of him. Not a chance.

“And you’re tired, Rosabel. You need to lie down. Let me watch you put on those panties and your shirt, and I’ll tuck you in myself. You need to sleep.”

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