Page 6 of Between the Lines

“Me, too, but only for short trips. I’m looking forward to being there longer and actually exploring more of the city. Seeing the sights.”

He nods and reaches for another card. “There’s lots to do.”

“Mm-hmm.” We play in silence for another round. This one goes faster than the previous one, and by the end, he’s groaning when he busts through 21. I win with just a measly 14.

“I didn’t think you’d get that one,” he says.

I take a sip out of my wine and meet his gaze. “Don’t underestimate me.”

His gaze lingers on mine. “I’m learning not to.”

The wine is sweet on my tongue, adding to the fiery fuzz already enveloping me. I can taste another adventure.

Judging by his eyes, so can he.

Someone clears their throat. We both look up, the moment broken, to the bartender standing there. “We’re closing the bar now, I’m afraid,” the bartender says. “I’m really sorry.”

“That’s a shame.” Aiden looks at me, his eyes unreadable. “We’ve won two games each.”

“One left,” I breathe, and then we’ll know. Best out of five.

“Seems like we’ll have to finish this game somewhere else,” he says.

My breath comes fast. “It does, doesn’t it?”

“Good thing there’s a conveniently empty suite down the hall.”

CHAPTER 3

CHARLOTTE

“The room does have a minibar.”

His smile widens. “And whoever wins the game will end up paying for it. I like the way you think, Chaos.”

We head down the hallway in silence, toward the room we both have the keycards to. The gold numbers on the door are glossy, a contrast to the dark wood.

He scans his card and holds the door open for me. I step by him, into the space I had thought was mine for the night.

There’s a large bed in the middle of the room.

A desk in one corner. A two-seater sofa and a small armchair, as well as a television. And then the bathroom, off to the right, where we’d…metearlier. We both walk right past it.

And alarge bed in themiddle of the room.That fact now feels far harder to ignore. It’s giant, with plush white hotel linens and more pillows than could ever be used by the people meant to share it.

Aiden opens the minibar, while I sit down on the sofa. I stroke a hand over the soft fabric and try not to think too far ahead. I want to stay in the moment. Make a dumb decision.

I’m in my in-between state. I could be anyone I want for a night, and then get in the car tomorrow and move on.

Aiden hands me a few small bottles and takes a seat in the chair across from me. He looks larger here somehow. Takes up more space, the armchair disappearing beneath him. He’s a sharp contrast against the polished elegance of the room around us.

He deals the cards with strong hands. My gaze lingers over them. The long fingers, the broad backs. “Tell me something about yourself. I know almost nothing,” I say.

A smile ghosts across his lips. “You’re not one to talk. For a woman I’ve seen naked, I know nearly nothing about you.”

My breath hitches. “And that’s not the norm for you then, is it?”

“No,” he says and takes another sip of his drink. “It isn’t.”

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