Page 71 of If the Ring Fits

She doesn’t respond, but a tremble shakes her body.

Today Rowena started a risky game, and now I’m her willing pawn, captured into this match that can’t have winners.

On my prompt, we sway to the music, our bodies pressed together. With every step, every touch, my resolve to keep away crumbles a little further. Halfway through the second song, I bury my face in her hair, inhaling the scent of her. I shouldn’t let myself get caught up in the moment, but I’m helpless to stop.

When we step apart after a countless number of songs, I’m a mess of tangled emotions. I want her so badly it hurts, but I can’t have her. Not really. Not for long. My job is too demanding to allow space for a healthy relationship. And if Dominic picks me as his replacement, it’ll only get worse. I can’t do this to myself—not again. But especially, I can’t do it to her.

But as Rowena slips her fingers into mine, leading me to the edge of the beach to watch the firework display, those thoughts fade into the distance. Her laughter rings out, clear and infectious, as the night sky explodes into a tapestry of color. Fireworks reflect in her wide eyes, as the guests ooh and ahh at the spectacle.

Rowena sidles in front of me, her bare back pressing against my torso as she shivers. “It’s getting chilly.” She reachesbehind to grab my hands and wrap my arms around her waist. “Keep me warm.”

My throat tightens as my body responds to her nearness, her touch, her scent. She fits perfectly against me, like she was made for me. I hold her close, relishing her warmth, even as I tell myself this is wrong—or too right.

The fireworks continue to burst overhead, but I barely notice. My focus on Rowena. The way she leans into me, the soft sigh that escapes her lips, the way her fingers lace with mine. It’s all too much, too overwhelming, too real.

I’m teetering on the edge of a dangerous precipice, and if I’m not careful, I’ll fall. Fall into a hole so deep I’ll never be able to climb out.

The show ends, and, gradually, the guests disperse, heading back to the hotel or off to their own mansions. We linger on the beach; I’m reluctant to move, to break this spell we’re under.

But then Rowena turns in my arms, her gaze on me almost challengingly. “Time for bed?”

I should say no. I should tell her to go ahead, that I’ll join her soon and sleep on the sand instead, where it’s safe. I should give myself a minute to clear my head, remember all the reasons this is a terrible idea. But when Rowena takes my hand, tugging me toward the hotel, I’m powerless to resist.

We reach our room and I close the door behind us. Rowena turns her back to me, reaching up to remove her earrings with a casualness that belies the tension crackling between us.

I watch her, transfixed by the dotted line of her spine. I want to reach out and lower those crossing strips, trace each knot with my fingertips, my lips, my tongue.

Something inside me snaps, the last threads of my control fraying and breaking. I’ve fought this attraction for so long,denied myself what I want. But I won’t fight it anymore. Not after tonight. Not after the way she’s toyed with me, teased me, driven me to the brink of madness.

“You’ve been playing with me all day,” I say, my voice thick with unspoken need.

Rowena meets my gaze in the mirror, her eyes dark and full of promise. And that’s when I know I’m well and truly lost.

30

ROWENA

When we get to our room, I go in first, keeping my back to him. The door closes behind us with a sharp click.

I reach up to remove my earrings, trying to act casual, but inside, every nerve is buzzing.

I feel his eyes on me, a lick of flame on my back that’s searing skin.

Tonight I’ve pushed his buttons, wanting to discover how far I could go before he snapped. And now, he’s at his breaking point. I can sense it. The reckoning will all be mine. And I’m not sure if I should be thrilled or terrified.

“You’ve been playing with me all day.” The accusation is rough.

I meet his gaze in the mirror, my eyes challenging, projecting a confidence I don’t feel. I notice the struggle in his expression, the way he’s holding back.

He undoes one of his shirt cuffs. No more skin than before is showing, but I still find the gesture incredibly erotic. His movements are slow and controlled. And I don’t want him incontrol. I want to see him unleashed, however dangerous or unwise that desire might be.

I play dumb. “Have I?”

“You were all over me.”

“I thought that was my part to play.”

“Was it? You seemed pretty invested.” Adrian moves on to his other cuff and raises an eyebrow at me. “Was it just for show or were you trying to get a rise out of me?”

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