Page 183 of Vicious Addictions

“Mina.” He says my name like a prayer. “You’re here.”

“I am. The twins send their regards by the way.” My gaze flickers to the wreckage on his floor.

“Ah. I see.” His lips curve into a knowing smile. “Be sure to tell them how much I appreciate their thoughtful gesture.”

“I will.” I smile as he walks towards me with intention.

But as he draws closer, I catch how his eyes slightly widen at the familiar chessboard set up on his kitchen counter.

“And I see you didn’t come alone. You broughtourchessboard with you.”

“Indeed, I did. After I left Chicago, it dawned on me that we never got to play a proper game. I thought we could fix that.”

“I’m always up for a good challenge. Though I haven’t played in five years, so I might be rusty.”

“I’ll take my chances.” I smile, glancing at the board. “I’ve set it all up for us to start.” I then turn to face him and extend my hand. “It’s only missing one thing.”

Jude’s smoldering grin sends a shiver through me as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out the ivory queen—the one he stole from me all those years ago.

But before he places it in my palm, he grips it tightly and leans in, his minty-fresh breath fanning my cheeks. “This is a loan. I’m going to need her back,” he says, pressing the chess piece into my hand and curling my fingers around it.

“Her?” I arch a brow. “Not it?”

“I’ve grown too attached forherto be anit,” he replies, taking off his suit jacket and neatly placing it on an empty stool.

My heart does cartwheels in my chest as Jude shifts the chessboard sideways before settling onto the nearest barstool beside me while I remain perched on his countertop, my crossed legs nearly in his lap.

“Ladies first.”

I start the match by moving my pawn, feeling the weight of his stare on my fingers.

“Before I forget, I truly enjoyed your engagement present.”

“Is that right?” he retorts, mimicking my move and grabbing my hand just as I reach for my bishop. “Did you enjoy it so much that you decided to call the whole thing off? Your ring finger is missing a diamond,Lady Crane,” he adds while his thumb draws little circles on where my diamond ring used to be.

“If I say yes, can I still keep my gift?”

He lets out a low rumble, his jaw clenching as he gently releases my hand from his.

“Felix must have been disappointed when you returned his ring to him.”

“I wouldn’t know. My father was the one to break the news. I was too busy flying back to Chicago…to you.”

“To me?” His voice turns husky as his lingering gaze travels up my body, from my long, bare legs to my heaving chest, pausing when he catches the sight of a familiar gold necklace resting against my skin.

I don’t dare breathe as he leans in, his deft fingers slipping beneath the fabric to pull the necklace from its hiding place between the swell of my breasts, letting it settle atop my top.

“You kept it,” he whispers, with a hint of surprise in his voice. “I thought you had thrown it away.”

“I could never do that. I promised you I’d always cherish it. And I have.”

“You promised you would always wear it, too,” he mutters, unable to hide his disappointment.

“Just because you never saw it on me didn’t mean I didn’t have it within arm’s reach.”

“You hid it from me?” he asks, his gaze darting to my mouth now. “All the time you were here?”

“Only fair, don’t you think? Since you’ve hidden so many things from me.”

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