Page 192 of Gathered Sparkle

“Hi,” I murmur, running the fingers of my free hand up his chest, feeling the way his muscles tense beneath my touch.

His smirk softens a fraction. “Hi.”

The warmth in that one word makes my heart flip, but I don’t have time to dwell on it. Koen tilts his head, his gaze flicking down the length of me with slow, deliberate approval, then back up to meet my eyes.

“Go on,” he murmurs. “Show me what you’ve got.”

The challenge in his voice makes heat curl low in my belly. I start to move sensually, grinding down against him in a way that makes both of us suck in a breath. His hips press up, but his hands stay right where they are, steadying me as I roll my body.

Koen doesn’t break eye contact, not once.

His gaze pins me in place, and my pulse hammers in my chest as his lips curl into another lazy, knowing smile.

“Getting nervous?”

“Never,” I whisper, even though it’s a lie, and he knows it. My skin feels too hot, my heart too loud because with him, I’m always teetering on the edge of unraveling.

I let my hand drift down to his arm, skimming over the ridges of muscle before brushing against the strap of his Patek Philippe.

He watches me, his smirk widening as I work the strap loose in seconds, slide the watch free, and tuck it behind my back with a triumphant grin.

“That first time…” Koen’s hands tighten at my waist, pulling me flush against him until his lips are at my ear, “… will stay the only time you’ll ever manage to steal from me without my knowledge, Little Thief.” A shiver runs down my spine. His hands skim up my back, trailing heat with every inch. “Because I’ll never take my eyes off you for that long again.” His lips brush the shell of my ear as he speaks. “Whenever you enter the room, my eyes are already on you.”

I pull back to look at him, and the tenderness in his gaze knocks the breath out of me. There’s desire, but beneath it is more. Something that makes me feel like I’mhome.

I don’t know who moves first, but our mouths clash. His tongue brushes against mine, and I moan into his mouth, my body moving against his in time with the kiss. When I finally pull away, I’m breathless, and so is he. My fingers skim his beard, and his eyes soften even more.

“Goddamn.” He brushes his thumb along my jaw. “You’re precious.”

I don’t care if he onlylet meswipe his watch. All I care about is the steady comfort of his touch and the quiet promise in his eyes that he’ll always be looking out for me. And when Koen kisses me again, I swear I can feel the truth of that promise settle into my bones.

“Time to meet your master,” Koen jokes when he breaks the kiss, and I turn my head to look at Ace, who’s already watching me.

My skin buzzes with electrical currents as I slide off Koen’s lap. The three watches I’ve swiped are nestled in my hand, cool metal pressing into my palm, and now it’s difficult to keep them hidden. I curl my fingers around them, palming them as best I can as I turn toward Ace.

He’s waiting for me, looking relaxed, but there’s an unmistakable gleam in his eyes. Unlike the others, he’s not sprawled across the couch. No, Ace sits tall, one leg crossed over the other.

That little poser.

“May I?” I ask, letting the words hang between us, daring him.

I’m fine if he doesn’t want me this close outside the safety of his room, but I’d love to give all of them my final private dance.

Ace’s mouth curves into a slow smirk as he uncrosses his leg and leans forward, his eyes locked onto mine. “I dare you to.”

Challenge accepted.

I straddle his lap, feeling his heat radiating through his clothes. His hands slide up to rest lightly on my hips as I settle onto him. His touch is steady but loose as if he’s waiting to see what I’ll do next.

I start to move, rolling my hips against him like I did with the others as I trail my hands down his chest with a featherlight touch. Ace lets out a soft hum of approval, his eyes never leaving mine.

My hands slide over his shoulders, my fingers curling behind his neck as I press my chest flush against his. He doesn’t look away, not for a second. And then, without warning, he presses a soft, quick kiss to my lips. It’s not like the others—there’s no hunger in it, no urgency. Just tenderness. Justhim.

The simplicity of it steals my breath more than anything else tonight.

I love youhe mouths like a secret meant only for me.

I love you.My heart stutters when I mouth it back.

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