Page 111 of Ruthless God

He never does.

I pick up another piece of fruit, twirling it between my fingers. A strawberry this time. Slowly, I bite into it, just enough to let the juice linger on my lips.

His eyes darken, flicking down, then back up. He still doesn’t move. Still waiting. Letting me make the next move.

Fine.

I lean in slightly, just enough for our knees to brush. Just enough to make it look accidental.

“You’re quiet.” My voice is smooth. Completely unlike the way my pulse is racing.

His lips twitch, his fingers tapping lazily against the glass of wine in his hand. For a moment, I wonder if he’s noticed that I haven’t taken a sip of mine.

He says, “I’m enjoying the view.”

My breath catches, but I don’t let it show.

I tilt my head, pretending to consider my next words. “And here I thought you brought me out here for the company.”

His smirk is slow. “Oh, I did.”

Challenge accepted.

I reach for another strawberry but this time, I don’t eat it. I hold it out to him, just like before. Waiting. Daring.

He watches me for a long second. Then, instead of taking the fruit, he leans in, slowly, until his lips part around my fingers, his mouth closing over the strawberry and just barely grazing my skin.

Holy. Hell.

Heat flares down my spine, tightening low in my stomach.

He pulls back, chewing slowly, eyes locked on mine, his expression unreadable. Controlled. Measured.

Still playing.

Still refusing to break first.

Fine.

I shift, adjusting my position just enough that the movement forces my thigh against his.

His jaw tightens.

Barely noticeable.

But I see it.

I feel the way his body goes rigid for half a second.

He felt that.

A small, satisfied smirk pulls at my lips. “Something wrong, Claudius?”

His hand moves, catching my wrist before I can pull away.

“Keep testing me, Cecely.” His voice is lower now, rougher. “See what happens.”

My pulse skips. I don’t move. Neither does he. But something in his eyes changes. Like he’s done playing. Like I just won the game.

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