Page 22 of Hate Game

We tried that, and the lines were crossed.

We cannot go back to what we had.

I have to move forward.

Seven more months and he’ll leave for Dumas, playing ball for Dumas University.

Where does that leave me if I fall for him?

Heartbroken and abandoned.

I let go of his hair and my hold on his waist. “Time for you to get off me.”

“Hey, wait, hold up. You’re hot for me one minute, and the next, someone’s kicked your puppy. Uh-uh. What’s wrong, Rue?”

He stares at my unremarkable brown eyes.A window to my soul. I glance to the side, afraid he’ll see my sadness. In the stillness of the moment, I soak in my surroundings and wait for the ache in my chest to lessen. Surprisingly, for a guy, Malice has great taste in furnishings.

A mahogany entry table is at the bottom of the stairs, an obvious place for setting keys, bags, or an employment contract. Ignoring the beats of my heart as he slides down and presses his face into the curve of my neck, I sweep my gaze over his place. Next to the stairs is an open kitchen with an island. From my viewpoint, I imagine light-colored granite countertops that bring out the dark wood of the barstools. Hanging from the ceiling is a wooden rack for pots and pans. They are a fiery red. Anger.Passion.Thatnight.

I avert my gaze and continue to the wall across from the front door. There is a fireplace with a white mantle.

My dream home would have one in the living room and the bedroom, as well as dark wood floors and wainscoting. How does a poor girl from the bad side of town know about wainscoting? My uncle’s girlfriend binged house-flipping and home-decorating shows.

Her interest is the only positive outcome of my dislike for her. Someday, I would like to buy and flip houses.

“Malice?”

“Hmm?”

“I like the plants in your place.” A large monstera in a ceramic periwinkle pot sits near one of the large windows, surrounded by a fig tree, something that looks like elephant ears, and a small bookcase lined with plants rather than books. “I would have never guessed you’re a plant guy.”

His chuckle on my warm flesh gets my girl parts hot. “What kind of guy did you think I’d be?”

“Dark leather recliners with places for your drinks and remotes. A large glass case showcasing all your trophies. A huge fish tank with barracudas and eels. Clothes strewn everywhere. Used condoms forgotten in the folds of the couch.”

“You’re wrong about everything, including the condoms.”

“Are you sure?” Cassie was over hours earlier. Oh God, were they doing the dirty onthiscouch?

“Care to check?”

No, but there is no backing out of the challenge in his tone. “Most definitely.”

I stick my hand between the cushions. He stops me with his fingers around my wrist. “If I’m right, what will you give me?” He stares at my lips. My stomach does a weird somersault.

“A kiss?” My voice is raspy.

“Uh-uh, Regret.” He skims his knuckles across my top lip. “If I’m right, you stay away when I’m with a girl orgirls. Understood?”

The invisible knife cuts deeper into my gut. The ache in my chest deepens until I can’t breathe. Anticipation and any ounce of happiness is sucked from me.

Out of breath from the pain in my chest, I nod. He rolls off me. I search the cushions. He towers over me and waits.

“Well?”

“You’re right,” I mutter. “No condoms.”

A satisfied grin from him.

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