Page 23 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

“And if I am?” he asks in a soft tone, his eyes scanning my face before dipping to my lips.

The energy between us kicks up a notch making it hard for me to focus on anything other than the way Hook looks at me. Like I’m something precious to behold. Like I’m not just something he can control or own.

Like he truly cares what I think and feel.

But right now, I don’t knowwhatto feel. With one look he has my mind twisting and turning, questioning things I thought I had long moved past. And reminding me of a moment long ago of a stolen kiss and a whispered promise.

A slight shift in his body brings my attention back to the bracelet between his fingers, and it quickly snaps me out of my foolish thoughts.

My mind is just playing tricks on me. Or rather, Hook is.

This is just another one of his games to get what he wants. And something he will never have. Me.

But maybe I can use it against him. Maybe I can play him at his own game.

A small plan comes to mind as I give him a tentative smile. His eyes brighten and slightly widen as I reach up to his shoulder and slowly slide my hand down the length of his arm to his hand.

“Tink,” he breathes. His eyes grow dark as his breath picks up. I’m so close to the bracelet in his hand that when he moves forward, I feel the cold brush of metal against my fingers.

Just a little bit closer.

I lean forward, my eyes dropping to his lips as my hand caresses his. His fingers twitch and I feel the bracelet loosen from his hold.

Just before his lips reach mine, I pull it from his grasp and quickly duck under his arm and around the desk before placing it around my wrist.

Hook’s eyes widen in shock before a sharp laugh tumbles from his lips. He turns to me, his eyes still as dark as they were moments ago, but this time filled with light and happiness.

“That wasn’t very nice.” His heated gaze follows me as he straightens up and fully turns around to me.

“You said you wanted me toplay.” I shrug and fix the bracelet on my wrist while trying to calm my racing heart.

“That I did. But there’s only one problem with that little game of yours.” He gives me a knowing smirk, one that makes me feel uneasy as he slowly moves around the desk.

“And what’s that?” I meet his gaze and the dark glint in his eyes makes my stomach drop.

His smirk grows into something smug as he leans back against the desk and crosses his arms.

“I’d rather you find out for yourself.” He dips his head toward the bracelet on my wrist. “Go ahead. Try it.”

I frown at his cocky attitude but quickly focus on the bracelet, thinking of disappearing from everyone that’s searching for me, including Hook and everyone here.

Closing my eyes, I search for its energy and try to grasp onto it.A rush of warmth flows through my chest. But I don’t know whether it’s the bracelet working or my excitement at something finally going my way.

I open my eyes to see if it’s worked and if I’m invisible from Hook, when a warm presence slides up behind me making me freeze.

Hook leans in, his breath whispering across the side of my cheek, making me shiver.

“It won’t work,” he whispers before pulling back.

“Why not?” I whip around to him as my plans start to crumble hearing his three little words.

There must be a trick to it. Maybe I’m not thinking about it right or maybe it first needs to be activated somehow.

“Because it’s already been drained,” he retorts, smirking to hide the delight that lights up his entire face.

My heart plummets at his words. I glance down at the bracelet as anger soon replaces my excitement, burning through my chest like a flame.

“There’s no power left to help you…disappear,” he continues, oblivious to my frustration and misery.

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