Page 71 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

“Did you just—?”

I nod. “I did. Now what are you going to do about it?”

A slow wicked smirk slides across his face as he wipes the frosting from his nose with a finger and then places it in his mouth, sucking it off with a seductive smirk, and quickly turning the table on my little game, sendingheat spiralling through my core.

He leans in, his eyes darkening as they drop to my lips. “If you want to play Tink. All you ever have to do is ask. But be warned… Once we start this game, I won’t stop.”

“How—”

A buzzing sound cuts off my question and our heated moment.

“Damn it.” Hook glances at his watch before something flashes in his eyes. It’s there and gone before I catch it.

“This conversation is far from over. But it’s time.” Hook grabs my hand and pulls me out of the ballroom.

Wait… What? “Time for what?” I ask.

Hook looks around as we move through the throng of people and out of the room.

Once we’re outside, a loud commotion sounds out from inside the ballroom. I try to twist around to see it, but Hook’s grip tightens on me.

I glance up to him and he gives me a subtle shake of his head.

Murmurs from inside of the room filter outside to the people around us but it’s too low for me to make out what has happened. Though whatever it is has their eyes light up in excitement as they rush in to check it out.

Hook walks us slowly out into the foyer just as Lord Basilius’ men choose to check out the commotion inside.

“What was that?” I ask him just as the last person heads inside, leaving us completely alone.

“Our diversion.” He smirks back at me as he quickly pulls me up the stairs and along the hall of the second floor, taking a left and a right before coming to another long hall with small coves.

Why are there always so many halls?

Hook stops for a moment, allowing me to catch my breath as his eyes focus on something in the distance. I glance in the same direction but there’s nothing there.

“Hook?”

“Cash has a diversion running to give us time to search but I’ve already sensed the relic. We just need to get to it and get out of here before anyone notices it’s missing.”

“What type of diversion?” It didn’t sound like anything bad. In fact, most people were runningtowardit, instead ofaway.

Hook’s smirk turns mischievous. “Cake.”

“Cake?” That’s it? That’s what had everyone running towards the room with an excited gleam in their eyes. Was everyone really that hungry?

Hook’s eyes sparkle with laughter. “One that’s infused with pixie dust.”

I freeze. Pixie dust was extremely rare. Finding some was not easy, even with his ability. And in order for it to work, it had to be given freely. Which Pixies never wanted to do.

How he was able to accomplish such a feat while also finding someone to create something edible with it, was beyond impressive.

I shake my head as I glance down the hall. “Nobody will come looking for us? Even after they’ve finished eating it?”

Hook gives me a look full of mischief. “Did you know that pixie dust has a natural aphrodisiac in it?”

My brows raise as Hook’s smile grows sinfully wicked. “I can promise you that no one is leaving that room. A small bite of that cake will create a ravenous hunger that can’t be easily satisfied. At least not anytime soon.”

My mouth drops open when I realize what he’s done.

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