Page 79 of Widow's Walk

“Pass,” I murmur and drag a finger down the length of her arm.

“Why, because you know you’ll lose?”

“You are overly confident in your seduction skills,” I murmur, tugging her close.

“Are you saying I don’t have any game?”

I smile. “I’m saying you scare men off too easily.”

Her gasp is affronted, but before she can sass me, I trail kisses down her neck, and she leans into it. My fingers brush along the swell of her breasts.

“You better quit it,” she breathes. “You can see everything through silk. Including a wet spot if you don’t cool it.”

I chuckle. “Is that why you’re wearing panties tonight?” My thumb rubs over her hardened nipple.

“Yes,” she says through a small giggle. “Now, stop trying to change the subject. The bet.”

“What bet?” I feign ignorance only to mess with her.

She clucks her tongue. “Blackwell,” she warns, only half serious.

I sigh, conceding like I often do with her. “Fine. If I win, you dance with me.”

She looks at me like I’m delusional. “Seriously? That’s your big prize? A dance?”

“Not everything has to end with blood or orgasms, Sinclair.” I sip my drink, eyes watching hers amorously. “And you?”

Those enchanting eyes of hers roll once again. “If I win, it’s a surprise.” She grins proudly.

“Alright,joon-kharâsh. Do your worst.”

She leans all the way in and then uses her tongue to give me a good, wet swipe up the middle of my face. I chuckle, but the moment she struts away, hips swaying, locking eyes with a tall, unsuspecting man near the bar, I know I’m fucked.

The man who looks like he should be guarding the door, not sipping champagne, looks unsure. I watch, bemused, confident in her reputation’s ability to deter any advances. She’s notorious. No man in their right mind would entertain the idea of Sinclair. No matter how gorgeous and sexy she is.

But then the man relaxes and smiles at her. He leans in closer, and she touches his arm. I sit up straighter and finish my drink. The amusement in all this disintegrates.

When he offers her his arm and she takes it, the air around me drops ten degrees. I’m on my feet as they walk off together.

With the world narrowed to a singular focus, I follow them inside, my steps purposeful as my blood pulses with a surge of rage.

I find them in the hallway, and I don’t wait. Spinning him by the shoulder, I slam him against the wall. He recognizes me instantly and is wise enough not to fight me.

“I’m so sorry, sir. She said that you wanted me to escort her to the ladies’ room,” he stammers.

“And snitches get stitches,” Sinclair mutters from behind me.

“Fuck off,” I seethe, shoving the guy away.

He runs like the devil is on his heels, but my focus is back on the she-devil. I pull her by the hips and cage her against the wall as my temper begins to simmer. “You cheated.”

Her eyes widen. “How did I cheat?”

My eyes narrow. “You know how.”

“The bet was that I could get a man to flirt with me, even leave with me, and you would lose it. And you did. So, I win.” She grins, her eyes gleaming.

“He thought he was escorting you to the restroom.”

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