Page 30 of Red Zone
That gets her attention. Her eyes narrow, calculating.
“Please,” I add, and it sounds foreign in my mouth. I don’t beg.
She glances at Grayson, then back at me. Something shifts in her expression. “Fine. One minute.”
I nod and turn, knowing she’ll follow.
And she does.
I take her to my room, shutting the door behind us. She stands near the wall, arms crossed, chin lifted like armor.
“You jealous or just bored?” she asks, voice cool.
“Would it make a difference?”
Her mouth twitches, almost a smirk. “So, what is it, Hayes? You need your ego stroked tonight?”
“Nah,” I say, leaning against the dresser. “Just couldn’t stand watching you smile at someone who didn’t earn it.”
She scoffs. “You think you earned it?”
“I’ve definitely worked harder than Grayson Fucking Bennett.”
“This isn’t the field, Carter. You don’t win people like you win games.”
“Don’t I?”
Her arms drop, fists clenching at her sides. “You really think you can just pull me into your room, say something cocky, and expect me to…what? Fall all over you?”
“No,” I say, stepping closer. “I expect you to admit you’re just as confused by this thing between us as I am.”
She glares up at me. “There is no thing.”
“You sure?” I ask, voice low. “Because the way you look at me sometimes? Like you want to slap me and kiss me in the same breath?”
She laughs without humor. “More like just slap you.”
“Then why are you still standing here?”
Her jaw flexes. “Because I’m trying to figure out how big a mistake this would be.”
I step closer again. “I’m not looking for a forever thing, Harding. But don’t pretend you don’t think about it too.”
Her breath catches. She hates that I’m right.
“Tell me to back off,” I say, voice tight. “Tell me you don’t want this. I’ll let it go.”
She says nothing.
I lift a hand, brushing a curl behind her ear. Her breath hitches. Her gaze flicks to my mouth.
Then back to my eyes.
And just like that, she lunges forward.
It’s not a sweet kiss.
It’s teeth. Tongue. Anger. Fire.
