Page 24 of Cinder
“That’s a bit dramatic, isn’t it? Does this place even have a dungeon?”
“It’s an old castle, what do you think?”
She lifts her brows. “You’re six feet six and I’m five foot nothing. Your pride should be wounded, Bike Monster, if you need help handling the likes of me.”
I can’t help myself. The laugh leaves my lips before I can stopit. This firecracker has just thrown out a challenge, and things just got interesting.
Reaching behind me, I close the door. But when I turn the key and lock it, I see the alarm in her eyes and the sudden panic on her face. I narrow my eyes, not expecting the little firecracker to show any fear. She swallows, and I can read the fear in her expression.Don’t hurt me.And I’ll be damned, it’s got me curious.
“What are you doing?” she asks.
“I think you and I need to talk.”
“Why did you lock the door?”
The panic in her voice is in stark contrast to the sassiness from mere minutes ago.
“I’ll unlock it when you’ve told me what you’re really doing in here.” I gesture to the large couch opposite the fireplace.
She glances at the couch and then back at me, her eyes sharpening. She knows she’s out of options. Reluctantly, she starts to move toward the couch but stops just short of it and spins around, then catches me completely off guard by reaching up and pulling my face down for a kiss.
No.
Stop.
Don’t.
Yeah, right.
If this gorgeous spitfire wants a kiss, then I’ll happily give her one.
And damn, her lips taste sweeter than I had imagined.
But they’re nothing but an attempt to distract me—which makes me even more suspicious.
“Nice try, darlin’.” I smile against her lips as I slowly unwind her fingers from the back of my neck.
She steps back and pouts. Fiery blue eyes gaze up at me.
I point to the couch. “Sit.”
She reluctantly does as I tell her and sinks to the couch, crossing her arms as she looks up at me.
“Now, let’s try that again. What the hell are you up to?”
“Fine, if you really need to know. I’d heard about the library, and I wanted to see it for myself.”
She’s lying. Or maybe half-lying because there is that genuine affection in her eyes again. But something is off.
“You’ll have to do better than that,” I say, taking a seat next to her.
“You know people in town talk about this place. For years I’ve heard about the library. Is it true Beast gave it to his wife as a wedding gift?”
Yep, this one is all about distraction. “You’ll have to ask Beast.”
She fixes me with her baby blues then leans closer. “I’m asking you.”
I lean in. “It’s not my story to tell.”
