Page 5 of The Games We Play
2
PENNY
OCTOBER. SEVEN MONTHS AGO.
My friends were by the fire pit, deep in conversation about God-knew-what. It never failed. Whenever we all got together, thewildeststories came out.
Take tonight, for instance. I’d just learnedwaytoo many details about the time Logan walked in on Aspen and Boone getting hot and heavy in the farm stand. Honestly? Good for her. But poor Logan… What I’d give to have been a fly on that wall.
I was filling my cup when I felt a brush on my arm. Expecting to see someone behind me, I spun around, but no one was there.
Brows drawn, I scanned the crowd. Boone and Rhodes were leaning against the wall, beers in hand. Aspen, Theo, and Logan were still by the fire, their laughter carrying across the cool night.
Weird.
I shrugged it off and turned back, only to feel a hand grab me.
Before I could react, I was yanked backward. My drink sloshed over the rim, splashing my wrist as my heels scrambled for traction.
“Jesus!” I gasped, stumbling behind the barn wall. A hand clamped over my mouth, cutting off my yelp.
My pulse slammed in my ears. My eyes widened, frantically adjusting to the dark room. I was ready to fight. No one was going to take me without some kicking and screaming. That was until a flash of neon-green hair caught the dim light.
Heat curled low in my belly.
“Shhh. Keep it down, woman,” Mac whispered against my ear, his deep timbre sending a shiver down my spine.
He tugged me farther from the party, weaving us into the shadows, away from the glow of string lights and the hum of conversation. When we were finally hidden, he let go of my mouth.
“What thehellwas that?” I hissed, running a finger along my bottom lip, checking it in the moonlight to see if my lipstick had smudged.
Mac stepped closer, his presence invading my space like he had every right to be there.
I instinctively backed up, my ankle hitting the first step of the stairs that led up to the loft.
His lips curled into a slow, devilish grin.
A silent dare.
A game.
I stepped up.
He followed.
Step.
Closer.
Step.
Closer.
My heart was loud in my ears until we were finally secluded in the loft, shrouded in the heavy scent of hay, dust, and earth.
The air between us thickened.
And my pulse?Raced.
