Page 29 of Make Me Lie (Rich Demons of Darkwood 1)

“So, where did you get those moves?” he asked me.

I studied the room, ignoring him for a moment. There was a big walk-in closet to one side and beautiful modern furniture. There was a fireplace across from the king-sized bed and a vase of roses on the bedside table. It seemed cozy. If I hadn’t seen the torture chamber next door, I might’ve felt at home.

When I turned around, he was rubbing his jaw. It must have hurt when I’d kneed him in the face.

“What moves?” I didn't want to be drawn into conversation with Pax. Something about him was unnerving and sexy. Dangerous and disturbing all at the same time.

“Bullshit,” he said. “You're not getting off to a very good start. First you knock me in the face, and try to murder my bestie, and then you lie to me.”

“Did I hurt you? I just must have gotten lucky.”

“That's very strange.” He moved closer to me, dominating me with his size. I breathed in his clean soapy scent with a hint of cologne. “Because I happen to know that particular pressure point you used on Remington.”

His fingers stroked over my throat, then found that particular nerve. He rested his thumb on it lightly, his other fingers curling around to caress my skin. A tremor of fear and desire ran through me all at once. The sensation of his fingers seemed to race across my skin, lighting it on fire.

As his gaze met mine evenly, there was a strange heat between us that kept me from knocking him on his ass again.

“Your pulse is going two hundred beats a minute.”

“No, it's not.” Pax wasn't remotely the scariest thing that I had encountered.

“I'm really curious why a girl like you ran in to protect a total stranger.”

“A girl like me? Exactly what kind of girl do you think I am?”

Pax didn't bother to answer me.

There was a heavy knock on the door, then Cain pushed it open. He seemed to fill up the whole doorway, and the room seemed to shrink when he walked in. But as always, when his gaze met mine, heat flooded my body—wayward, wanton heat.

Cain always seemed like he couldn't stop looking at me, even when he was talking to someone else. “Pax, why did you take our little playmate away? She seemed to really be enjoying the show.”

“You’re a monster,” I said.

“Thanks.” Cain didn’t smile or react besides that blunt word. “Now get dressed. You can't wear that to my football practice or to dinner after. I'd rather you didn't embarrass me.”

“Thank you, but no,” I said.

“Pax.” Cain’s voice was quiet, yet everything he said sounded like a command.

Pax gave me a peck on the cheek, leaning in so fast that by the time my hands rose, he was already dancing backward. The scent of his cologne seemed to linger on my skin, or maybe that was the scent of his body.

He winked at me. “Stay alive. Aurora. I have a feeling knowing you is going to be very entertaining.”

“Fantastic. I am so happy that I can entertain you.”

Cain stepped into the room to allow Paxton room to pass, and somehow that seemed to bring him far too close to me for comfort.

“What are you going to wear?” he asked.

“Are you kidding me right now?” I demanded. “You want to have a chat about fashion? I'm not going to your football practice.”

“I think you are. I want to keep an eye on you. And I know that you like keeping an eye on me.” There was an arrogant flare in his eyes that made me resolve to never check him out again.

“I don't need anyone to keep an eye on me.”

He leaned close. “I don't trust you, and if you want the privilege of walking around this campus, you'll have to convince me you're trustworthy. You can begin today.”

“I don't need to convince you of a goddamn thing, except to take a step back.” I put my hand on his chest, ready to shove, but I didn't bother yet. I knew that I wouldn't be able to move him without it coming down to a full fight. He had a good eight inches and ninety pounds of muscle on me. I was very capable of taking down larger, more dangerous opponents, but I knew the risk.

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