Page 35 of Pretty Little Game

To my surprise, Bianka simply shrugs. “I don’t know that she ever wanted me. She was never really interested in motherhood. She was with my father for the prestige and the benefits–the fancy lifestyle and the respect that comes from being apakhan’s mistress. After she got pregnant and he sent her away, her main incentive for keeping me was the substantial check that rolled in every month. Since I’m an adult now, she doesn’t have much use for me.”

Hearing that anyone could be indifferent about this girl angers me. And at the same time, I feel a deep familiarity with her story. We both grew up with disconnected mothers and fathers who made us low priorities compared to our oldest brothers.

At least I had Lucca growing up. But Bianka had no one until Ilya. She spent the first fifteen years of her life feeling completely unwanted. I can only imagine how terribly lonely she must have felt.

I gently brush my thumb across Bianka’s knuckles, drawing her gaze to mine. “Funnily enough, I can kind of relate. I’ve always seen myself as an extra. In my family, Nicolo is the one who matters. Lucca and I are more like insurance policies who can take up the family business if something should happen to the important son.”

Bianka smiles sadly. “I think feeling unwanted by my mother is what drove me to seek out my father in the first place. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to find someone who really matters in my life. Aside from Ilya, people have considered me more of an inconvenience than someone to love.”

My heart twists at her pain-filled words. And her reluctant look that follows hits like lead in my stomach.

“I think that’s partly why it hurt so badly when you stopped talking to me,” she murmurs, then bites her lip, as if worried she said too much.

Anguish rises in my core as I realize my actions for the past two years left her feeling unwanted, no matter how well-intentioned they were. I did exactly what the most important people in her life, those who should care about her no matter what, did in her past.

If I could take it back, I would. But all I can do now is prove my feelings for her. “I realize it can’t make up for how I made you feel, but you should know I havealwayswanted you. And I would never think of you as an inconvenience.”

Reaching up, I graze her cheek with the knuckle of my index finger. “Honestly, I’ve been drawn to you from the start. It’s been torture trying to stay away from you these last two years. And I can’t bring myself to do it any longer–even if it selfishly puts your dreams at risk. But I swear, I will do everything in my power to protect your place at Rosehill.”

Bianka’s worry melts into a soft smile. “Just knowing why you stayed away makes all the difference in the world. I hate that neither of our families wants us together. How do we even get around that?”

“We should keep seeing each other secretly until you graduate, just to be safe. The worst that could happen is you being banned from our territory, but after graduation, it becomes less of a challenge. And I won’t let my father hurt you–not that I think he would dare because I’m confident Ilya would go to war over it, which is the last thing my father wants. And as for your brother, I’m not afraid of him. Though I doubt my father would start a war if Ilya killed me for seeing you, I know how to handle myself.”

Bianka giggles, shaking her head. “As terrifying as Ilya can be, he would never do anything to hurt me, including hurting someone I love.” She stops short as soon as the word leaves her lips, and her green eyes go wide with horror.

“Hold the phone. Did you just say the ‘L’ word?” I tease. “About me?”

The crimson blush that colors Bianka’s cheeks this time reaches all the way to the roots of her hair and leaves adorable splotches of color across her chest. “No–I mean, yes, I said that, but… that’s not what I–I didn’t mean–what I wastryingto say is–” she backpedals, her speech rushed and stinted, she’s so flustered.

Dear god, this girl is precious. I can’t take it any longer. Before she can grow more embarrassed, I rise from my seat and round the table to her bench. In one smooth move, I close the distance between us and pull her into my arms as I silence her with a kiss.

11

BIANKA

So overwhelmed at having blurted the word “love” in casual conversation and embarrassed by the vulnerability of my unintentional confession, I lock up, my back stiffening, my eyes pressing closed in mortification as I try to explain away what I just said.

And then strong arms pull me against a firm, long torso, and Cassio’s warm lips find mine, wiping away all my humiliation. I shudder as a wave of emotion blasts through me–relief at not being laughed off or rejected, excitement at the proximity of the man I’ve wanted for so long, and wonder how a single kiss could set my skin ablaze.

“Have I ever told you how fucking precious you are when you get flustered?” Cassio breathes, evaporating the air from my lungs.

In an instant, I’m over my self-conscious discomfort, a deep craving taking its place as I relax into Cassio’s embrace.

“I can’t be sure. Feel free to repeat it for maximum retention,” I tease and am rewarded with a low chuckle that makes my stomach knot deliciously.

The sensation of his high-quality button-down brushing against my exposed midriff brings goosebumps to my neck, and his vetiver cologne surrounds me, filling me with calm confidence.

Cassio’s tongue traces the line of my lips, making me shiver as my core tightens with anticipation. He’s masterful at bringing my body to life, and all I want is for him to touch me.

“God, what did I ever do to deserve you?” he rasps.

One long-fingered hand combs back into my hair, deepening our kiss as he tips my head back for better access. My heart quickens as the maneuver arches me back, Cassio’s other arm supporting me as he leans in.

“You must have done something right in a former life,” I suggest breathily, though I can hardly believe he might question whyhedeservesme, when it’s clearly the other way around.

Our food is forgotten, I turn to face him, hooking my legs over his as I scoot closer. It’s just like the first time we kissed and again the other night in the stairwell. I’m drawn to Cassio in a way I can’t explain–desperate to have more of him every time I get a taste.

I wonder if this is how connections always work. I’ve never been with anyone before, let alone felt drawn to someone like I am to Cassio. But the deep ache of longing that consumes me is overpowering. Ineedhim. I want him closer still, even though our bodies are pressed firmly together, our tongues twining, our lips locked.

---