Page 48 of Disgrace

“You’re either very confident or very flexible.” She teases.

“I’m very confident.” I wiggle my brow and flash my widest smile. I love the way her breath catches when I do that, every… single… time. The impact is the same for me, but I feel it like a direct hit to the chest, completely fucking winded. “So, any questions at all, but you have to answer truthfully.”

“Sounds dangerous.” Her sceptical tone is accompanied by a wary expression.

“Sounds like fun. You start.” I wink.

“Wait, are there rules?”

“Oh, beautiful, there arealwaysrules.” I smirk, and she rolls her eyes playfully. This is already working. Her knuckles are now a pale pink colour. “If you hesitate, you get a forfeit ofmychoosing.” My voice drops an octave with the salacious warning.

“Are you always this arrogant?” she quips.

“Yes. Now stop stalling. We reach cruising altitude in about fifteen minutes, and I’m hungry.” I turn to face her, and she shifts in her seat, her cheeks colour with a deep blush, but she has actually released her death-grip.

“Bring it on, big boy.” She cups her fingers as a challenge. “But if I win, I get to pick my own forfeit, right?”

“Agreed.” I slowly draw in my bottom lip, and she stifles a moan. The delicate sound goes straight to my balls.

“Okay. What’s the capital city of Uzbekistan?” She smirks, and I purse my lips. She plays dirty.

“You get a double forfeit if you don’t know the answer to the question you pose. Just thought I should warn you.” I hold her gaze and try to read her tells.

“Changing the rules already?” she challenges, her face implacable.

“Clarifying the rules, and the answer is Tashkent.” Her eyes widen, and I close her mouth with my finger.

“Favourite colour?” I don’t pause.

“Red. Is that really the capital?” She bites her lips too late to stop and hide her mistake.

“Oh, Sam, tsk tsk.” I shake my head, and she shrugs sheepishly. “Honest answers remember, and yes, it is. Next question.” She taps her lips with one finger, her brow lightly furrowed in thought.

“Who’s the eldest Marx brother?” She smiles, happy with her random question.

“Chico. Who’s your favourite band?” I reply without hesitation, keeping the pressure on.

“Pink,” she calls out, almost a yell.

“Not a band but I’ll let you have that.”

I raise my brow for her next question. She looks flustered then shouts, “Who painted The Water Lily Pool?”

“Monet. I’m surprised you’re not taking the same opportunity as I am, Sam. It hasn’t gone unnoticed that none of your questions are personal.” I tap her nose when she scrunches it. “Trying to trip me up or afraid to get a little personal?” I tease.

“Is that your question?” She arches her brow, but tenses at my observation.

“No. What’s your favourite desert?” I continue without much of a pause.

“Pavolva, any flavour. I love meringue. How did you find me?” I raise my brow at her first personal question.

“Your bracelet is tracked.” Her jaw drops again, but I continue to elaborate. “I knew the direction you were travelling, but Leon filled in the important blanks, or it would’ve taken me a little longer to get to you. I wasalwaysgoing to find you, Sam.” My tone is completely serious, and her lips curve into a tender smile before her mouth changes shape.

“Oh.” She exhales.

“Oh. I actually understand where Daniel is coming from for the first time.” Her perfect brows furrow, confused at my statement. “He is very protective of Bethany. I understand why given what they went through, but still, I thought at times it was a little over the top.”

“And now?”

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