Page 20 of Huge Games

I take Celine's almost empty glass and mine and find a center spot at the bar with two free stools. Celine glances around for any familiar faces. "I thought it would be busier tonight," she says.

"Do you see Eddie or any of his friends?"

"Only one, and they're not close."

Celine perches on the edge of the stool and nibbles on the side of her finger. Her posture is tight, her shoulders curled forward. The confident woman who asked me to take her out has gone, and in her place is a girl who seems defeated.

It breaks my heart. "Let's give that asshole something to rage about," I say.

Celine seems confused, but I pass her phone. "Another selfie," I say.

When the screen is on camera mode, and she holds it high, I take her pretty face in my hands and kiss her. The camera makes a clicking sound as Celine sighs against my lips. I kiss her deeper, letting my hand cup the back of her neck, pulling her closer to me with a demanding grip. Another click.

Her lips are so soft and searching, and even though we barely know each other, the kiss is both tender and smoking hot.

Jeez.

I can see why Elias was so keen for an opportunity to date Celine. He'd already had a taste and wanted more.

And now, so do I.

Click.

Another photo.

I draw back, staring down into her glazed eyes.

"Are those good enough?"

She nods but doesn't check.

I run the tip of my nose over hers, lowering my eyelids while I catch my breath. "Did Elias and Dornan kiss you?"

"Yes," she whispers.

"Did they fuck you?" The question slips out without enough thought. They know Celine so much better than I do, and if that's where their dates ended up, it has no bearing on what might happen between us tonight.

Do I even want to go there? Stupid fucking question, Trav. Of course, you want to. Whether it's a good idea or not is another question.

"Yes."

"Do you want me to fuck you?" Am I really going there? I guess I am.

"Yes."

"But he won't know, Celine, will he? It'll just be you and me. What's the point in it if he can't see?"

She frowns and looks away, my comment touching the nerve I hoped it would. I want her to see that her actions don't make any sense. She's getting tangled and confused in revenge and lust, and it's a dangerous place to be.

When she turns back, the familiar fire is back in her eyes.

"Eddie doesn't control me, Travis. This isn't about him. It's about me scrubbing the stain of him from every part of me. But if that isn't something you want to do…"

Her eyes challenge me to back away, even as she leans closer to run her top lip between mine.

She's so damned sexy. Too damned sexy for her own good.

"If that's all this is about, then what the fuck are we doing here?"

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