“I already know the way, Lizzy,” Andrew calls after me. “There’s no chance you’re winning this one. I hold all the cards.”
“That’s what they all say,” I shout back. “Until they lose!”
Putting on a burst of speed, I round the first corner and make a left and then a right, pushing into the deepest part of the maze, where there is barely enough light to see the path divide ahead. Even if Andrew catches up with me, he won’t realize that my eyes are shooting sex sparks and every cell in my body wants to rub up against him like a naughty cat.
A very, very naughty cat who doesn’t care how much damage it causes as long as it digs its claws into something delicious.
But I am not a cat, I am a responsible sister, and I will not betray Lizzy’s faith in me. I will run away from Andrew as many times as it takes for my stupid body to get the message that he’s off-limits.
For now, and for always.
Chapter Thirteen
Andrew
Oh, Sabrina, you pretty little liar, you are the furthest thing from boring.
With a smile, I jog after her, my blood pumping faster from the thrill of the chase.
Toying with her—watching her eyes widen and the vein in her forehead throb as she tries to keep her story straight—is more fun than I’ve had in ages. And knowing that she’s already guaranteed my easy exit from the betrothal?
Well, that’s fucking priceless.
All that’s left now is to decide how long I want to let the game play out. A week should be good, long enough to ensure her family’s reputation is ruined when the truth comes out, but not so long that we can’t recoup most of the engagement party and wedding expenses.
Though, now that I won’t have to bribe my bride to hit the road, money is less of a consideration. I hate to waste the country’s resources, but sending my fiancée packing without a dime or the slightest stain on my reputation is worth the lost deposit on the wedding feast and the cost of her never-to-be-worn dress.
The thought makes me pick up the pace, my nearly fiancée-free feet light and easy, barely touching the pebbles beneath me as I careen around the curves. I take one wrong turn and end up having to retrace my steps—it’s been a few years since I’ve been inside the maze, and I’ve never solved it in the dark—but I have no doubt I’ll beat Sabrina.
Barely ten minutes after I enter, I round the final corner and the happily burbling fountain in the clearing at the center comes into view.
I’m about to shout to Sabrina that she’s the rotten egg when I spot her across the pebble-covered clearing and freeze.
Well, I’ll be damned…
She skids to a stop, too, her gaze jerking from me to the fountain and back again as her hands curl slowly into fists at her sides. Our eyes lock in the moonlight, and matching grins spread across our faces.
“First one to the fountain?” she asks, her breath coming faster, making my pulse answer in kind.
“First one to the fountain,” I agree.
A beat later, we’re both sprinting for the finish line. I’m on track to crush her—easily—but at the last moment, my shoes slip on the rocks, and I go skidding across the tops of the stones. I throw out my arms and bend my knees, regaining my balance before I land flat on my ass, but by the time I steady myself, Sabrina has a hand planted on the fountain.
“Ha! I won!” she pants as she thrusts her arms into the air in victory, so pleased with herself I can’t help but return her smile. “You’re the rotten egg!”
“You cheated,” I accuse.
“I did not,” she says with a laugh. “I never cheat. I like my wins like I like my men, sweet and honest.”
It’s too perfect a setup to let it pass. I step in, bending my face closer to hers as I ask, “Is that really how you like your men?”
She meets my gaze, her chest rising and falling faster, making me very aware of the curves beneath her white long-sleeved tee shirt. “There’s nothing wrong with being sweet and honest.”
“Not at all,” I say, her body heat warming my lips. “Just doesn’t sound like very much fun.”
“Sure, it does.”
“Really?” I challenge. “So you’d rather have sweet than strong? Rather have a pushover than a man who stands up to you? Challenges you? A man who gives you everything he’s got and won’t settle for less than your best?”
“I don’t need a man to challenge me.” She lifts her chin. “I do a fine job of challenging myself.”
“Bullshit,” I whisper, loving the way her eyes flash in response. “Everyone needs someone to challenge them, princess, and I think you need it more than most.”