of paper. He took her silence as assent, and by the time she had her cards in front of her and the flop laid out, she realized he’d distracted her from magically stacking the deck.
So this would be a true game of chance. Did she want to win, or lose? A glance at her cards revealed that it could go either way.
Warren’s golden brows drew together as he looked at the cards, but she couldn’t tell whether it was from worry or concentration.
Here goes nothing. She nodded at him to lay down the next card, and when it still didn’t reveal her fate, she nodded again. When he laid down a jack, a shiver of anticipation crept along her nerve endings. She had a good hand, but not a sure thing.
With a bracing breath, she laid down her hand, looking up to see the light of triumph flash across Warren’s face as he laid down his own.
“Damn it,” she said, knowing from his look alone that she’d lost. Lost because she’d forgotten to use her magic to turn the tide, even after seeing the dismal flop. What had she really wanted if she was becoming so careless? Nervously, she rose and backed away from him. Only when her back hit the wall did she realize that she was making the situation worse. Nowhere to run now.
“So, tomorrow then?” she asked.
“No, lassie, I’ll be taking my prize now.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Esha’s eyes widened as Warren advanced on her with a prowling gait. He was huge, looming above her and stacked with muscle and masculinity that made her heart pound with nerves and desire.
For tonight, he was hers. Despite all the things he’d said to her in the past, she still wanted him. And it terrified her.
She couldn’t lose her heart to him. That would lead to the same place it had with Brian. With all the other Mytheans with whom she’d ever tried to start something. Warren wanted her now because he’d never had her, but once the novelty wore off, he’d remember what she was. There was no way she could bear it if he turned from her once this was over.
But she’d made the bet. And she wanted this. She’d just keep her heart separate. Esha straightened to meet him, wincing slightly at the pull in her back. But she didn’t cower, especially from the man she wanted so badly.
She looked up at him when he stopped in front of her and met the heat of his gaze. His strong hands gently gripped her upper arms. Heat flared within her from that simple touch and her breath caught when he bent his head to hers.
She rose up on her toes and pressed her lips to his. The heat of his mouth and body threatened to go to her head, so before she lost her senses, she dragged her mouth away. “There. A kiss.”
He looked down at her with a grin, then stepped closer until she was pressed against the wall by the steel strength of his muscles. “I doona think so, lassie. I want a proper kiss.”
“A proper kiss?”
“Aye. I know you’re capable of it. I want a kiss like the one the other night. You wanted me then, and I’d bet a fortune you want me now.”
“I don’t.” She looked away.
“Aye, lassie. Is that why you’re trembling?”
I’m not. But she was. He wanted to kiss her. Knowing what she was, he still wanted her. But for how long?
She repeated her vow not to fall for him again, then rose up on her tiptoes with a sense that this was something different, something new and very possibly stupid, and pressed her lips to his.
Warren held himself stock still when he felt her breath feather across his lips. Then connection. A groan tore from his chest when her lips met his. Such a light touch, but it was the most delicious thing he’d ever felt.
She might be a damn soulceress, but she was his.
He moaned and drew her against him, fitting her sleek curves against the harder planes of muscle that ached for her. “That’s it, lassie,” he muttered as her tongue traced his lips. He ran his hands up the curve of her waist, wanting to tear the clothes from her and lick every inch of her flesh.
Be easy with her. Though she’d shown no sign of pain this evening, she was injured and he’d be damned before he’d hurt her any more.
Gently, he cupped the back of her head and thrust his tongue between her lips, the honey of her kiss making his head swim.
Must stop.
He broke away and leaned his forehead against hers. Tension thrummed along all his muscles, his cock so hard it nearly pained him. The scent of her hair clouded his mind, and all he could hear were his breaths sawing in and out of his lungs. But then the sight of her glistening lips nearly stole his good intentions.
“We have to stop. Your back is injured…”