Wicked Games

Chapter 24

ROSEANNE

Of course, there's only one bed.

Lisa glances at me. Her shoulders sag, face wrinkled. She sighs as she drops her rucksack.

"You look exhausted. Take the bed."

She lays down, making her rucksack a pillow. I lay on the bed, my belly in knots, a coldness I can't shift seeping into every cell. I lean over the bed and glance down at Lisa.

I trail my fingers over her shoulder, down her bandaged bicep. She startles.

"Would you... I... Will you hold me?"

Her features soften as she climbs onto the bed and tugs my back against her belly. I don't need to see her to know she's smiling. The heat of her breath trickles down my neck. I swear she lights up the world when she smiles, or maybe it's my world she's lighting up.

"What if I wanted to be the big spoon?" I say, my tone light.

She chuckles against my back. "As if I'd ever let you be the big spoon."

"Good thing I let you win then," I grin.

"If by let, you mean making me think I've won so you can steal my body heat while you sleep, then sure. Why not?"

I laugh. "What twisted thoughts you have."

"About as twisted as our relationship."

I hitch over to face her. Her eyes are the dark as the night. Usually they're cold. Distant even. But tonight they burn like white fire and stars.

My stomach folds in on itself. I want to tip my chin, press my lips to hers. But I also want to pull the blade from my belt and push it into her hard abs. This torture needs to end. The pain of knowing I'm keeping secrets from her. Secrets that are going to come out tomorrow. Secrets that will end everything we have. I should end it now.

"I hate you," I whisper.

She smiles. "No you don't."

"I do," I say. But it's weak. She knows I don't mean it as much as I do.

"I know you," she says.

"You don't know shit," I say, and move closer.

"We're trained... In the guild. To read body language. Subtle clues. The guild wanted us to predict our enemies' every move. We're taught to read bodies. Of course, they meant it for fighting. But I prefer using it in other ways."

Her arrogant eyes draw down my face, hover on my neck, and skim down the rest of my body.

"See, I know... right now, your nipples are hardening beneath that lace bra you're wearing." She brushes her fingers across the fabric, and it's like lightning. I have to bite down a moan. I want her to shred my clothes and fuck me until I can't walk.

"And what of your nipples, Ms. Manoban?" I reach out, slide my hand under her top and pinch her nipple. She sucks in a breath.

"What about the growing heat between your legs? Hmm?" I slip my knee between her thighs, lifting it until I meet her groin. She swallows hard, a long blink.

"I will play any game you bring me, Lisa."

She leans down, presses her lips against mine. Her kiss is different, deeper. It tugs at my heart, my soul, like wildfire and roses.

"Yes," she says. "You will because you are my match. Because when I close my eyes it's you I see. When I fling my sword, it's you I want to protect. And when I breathe deep, it's you I want to inhale. It's always you, Roseanne. It always was, and it always will be."

My chest dulls. Not because I don't want to hear this, but because I do. The backs of my eyes sting, and my throat closes. I have to tell her. I have to tell her now before it's too late.

Her lids flutter shut, her breathing slows.

"Lisa, wait. I need to tell you something," I whisper.

"Anything," she breathes.

I close my eyes. I can't bear to watch her reaction when she realises I've lied, that I'm not who I said I was, that I've betrayed her, us, everything we've worked toward.

"The Border Lord... he's my father."

I wait. Wait for the knife slipping between my ribs, the rage ripping from her throat, but I'm met with silence.

I peel open an eyelid.

Lisa's face is expressionless, still. Lost to sleep and dreams.

"Fuck," I breathe, and then sleep drags me under into a fitful world of fretting and wondering whether this game we play together was ever really worth it. Because right now, it feels like we're both about to lose.