Page 32 of Calling a Cease-Fire

“Do you two want to talk it over?”

I blinked and looked back at the lady. “Oh. Um, yeah. Sure.” Although I hadn’t heard half of what she’d said.

“Ok. Take your time. Just let me know what you decide and I can email everything over.”

Once the manager headed back downstairs, I made my way over to Zack. He turned slightly so his body faced me, keeping one arm on the railing. The dim lights from down below cast his face in shadows, giving him a dark and broody look. Except for his bright blue eyes, which shone with an intense desire I wasn’t prepared for.

“Go with the largest package with the open bar.”

I raised a brow. “You were listening?”

“Of course.” His lips quirked up in a bemused smile. “Were you not?”

I shrugged. “I was distracted.”

The fire in his eyes flared at my words. “Is that so?”

My lips twitched. “Yeah. The whole broody thing on you is kinda worrisome.”

He forced out a harsh chuckle. “Like it better when I’m trying to rile you up?”

“I do. I appreciate consistency.”

“Why’d you lie to your friends?”

I sighed. “I didn’t want to explain that I canceled my date because you and I are going to a rage room instead.”

He raised a brow. “Why not?”

“Because it would be like twenty questions with them. It would lead to an admission about you taking me the other day, and then my issues would come up, and I would get annoyed about having to talk about it. So it’s easier if I just don’t bring it up.”

“But they’re your friends.” His brows pulled together and I didn’t miss the confusion in his voice. “You should be able to talk to them about anything.”

“I don’t really like to talk about my feelings. If you haven’t gotten that yet.”

“Yeah?” He reached up and traced one finger along my jaw, letting it trail down my neck and brush back and forth over my skin. “Tell me what you feel.”

His gaze held me captive, like he could see into my soul, and the featherlight touch of his finger sent little zaps of electricity coursing through me.

“Annoyed. Frustrated.”

“And?” he prodded.

I knew what he wanted. Was I prepared to give it to him? “Curious.”

“Hmm. Getting closer. Try again, Raven.”

“What happened to Vixen?” I inquired with a smirk.

He tsked me with a shake of his head. “Right now, you’re holding back. That’s a Raven trait. You want something different? Show me the vixen.” His hand skated down my side and over my hip until his fingers brushed along my thigh. “What do you feel when I touch you?”

I closed my eyes and ran my tongue along my lower lip. “Warm and tingly.” I waited a beat before adding, “And so wet.”

I let my lids drift back open so I could see his face as I admitted how much he turned me on. I never backed down from a challenge, and I knew that was what he intended with this little game. But two could play at that.

Shifting closer, I craned my neck to look up at him from under my lashes. “What are you going to do about it?”

He stared at me, his bright blue eyes almost black. My stomach did a somersault the minute I saw the switch happen, and anticipation tore through me.