Page 115 of How to Kill Your Rival

‘Come on then,’ she goads, ‘before you lose your trousers too.’

I get her back a few minutes later, and nearly lose all patience for the game when she’s running around in her bra. It kills me that I can’t take her in my arms.

Wading through the river has my jeans darkened to the knees, but it’s worth it when I cut in behind her and get both hands on her waist.

Her shriek rattles through the woods, and she turns, elbowing me in the ribs until I let go. Pure lust fills her eyes as she slaps my hip.

‘Trousers,’ she says.

‘I got you first!’

‘That was a grab, not a touch. Rules are rules.’

‘There wasn’t a no-grab rule.’

‘There wasn’t a grab rule either, but there is a touch rule. And I touched you, so lose the trousers, James.’

‘I could argue⁠—’

‘You could.’ She tilts her head. ‘You’d be wrong.’

My jaw tightens, but I loosen my buttons all the same.

‘Two-one,’ she says, pleased with herself.

‘You cheated.’

‘Losers always say that.’

I get her trousers.

She gets my shoes, which slows me down considerably.

I get her bra, and when she starts running, I put it on, much to her amusement.

‘Now who’s cheating?’ she asks.

‘I didn’t specify it had to be your own clothing.’

‘No,’ she agrees, ‘you didn’t. Red lace suits you, though.’

The light is dipping, curving around the edge of her right breast in the most delicious way. Here I am standing in her bra, and my boxers, with wet socks, and suddenly, the game means nothing.

Holding her gaze, I unclip the bra – on my third try – tossing it and kicking off my boxer shorts and socks.

‘Take your clothes off, Eliza,’ I demand, my voice thickening.

‘That’s not the deal…’

‘I will readily admit that you, my delicious little she-devil, are better than me in every conceivable way.’

Her eyes widen a fraction while her teeth graze her lower lip.

‘Now take off your fucking clothes and run, because when I catch you, I’m going to fuck your pretty cunt until you scream.’

Fingers sliding into her waistband, she obeys. For once in her goddamned life. My heart races as we both stand there, gloriously naked.

I take a step forward.