“Just tell me, Jasmine,” he started in a matter-of-fact tone, not even bothering to give me a glance, while vigorously washing his hands, “What are you playing at?” The cuts that had briefly adorned his hands were now completely gone.
“The real question is,” I smirked slightly, giving him an annoyed look, “what are you playing at?”
A small smile made its way onto his face, and, for some interminable seconds, he stared at me intently before averting his eyes and telling me softly, “I just want to get to know you.”
“So, you just barge in here and tell my parents I’m your mate?” The edge in my voice was quite distinct, even though I tried to keep it neutral.
He shrugged nonchalantly and it just made me so mad at him that I couldn’t help myself; I pushed him a little by his shoulder and yelled in a whisper. “You’re such a conceited, arrogant bastard!”
In a heartbeat, he had my back against the wall. “I’m your conceited, arrogant bastard,” he countered intensely. He was so close I could feel his body heat, yet not close enough to touch. I dampened my lips mechanically and his eyes followed the gesture hungrily. He closed the gap between us and leaned in a little so that his breath caressed my cheek, “I’m also very persistent. I always get what I want.”
I saw the unveiled determination in his eyes and my throat suddenly felt really dry; I gulped down nervously as a shiver of pure, unadulterated, unwanted want went down my spine. My heart was drumming against my ribcage, and I was soon taking small shallow breaths. “You’re not unaffected by me,” he whispered against the soft skin beneath my ear, while smothering it with butterfly kisses, “that’s good to know.” I could almost feel the smirk in his words.
I tried to deny what he said but my voice failed me, and I couldn’t utter a single word. A blush crept under my skin, and the bathroom seemed to have gotten ten-degrees hotter. I had to dig my fingernails into the palms of my own fisted hands so as to keep myself from reaching out to him.
Traitorous body! I sighed accusingly, feeling kind of pathetic. And then, as suddenly as he had backed me up against the wall, he freed me of his gaze, of his mouth, and of his almost unbearably arousing closeness.
“Let’s resume our dinner, shall we?” He suggested in a husky tone, his eyes darting to the corridor leading to the dining room. I nodded numbly and then followed him in silence.
He was playing a game of seduction – according to what I just experienced – and, even if it saddened me to say it, the truth was I was not immune to him.
I came to the conclusion that I’d have to make him give up on me somehow. The war won’t be as easy as I’d have thought, but it wouldn’t be half as enticing if it were too simple anyway! A grin took over my mouth and I was soon planning my next move.