The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (96)

I huffed my frustration at Jamie ripping away the last bit of hope I had. “Even if it meant we could never be together?”

Jamie shook his head, the warning in his eyes clear. “Don’t give him that ultimatum unless you’re prepared to lose.”

“I can live without Ever.”

“Surviving isn’t living, kitten. You’ll spend so much time wishing for tomorrow that you forget about everything else.”

“Time can’t heal a festering wound, Jamie. Wishing Barbie out of your heart won’t make the pain go away.”

“What is it with you?” he growled. “That bitch can take a hike off the nearest cliff for all I care.”

I was momentarily startled by his viciousness. Jamie’s reactions were never this raw. “You’re a fool.”

“Yeah, well, it takes a fool to know one,” he said with a curled lip. “Don’t expect Ever to choose between you and his mother. Just because Rosalyn is a piece of shit doesn’t mean everyone’s mother isn’t worth the trouble.”

I took a step, ready to kick him, punch him, spit in his face, and scratch his eyes out. “Fuck you.”

I didn’t stick around, and when I made it back to my room, I took Jay D for a walk to keep Tyra from noticing my tears. I lingered a bit longer than usual in the hope that the chilly October night would freeze my heart. When I made it back to my room, Tyra was softly snoring, so I decided to take a quick shower before bed. I ended up staying under the water long enough for the water to run cold, and by the time I finished brushing my hair, I decided that the asshole Buchanan had been right. So far, Ever had outsmarted me at every turn. That aristocratic son of a bitch would probably just call my bluff and turn cold again. Could I risk that?

Feeling myself crashing after an eventful night, I quickly brushed and flossed. The moment I stepped from the en suite into my bedroom, I knew something was off. The light from the lamp I left on had been extinguished, plunging the room completely into darkness, and a figure far too large to be Tyra’s reclined against my headboard. I couldn’t see his face, but I didn’t need to. I was all too familiar with the breathlessness, the heat, and the throbbing between my legs his mere presence created.

“Where’s Tyra?”

“Vaughn got lonely.”

“They left?”

“They’re down the hall in the guest room.”

If Tyra was right about Vaughn knowing she was ready, then she was in for a busy night. Away from her father for the entire night, it was the perfect opportunity. I was suddenly grateful for the dark so Ever couldn’t see my blush. “Sleeping soundly?” Sexual clairvoyance or not, I prayed he’d be patient with her.

“I wouldn’t know. I’m not with them,” he answered dryly.

“He better not force her into anything.”

“Vaughn spends half his day turning down pussy. He doesn’t need to rape to get laid.”

“His arrogance is exactly what concerns me. What if she bruises his ego?”

There was a click, and then a soft glow illuminated his scowling face and shirtless torso. The air in the room became stifling as his eyes narrowed. “I swear to fuck you better not be speaking from experience.”

“What? No!” My face flooded with heat for an entirely different reason now.

He held my stare for a moment longer before relaxing against the headboard once again. There was still tension as he kept me locked in his gaze, but at least I could breathe again.

“Vaughn would never hurt her, but I’m sure you already know that or else you would already be down the hall dragging your friend back to safety.”

“True, but one can never be too sure,” I sassed.

He didn’t reply as his eyes fell. I clutched my towel a little tighter, suddenly remembering I was naked underneath. The towel was the plushest I’d ever used but still not nearly enough to help me feel less exposed.

“Truth or dare?”

“Ever…” I had a good feeling where this was headed.

“Truth?” He rose from my bed with hungry eyes and stalked across the room. “Or dare?”

“The game is over.”

“I’m not done playing.”

“I’m tired,” I said with a sigh. “Get out.”

I’d just barely kept my voice from shaking, but of course, he noticed. He was now close enough to touch me though he didn’t. “Truth or dare, little sister. Unless you’re afraid.”

Little sister?

I didn’t know about this game. In fact, I was so far out of his league it would have been wise to surrender. But I couldn’t, and he knew that.

“Truth.” I sounded bolder than I felt but…whatever worked.

“Do you only want to fuck me because I’m your big, bad brother?”

I cocked my hip, going for mildly irritated. “Our parents’ hooking up doesn’t make us siblings, McNamara. Besides, Rosalyn will clean your father out long before anything permanent happens.” It was a lie. Rosalyn was no gold digger, but I was hoping an argument would end this game.

“Answer the question,” he demanded, not missing a beat.

I pressed my lips tight together. There was no coming back from a scandal like the one he was offering. It had only been minutes ago that I decided not to take the plunge. I preferred my feet planted firmly on the ground.