by Dannika Dark
She ran her thumbs around the waistband of her black leggings, which left little to the imagination. “Something tells me you’ve played this game naked before and won. You’re more distracted when you can’t get what you want, so I think I’ll keep the rest of my clothes on.”
He put his hands on his hips. “I never thought I’d meet my equal.”
She approached him and stood on her tiptoes. He lowered his head until their lips were nearly touching. The peach-scented balm she wore had a pleasant fragrance, leaving a soft tint of color on her lips.
Ella’s voice was soft and controlled. “I could do this all… night… long.”
A rush of desire flooded through his veins, and he realized she had already started playing the game.
He nodded toward the living room. “Get my bottle of water from the coffee table while I get ready.”
When Ella smiled, her cheeks blossomed like pink petals on a flower. He could get lost in those sparkling blue eyes, ones that had seen the face of evil. It wasn’t until Ella that he learned that taking off clothes wasn’t as naked as you could get. It was when you lifted the curtain and let someone see the dark corners of your soul. That was being naked.
She lingered by the coffee table, and he wondered if she noticed the Scrabble board from their match the previous night. After she’d left, Simon had rearranged some of the letters to spell out a message, one he’d never have the balls to say out loud.
Maybe she noticed and maybe not, but he liked the game between them. It was the only game where he couldn’t predict who would win.
She sauntered back and tossed him the bottle. “I thought we weren’t getting naked? Maybe we should just watch one of your Godzilla movies instead.”
Simon had stripped out of his clothes except for a tight pair of briefs that he’d worn for this occasion. After all, a strategist planned ahead.
When she picked up his pants to add them to the pile, a small object fell out of the pocket. Ella bent down and picked up the small chess queen, rolling it between her fingers. “So that’s what’s been poking me,” she teased.
He gave her a naughty smile.
“Do you think I’ll become someone important?” she asked, still staring at the queen.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
She brushed up against him and unlatched the leather collar around his neck. “A spy,” she whispered. “Do you think I have what it takes?”
He took in her scent, tempted by her soft lips. “I’ve tasted your light and I’ve seen your mind. You’re nearly my intellectual equal, and that makes you dangerous. I think you have the potential to do great things.”
The collar came free, and she tossed it to the floor. “Are you afraid I’m going to steal your job?”
“No. My heart.” Simon wished he could retract the statement, but it hung in the air for an unbearable minute.
“After seeing you cut in line in front of two small children at the ice cream parlor, I wasn’t sure you had one.”
“I knew what I wanted. They didn’t.”
“Do you?” she asked, rubbing the chess piece down his bare chest.
“What?” He watched with anticipation as it trailed to his belly button and then stopped.
“Know what you want?”
“I want you to throw that away,” he said, gesturing at the piece.
“Why would I do that?” She studied it for a moment and then twisted around, tossing it onto his pile of clothes.
“Because I’ve found my queen,” he whispered, her head still turned away.
Ella faced him once again and looked up at him expectantly. They were face-to-face in an uncertain relationship. Would he want something more? Could he share his life with just one woman? Maybe the thought didn’t terrify him as much as it once had. He never used to trust a tattooed woman, but Ella had changed his perception on so many things. She didn’t ask for more than he could give and wasn’t in a hurry to speed things along between them.
Maybe that’s why he suddenly felt the urge to hit the gas instead of the brakes.
Simon held the spinner between them and flicked his finger.
“Who goes first?” she asked.
“You go first and I’ll follow.”
“Will you?” She held his gaze, her words asking another question.
He kissed her nose and looked down at the spinner. That was a question that could only be answered with time. Simon wasn’t certain which outcome would yield a win, but perhaps this was one game that would end in a stalemate.
And he was quite all right with that.
The Mageri Series begins with Sterling
Sneak peek of a Mageri bonus story on the next page. To get notified when it’s released: Click Here
A personal note from Dannika:
If you enjoyed this book and want to see more, please take a moment to show your support by leaving a review on the product page where your purchase was made. Your reviews are important and help readers discover these books!
Coming 12/6/16
THE GIFT
THE MAGERI SERIES is an exciting urban fantasy romance about a young woman's claim to immortality. Passionate, humorous, dark, and full of unpredictable twists, the Mageri series will take you on an unforgettable journey of love, friendship, and the hidden power within us all. Cliffhanger-free.
THE SEVEN SERIES is a paranormal romance that portrays Shifters living in secret in the modern world. A blend of humor, heartwarming romance, drama, and real-life issues. This series is for those who believe in family, second chances, and finding that person who completes you. Cliffhanger-free.
Note: All my fantasy stories are written in the same universe. Same Breeds, same rules, and may contain character crossovers/appearances.
Sometimes ordinary people are destined for extraordinary lives.
Dannika Dark Newsletter
Books by Dannika Dark:
THE MAGERI SERIES
Sterling
Twist
Impulse
Gravity
Shine
The Gift (12/6/16)
MAGERI WORLD
Risk
NOVELLAS
Closer
THE SEVEN SERIES
Seven Years
Six Months
Five Weeks
Four Days
Three Hours
Two Minutes
One Second
Winter Moon (11-29-16)
SEVEN WORLD
Charming
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