Page 44 of Bargain with Fate
His attention shifted to my lips. “Anything else at stake?”
My reputation. My safety.
My heart.
“Vale,” I said, so softly I barely heard my own voice.
“Maya.” My name emanated from the deep, erotic timbre of his throat. Now it was my turn to gaze at his lips and wonder.
No. I didn’t have the luxury of wondering.
I dragged myself back to reality, kicking and screaming. “I think we’re done here. Why don’t you head back to the mainland now? I’ll drive the golf cart back to Justine’s office.”
“Why do I get the sense you’re trying to get rid of me?”
“Because I’m trying to get rid of you.”
“Hot date?”
“Not quite.” But first I needed to swing by the cottage and pick up Jinx.
Vale slid his hands into his pockets in a relaxed gesture. “I’m in no hurry. I can wait.”
“It’ll take hours.”
“I’m patient.”
“It’s a party, and you hate parties.”
“I’m expanding my horizons. It’ll be good for me.”
It was like trying to move a mountain. I gave up. “Fine, but only if you promise not to speak a word about what you see later on.”
His eyes brightened. “A pack of werewolves couldn’t drag me away.”
I bit back a smile. “Care to test that theory?”
Chapter
Eight
Vale parked the golf cart outside the blue cottage with the bright yellow door that I called home.
“This is your place?” he asked.
“Yes. No comments, please.”
“What? It’s nice. I like the color of the door. Suits your sunny disposition.”
I turned to glare at him as I opened the door.
He laughed. “What? I’m serious.”
Jinx came tearing around the corner and screeched to a halt in front of us. Her cat eyes turned to slits at the sight of Vale.
“You’ll have to steer clear of this one. Jinx is a very good judge of character,” I said.
The black cat crept toward Vale, head lowered, and flopped at his feet, opening herself up to a belly rub.
