Page 16 of The Killing Game

“Whatever, babes. Don’t come crying to me when you feel like a dump truck ran you over. I wish you would try meditating with me instead of drinking. It’s better for your soul.”

“If I even have a soul,” I mutter.

I lift the copper vessel up to take a sip, but it quickly disappears from my grasp. I look down at my empty hand in disbelief before tracking where the drink went.

Jason is standing next to me, mug in hand. He lifts it to his lips and chugs the contents down in one gulp.

“What the actual fuck, Jason! Make your own damn drink,” I bark at him.

Sam glances up from her veggies, eyes cautious, before going back to cutting. If she’s attempting to fake her minding her business, the smile on her face gives her away.

He places the mug down on the counter before leaning down to be eye level with my face.

“Sam said you shouldn’t be drinking. I’m just trying to help.” His voice is low, laced with temptation and a warning. The smell of lime and spices hangs in the air.

I look down at his mouth, wishing we were the only ones here so I could kiss him again. I lick my lips thinking of the interaction we had back in my room. Jason snorts before straightening himself. I swear I could hear him mumble, “Not the place, little bat.”

“Thank you, Jason. Maybe next you could find your way to Ashe’s room tonight and help her see Divine Intervention.” Sam says smirking, pointing a knife between us.

I stare at her. Mouth gaped open. I cannot believe she just said that out loud.

Jason casually throws an arm over my shoulders.

“Are you playing matchmaker, Sam? That’s so sweet of you,” he says as he pulls me closer, his hand firm around my arm. I can feel his body heat even though there’s a layer of clothing separating our bodies. I stiffen under his touch, waiting for this mortifying moment to be over.

“I would rather be tied up and tortured than find you in my room tonight, Jason,” I say, feigning disinterest. I playfully jab my elbow into Jason’s side to release his hold on me. He grunts, grabbing his side. I take the opportunity to spin myself out of his grasp. In three giant steps, I’m on the other side of the room to make some distance between us and hop up on the counter. Jason rights himself as I settle my ass on the cold marble. His hands rest behind him as he leans back again.

“Kinky,” he quips. “If I didn’t know any better, I would say that you’ve already fantasized me with my clothes off.” He winks at me with that stupid ass grin on his face. He’s choosing to play dumb. Like me.

“I assumed you tried propositioning her earlier from the yelling I heard up stairs,” Sam giggles as she turns around to grab more dishes from the cabinet behind her.

“No. Jason thinks it’s funny to leave threatening notes in people’s rooms.”

I raise my hand to give him my favorite finger. He snickers and I shoot him the death glare. My peripherals catch a ripple under his shirt. His body is rigid even though his laughter seems care-free. My gaze follows down his arm to where his hands rest. White knuckles grip around the edge of the counter top.

I suck in a breath. My eyes dart back to his.

The grin remains on his face, but it’s a ruse. His eyes bore into mine. I can’t pin the expression he’s trying to hide. Dark, swirling pools of something sinister lurks underneath that amber gaze. Butterflies flutter in my stomach, anticipation and curiosity of what he could do to me.

“I think you smoked too much with Sam earlier. I didn’t leave a note in your room, Ashe.” His tone is clipped.

I glare at him in disbelief. Is he really playing that stupid?

“Yes, you did. It had red ink and it said, time to play. That’s your M.O.”

He snorts, rolling his eyes and turns to Sam, “Did you give her ‘shrooms again?”

“Nope. None this trip. I only brought my trusty friend, Mary Jane, this time,” Sam says as she continues digging through the cabinet.

I throw my hands in the air. “Are you in on this, too?”

Sam shakes her head, still buried in her search.

I turn my attention back to Jason, pointing a finger at him. “Stop fucking with me. I know it was you. You’re the only one twisted like me to play a prank like that.”

Jason stands up and crosses his arms across his chest.

Defensive move, Jason. I see that.