Read Online Delecto - Games of Mastery (part 1) by Katrina Liss - Free Book Online Page A

more open with each other. Call me Seb. What
about you? Are you Amanda or Mandy?”
    “ I'm
Mandy to my friends. But you can call me Amanda.”
    “ Oh how
amusing.”
    “ I'm not
laughing and neither are you.”
    “ Amanda,
loosen up will you, please?”
    “ Any
particular reason why you want me to loosen up?”
    God she was
exasperating. And way too gorgeous. I slipped my arm around her
waist and pulled her against me. Her shocked gasp was a pleasure,
as was the trembling I could feel running down her body. Her warm,
beautiful softness was bewitching, I wanted more. I kissed her
gently on the cheek and she melted against me, her breathing
ratcheting up.
    “ I can
think of one very good one...”
    Then she did
something that really surprised me. She didn't just push me away,
which I kind of expected. She slapped my face. Exceptionally hard.
The word 'oww' sprung to mind, but thankfully, not to my lips.
    “ Keep the hell out of my space, ” she ground
out.
    I took a
step back in shock. I'd never been slapped before. I obviously went
in a little too hard and
fast. I needed to repair the damage, and quickly.
    “ Sorry,
you're too beautiful to resist. I had to have a little
taster.”
    “ What a
clever man you are, or so you think.”
    We were
interrupted and saved from our awkward moment by Bertrand appearing
with his serving tray.
    “ Dinner
is served sir and mademoiselle. Please do be seated,” he announced.
I loved his butler mode. It was so damn formal.
    We sat and
Bertrand served our starter; a miniature quiche with salad. I knew
he'd do this, his smoked salmon quiche was absolutely delicious. My
mouth watered and I forgot the sting in my cheek and ignored her
evil glare as she sat opposite me at the table. I could feel the
daggers about to fly in my direction, but no matter, there was
plenty of time to rectify that. Food was more important at that
second.
    I took a
mouthful off my fork and savored the flavor as it rolled over my
tongue.
    “ Mm,
Bertrand's quiche is beyond description,” I mused. I really was
quite obsessed with it.
    “ I agree
with you for once,” she replied tartly.
    We locked eyes.
It was a strained look.
    “ As for
what just happened, that was pure instinct. My intelligence had
nothing to do with it. I apologize for being too forward. I really
couldn't help myself. Put it down to hormones and being light
headed with hunger.”
    She laughed and
took a sip of her drink.
    “ You
know, you're actually quite funny, Seb,” she said, popping some
food into her exquisite mouth. I'm delighted she used my pet name.
I was actually making some progress. But whether it would be one
step forward and two steps back, remained to be seen.
    I watched her
lick a stray crumb of pastry, her tongue sweeping across her lower
lip to catch it. My stomach sucked itself in tightly. She had no
idea what that small action did to me. She had a beautiful tongue,
to add to everything else.
    My eyes
returned to hers. “I try to keep a good sense of humor.” That was
not strictly true. I 'appeared' to have a sense of humor. In fact I
wasn't humorous at all. I didn't find much humor in life, since my
world turned black.
    I dragged
myself out of that line of thought.
    “ Are you
going to hit on me again?” she asked unexpectedly.
    “ Hit on
you?” I knew exactly what she meant but I liked playing with
her.
    “ Just
answer the question.”
    “ Yes,
repeatedly. It's beyond my control. I apologize in
advance.”
    “ You'd
better get your first aid kit ready.” She took another sip of her
wine.
    “ It's not
my body I'm concerned about, it's my ego that's more easily
bruised.”
    “ I'm sure
your ego can take a great deal of bruising. It's certainly big
enough.”
    I wasn't sure
how I was doing anymore. How did she do that? I may have met my
match.
    “ I
thought we'd agreed a truce?”
    “ I didn't
agree to anything at all. But whatever, I'll make some effort to
meet you half way. Why don't you tell me something