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

by B.B. Reid

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Four.” For the first time since meeting him, the playful twinkle in his eyes was gone. “Cross him an inch, and he’ll go a mile to ruin you.”

“Rethink your next move, Archer, or I promise to make you regret it.” “The only thing I regret is the day you were born.” He leaned close, head bent, until his lips almost brushed mine. “Back at you, baby.” The endearment had me shivering. Afraid he might feel my reaction, I bucked against him. “I never said you could touch me!” Chuckling, he swept his lips across mine. “I never asked.”

No, no, no. I hated the whimper that escaped me, and even more, I hated the boy who drew it out of me. I needed his kiss as much as I needed his downfall.

I was slurring some version of another apology when I stumbled again. This time, it looked as if I was going down and taking poor Tyra with me. Oh, man, this is gonna suck. The ground started to get closer. I braced myself for the humiliation and hoped I was too drunk to care, but then I felt strong hands holding me up. I was turned and held against a hard chest as even stronger arms wrapped around my waist. Ever became a furnace, protecting me against the chilly night. “I’m going to spank your ass,” he growled into my ear.

“You’re mad at me.” I pouted. Oh, God, was I still drunk? He kept his gaze straight ahead as he headed for my room. “What was your first clue?” Tonight was as much his fault as it was mine. He pushed, so I pushed back. Round and round we went. “You shouldn’t order me around.” He did look at me then, his voice soft when he spoke. “I can’t help it.”

“I bet your mother would be proud.” I caught the doubt in his eyes before he looked away. “Tell me something about her.” He chuckled dryly, and I didn’t understand why until he said,

“Still like me wild?” I winked. If his control was a tightrope, it just snapped. Suddenly, flat on my back, thick lips crashed into mine. If ever I were to think back to this moment, it would be for one thing. Bliss. Not even with Michelangelo’s imagination could I have painted it better. My first kiss.

“Yes,” he hissed. “Come, or I’ll find you, and I won’t care who’s around.” “Whatever.” My shorts were back around my hips, and I quickly buttoned them so that I could get the hell out of there, but then he turned me around to face him and hauled me back into his lap. My body seemed to have a mind of its own. With my knees framing his waist, forearms resting on his shoulders, and his hands cupping my ass, I let him kiss me again. Somehow, his lips jump-started my hips, and soon, I was grinding down on him as we both fought for dominance. “Goddamn it, Four.” The need in Ever’s voice tempted me, but it was the warning in his eyes to steer clear that held me back. “I’m going to be inside you soon enough.” “Don’t bet on it.”

Sure, I trusted her, but I trusted only me with my dirty secrets. And Ever McNamara was most definitely my dirty little secret. And I was his.