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“Me,” I whispered.
“I thought I made myself clear.” I heard the strain in his voice as his finger traced the sweep of my shoulder. It hesitated on the strap of my gown, and for a moment, I thought he was seriously considering what I’d offered. Every nerve in my body tuned to that singular touch, tuned to his raw, brutal energy as if it was a command. The finger disappeared, and I gasped at the ache its absence triggered.
But then his hands caught my shoulders, and he spun me around. “It’s not part of our arrangement,” he reminded me, his eyes burning into mine.
“Because I’m not your type,” I murmured, casting my eyes away from the intensity of his scrutiny.
He chuckled softly, moving his index finger to tilt my chin up. He studied my mouth with that magnetic concentration, and I found it opening, knowing what he was thinking. This was part of my plan, wasn’t it? Under the heat of his stare, I couldn’t remember, couldn’t remember why I’d invited him in, couldn’t remember how to think.
“What game are you playing, princess?” He leaned close enough that I thought he might kiss me. Instead, his breath caressed my lips. “You haven’t changed your mind. Or do you get off by fucking men you hate?”
I did hate him. The reminder snapped me out of my daze, made me recall what I had to do and why I’d lured him here in the first place. I pasted a lazy smile on my face and moved closer to him, molding my body to his and slipping my hand under his jacket. My fingers trailed along the hard ridges of his chest, moving lower.
Gage didn’t stop me as I explored.
I could do this. I had to do this. Flattening my palm against him, I lifted my eyes to his as I slid my hands around his waist, drawing him closer. Shadows moved in his eyes, a curse dropping from his mouth as he bent and lowered his mouth to mine. It hovered there for a delicious second, and…I grabbed his gun.
He froze as I lurched out of his arms.
His brows raised as I pointed the gun at his chest. I tried not to think of how his body had felt beneath my fingertips or the darkness that stirred inside me when our eyes met. For a second, he just stared, and then…
He clapped.
Motherfucker.
“I’ll admit I was starting to buy it.” A grin hooked his mouth as he took a step closer. “But I should warn you, I am immortal.”
“Don’t,” I commanded, curling my finger over the trigger. “Even immortals bleed.”
“Do you really think you’re capable of shooting me?” he asked, taking another step. “Your hands are shaking.”
I was breathing hard and fast now, my entire body focused on keeping my hands steady. I knew I only had one shot. I just had to take it. “You have absolutely no idea what I’m capable of,” I bit out. “And I’ve seen what these bullets can do. I don’t have to be a good shot. I just have to aim a little.” That made him pause. Gage looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time, and I swallowed. “I’ve faced monsters before.”
A slight growl escaped him. “I gathered.”
He took another step forward despite my warning. And another. And another. I didn’t even realize I was backing up with each one until I bumped against the wall. There was nowhere to turn. I kept the gun aimed at him, but he didn’t try to seize it. Instead, he gripped the barrel and pressed it directly over his heart. His eyes never left mine. For once, those tattoos didn’t move, didn’t even flicker.
“Slay the monster, princess.”
My chest heaved as I searched for that final shred of courage.
And found it.
My finger pulled the trigger.
And nothing happened.
Gage’s movements were a blur as he disarmed me and tossed the gun on the floor. It clattered ominously, sliding out of reach for either of us. His hands closed over my wrists and pinned them to my sides. “I can’t decide if you failed that test.” The tip of his nose brushed mine, and a pang shot through me. “Or if you passed it.”
“I would have killed you,” I breathed, letting him see the truth of it in my eyes.
“Oh, I know.” His rough laugh rasped over my feverish skin. “Remind me to show you how to turn off the safety.”
My eyes flashed. “Don’t fuck with me.”
Another low laugh. “I wouldn’t dream of it. You’ll have to earn a weapon before I teach you. I’m afraid you’ll need to redirect your homicidal urge before that happens.”
“That might be a problem.” I pulled against his hold on me, but he held me fast.