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Chapter 10

Author: Ember Casey
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56
The rest of dinner is, surprisingly, rather tame. We talk about anything and everything, from books to politics to our favorite flavors of ice cream. Calder is far more well-read and thoughtful in his opinions than I originally anticipated, but I'm too distracted by our bet to spend much energy marveling at his intelligence. There are too many glances to decipher, too many casual touches to give and receive. I've heard the dance of seduction compared to a game of chess, but never before have I recognized the truth of such words. Everything that passes between us is a move in this elaborate game of lust, and I'm afraid that while I'm planning my next turn, Calder will sneak up behind me with some strategy I haven't even considered.

By the end of the meal, I'm tense and tired.

"Will you lead me back to my room?" I ask, looking up at Calder through my lashes. "I got lost twice on the way down here."

"Of course," he says, sliding a finger along the back of my palm.

The walk back to my
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