Page 254 of A Vicious Love

Pressed.

The cap fell cleanly into the ashtray.

Jamison’s mouth curved.

“Good girl.”

My cheeks went hot.

Across the table, Henri looked down politely. Julian cleared his throat. Adrian’s grin became indecent before my father’s glare killed it.

Jamison took the cigar from me slowly, as if the whole room had disappeared, then placed it between his lips.

I had seen men smoke cigars before, and never cared to look twice.

Jamison made it look obscene without doing anything. Just the cigar resting at his mouth, the lighter flaring gold near his face, his tattooed fingers turning it with slow precision while smoke drifted between us.

He drew in the first breath and let it out to the side, away from me.

Another little courtesy.

I noticed every one of them now.

The first hand began, and I tried to look as though I belonged in the main play.

I looked down at my cards. A king and queen of hearts sat together in my hand, red and elegant, facing the same way, both far too beautiful to be separated by something as ugly as strategy. They somehow found themselves together despite the shuffle.

I smiled before I could stop myself.

Jamison’s cigar paused near his mouth. “Sienna.”

“Yes?”

“Why are you looking at those cards like that?”

Adrian made a strangled sound into his drink.

I glared at him. “Don’t.”

He lifted both hands, already grinning.

Julian looked down at his chips, which meant he was smiling and trying to hide it. Henri pressed two fingers against his mouth, but Sabine had already turned her face toward the window, shoulders shaking gently.

Jamison’s attention sharpened.

That was never good for the person being examined.

“Explain,” he said.

“No.”

“Baby.”

I swallowed. “They belong together.”

Jamison stared at me. “Who belongs together?”

“The king and queen.”