Page 38 of Revel
I look over at the switch. It’s not on. “I didn’t turn it on. It’s morning, or afternoon, not sure.”
Nodding, he swallows and sits up, propping himself up against the tub. Running his hand over his hair, then his face, he glares at the sun and then me. I’m beginning to understand he has a permanent scowl on his face most of the time. Maybe it’s not me?
I eye the coat again. “Why are you wearing a fur coat?”
Revel glances down at it, running his hand over the material. His eyes meet mine, and he winks. “Soft.”
A giggle escapes my lips before I slap my hand over my mouth, and then I’m sure you can guess what happens next, yes?
If you by chance guessed the sheet falls, you’d be right.
Mortified, I snatch it from the floor but it’s too late, he saw. He freaking saw me naked! “Don’t look!”
A low throaty noise comes from his chest, and I think it’s somewhere between a groan and a laugh. Damn him.
Getting to his feet, he steps forward, towering over me. The left side of his body is bathed in gold, like the sight of a Greek god, a sight to drop to your knees before. The right side of his body, darkness, secrets…. The heat of his body wilts mine, and I fight the urge to lean into him. I raise my eyes from his chest to his sharp jawline, then his eyes.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispers, and my heart explodes. His voice is ragged and the burst of energy his words give me shoot through my heart like fireworks, igniting my confidence. But then he says, with a smile to his words, “I see the carpet matches the drapes,” his speech slow.
I attempt to shove him back, but he leans in close, so close, his chest against mine, his forehead resting on mine. It’s probably the most intimate we’ve ever been, unless of course, we had sex last night, but it’s looking like that probably didn’t happen. Our mouths are inches apart, so close, but too afraid to take the step and close the distance.
I swallow, pushing my chest away from his. “Did we?”
He smirks, his eyes searching mine. His warm hand moves from my waist to my cheek, grabbing my face gently. “You’d know if we did.”
My voice automatically drops as I whisper, “I would?”
“You would,” he murmurs, stepping back, distance created between us. His reply is evasive and confusing.
It’s his reply that catches me off guard, my throat bubbling with questions. I blink, terrified of what’s happening between us. The electricity, the spark, it’s undeniable and intense. Can he feel it too? Is that why he distanced himself from me?
The way he’s watching me, he knows what happened last night. He knows, and he’s doing this on purpose. I want to beg him to tell me every detail, but I know he won’t. Stupid secret keeper!
My breath is shaky as I exhale slowly, finding the courage to ask, “Where’s Bella?” I change the subject and set the lighter back on the dresser.
Revel sighs, running his hand over his face and pushing past me out of the bathroom. I turn, leaning into the doorframe and watching him move through the room. He reaches for the lighter on the dresser, then his cigarettes and sits on the edge of the bed. “Last time I saw her she was with Cruz.”
Keeping a tight grip on the sheet, I watch his every move closely. “Is he bad news?”
He digs a cigarette from the pack, a tiny flame illuminating his features. He inhales, then shakes his head on the exhale. “He’s not trouble.”
My eyes search his. “And you?”
His cold hard eyes lift to mine, but they’re gone just as quickly when he lies back against the mattress. The coat falls open, and I’m granted the view of his chiseled chest and abdomen. He takes another drag of his cigarette. He coughs out a laugh. “I’m not sure you want the answer to that one, Red.”
He’s probably right, but it doesn’t stop me from realizing I no longer have an aversion to him. I don’t know when it happened either. Maybe when he walked out on that stage last night, or maybe something that happened last night? I used to hear his name and I’d roll my eyes. Now, now the mere mention of him, let alone the sight, it sends my heart thudding into a thunderous rhythm I can’t control. What changed? Why am I standing here wanting to crawl up his body and explore every inch of exposed skin and attack him with my mouth?
Dragging his elbows underneath him, Revel looks up at me, waiting for me to reply.
I don’t. I’m not sure I can because I know he’s right. He is trouble. I’m just not willing to see it at the moment. What I can see is that ridiculous fur coat.
“Seriously though.” I can’t keep a straight face with him wearing it. “Why are you wearing that?”
His lips quirk into a smirk, his leg shifting to flop one side of it open. My eyes immediately land on his junk. Luckily, or maybe not so luckily, he’s wearing black boxer briefs and I don’t get a peek at any of the goods. “Some lady wanted my clothes. I wanted her coat. Seemed like a fair trade at the time.” With his chin tucked down, his eyes drift to mine. “That was right after you kissed me last night.”
“Seriously?” My eyes widen and I can’t control my tone when I say, “I did not.”
He lifts his chin, his eyes following my every movement. “You sound disappointed.”
