The Devil's Game by Alex Strong Read Free Book Online Page A

had to agree with Damien. Not a single golden hair on Tabitha’s blonde head was out of place, and her skin was luminescent. It was disgusting.
    Tabitha leaned in close to Damien and whispered something in his ear. He was looking right at Karina, but she could tell he wasn’t really seeing her. She looked down to see his hand on her waist and felt something twist inside of her. But then he threw his head back, laughing at whatever Tabitha had said, and the hand moved away.
    It was too much. Karina set her champagne glass on a nearby table and walked up to Damien. Tabitha gave her only a brief glance. She knew that Karina wasn’t a threat.
    “May I talk to you for a second?” Karina asked.
    “Of course,” he said. “Tabitha, will you excuse us?”
    “Don’t be long,” Tabitha said with a flip of her hair.
    Karina fought the urge to gag as she led Damien to a quiet corner.
    “Is everything okay?” he asked. And here was serious Damien again. Not the animated one who had been laughing with everyone else all night.
    “Are you—are you sleeping with her?” she asked point blank.
    “Tabitha? God no!”
    “Why did you even ask me to come? I’m starting to feel like a third wheel.”
    He placed a hand against the wall behind her and leaned in close.
    “Are you jealous?” he asked quietly.
    “What? No! That’s ridiculous.”
    “Then what’s the problem here?”
    “It’s just…it’s just that….” And then the words slipped out before she could even think about it. “I thought I was the one you wanted.”
    A small, dangerous smile started to spread across his face, and Karina was sure he was going to kiss her. But then he stood, letting his arm drop back down to his side.
    “We should head home,” he said. “I think I’ve had about enough of these people.”
    Karina frowned and followed him to the front door without him saying so much as a goodbye to anyone. They found their driver and the car was brought around. As the car pulled away, Damien rested a hand on her knee. Karina waited for it to move higher up, even found herself wanting it to. But it remained in the same spot until the car stopped in front of his house, and he removed it before helping her out of the vehicle. She felt his hand on the small of her back as they walked to the front door, but that disappeared as well when they walked inside.
    She stood in the foyer, waiting for him to say something, except that he started climbing the steps without saying anything.
    “Where are you going?” she called out.
    He stopped and turned around. “I’m going to bed. Unless you need anything.”
    “No,” she said, disappointed. “Good night then.”
    “Good night, Karina.” And he continued up the stairs.
    After he disappeared from view, she made her own trek upstairs and dressed for bed. This time she bypassed her familiar leggings and opted for a black lace chemise, courtesy of Damien Bishop. She assumed this was one of the pieces he had personally requested. But why, she wondered as she stood in front of the mirror, admiring the way it hugged her slender body. It couldn’t possibly be only for her personal enjoyment. Deciding it was time for some answers, she walked out of her bedroom and approached Damien’s door.
    She knocked a couple times, but there was no answer. She tried the handle and found that it opened just as easily as the night before. Worried that he might be asleep already, she gently pushed the door open, but the sound of running water explained why he had not answered her knocks.
    The door to his bathroom was open, and she walked toward it just as the water shut off. She froze, trying to decide what to do. And then he stepped out of the shower, grabbing a nearby towel. He rubbed it through his hair, and since he was facing the mirror, Karina knew she still had one chance to walk away. But he turned before she did, and now she was caught.
    “Can I help you?” he asked, tossing the towel over his shoulder
    She now had