Simon Says Die

down her face as she realized Damon had already won.
    He’d taken Pierce from her.
    He took another step forward, watching her intently, waiting.
    â€œI can’t marry you.”
    His entire body went rigid. He stood for a full minute, not moving, just staring at her. Then his brows lowered, and he shoved the ring into his pocket. He was suddenly crowding her against the wall, using his body to trap her there. His legs were spread wide, one on each side of hers, and his palms flattened on the wall on each side of her head.
    â€œWhat do you want from me?” Her voice came out a miserable whisper.
    â€œI want the truth, for once,” he whispered harshly. “Tell me what’s going through that sarcastic, obstinate, frustrating . . .” He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers. He shuddered and drew a deep, shaky breath. “Tell me what’s going on inside that beautiful, intelligent, wonderful mind of yours.” He kissed her gently on the lips. “Not some made up lie about wanting to move on. I knew you were lying that day. Don’t lie to me again.”
    She drew in a sharp breath. “You didn’t know I lied about that until Austin tricked me into admitting it.”
    â€œDo you honestly believe that? I know you far better than you think I do. And I always know when you’re lying.”
    Alarm shot through her. “That’s ridiculous.”
    â€œIs it? Every person has things they do when they lie, a ‘tell.’ And I know all the signs when it comes to you. Go ahead. Test me. I’ll tell you if you’re lying or not.”
    â€œStop it.” She curled her fists in frustration. “Let me go. I don’t want to be this close to you.” She shoved her hair back from her face.
    His expression softened. “Lie.” He lifted his hand and stroked her cheek.
    She shivered, hating that he was right. With him this close, feeling his heat, breathing in his tantalizing scent, all she wanted was to curl up against him.
    â€œWhat happened to us, Mads?” His deep voice sent tendrils of fire curling in her belly. He ran a fingertip gently down the curve of her face. “We used to talk for hours. We laughed until you were hoarse. Do you remember all those late nights on the beach, watching the waves crash against the shore?” His gaze dipped to her mouth. “Making love?”
    She shivered against him, remembering, longing for the past more than he would ever know.
    â€œYou were happy,” he said. “ We were happy. What changed that?”
    She shook her head, digging her fingernails into her palms to keep from reaching out to him. “Two months. We knew each other for two months, and only dated for one. It didn’t work out. That’s all.”
    â€œWhat we had was a hell of a lot more than just dating. We were always good together.” His finger burned a fiery path down the side of her neck. “In every way.”
    His voice had dropped to a husky note when he said those last three words, and she couldn’t help the shiver of longing that swept through her. He caught that little shiver and his eyes turned hungry. He brushed his lips against hers. Once, twice, three times.
    She was suddenly in his arms, unable to get close enough to him. He winced, reminding her of his bruised ribs, but when she tried to pull away, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer.
    His mouth ravaged hers, his tongue slipping inside, fanning her desire into an inferno so quickly it left her breathless. It felt so good to be in his arms, so . . . right. Like coming home. But when his lips moved from her mouth to the side of her neck and her eyes opened, the logical part of her screamed that she had to stop him or he would think they could be together again, that there was a future for them. She didn’t even know if she had a future after tonight.
    Convincing him that she didn’t care about him was the only lie that would ensure that he would leave her alone long enough for her to slip out and meet Damon.
    â€œDon’t.” She pushed against his shoulders, careful not to touch his ribs.
    He eased his hold but didn’t let go. His eyes were dark and smoldering with heat.
    â€œWhy?” he asked.
    Inside, she was dying, already aching for what she was about to do.
    â€œThe truth?” She clutched her hands together to keep from reaching for him. “I told you