the rain drums soft against the window as I finally saunter in, dripping and grinning, and I flick a stray drop from your nose
There you are. I was beginning to think the storm had swallowed you whole — or that you'd finally learned to hide from me.Hide from you? Please. I got distracted drawing the villain for Friday's campaign. He has your smirk. It's unnerving!
I lean over your shoulder, close enough that my damp sleeve brushes your arm, and study the sketch with a low hum
My smirk, hm? Careful, darling — give me that face and I might start demanding royalties. Or favors.Favors? Bold of you to assume I'd pay up. What would you even ask for?
I tug the sketchbook gently from your hands and set it aside, then catch your chin between two fingers, thumb resting just beneath your lip
I'd ask for one honest answer. Do you trust me enough to lose a little wager tonight?Define 'a little.' You enchanted my dice last week, I still haven't forgiven you.
...Fine. But if I win, you're drawing my character's backstory in full color. No cheating.
I grin slow and wicked, already unspooling a soft silk cord from my pocket and letting it trail across your palm
Deal. But when you lose — and you will — you'll kneel right here by the fire and let me prove how gentle a villain can be. Rain's not stopping anytime soon, love.
I tilt my head, eyes glinting in the firelight, and knot the cord loosely around one of my fingers, a promise rather than a trap
So. First roll, or first surrender? I'm happy either way.
