Chapter 137: Penny
I dat away bom the dining i nomy pilu already quickening with the thrill of de pame. Jenny didn’t come to horf me un any murderous
im not the killer. Good. That means Dean play innocent and speak around without the much suspicion,
which meant
And kay, me I’ll take this as an excuse to top a little, fast for the take of the game, of course.
The old t voden steps creak under my feet as I climb them two at a time, trying not to let the cold air from the drafty windows seep into my hoodie. The hallway up here is dim, the only light coming from a few scattered woners enting long shadows against the walls. It’s the perfect setting for a meder mystery, really. Dark corners, creaking floors, flukering lights. The only thing missing it a donderstorm infide
I’m halfway down the hall when I hear the sound of footsteps behind me. I shot around, my heart jumping, only to come face to face with Tyler, leaning manually against the doorframe of me of the bedrooms, arms crossed over his chest and a wicked grin on his face.
“Well, well, well,” he says, voice drepping into a dramatic, slightly mocking tone. “If it isn’t the neert, innocent dinner with a dark side,
1 raise an eyebrow, trying to play along. “And what
cocky ex football player with a gambling delt want with me?
He pushes off the doorframe, taking a slow step toward me. “Oh, I dunno. Maybe I think you know something you’re not telling ”
I shirk, leaning a little cliner. “Maybe I do.”
He’s close enough
at I can smell his cologne, a mix of cedar and something a little sharper. He reaches up and turks a loose strand of my hair behind
my ear, his eyes dipping to my lips for a split second before mapping hark up to mine.
matas
“You’re not as innocent as you look, are you?” he whisper, his breath warm against my cheek.
I let dat a small, breathless laugh. “Maybe role–playing is kinda hot,” I whisper hack.
his hand slipping to my wait for a quick, possessive squeeze before he leans in and presses a kiss to my lips. It’s quick, almost too quick, like he’s more focused on the game than on me, but I kiss him back anyway,
He pulls back, eyes dark, and steps away, his grin morphing into a cocky smirk as he hacks down the hallway. “Better watch your back, ballerina,” be calls over his shoulder. “Everyone’s a suspert.”
I roll my eyes, hiting bark a grim, and watch him disappent down the stairs.
Ckaj Focus. Penny. This is a game..
I torn back down the hallway, peeking into the open doorways as I pass. The bedrooms are all more or less the same–wooden floor, thick conforters, heavy curtains, and the faint smell of pine. Nothing too out of the ordinary. But then I find a door that’s slightly ajar, and when I push it open, I find myself in what must be the lodge’s tiny library.
It’s smaller than the one downstain, more like a little study, with a single leather armchair, a small desk, and floor–to–ceiling shelves lined with dusty, leather bound books. There’s a tiny window on the far wall, barely big enough to let in any light, and the air is thick with the scent of old paper and cedat.
1 step inside, my fingers trailing over the spines of the books, my eyes scanning the shelves for anything that might count as a “chue,”
Im just reaching for a particularly
y ancient looking tome when a voice behind me makes me jump.
“Well, well, someone says, and I whip around to see Max leaning in the doorway, one shoulder against the frame, arms crossed, a mischievous grin on face. “If it isn’t the innocent dancer snooping around in a dark library. Pretty suspicious.”
put a hand to my chest, trying to calm my racing heart. “God, Max, you scared the hell out of me
He steps inside, closing the door behind him with a soft click. “Or maybe I just caught you in the act. Maybe you’re not as innocent as you pretend to be.”
I scoff, straightening up and crossing my arms. “The just oking for clues. What are you doing up here?”
He grins, leaning in closer, his eyes sparkling with fake suspicion. “Maybe I’m following you. Maybe I knew you have something to
mething to hide
1/2
Chapter 137: Penny
I smirk, leaning back against the desk. “Or maybe you’re just projecting your own guilt victim’s ex girlfriend? Hiding a secret vendetta?”
onto me. What’s the matter, Max? Got a little crush on the murder
killed bim
His grin widens, and he stops even closer, until there’s barely a foot of space between us. “Maybe I’m the one who killed him.”
We hold each other’s gaze for a long, breathless moment, and I can’t help the little shiver that runs down my spine. It’s just a game, lost a silly, stupid, alcohol–forind game.
But for some reason, the way his eyes darken, the way his breath brushes my cheek, feels a little ton rral
“Gosh, Max,” 1 say, leaning in just a fraction further. “You might find yourself in a real murder mystery if you keep acting this
He lets out a low chuckle, shaking his head as he steps back. “Alright, alright, you win this round. Sorry if I scared you.”
I smirk, watching as he backs toward the door. “Yeah, you got ine.
He winks at me,
then slips out
out into the hallway, the door creaking shut behind him.
1 let out a long, shaky breath, pressing a hand to my racing h
heart.
Okay. That was….
was…. interestine.
I shake my head, tuming back to the shelves, my fingers trailing over the dusty spines again as I try to calm my pulse. This game is turning out to be way more interse than I expected.
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