Forbidden Mate

creeping into my cheeks. "You really think too highl

fer the term 'confident.' Besides, it's not my

rmth at his admission. "You're just messing with me,

the playful edge in his voice replaced with something deeper. "May

nsity of his gaze. "And what if I

radiating from him like a warm

etely breaking our moment. My heart sank a little, frustration bubbling with

lling me away for another dance. "L

ression a mix of amusement and intrigue. I felt like a puppet on a string

mination reigniting. "You think this is a game, don't you?"

h a smirk. "Life is a game, an

sive," I shot back, stepping closer

sually. "Petty? You're taking this too seriously,

off," I said, folding my arms again, th

ting his head, his voice smooth as silk. "You have th

composure. "You think you can get

d teasing. "Oh, I know I can

le thrill. "You really are insufferable," I mutter

ng closer again. "You like the attention, even

ed, trying to sound tough. "But

mischief. "Well, that's where you're wrong. Y

t back, crossing my arms defensively.

t the arrogance remained. "May

ween us palpable. "What if I'm

ce low and enticing. "And maybe, just maybe, I'll

ce and the thrill of his challenge

onchalantly. "But I'm defi

standing there with a swirl of emotions. I clenched my fists, my heart rac

mined to tease me, to challenge me, and I was just as determined not to let him win easily. I woul

ghts dimmed, casting soft shadows across the room, and his figure stood out among the crowd. His laughter echoed, carefree and anno

thudded in my chest as he started walking toward me, his stride unhur

ping just close enough that I could

g myself to hold his gaze even as

hat only I could hear. "Liar," he whispered, his breath brushin

efusing to give him the satisfaction. "You're mis

ted his head, studying me. "You think you've figured

g even myself with the boldness in my voice. "Or m

my spine. "You have no idea what I'm capable of,"

ck, his gaze never leaving mine. "Goodnight, Lyra," he said,

there, my mind racing and my heart pounding. I clenched my f

d left me with more questions than answers. He was a puzzle wrapped in arrogance and charm, and

of our game. It wa