CHAPTER 7-A DANGEROUS GAME
732 Words
Kara hadn’t had a moment to breathe since the dance ended.
Elena was relentless.
After that near-kiss on the dance floor, Kara had expected her to pull back, maybe even give her space. But no—Elena had doubled down, keeping close, letting her fingers graze Kara’s wrist when she spoke, brushing against her shoulder when she leaned in to whisper something teasing.
It was a game for her. A carefully controlled push-and-pull, designed to test Kara’s limits.
And damn it, it was working.
Kara’s pulse had been out of control all night, her body hyper-aware of every glance, every touch. She needed to get a grip fast.
“Elena, dear.” A voice cut through the low hum of conversation, cool and authoritative.
Kara turned just in time to see Margaret Sinclair, Elena’s mother, stepping toward them.
The woman was every bit as intimidating as Kara had imagined—tall, poised, and elegant, her sharp blue eyes scanning Kara with a scrutiny that made her stomach clench.
So this was the real test.
“So this is the mysterious boyfriend you’ve been keeping from me,” Margaret said, her tone smooth but laced with something else. Doubt.
Elena didn’t miss a beat. She tightened her hold on Kara’s arm, her lips curving into that effortless smirk. “Mother, this is Kai,” she said. “I told you I wasn’t hiding him. Just keeping him all to myself.”
Kara forced a polite smile, but Margaret’s gaze didn’t waver.
“How interesting,” she murmured. “And where exactly did you two meet?”
Kara’s throat went dry.
Crap.
She should’ve expected this. Of course, Elena’s mother would question her. She was an heiress—her mother would never allow just anyone into her life without scrutiny.
Elena, however, didn’t seem fazed in the slightest. “We met in the most unlikely of places,” she said smoothly. “A moment of fate, really.”
Margaret’s gaze flickered to Kara. “Is that so?”
Kara knew she had to say something. Staying silent would only make her more suspicious.
“Yes,” she said, forcing confidence into her voice. “I wasn’t expecting someone like Elena to walk into my life, but… well, here we are.”
Margaret’s lips twitched slightly—whether in amusement or skepticism, Kara couldn’t tell.
Elena, however, seemed pleased. She squeezed Kara’s arm lightly, as if rewarding her for playing along.
But then—just as Kara thought they might escape the conversation—Margaret turned her attention fully to her.
“And what do you do, Kai?”
Kara tensed. s**t.
A server. She was a damn server. And if Margaret found out, this whole charade would crumble in seconds.
Before she could panic, Elena smoothly cut in.
“Kai’s between ventures right now,” she said casually. “He’s had a few successful projects in the past, but he’s considering something new.”
Kara had to fight not to react. That was… technically true? In a very, very twisted way?
Margaret hummed, still studying Kara closely.
Then, finally, she smiled. “How… intriguing.”
Kara knew what that meant.
It wasn’t approved.
It was a warning.
Margaret didn’t believe them. Not fully.
And now, she would be watching Kara’s every move.
Before Kara could dwell on that thought, Elena tugged her away, excusing them from the conversation.
They barely made it to a quieter corner before Kara turned to her, eyes sharp. “What the hell was that?”
Elena only smiled. “That was my mother testing you.”
“No kidding,” Kara muttered. “She’s suspicious.”
“She’s always suspicious.” Elena leaned in, lowering her voice. You did well, though. Especially with the whole ‘fate brought us together’ line. I almost believed you.”
Kara scowled. “You enjoy this too much.”
Elena chuckled. “I do.”
Kara exhaled, running a hand through her hair. “This is getting dangerous.”
Elena’s smirk didn’t waver. “Then maybe you should be careful, Kai.”
Kara’s breath hitched. The way Elena said it—low, teasing, almost like a dare—made her chest tighten.
She knew she should step away.
She should remind herself this was fake.
But the way Elena looked at her made it feel like something more.
And that?
That was dangerous.
- Writer
