She laughed. “Fiend?”
“You heard me.” He passed the die across the table, unable to immediately look away. Relaxed on the sprawling shag-pile rug, her hair out, tumbling around her face in golden waves, her eyes sparkling with amusement, the fire casting a warm glow across the room, the moment was as close to perfect as Ra’if had ever known.
“So when did you get so good, huh?” She rolled the die and then made a sound of mock anger when two single dots appeared. “Two spaces? Watch out, I’m moving fast.”
She slid her character along the board and made another noise when it brought her squarely into the Police square of the Monopoly board. “Are you kidding me? This is rigged.”
He grinned. “Not possible, azeezi.”
“You know, Scrabble is more my speed,” she grumbled, sliding the worn shoe into the prison. “Prison
sucks.”
“Yes, well.” He lifted his eyes to hers mockingly. “Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He leaned back against the sofa, stretching his legs out along the floor. “Just that having you … temporarily incarcerated … has some strong appeal.”
Heat stole into Melinda’s cheeks and she found she couldn’t quite meet his eyes. “Is that … something you’re into?”
“I’m into you,” he said softly. “And only you.”
She swallowed, but images were flying through her mind thick and fast. Being tied up by Ra’if, completely subject to his will and command. She felt desire flare deep inside of her, spreading lava through her body. “I’ve never done anything … you know. Kinky.”
He reached down, searching for her socked foot. “Does it interest you?”
“I … never really thought about it.”
He nodded, letting the conversation drop. He could see she was uncomfortable and the last thing Ra’if wanted to do was to push her.
He rolled the die and moved his player, but when he passed the cubes back to Melinda, she was obviously distracted. She pinned him with her eyes; they were turbulent like a storm-ravaged sky. “Does it interest you?”
He lifted his hand, trapping hers beneath it. “It was a throwaway comment. That’s all.”
She nodded jerkily, but after she’d rolled the die and passed them back over to him, she said, “Roll a double six and I’ll give it serious thought.”
He laughed. “You’re just trying to throw me off my game.”
“Is it working?”
“Definitely.” He rolled – a four and a two – and she winked.
“Pity.”
“There’s always next time.”
Melinda nodded, her expression loaded with mock innocence. “If you say so, your Highness.”
He laughed softly and waited for Melinda to have her turn. She was still in prison, so it passed quickly.
“You said this is one of your favourite board games?” She prompted after a moment.
He reached for his tea and sipped it, replacing it on the edge of the coffee table. “Zami and I played it often as children.” His smile was one of nostalgia. “More recently, his wife Olivia and I have lost hours to it.”
“You get on well with her?”
He nodded. “Yes; we’re close.”