You were sprawled across a chaise with Astoria and Daphne, watching him.
Regulus.
He was impossibly composed, dressed like sin in silk, reading a book. He held a half-full glass in one hand and turned the page of his book with the other, without a care in the world.
“Tell me you don’t want to ruin that,” Astoria said under her breath.
You smirked. “I want to ruin him.”
Daphne leaned in. “Then do it. One kiss. One bet.”
You raised your brows. “You really think I can rattle Regulus?”
Astoria grinned. “No. But I’d pay to see someone try.”
You downed your drink and stood. “You’ll owe me.”
“Ten dollars,” Daphne said. “And bragging rights for life.”
You stopped in front of his chair and waited. He didn’t look up.
“You’ve been watching me,” he said simply.
“You noticed?” you replied, unbothered.
He turned the page again. “I notice everything.”
You studied him for a moment. “Do you always read at parties?”
He didn’t smile. “Only when the company is dull.”
You tilted your head. “What about now?”
He finally looked up, his eyes meeting yours. “You’re not dull,” he said after a pause. “You’re reckless.”
You smiled. “Is that your way of saying I intrigue you?”
“It’s my way of saying you’re trying to win a game you don’t understand.”
You leaned in closer. “Then teach me the rules.”
He stared at you, closed his book, and put it on the table beside him. “You want a kiss,” he said, while standing up. It wasn’t a question.
You said nothing.
He stepped into your personal space. “Was it Astoria? Daphne? I’d bet anything that you’re trying to prove something to someone.”
“I don’t care what you think,” you lied.
He reached up, brushing a strand of hair from your cheek. “You know,” he said, “the thing about bets is — they only work if the other person isn’t five steps ahead.”
And then he kissed you.
Not hurried. Not hesitant. A controlled burn. Like he was deciding how much to let you feel before pulling it all away.
Your hands gripped his coat, while his fingers rested lightly at the back of your neck. When he finally pulled away, your knees almost gave out.
“You kissed me back,” you whispered.
His eyes darkened. “Of course I did. You’re fascinating when you think you’re winning.”
You blinked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Regulus smiled. “I knew it was a dare the moment you stood up. You don’t usually approach men unless you’ve already decided how the conversation will end.”
You stared at him. “So you kissed me just to... what? Play along?”
“No,” he said, picking up his book again. “I kissed you so you’d remember that even if you think you have control, I’m still the one who gets the final say.”
He chuckled then. “Tell them you won, but don’t come back.”
You blinked. “That’s it?”
He smiled — cruelly and beautifully. “I don’t like being someone’s entertainment. And you’re clever, but not clever enough to hide the way your hands were shaking.”
You dropped onto the cushions and your lips still tingled — but not from the whisky.
Astoria blinked. “...Okay. What just happened?”
You stared into the nothingness. “He kissed me.”
“And?” Daphne leaned in. “And then what?”
“And then he started reading again, like it meant nothing. I didn’t expect him to know it was a dare,” you muttered, still stunned.
“Of course he did,” Astoria said. “That’s Regulus. He probably knew before we even said it out loud.”
Daphne leaned back smugly. “Still. He kissed you. In front of everyone. That’s something.”
“No,” Astoria watched you closely. “That was a warning.”
You frowned. “A warning?”
Astoria continued. “Yeah. That you started a game he’s going to win.”
You glanced across the room. Regulus was already seated again, back to reading, as if you were nothing but a page he’d already turned.
But something about the way his eyes flicked up told you this wasn’t over.
Not even close.
Astoria grinned. “You poked the snake, darling.”
Daphne lifted her glass with a smirk. “Now let’s see if you survive the bite.”