It took Vinn way too long to realize that she had been scammed.
Like a large, evasive fish in the river, she had been baited by some expensive fish-bait and foolishly, she had swam to it not knowing the dreary fate that awaited her there.
Xander was the fisher, his harsh words to her that night the fish-bait, and her the fish. And that startling revelation was made abundant in the way his lips pressed against hers softly as if trying to seek her permission.
But Vinn, who was nestled under him froze instead, wide eyes staring at him. Besides the chaste kiss, his lips did not move any further. There was no attempt on his part to deepen the kiss.
Vinn was tempted alright—to pull him in and abandon caution, to pretend like Maserti, Zalreth and Kai were not there, to act like an assassin rider hadn't just come for their life and more probably were on their way.
