After that, Finn—cue in hand—never got another chance to touch the table.
Jason cleared the table ball by ball until only one remained.
Finn and Grace both held their breath.
This shot would decide the game.
Kristen pressed her lips tight with nerves. If he missed, a car would go to Finn.
What a waste on that scumbag—unbearable.
Jason lifted his head slightly, his black eyes sharp as a hawk's, radiating a danger that demanded attention.
Finn's heart clenched; a wave of unease rose out of nowhere.
The next second—
Crack!
The cue ball clipped the object ball and sprang up, striking Grace square on the nose.
"Ah!" Grace clutched her nose, but warm liquid still seeped between her fingers.
"Grace." Finn's face darkened; he hurried to grab tissues for her.
Jason didn't spare them a glance. His eyes stayed on the felt as the final ball rolled into the pocket.
Finn lost.
"Jason!" After being targeted again and again today, even Finn couldn't miss it. Rage surged in his chest, impossible to contain, and he dropped the honorific.
Jason tossed the cue onto the table, offhanded. "Slip."
He paused, then added, "I'll have someone bring a first-aid kit."
Finn fumed, but stopping Grace's bleeding came first.
Jason stepped out and pushed open the door to the next room.
When Kristen turned to him, her eyes were sparkling without her knowing, the corners of her lips unable to keep from rising.
In Jason's dark eyes, something seemed to stir—as if a big bad wolf waiting to be praised.
"You did that on purpose?" Kristen could hardly believe it. "You're that good—and Finn has no idea?"
"Played twice together," he said blandly. "His level is pathetic."
The flat tone was all contempt.
Kristen bit back a laugh so the people next door wouldn't hear. "Mr. Jin, thank you."
Jason's brows lifted a fraction. Before he could speak, Kristen's slender arms had looped around his neck, and she rose on her toes to kiss his thin lips.
Unlike the previous quick brush, this time she tested carefully; when his breath hitched, she deepened the kiss.
Her slow, gentle teasing undid him. He palmed the back of her head, flipped from passive to dominant, and kissed her hard and hungry.
Kristen grew breathless, face flushed crimson. She pushed weakly at his chest—earning a dissatisfied rumble.
"His technique that bad?" His rough voice carried a curl of mockery. "Three years and he still didn't teach you how to kiss?"
Kristen kept feeling like he was desensitizing her; the more she heard "Finn," the more numb she grew.
Still, bringing up that scumbag right now felt awkward.
"C-could you not mention him?"
A low chuckle slid from his throat. "Feeling sorry for him?"
"…"
Kristen stared a few beats, then shot back, "Don't you think it kills the mood every time?"
Like enjoying a delicious slice of cake and suddenly seeing a pile of crap—completely off-putting.
Satisfied she wasn't pining for Finn, Jason's lips tipped up. His hand gripped her narrow waist, lifting her as he took a few steps and pinned her against the wall.
Before Kristen could register his intent, his voice brushed her ear, dark and enticing—
"Doesn't this feel… more thrilling?"
"The words were barely out when the man had already captured her red lips with precision
He did exactly as he pleased.
( End of Chapter )
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