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Dante stood so near to the counter he was practically between her knees, his dark eyes so close she could count the flecks of gold.

His gaze dropped to her lips.

“Get back,” she squeaked. “I don’t need another death on my conscience.”

Cradling the bottle with more care than he showed for his life, Dante turned to lean against the counter beside her, still too close. “Be my own fault, wouldn’t it?” He pulled the cork and took a swig. “Oh, that’s good.”

“I’d still have to live with the guiltandfind a new bodyguard.” Alessa selected two lowball glasses and hopped off the counter. She gave him a pointed look. “They’re called drinking glasses.”

“Fascinating.” He held out the bottle, sighed when she didn’t take it from him, and put it on the table.

Alessa poured a bit for herself, then corked the bottle and held it close to her chest. A hostage. “Let’s play a game.”

“Eh?”

“Agame.” A distraction from her social failure.

“What kind of game?”

“A drinking game.” She took a sip—like alady—and let the challenge dangle.

He dropped into the chair, his elbows hitting the table with a thump. “I’m listening.”

“Truth or challenge. When it’s your turn, you choose for that round.”

Dante tipped his chair back, skepticism etched on his face. One of these days, he was going to fall on his ass, and she dearly hoped she was there to see it.

“If you don’t perform the challenge or answer the question, you take a drink.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “Works for me.”

“You’re just going to say no to everything, aren’t you?”

“Yep.” The front legs of his chair thumped down.

“No.”She clutched the bottle tighter. “I won’t pour unless you participate.”

He flicked his fingers for her to proceed. “Fine. But I’m not telling you my name.”

“It can’t bethatbad.”

“I never said it was.”

“I’m going to get it out of you, one way or another. It has become my life’s mission. I’ll stop at nothing. Thumbscrews, the rack. Coming right up.”

“I’d love to see you try.”

“Are you ticklish?”

“Not a bit.”

“I bet you are. I bet you giggle like a schoolgirl.” Alessa gave him an arch look. “I’ll double your salary if you tell me.”

His eyes crinkled with amusement. “No payment could be more satisfying than besting you. I’ll take it to the grave.”

“Oh, come on.”

He considered. “Fine. I guess I could tell you on my deathbed.”