Page 82 of Cryptic Curse

“You’re up, Daniela,” I say, keeping my voice even.

She lifts her eyes from the cards.“Check.”

Belinda checks too, proud of herself for remembering the move.I toss in a single chip—well, one cheese ball—and say, “One to see the turn.”

Daniela smirks.“Big spender.”

I grin.“I like to live dangerously.”

She scoffs, but it’s playful, and she looks at me a beat too long before she leans forward and reaches into the bowl again.Her fingers graze mine as she pulls one out, and yeah—I feel it.That spark.That low hum under my skin like I’ve grabbed a live wire.

Her fingers are covered again in that neon orange dust.She wipes them on a napkin this time, but not fast enough to stop the thought from sliding through my head.

I want to lick it off.

Every last bit.

Slowly.

I shift in my seat, clearing my throat like it’ll help.

It doesn’t.

Daniela raises a brow.“You good?”

“Fine,” I lie.“Just strategizing.”

“Uh huh,” she says.

I deal the turn card—queen of hearts.Inside, my thoughts are anything but strategic now.

Cheese balls.Freaking cheese balls.

Thank God Belinda is here, or I’d clear this table and fuck Daniela silly.

26

DANIELA

Hawk’s trying so hard to keep it together, but I see the heat in his eyes every time I lick my fingers.The man looks at me like I’m the last meal he’ll ever eat—and I don’t think he’s thinking about the cheese balls.

Which, by the way, Belinda is hoarding like they’re gold coins.

She just won her fifth hand in a row with a smug little grin, stacking cheese balls into a lopsided pyramid.I pretend to be upset, but honestly?I love watching her win.She’s eleven, fierce, and sharp as hell.

“All right,” I say, tossing my cards down.“This is getting out of hand.I think you’re cheating.”

Belinda gasps.“I wouldnever!It’s just beginner’s luck.”

She sticks out her tongue and flicks a cheese ball at me.It bounces off my shoulder and rolls under Hawk’s chair.He doesn’t flinch.Just watches us with that low-burning stare like he’s soaking it all in.Like this—me, Belinda, laughter in the air—brings him an inner sense of peace.

A door creaks open behind us, and we all look up.Natalie, Belinda’s nanny, steps into the room, arms crossed.

“Belinda.It’s past your bedtime.”

Belinda groans, slumping against the table.“But I just became the Cheese Ball Queen.”

Natalie doesn’t blink.“Even queens needs their beauty sleep.”