Page 189 of Eternal Ruin

June shook her curling braids and a mischievous glint sparked in her eye. “Sorry, that’s asking too much. I’m not a clown.”

Taj raised a brow and drew closer on the bench, making her go still. Their shoulders were touching now, and each stroke ignited a new sensation in her. Like bottled sparks. She wondered if he felt it too.

“You’re right,” he said.

She blinked rapidly. “I am?”

“Of course, I’ll have to earn your laughter.”

“Oh. Are you going to tell a joke?”

“No.”

Taj reached over and took her hands, letting his fingers linger on both her wrists. She stared at their joined hands. Could he feel her pulse racing against the pads of his fingers?

He kept her distracted with the touch, trapping her wrists with his one hand, while the other reached for her stomach, fingers drumming quickly along her ribs in mercilesstickling.

June squeaked and tried to jerk back but he held firm. Uncontrollable giggles burst from her lips, her eyes wide.

Taj flashed her a grin. “That sound is delicious. I feel quite healed already.”

He used more pressure, dancing along her slender waist and pulling her closer until her folded knees were nearly on his lap.

June writhed, trying to get free from his unrelenting attack as wave after wave of laughter poured from her.

“Stop—Taj—I—can’t!” Tears bubbled in the corners of her eyes as she begged him between chuckles.

Gradually, he let her calm down. Removed his hands. She wrapped her armsaround herself protectively and gave him a stern look. It would have worked better if she wasn’t still smiling.

“Never do that again,” she ordered.

“As you wish.”

He put his hands in his pockets as if to stop himself.

They remained there, letting the fading echoes of her laughter mute the distant sounds of torture on the estate.

June snuck a glance at his angular brown face, staring out into the ground, golden headband ruffling. For a moment, she let herself wonder if Taj Zuri could really handle her truth. What he would say if she told him that for the past two years her singular goal had been to make sure the Sage’s artifacts were never found. Never touched by Kidan and June.

Samson had the first artifact.

Adane House held the second artifact.

And June had known where the ring artifact was before she rode her first bike.

But June ignored all those things, shoved them deep down. In her skirt pocket, his expensive watch sat. She had broken it so the minute and hour hands no longer moved. For now, under this sky, she was just a girl sitting next to a boy. They’d stolen some time back together.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He looked at her in surprise. “I haven’t done anything.”

“You made me laugh. I needed that too.”

Taj grinned, and her pulse gained speed. “Always.”

68.

KIDAN