Page 83 of The Prize

I leaned my head on his chest and held his gaze in the mirror. “‘The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.’”

“Ah, you’re quoting Michelangelo.”

“I am.”

“‘I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.’” He whispered it.

I sighed at Michelangelo’s poetic words. “Art through his eyes was seen as already existing. He merely chipped away to reveal what had always been.”

“Everything that is has always been.”

“I can never get my mind around the metaphysical,” I admitted. “Like trying to grasp four dimensions.”

“We’re advancing at lightning speed. I believe soon we’ll discover evidence of a higher-dimensional realm beyond space and time.”

“Mind blown.” I flashed my hands.

My thoughts carried me back to the way he’d conducted himself on Liberty Island. Tobias had impressively parried and even now exuded a quiet confidence. Unlike me, he wasn’t thrown by the threat of tomorrow. That was both reassuring and a little unnerving. After all, Tobias had more than proven his self-assurance and right now even his gentleness was glinting through his steely armor.

The image of him naked beneath that hot shower yesterday was soldered into my frontal cortex and therefore easily replayed at all the wrong moments. His strong arm wrapped around me, pulling me into a perfect hug of possessiveness.

“Let’s practice your poker face. For when you need it.” He made a playful expression.

I liked this side of him, this cute, approachable side that he seemed to reserve just for me. Or maybe, I reasoned, that was the whole point of making me believe we had something special going on when the only thing in common was an endgame that I wouldn’t see coming.

I played along and mirrored his smirk. “How’s this?”

“Can’t wait to take you again, Zara.”

My jaw dropped at his brashness.

“Right there you showed me what you’re thinking.” He gave a cocky smile. “Try again.”

“Okay, I’m ready.”

My brain warned that Tobias had artfully drawn our enemy into his complex web. Maybe I too was caught up in this finely woven plan and just couldn’t see it, didn’t want to believe I’d fallen for the famed Icon. Maybe it wouldn’t be until all this was over that I’d know for sure.

He whispered. “I’m counting the seconds until I can taste you again.”

I held his reflection with my best poker face, but the thought of his mouth on me caused me to lick my lips in a tease.

“Try again.”

“Okay, I’m ready.”

“I’ve never felt this way about anyone,” he said softly. “You are my one obsession. All I want is you.”

“Don’t,” I said, turning to face him.

He cupped my face. “What if it’s the truth?”

This teasing felt cruel. “Why are we here?”

“If you understand science you’ll understand me.” He stepped back and reached out his arms in a gesture of sincerity. “I want you to seeme.”

“Science is honest?”

He lowered his gaze. “Science strikes into the heart of truth and doesn’t compromise.”