Seven Minutes in Heaven
Naughty Games, Book One
Publisher: Ellora's Cave

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Damn him! Even though she had a right to her anger and pain, Bev found it difficult to harden her heart against Holden. No matter how much she really wanted to. “Regrettably, it’s not mortal.”

“You’re safe...for now.” Bev turned away before she did something as stupid as jumping into his arms and opened the closet door. Ignoring the tug of her heartstrings she stepped forward and reached for a hanger for her coat. Unfortunately, Holden followed.

She sensed him more than heard him move, stilling as he reached over her and took down a hanger. His mere presence so close to her made Bev dizzy. How in the world was she ever every going to survive the night?

“I wasn’t worried. I’m more than sure I can take you.”

Take you could have been interpreted in so many different ways. Especially the way he said, as if it was more of a promise than a threat.

“I don’t underestimate you at all, Holden.” Her words sounded cool and collected, a vast contrast to the fire burning inside her. With surprisingly steady hands, Bev took the hanger from Holden and muttered a soft thank you in the process. Swiftly, she hung up her jacket then turned around. As Bev suspected, Holden hadn’t moved. He filled the doorway, blocking her exit.

The teasing tone was no longer present in his stance or his words. “How long has it been, Bev?”

“Since?” The word barely squeaked past her lips. So much for cool and collected.

“Since you’ve allowed yourself to be in the same room with me.”

“I’ve seen you around.”

“Around huh?”

“Yes.”

Holden crossed his arms over his broad chest and cocked his head to the side. His body language spoke more than his simple words had. Holden was raring up for a battle of wills, with Bev ringing in as his worthy adversary. “Like when?”

Bev didn’t have to think to answer the question. She knew to the second when they last met. “Tripp’s barbeque on the Fourth of July.”

“A year ago at Tripp’s barbeque.” Holden stressed a years as if it may have some how slipped Bev’s mind how long ago the barbeque had been.

“It’s nothing personal Holden. I’ve just been really busy.”

“Not too busy to see the others, and don’t bother to deny it. I’ve asked. You’ve even been to visit Paige recently.”

“Checking up on me?” Although her words were flippant, she couldn’t help but feel slightly pleased he'd been asking about her. Of course it was most likely just common courtesy. They had been friends after all, once. But it was impossible to steady her erratic pulse, just as it was beyond her control the way her nipples tightened beneath her blouse.

Holden bypassed her question, as was his way when he was cornered. After ten years of friendship, it was easy to recognize one another’s tells. “I noticed you greeted everyone else with a warm smile and a hug. Everyone but me that is.”

“You were behind the bar.” Bev reasoned, even though she knew it was a lie. “Can we continue this conversation in the hallway?”

“So you can run. As usual.”

“I don’t run.”

“Prove it. Come here and give me what you willingly gave everyone else.” Holden dropped his arms down to his side and waited. His words were spoken quietly, but the order could not be missed, or denied.

“Gladly.” Bev wasn’t a coward, but she wasn’t stupid either. “But out there.”

“Why not in here?” Holden glanced around as if noticing their surroundings for the first time. “I think it’s fitting, don’t you? This is where we shared our first kiss.”

“Stop it Holden.” Bev didn’t want to remember.

“This is the place where I had my first taste of your sweet nectar.”

Bev held her hand out as if her palm could stop his damming words. “The first place you came for me.”

“Damn you.” Quickly stepping forward, Bev tried to cover his mouth, but Holden grabbed her wrist and using it as leverage, he spun her around and slammed her back against his chest.

Lowering his mouth to her ear, Holden angrily continued. “No damn you Bev, for walking away from me.”