Free The Wicked Game (A Wicked Game Novel) by Olivia Fuller Page B

changed as well and he quickened his steps in her direction. They both looked down nervously.
    In a fantasy, Angela hugged her heroic rescuer and cried until all her tears were gone. But she didn’t and she couldn’t. Instead she said, “Thank you,” and nothing more. He didn’t respond but he looked at her now and she could read his eyes. He understood her and she understood him. Words were unnecessary. He reached out and softly squeezed her shoulder and something changed between them.
    Without knowing why, Angela was back the next day. When Andrew came down the stairs he looked surprised but that expression only lasted for an instant. Unconsciously, the pair linked hands, and with a mischievous glance at each other, they fled to the secrecy of Lady Cheston’s gardens.
    ***
    She was smart, witty, and beautiful… and he was holding her hand! This was Andrew’s first chance to speak so intimately with a woman of class and he was determined to make it count.
    “Tell me about yourself.”
    She smiled at his interest and asked, “What would you like to know?”
    “Anything. Everything. As long as it’s about you…”
    There was coyness in his voice and Angela’s heart leapt. He was flirting with her!
    “Well,” she began, “As you know I am the only female member of my family…”
    Andrew raised his brow. “I know this, do I?”
    Angela had no words.
    “No,” Andrew continued simply. “All I know is that you’re Angela.”
    She blushed and nearly fainted. She had found the man of her dreams, the only man in the world who didn’t know who society said she was. Andrew knew who she really was. She was Angela, just Angela.
    “You don’t like this status. Why?”
    Angela laughed. “It appears you can read my mind.”
    “No,” he ran his hand gently down her right cheek. “I can read your eyes.”
    She shivered and her words were breathless. “And what are my eyes saying now?”
    Andrew moved in closer. “That you haven’t answered my question.”
    She furrowed her brow. “A lot is expected of me. Society calls my birth a ‘divine gift from God.’ I’m overprotected and overexposed!”
    “And…”
    But before Andrew could continue his thought, Angela interrupted him and pulled herself away.
    “Are you suggesting that I’ve lived a life of pleasure? Who are you to tell me anything about my life?” Her words were angry and sad.
    Her emotion shocked Andrew and he exploded. “Oh, it’s that way is it? Maybe your life isn’t perfect but I bet you it’s a hell of a lot better than mine! What about what I’ve been through? At least you have a family! What do I have? Nothing!”
    “What don’t you have? You have yourself! You’re in control of your life. That’s worth more than anything. I have no say! I have nothing!”
    Now Andrew stepped in closer still. “You have nothing? Are you crazy? You’re a Baron’s daughter for God’s sake!”
    “Listen to yourself! You said I’m ‘a Baron’s daughter.’ That’s not who I am. I’m Angela!”
    He crossed his arms defensively and calmed his voice. “You ma’am, are nothing more than a whiny, selfish, brat.”
    The two were now closer than ever before; their eyes locked and intense. Their first instinct was to scream and fight but their gut instinct was to kiss. Despite it all they were both in a battle to keep their hands to themselves. Somehow Andrew moved in closer and Angela followed his lead. He imagined the taste of her kiss and was about to join his lips with hers when the unexpected happened. She drew back her hand and slapped him.
    This was a dangerous and wicked game they were playing. It was a game they could not win. It was a game they could not quit. They each took the lead at times but tonight Angela was in charge. She flashed Andrew a look that made his entire body blush and before he could protest, she was gone.
    ***
    On the third night Angela reached the servants landing at the exact same time as Andrew. She wondered if he