Hard Deal. Stefanie London

grinned. “I used to be able to tug on your strings a lot easier than that.”

      “Not anymore, I’m afraid.” He slung an arm around her shoulder. “I’m awake to your tricks.”

      “I guess we should go, huh? God, these things are such a drag.” Grinning, she turned her face up to his and planted a kiss on his jaw below his mask. She looked at him as if waiting for something, then she pressed her lips together. “Nope, nothing. Not even a little zing.”

      He chuckled and wiped at his face where there was no doubt an imprint of Karolina’s bright pink lipstick. “Some people are meant to be friends, Karo.”

      She sighed. “It would be easier if that wasn’t the case. Then we could get married and everyone would leave us alone.”

      “No way,” he said. “You deserve the real deal. Hearts and flowers and all that shit.”

      “And all that shit, huh?” She rested her head against his shoulder. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I wouldn’t object to having the perfect person land in my lap so I could skip the whole dating thing.”

      At that moment there was a loud thud outside the stables followed by a high-pitched squeak. What the hell? Was someone spying on them?