ZERO(The Skulls, 6)(40)

“Eva’s got the kids settled in front of a movie. I don’t know how long it’s going to last, and I wanted to spend some time with you.”

Taking a seat beside him, she gazed down at the floor. Club life was not what she expected. “I’m surprised you can stay here for so long. When we were younger you always needed to do things, to get out there and live your life.”

“It hasn’t changed. The families are here, and so everything is toned down. None of the sweet-butts are naked waiting for a fuck. The alcohol is being limited to after eight at night. Lockdown means a lockdown on everything, pussy, booze, fun.”

“Nah, I don’t believe that.” She took his hand, leading him downstairs to the room with the pool table. Staying in the bedroom alone with Zero was not going to be good for her sticking to her rules. He was too much of a temptation to be alone with a bed and plenty of time on their hands. Once they were surrounded by other club members she was safe. “There is more to life than booze and pussy. We can have fun without getting drunk.” She handed him a pool stick. “Let’s just play and try to forget why we’re here. You know, like other people have fun. It’s not some foreign concept, Zero.”

He took the stick from her looking at the pool table. “How long has it been since you played?”

Trevor had taught her how to play pool. She pressed the button releasing the balls and started to arrange them within the plastic triangle. “It has been too long. I’m going to shoot first to check my aim.”

She felt his gaze on her as she aligned her stick and started hitting the balls. Once they were spread out she took her time shooting them all into the holes available. A couple of the men were watching them. Zero was smiling in the corner as she potted the last ball. Prue hadn’t done them in any order. Playing pool had been something she did with Trevor and Zero to pass the time when they were younger.

“You were just showing off,” Zero said, moving away from the wall.

“Was not. I’ve not played pool since before Trevor died.” She turned away so he wouldn’t witness her pain at remembering her brother.

He grabbed her shoulder, pulling her close to press a kiss to her neck. “I miss him, too, baby. You don’t need to hide your feelings from me. I know what you’re feeling. Come on, let’s play.”

Prue arranged the balls but let Zero take his shot. For the next hour they played pool, listening to the men take bets on each of them. She was surprised how many men betted on her winning.

When it came to the last shot, Prue was crowned the winner. She chuckled as Zero bowed down to her.

Eva shouted that dinner was ready. Leaving the pool room, she was making her way out of the room when Zero snagged her arm tugging her against him. The wall was to her back, and he crowded around her stopping her from going anywhere.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she asked, looking up into his eyes. They were in dangerous territory, very dangerous territory, and alarm bells were going off inside her head.

“Why haven’t you played pool in a long time?”

“Seriously? This is why you’re stopping me from getting fed.” She made to brush past him. Zero wouldn’t let her leave using his body to trap her against the wall.

“I know you, Prue. You love playing pool. Why haven’t you kept on playing it?”

“Is this really important to you?”

“Trevor and I spent weeks teaching you after you nagged us. We could have been doing anything, and instead we trained your ass to shoot and now you’re telling me you haven’t even put it into practice?” His palm slammed the wall beside her head. She wasn’t afraid, but the heat filling her panties was another problem altogether.

Don’t fall for him. It would be a big mistake. A big fucking mistake.

He’s in love with Sophia.

Take him, fuck him, and get it out of your system.

“Pool is something you, Trevor, and I played. When he died and you were not around, I didn’t want to share it with anyone else. It was our thing. No one else could ever compete. He was my brother, and you’re my friend. Can’t you believe for one minute that I missed you?” she asked.

“What? Prue, I came around.”

“You came around when it suited you. You called me when it suited you. I had nothing to do with it.” She stopped, looking past his shoulder. “In the early days after Trevor died you visited me regularly, but then they eventually turned into once a year. Shooting pool, messing around, drinking, shooting, it always reminds me of the time all three of us spent together, and it hurts. It hurts so bad that at times I can’t even breathe.”