Chapter 35 Truths Or Transfer “Get off me!” I thrashed around wildly on the bed. “Not a chance, Sav.” He held me down, “Not when you're officially a threat to my lineage.” “You betrayed me!” “I already told you, I was protecting you,” he said, slower this time. “Because if you knew what he had—what I saw—you’d never look me in the eye again.” “What?!” My heart thumped furiously. What could he possibly have on Roman? “When the time comes, you'll find out.” He answered as if he heard my thoughts. “Why won't you be open with me?!” I kicked my feet around. He pressed me down with his weight, getting behind me. The heat of his body seeping into mine through our clothes. His hot, rigid length was pressing into my ass. “Roman, stop… I'm being serious. Don't try to distract me.” I almost moaned at the end. “You started this,” he murmured in my ear, heat curling in his voice. “Let me go.” My protest was breathless, weak. “Say please.” “Roman—” “Say it.” Another smack. My breath hitched. “Never!” He laughed, then eased off my back a little. Every hair on my body rose in anticipation when I heard him fumbling behind me. "Roman—" I started, breathless. “What are you doing?” He didn’t answer with words. Instead, I heard the tug of his belt sliding through the loops of his jeans. The sound was soft, yet it made my core tighten in anticipation. My heart thudded wildly as he grabbed my wrists and brought them behind my back. The belt brushed against my skin, cool leather warming quickly where it touched me. My pulse pounded there.I hated the way my body lit up for him… betraying every ounce of fury in my chest. “Keep them there,” he murmured. When I didn't obey fast enough, he looped the belt around my wrists and fastened it snug but safe. Not too tight. But firm. Firm enough to remind me who had me now. "Roman—" I whispered again, but it sounded nothing like protest. "Shh," he breathed, brushing his mouth over my jawline, "I want to hear you beg without losing a valuable body part.” He spun me around, laying me on my back now. My bound wrists lay above my head. I swallowed hard, my arms straining against the belt. I hated how much I craved this. “Now, we'll talk. About the weasel. About earlier. Now I'm sure my dick is safe from you.” He smirked. I glared at him—but even I could feel the heat rising between my legs. “Don't forget I've still got knees, silly.” I hissed. “Which you won't be using, love.” He smiled. I pulled against the belt's hold. “I hope you know this counts as harassment?” He feigned shock, “Really? I seem to have mistaken it for role-play.” “Quit the games and tell me the truth, Roman! I know you're hiding something from me.” He searched his chin, squinting his green eyes. “Games? I don't see us playing any games, love.” He shrugged innocently. I glared daggers at him. “As if I'd agree to that.” I scoffed, “You're just going to throw me down a rabbit hole.” I rolled my eyes. “Of course not. Why would I do that? Games are always efficient in fishing out information.” I narrowed my eyes at him and he continued. “Don't you want to find something out, Sav?” I nodded, warily, “Yes.” “Then let’s play a game… like old times.” Roman said, voice low as he adjusted the belt binding my wrists above my head. “Remember that game you used to hustle me with, Sav?” My breath hitched. “You want to play Truth or Transfer now?” He smirked. “You remember the name.” “How could I forget?” I narrowed my eyes. “I only created it as a broke girl so I could swindle money off a rich guy.” “You weren’t broke, Sav,” he drawled, settling beside me on the bed. “You just liked the aesthetic. And I liked calling your bluff.” “I was broke. We all can't have Blackwood money now, can we?” I hissed. He paused for a second. A flicker of surprise crossed his face. Then he masked it with a smile. He trailed a finger down my bare arm. “This time, the currency’s changed.” “Oh?” I arched a brow. “No more money.” His mouth hovered over mine. “This time I want kisses in exchange.” “Kisses?” I asked, eyebrows lifting. “That now makes the game, what? Truths or Kisses?” “Yes. I'll take my payment in kisses… Wherever I want them.” He leaned in, breath brushing my ear. “Each time you fail to answer, I get a kiss.” “That’s not fair.”“Then answer right.” A rush of heat spread between my thighs. I instantly knew that this wasn't going to end well. But still, the pressing urge to find out what Dean could have on Roman was outweighing my sense of judgement. “And what do I get if you lose?” I asked, breathless. “You're familiar with the old game, Sav. You lie or dodge a question, I give you a kiss. You guess right, I give you twenty bucks.” He explained. “I know how the old game works. But I've still got to gain something.” I fixed my eyes on his, “And this time around, I don't want money.” He cocked his head, thoughtful. “What do you want?” I studied him — shirt rumpled, belt off, cocky smirk in place but eyes too intense to be joking. “I want leverage.” He raised a brow. “Kisses aren’t leverage, love.” “No,” I said slowly, voice dipping, “but secrets are.” His eyes darkened. His excitement died. “If you lose,” I continued, “I get a truth. Something real. Something no one else knows. And don't you dare lie to me.” The smirk faded. “And sometimes,” I added, leaning closer, “I may want to touch you. Anywhere.” His jaw clenched. “That’s double dangerous.” “You tied me up. That's double. And I’d say the game’s already dangerous.” I challenged him. “So we're even.” He stared at me for a little too long. Then nodded. I exhaled. “Alright, Sav. Let's begin. But fair warning—” his hand skimmed down to my thigh, fingers grazing the edge of my panties. “I intend to win.” “Ask your first question, hotshot.” He wiggled a finger, “Not questions. Clues.” “Huh?” “I'm dropping clues. Little hints. You're a smart girl, Sav. You'll piece it together.” “I don't understand.” “You want to know more about the weasel? I'll let you in. But just a little. I’ll ask the questions. Just enough for you to figure it out— the thing you want to know.” “Why won't you just let me know what he has on you, Roman?” I was close to bursting in anger. “On me? Oh no, love. He's not blackmailing me. I'm just trying to protect you…” His voice dropped. “That’s all.” I hissed, “I don't need your protection, Roman. Just spit it out already.” “We're still playing a game, love. No cheating.” He teased me. I let out a frustrated groan. It's official. The New Hope effect has come upon my best friend. “You give up?” He laughed. “Game on, bestie.” “First question, Sav?” “Ask away, Roman.” “Who is Professor Kingston?”