Her lips parted, and Clarke took full advantage, gliding his tongue forward to brush against hers as she felt the touch all the way down to her toes and everywhere in between. Clarke nudged her backward, pushing her against the wall, never breaking the kiss as he tilted her head back farther, demanding more. Demanding everything.

Her hands slid further up his chest, her fingers tangling in his thick hair as she whispered his name. The second she did, Clarke’s head snapped back up, and his eyes locked on hers for a moment, smoldering before he abruptly stepped back.

They were both breathing hard, but only Audrey seemed to be disoriented. Clarke seemed otherwise unaffected, as though it had been just another one of their playful, just-for-show kisses, as though everything hadn’t just changed.

Slowly, he turned his head, glancing down the hallway. Audrey followed his gaze, her heart dropping into her stomach when she saw what he was looking at. Who he was looking at.

Elizabeth stood in the middle of the hallway, staring at them with a stricken expression before turning on the heel of her ski boot and marching back into the lodge.

Audrey closed her eyes, feeling slightly queasy as she realized that the kiss had been for show after all. He’d known Elizabeth was watching. He’d been kissing her as part of their game, while she’d been kissing him…

She closed her eyes unable to even finish the thought.

When she opened them, she forced a bright smile and gave a brief slow clap. “Well, congratulations, Clarke. Hell of a show you put on. I’m sure Elizabeth definitely got the message this time.”

She started to walk away, then turned back around, angry now. “Actually, just so I’m clear, what is the message you’re trying to convey? What role am I playing here?”

He pushed his thumbs against his eyes. “I don’t know, Dree. I don’t fucking know.”

“Right, well,” she said in a light tone. “Let me know when you figure it out.”

Chapter Sixteen

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14

If a man had to eat an enormous slice of humble pie, Valentine’s Day was a good time to do it. Not that Clarke couldn’t find whatever he wanted in a place like New York on any day of the year, but the stores had made it especially easy for him to arrive at Audrey’s armed with groveling supplies.

And Clarke most definitely had some groveling ahead of him.