The Game Room

by Annabel Lucas

  “Tess is already in the car. She flagged down the driver. What’s his name? Jude? Or something,”

  “Joey.” Shane supplied. “It’s Joey. She picked him up for a few days. Her own private Uber.”

  Ryan laughed. “Well, that’s Tessa. So, Anthony’s not joining us tonight.” He paused, waiting for her reaction to the news.

  Shane nodded. “She told me. He called earlier this afternoon. She was ahhh, less than pleased.”

  “I’m sure.” As he spoke, Ryan moved them toward the door. Now, she could see Joey, sexy and stoic, as he stood beside the Escalade. He was tall and lean, dressed very much like Ryan in an all-black ensemble. Ryan curled his hand around her waist and ushered her toward the SUV.

  “Come on. Let’s get out of here.” He said. They moved in tandem through the automatic doors. Joey waved enthusiastically when he spotted her.

  “Hey,” she teased, “you clean up good.”

  He laughed nervously, a blush rising in his cheeks. “I might say the same to you.”

  Ryan measured him with his eyes, taking in the younger man.

  “You might.” He said, his serious demeanor staying for a moment before he found a smile for their young driver. “Hi Joe, I’m Ryan.”

  Joey reached over taking Ryan’s hand. “Nice to meet you. Heard a lot of chatter with your name attached to it, today.”

  “Oh no.” Ryan said and rolled his eyes. “Not sure that I love that, but what can we do?”

  “Glad to put a face to the name, Sir.” Joey said.

  The sentence seemed to break the ice between both men. Ryan laughed, deep and rich.

  “Sir?” Ryan said as he shook his head. “Please, call me Ryan. Let’s get out of here.”

  Joe smiled and rushed to the driver’s side. His words carried over his shoulder and Shane could hear the smile in his voice. “You got it.”

  Ryan ushered Shane into the car and slid in beside her. Tess’s voice lilted back to them from the front seat. “Hey.”

  “Hey.” Shane answered as she scooted across the buttery-soft leather seats to her spot behind Joey. Tess reached back for Shane, her hand opening and closing in the air. Ryan slid into his spot beside Shane and clasped Tess’s hand in his for a moment. His gaze on Shane as he greeted Tess.

  “Hey Tess.”

  “Oh, hi Ryan.” His was not the hand she’d been seeking. Shane closed her eyes. Oh god. This is going to be interesting. Ryan let go of Tess’s searching hand and slid it between Shane’s back and the soft leather interior of the car. He pulled her closer until she was tucked tightly under his arm.

  Joey maneuvered the SUV out onto the strip. “I think I got the destination right, but just to double check, you’re all going to After Party,” he paused waiting for confirmation. “Right?”

  “Yes, that’s right.” Tess answered and turned in the passenger seat so she could see them. She leaned over the center console; her bare arm pressed into Joey’s shoulder. Shane caught his sideways glance and watched the way Joey’s eyes slid over Tess’s body. She wore the metallic copper dress Shane had seen her in at the Boutique today. It was exquisite. She was exquisite.

  The dress was cut just for her. It slipped over her shoulders, falling to a scooped neckline that revealed the swell of her perfect breasts. In the back, where Joey’s eyes lingered, it plunged to her lower back. Shane was pretty sure if Tess moved just the right way, he would see a whisper of her perfect ass just beneath the folds of fabric.

  “Okay.” He was struggling to draw his eyes away. “I just wanted to make sure.”

  “The After Party?” Shane repeated.

  “It’s a club. We can get some appetizers and drinks. They always have the best DJ’s. It’s fun to just go, “dance sometimes.”

  “You’ll like it.” Ryan said, nodding. “Really. It’s,” another pause. “exclusive. The kind of place you have to know or be someone to get into.” Shane laughed.

  “Okay,” she said, her eyes darting between them. “I feel like there’s something you’re all not telling me. Especially after my shopping today.” Shane’s eyes settled on Tess.

  Tess laughed. “Listen, they are very attentive at the Boutique. Steven has trained all his girls to provide personalized attention to their patrons. Honestly, I do almost all my shopping there.”

  Shane was laughing now, “I bet.”

  “You took her to see Steven? Jesus, Tess.” Ryan said, as he shook his head in disbelief.

  “What?” Tess’s eyes were wide, incredulous. “She loved it. By the way. I’d like to clear the air a little with one of my oldest and dearest friends,” Her tawny eyes fell on Ryan. “and my very new and dear friend?” Her voice turned up as she questioned Shane’s title.

  “Tess.” Ryan’s voice held a warning. His eyes had not lingered on her for one moment longer than necessary after he acknowledged her presence in the car. Now, the warning simmered in the heated gaze between them.

  “Ryan. You’re going to have to trust me on this.” She said.

  Shane shifted, dreading what was about to spill from Tess’s lips.

  “Listen, I know things.” Tess laughed. “You know, like Tyrion Lannister knows. I drink and I know things too.”

  Ryan laughed. “Well, I think you are full of the drink tonight.”

  She laughed. “I am.”

  “Ryan, I know you like this girl,” She nodded at Shane. “It was obvious long before I watched the two of you cuddle up in the back seat of this car. It became painfully obvious when you turned me down two nights ago in the hotel lobby.” She closed her eyes, feeling insulted. “I suspected it when I watched the two of you together that first night, but you have done a very, very good job of hiding it. Quite professional, really.” Tess mused, proud of her detective skills.

  Shane closed her eyes and shook her head.

  Tess went on, as her gaze moved to Shane. “I wouldn’t have kissed him if I understood what you meant to him.” Her eyes were wide and soft. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been turned down like that before. Certainly not by him.” She rolled her eyes in his direction. “I’m sorry, Shane.”

  Ryan’s arm tightened around her, holding her close as he spoke. “She saw us Tess. She watched you kiss me.”

  “Shane, I’m so sorry.” She said. The heartfelt apology strengthened by the distress in Tess’s eyes.

  “Tessa, I told her about us.” Ryan confessed. “She knows enough to understand.” A spark flashed in Tess’s eyes as she held Shane’s gaze.

  “She does, does she?” She paused for a moment before she went on. “Ryan, the part of our shopping story that I need to tell you is…” Shane’s eyes closed as Tess’s bore into her, “…that I was so curious about your girl that I kissed her too.” Ryan stiffened behind Shane but did not loosen his grip on her waist. Shane opened her eyes and looked into his to find his gaze curious. No judgement. No jealousy. Joey’s eyes that had barely left Tess’s backside, were now locked with hers as she looked up.

  Ryan was not the only one taking in the information and picturing the afternoon kiss between the golden beauty and the girl with the indigo eyes. All at once, the headlights of the oncoming traffic were upon them. Shane closed her eyes and pressed into Ryan preparing for impact.

  Bright white lights of an oncoming car accompanied the blare of a horn blazed by. Joey jerked the wheel hard to the right to pull them back into their own lane. As the car passed, the horn grew more distant but still sounded angry and attention seeking. Everyone was jerked off balance as Joey righted the escalade.

  Joey was mortified. “Sorry. Sorry. Oh god. I’m sorry.”

  “Joey.” She drew his name out with a pout that matched her lips as she met his eyes. “Keep your eyes on the road.” She scolded before she turned her gaze back to Shane and Ryan. “Are you guys okay?”

  Shane nodded. “I’m okay. Are you okay?” The question was directed at Ryan. He had not let go of her. And when she looked properly at him, she saw no hint of anger.
Thank god I was good to him about his kiss with Tess. Thank god I was curious and not angry. The thought turned over in her mind. She had been curious and not angry. She looked at him now, trying to read him, wondering if he was also curious.

  His lips found hers and he kissed her. He touched his forehead to hers for a moment before turning his attention back to Tess and Shane understood nothing Tessa had said would damage what they had going.

  Tess had settled back into her spot leaning over the console. Looking slightly more mussed but scrumptious just the same; her body still pressed against their driver. What is that guy thinking?

  “Ryan, I see that you’ve taken this information well. I thought you would. She’s delicious by the way. I like her very much and would love to play tonight.”

  Ryan’s steady eyes moved to Tess’s searching for the truth and her end game.

  “Play?”

  “Yes. Remember?”

  He laughed but it came out hard like his voice. “Yes, I remember.”

  He guarded against her. There was desire. Shane had seen it, but he would not allow her in. He would not allow himself to want her. “I won’t be the one deciding tonight. That would be up to Shane.”

  Shane’s heart lurched in her chest. She looked up into his eyes for the answer. The real answer and she found acceptance. Yes baby. Up to you, His eyes seem to say to her.

  Shane attempted to find the middle ground. “We can do whatever you like tonight.”

  In the rear-view mirror, Shane watched Joey’s eyes widen but this time, they did not leave the road. Ryan glanced out the window taking in their surroundings.

  “Here, bud. Right here.” Joey’s hazy eyes cleared as they approached the end of the strip. “Next turn,” Ryan directed him into the stream of traffic that curved in front of the high-rise hotel. Joey coasted into the stream of cars and waited for their turn at the front of the line. Tess turned back into her seat and was primping in the mirror on the back of the visor. Her perfect fingers adjusting her golden locks, somehow enhancing what appeared to be already divine. Shane drank in the vision as Tess applied lip-gloss to her pouty lips before she turned back to Ryan.

  “We’ll do whatever you want.” He kissed her and his tongue slipped into her mouth, his gaze not breaking from hers. She felt her body warm to him and then Tess was out of the car and calling to them.

  “Come on, we’re here.” She leaned into the front seat, “Joey, doll, we’ll call you when we’re ready to go home, okay?”

  He nodded. “Okay.” His eyes were hungry and feasted freely on Tess’s body. He was reluctant to go- not wanting to be left out on the night’s events.

  Tessa slipped her hand into Shane’s, fingers intertwined, leading her into the crowd. Shane glanced over her shoulder to see Ryan follow. Sexy as fuck.

  Shane let her fingers interlock with Tess’s enjoying the feeling of Tess’s little hand in hers.

  Tess bypassed the line that started six feet from the front doors. She moved to the front and made eye contact with the giant man at the front.

  “Hey, Gus.”

  “Hey, Tess.” The bouncer’s eyes slid over Tess. He nodded to Ryan without making eye contact. “Hi Ryan. Nice to see you. It’s been a while.”

  “It has been a while.” Ryan answered.

  “Who’s your friend?” The bouncer asked nodding towards Shane.

  Tess spoke up, “This is Shane. Shane, Augustus.”

  “Hi, Agu-” Shane started.

  “Gus.” He interrupted her as he turned his steely eyes on her.

  “Gus.” She corrected.

  “Come on in. It’s packed tonight, even for a Monday.” He said as he let them in. “Have fun.”

  Shane smiled. “Thank you.”

  As they stepped into the double set of doors, the atmosphere shifted, leaving any hint of the desert sunset behind. The club was dark, its décor black with purple lights. Thick plush black carpet with purple swirls covered the floors and climbed he walls. Beyond the carpeted walls, the beat pulsed its way through her pores and into her skin. The music was deafening. Shane followed Tess as she led them down the curved hallway that wrapped around the center of the club. Large wooden double doors opened into the heart of the After Party, giving her a view of the dance floor. Small bar tables peppered the other side of the hallway. Tess sought out a table for the three of them. Gus was right- it was packed. And Shane could not help but think, My god. This must be where the beautiful people come.

  CHAPTER 6

  After Party

  T hey passed several sets of doors looking for a table before Tess spotted a vacant one. She glanced over Shane’s shoulder and caught Ryan’s eye then nodded at the table.

  Tess leaned into Ryan and said something Shane couldn’t hear. Then, she disappeared into the crowd. She glanced at Ryan and nodded in Tess’s direction, questioning.

  “She went to get drinks. You hungry?” He asked.

  “A little.” Truth be told she was much too excited to eat, even though her belly rumbled from the delay of dinner.

  “She’ll be right back. Then we can go upstairs where it’s little quieter.”

  Shane nodded- no interest in fighting to be heard over the music. Tess reappeared with a pretty server in tow. The girl carried a tray laden with shot glasses above her head, skimming through the crowd. Ryan raised his arm and waved at the girl, pointing to the stairs. She nodded and moved past them, beckoning them to follow her.

  The crowd parted temporarily for the girl and then she was swallowed up, leaving only the tray balanced above her head as a means to guide them. She emerged at the top of the stairs with the three of them trailing her. While the music still pulsed through the club, the second floor was considerably quieter. The beat reverberated through the floor and up her legs in time with the beat of her heart. The server turned to them, a dark-haired girl with a little up-turned nose.

  “I’m Annie. I’ll take care of you tonight. Tess ordered up the works for you. Three rounds of body shots, and whatever you’re hungry for.”

  Shane shrugged her shoulders, “It’s my first time here. What’s good?”

  Annie cocked her head, “What’s good… Everything. The sushi’s to die for.”

  “That sounds delicious.” Shane looked to Tess and Ryan, “does that sound good?”

  Tess nodded and ordered. “Annie, will you bring us your two favorite appetizers? Whatever you’d choose and whatever you’d recommend when your friends come to town.”

  The girl smiled. “You got it.” She slid the tray on to the table, pausing before she turned to leave. “Any other drinks you desire upon my return?” She winked at Ryan.

  He laughed. “A big pitcher of ice water.”

  She crooked her hand behind her ear in mock deafness. “I’m sorry?”

  “Ice water, Annie. Bring us ice water.” The girl laughed and spun on her heel. Shane watched her disappeared down the stairs before turning to look at Tess and Ryan.

  “Body shots?” Shane asked. “Is that what they call tequila shots here?” Tess laughed as Shane continued. “I was hoping for a better tasting liquor.”

  “Trust me, body shots here are fun,” Tess leaned into her. “We do them off each other.”

  Shane’s eyes widened. “We do?”

  Ryan nodded. “We do.”

  “Three rounds?” She asked. “How does that work?”

  “Oh,” Ryan began, “It’s easier to show you.”

  “Okay.” She agreed hesitantly. Her response was drawn out and skeptical.

  “Here’s how.” He turned to Tess. “Tessa, you go first.”

  She laughed. “Love to.”

  Tessa held out her hands, one for Ryan, one for Shane. “Here goes.” He said and took Tess’s hand in his. “Shanie, just do like I do, honey.”

  Ryan lowered his mouth until it hovered just above the web between her thumb and forefinger. He licked her skin and added salt. The salt crystals glimmered in the purple haze. Shane mimicked
him, glancing into Tess’s eyes before she licked the spot then added salt.

  Ryan slid a shot glass her way, “Bottom’s up.” He raised his glass and downed the shot. Again, she mimicked him. The liquid burned down her throat and caused tears to rise in her eyes. She licked the salt crystals from Tess’s skin and plunged a lemon slice into her mouth. Salty and sour. Shane laughed and coughed as tears rolled down her cheeks.

  “Tess! This is going to ruin my makeup.”

  Tess laughed. “Sorry, I’m sorry. Only two more.” She soothed. As if two more tequila shots would make it better. “Trust me,” she said. “it gets easier.” Tess was leading the way now. “Ry, you’re next. I like them this way. Follow me.”

  Tess took his hand in hers and turned it palm side up. Shane mirrored Tess’s actions. Tess looked up at Ryan while she lowered her mouth to his skin and licked the tender underside of his wrist. Shane imitated her, then shook salt on to the moistened skin. She could feel his pulse racing under her tongue. Shane and Tessa downed the shots in tandem, seeking salt and the lemon wedges to sooth the burn of the liquid fire. Tess was right. It did get easier. The liquid was warm in her belly and went straight to her head. Ryan grasped Shane’s hand.

  “Your turn.” She took a deep breath to quell the dizziness she felt. Ryan pulled her forward and licked her exposed collar bone as Tess took her wrist in her mouth. Licking and sucking the ticklish flesh as she moistened Shane’s skin.

  Shane moaned, the sound escaping her lips without thought as her eyes fluttered close. The salt burned her sensitive skin and she heard the shot glasses clink. Toasting. These two. Then, Ryan’s mouth was on her skin. She could smell the tequila on his breath. His tongue flicked and sucked on her pulse. Tess’s mouth clamped on her wrist, fanning the flames of desire in her. And all too suddenly, she felt nothing. She shivered, opening her eyes. Ryan and Tess were hungrily sucking at the lemons. Shane laughed. Jesus.

  “That’s an interesting game.” What the hell.

  “I know, I know, nobody likes tequila. But the licking part is fun.”

  Shane agreed. The licking part is fun.

  Three shots remained. Shane shook her head. “I can’t do my last one right now.”