by Sadie Jacks
We both groaned at the contact. He ground his dick against me, using the seam of jeans to hit just a little deeper against my sex.
I tightened my legs, ground my groin against his. Threading my hands through his hair, I pulled his head back. “Playing dirty again, Mr. Penn.”
He huffed a laugh as he licked a long line up my neck. He bit my earlobe in a bright spark of pain that set my body on fire. I shuddered in his arms. “Get ready to lose your coming privileges for the next twenty-four hours, baby. I’m going to drive you so crazy, and you won’t be able to come,” he bit the muscle of my neck, “at all.”
My pussy clenched as my nipples pebbled. I could feel the drag of lust as I looked into his eyes. “If you win, you’re going to play with me but not let me finish?”
He nodded slowly, his nose rubbing over mine. “For twenty-four hours.”
“So when I win, I can do the same thing?”
His dick jumped against my core. He cursed under his breath. “If you think you can win, sure. I’ll be your personal playground.”
I bit his chin lightly. “My non-erupting personal playground.” I flexed my thighs, deepened the contact between us.
When we both moaned again, I knew I had to get down. Get away from the powder keg that was his delicious body. I unhooked my ankles and let my legs slide down the outside of his slowly.
I held my breath as my tissue felt like all of my nerves exploded into bright, brilliant life. “Fuck,” I whispered.
“Hmm? What was that? Admitting defeat already?” he asked, his voice a little hoarse.
I smiled up at him as I stepped away. “Not on your life, hero. Your ass is going to be mine for twenty-four hours. I’m going to –” my mind went blank. “Do things to you,” I finished lamely.
He laughed, right in my face, the jerk. “I hope you bring a better game than that when we’re calling and texting, otherwise I might feel bad for taking advantage of your obvious lack of skill.”
I stuck my tongue out at him and spun on my heel. I pushed through the door and strode down the hall. Fuck! Here’s hoping the girls had some ideas on how to help me win.
“Call me later, cupcake,” he said after me. The taunt and challenge in his voice made me want to both slap him and jump his body right there.
Dammit! I needed to find some freaking game. And fast.
Chapter 22 – Willow
I hurried through the penthouse, cleaning up the various scattered piles of clothes that remained. I got the last shirt on a hanger as the public elevator doorbell rang. “Ha, ha, suck it!” I pumped my fist in the air. At least I’d won one game so far tonight.
I rushed out to the entryway. Smiled as I saw all three of my girls come out together. “Perfect timing.” I darted forward, grabbed bags of groceries and baking staples.
Tali was dressed in her favorite yoga pants and sweatshirt. Her hair was up in the perfectly stylish messy bun that I was always jealous of. Her feet were stuffed into her ‘I’m not leaving the house for anything but an emergency’ slippers. She had another bag looped over her arm. “I’ve got the liquor. Hard and wine. When do we start?”
I laughed and waved her in. “As soon as you can get a glass and the drinks poured.”
“Woohoo!” She passed by me. “Let’s get our drink on.”
Nik slid in next. Her red hair was flowing down her shoulders, her face scrubbed clean. Her leggings were alternating stripes of opaque black and black mesh. Her hoodie was unzipped and showed off her beautiful collar bones and skimpy teal cami. “I brought the stuff you told me.” She looked at her bag a little dubiously. “I’m not sure how all of that makes cupcakes, but you’re the baker, not me.”
I chuckled. “I swear it makes cupcakes. Come in, come in.”
She nodded and ducked by.
Jessa was the last one just standing there. “Does it seem weird that it kinda feels like this is my first time in this penthouse even though I’ve been here before?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. Do you feel like a newbie?” I linked my arm through hers. “You’ve known Ryker the longest of all of us. Maybe it’s me who should feel weird. I literally moved in not even two days ago now and I’m having a sleepover.” I bumped a shoulder in the air. “But I also feel like I’ve known you all for most of my life.”
Jessa nodded. “Maybe that’s it. I’ve never been greeted by a woman here. Outside of Daphne when she served as hostess for some kind of business function.” She bumper her shoulder to mine. “I can’t tell you how pleased and excited I am that he’s chosen you. For so long I just wanted to scream and yell at him for his life choices. You’re one that I can actually get behind.” She hip checked me softly.
I burst into laughter as my game with Ryker came to the front of my mind again. I waited until we were all gathered around the kitchen island. My utensils from the shop were spread out in various stations. Nik and Tali already had glasses in their hands.
Tali handed me a drink with a mint leaf and some ice cubes. “Mojito to get you started.” She turned to Jessa. “I wasn’t sure what poison you wanted to start with, but tell me, and I’ll whip it up.”
Jessa looked at all the liquor bottles and drinks that Nik, Tali, and I held. “I think the mojito looks good.”
“Coming right up. And yes, Chase, I can see that you’re practically bursting with the need to say something. Spit it out before you choke on it,” Tali said as she began gathering ingredients.
Nik and Jessa turned to me.
I felt my cheeks heat slightly. “So…I’m sorry for the TMI, but you’re just going to have to get used to it.”
Nik and Jessa laughed.
They had no idea what they were in for. Oh well. Might as well see if they could handle being part of my squad. “I started giving Ryker a BJ, knowing full well I would have to cut it short to get ready for tonight,” I blurted.
Jessa’s mouth fell open while Nik struggled not to choke on the swallow of her drink she’d just taken. Tali snorted and continued to make Jessa’s drink as if nothing were amiss.
“And?” Tali asked when it became clear the other two weren’t going to ask any questions.
“And now we’re having a contest to see who can make the other come first.” I held my breath. Waited for the other two women to give me some kind of indicator of how this evening was going to go.
Jessa jumped forward, threw herself into my arms. Her head tipped back as a howl of laughter shot towards the ceiling. “YES! Oh my gods, I love you so hard right now.” She started jumping up and down. Which forced me to jump up and down. Which almost spilled my drink. So I downed it quickly between jumps.
After she got done bouncing us around the room. Her cheeks were red and her eyes were sparkling. “I think we should all play the game, but not let them know we’re playing it.”
Nik snorted. “I’m out. I don’t want any of those guys.”
Tali snorted even louder. “Girl, I see you jumping my older brother in your mind when you think no one’s looking. How many times have you blown the top of his head off in your dreams?”
Nik blushed.
Jessa crowed. “YES! YES! YES! Best day EVER! I’ve seen those sly glances, Nikanya Pelaez. You can’t hide those wet dreams.”
Nik’s jaw clenched. “Fuck,” she said under her breath. “No. It doesn’t matter. He’s too old for me anyway. And I’m not sure I want to catch whatever STI he’s probably got.”
Tali stuck her nose in the air. “I’ll have you know that we’re all tested every month as part of our own health screening policies. We’re all disease free, thank you very much.”
Jessa snorted. “Besides, it’s not like you’re the virgin nun over there, Ms. I Never Take the Same Man to Bed Twice.”
“Ooooh, burn,” Tali and I said at the same time.
“And Turo’s only thirty-seven. It’s not like he’s creeping up on the grave, you know,” Tali said as she took a sip of her drink.
Nik narrowed her ey
es at Tali. “He’s only thirty-seven? Why does he act like he has a stick up his ass all the time then? I swear, that man wouldn’t know fun or letting loose if it came up and snatched his dick in the middle of a bright summer’s day.”
The rest of us all howled with more laughter as Nik’s cheeks heated even more. “No. No. Not happening.” She shook her head. “Nope. Not from me. I’m out.”
Tali looked at me. I looked at Tali. We both nodded. “I bet you’ll send him some kind of picture or text before the end of the night,” I challenged.
“Bet? Like we’re in high school gym class and we actually all have dicks?” She snorted a laugh. “No. And no, I won’t.”
Jessa laughed. “Fine. But I’m in. I’m going to drive Nico fucking crazy.” She looked at Tali. “I’m sorry, I know he’s your brother, but fuuuuck is that man fine.”
Tali wrinkled her nose. “I’m not sure he’s all that, but he is pretty…symmetrical I guess.” She took another drink. “Nope. Not even that. Gross. But I’m okay with it. Take him down a peg or two, girl. I’ll even help you do it.” She winced. “But not sexy style. That’s even more gross.”
“And what about Tali? Unless she’s into one of her brothers,” Nik said.
We all gagged.
“Exactly. Who’s she going to be sexing up to tonight?”
I looked at Nik, my eyes gleaming. “Knew you were going to. And that one’s easy. The ever so sneaky and assholic Foster Ambright.”
Tali smiled as she tipped her head to side as if considering the option. “That could work. He’d know it was nothing but good fun. No crazy messes or hurt feelings.” She nodded. “I’ll do it.”
I held my now empty glass out. “To sexing up the hot men in our lives.”
They repeated it.
Such a good start to an awesome night.
“But first up, cupcakes,” I said after everyone took a drink.
“Fucking finally!” Tali growled.
Chapter 23 – Ryker
“Bet’s to you, Penn,” Rafe said around the end of his cigar. “Or are you going to pussy out again because you can’t leave your phone alone?”
I laid the device screen down on the table. Fought to clear my mind. Damn, I really had underestimated Willow’s ability to seduce and tease. The picture she’d just sent me…I was going to make her recreate that photo. Naked except for an apron that barely covered the goods. And a splotch of frosting on her ass cheek. Only this time it would be my hand on her ass instead of a spatula slapping whipped sugar against that delicious flesh.
Special edition cupcakes.
I cleared my throat. “What’s it at?”
All five men growled. “Two hundred,” Foster said. “If I’d known we were going to be playing such low stakes, I would have stayed at home.”
I snorted as I tossed in my chips. “Oh please. You’re like the nerdy kid no one invites to the party. You jumped at the chance to be here.”
Foster glared at me, his dark eyebrows so at odds with his bright white hair. The man was vain enough to dye them, but I was pretty sure he didn’t. His lashes were just as dark. He tossed his chips into the pot without saying anything else.
“What’s got you glued to your phone anyways?” Turo asked as he laid his cards down. “I’m out.”
“A little wager with Willow.” I smirked. No way was I telling them what it was. I might be back on the inside with these guys, but they were still her adopted brothers.
Rafe and Mas snorted. “Good luck with that. Our Will plays dirty.”
Didn’t I fucking know it. I fought not to pick up my phone and scrutinize every pixel of the picture she’d just sent me. But fuck did I want to paddle her ass right now for it.
I was still trying to formulate my reply. My last one had fallen ridiculously flat when I answered her call. Either I relied on my charisma way too much or Willow and her flirting game were on point…and I wasn’t even in the same bracket as she was. Hell, I wasn’t even in the same neighborhood as her bracket.
Nico’s phone buzzed. He picked it up, glanced at the screen. His pupils blew wide as his eyes narrowed. “What the fuck?” he said under his breath.
“Everything good?” Turo asked.
Nico jolted, nodded. “Y-yeah,” he cleared his throat. “Yeah, all good.”
Rafe, our current dealer, flipped the next card and laid the next one face up.
I looked at my cards. Winced. Damn. I should have folded. Fuck. I called when Mas raised the bet. Might as well ride it out. It wasn’t like I couldn’t afford it.
Foster called and the betting went around the rest of the table. Nico fidgeted in his chair before he seemed to settle himself and focus back on the game. He threw some chips on the pile.
Rafe trashed another card before flipping the last one. “That’s the river. Final round of betting.”
Turo smirked as he sat back and watched us all try to outsmart the others.
Mas raised an unholy amount. I studied the wraith. Tried to see beneath his calm exterior. The man literally dealt death for a living and I was trying to see if he flinched.
He met my gaze with the steady one I’d grown to recognize since meeting him. He raised one eyebrow in challenge.
I shook my head. Threw in the amount of chips to match his. If nothing else, I’d learn how to have a better poker face with this crew.
“Dammit,” Foster muttered as he threw in his chips. He squirmed in his chair like he had ants in his pants. “I’m already this far in, might as well deep dive in the well.”
Nico snorted, threw in his chips. “At least pretend to be sneaky, Foster. For a spy, you’re kinda of obvious.”
Foster glared at him. “I haven’t played poker since boarding school. Give me a fucking break.”
“Everyone called, time to flip your cards, gentlemen,” Rafe announced as he exhaled smoke around his words.
Mas flipped his cards, a small smile on his face. “Straight.”
I smirked. “Flush. Sorry. Better luck next time.” The last card flip had saved me. It was a mismash of hearts, but it was still five hearts.
We all turned to Foster.
He winced. “Can Nico go first?”
Nico sighed. “Two pair.”
I chuckled. “Action’s to you, Foster. But you might as well just give me your money.”
Foster wiped at his brow. Scratched a finger at the corner of his mouth. He sighed. “Fuck.” He threw his cards down.
I laughed, leaned forward to scoop up the chips.
Mas reached out, fast as a snake. The edge of his blade suddenly between my outstretched fingers. “Not your pot, Penn.”
I blinked. “What the fuck?” I looked at Foster’s cards again. Looked at the community cards. “Dammit, Foster. Why can’t you just play like a normal human, you asshole?” I sat back.
Foster laughed. “And miss the opportunity to watch you eat crow in public?” He laughed again. “Never.” He stood up, took a bow to the Amatucci brothers’ clapping before he scooped up the chips. “And you should probably focus a little more on the game instead of pictures of Willow wearing aprons. You might have played a better round.”
“Keep your eyes on your own damn phone, bastard.” I grabbed my phone up.
The Amatucci brothers howled with laughter. “You’re playing sexy-times chicken with Will?” Rafe asked around a laugh. “Brother, I hope you didn’t bet in that game like you’re doing in this one.”
“She was a virgin. She shouldn’t be this fucking good at teasing, dammit.” I slammed my hands down on the table.
Various looks of laughter and disgust filled the mafia boys’ faces.
“What are the rules?” Foster asked.
I shook my head. I’d already said too much. I wasn’t going to potentially embarrass both of us anymore.
“Oh, come on. We’re all grownups,” Foster complained. “Besides, between all of us, we might be able to help you win.” He looked at the other men. The call to join him was
evident on his face.
Turo laughed. “I’ll play. What are the rules?”
Rafe puffed on his cigar a few more times. “I’m game. But if you lose, you die alone, bro.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not telling you.”
Mas studied me. “You’re afraid you might lose,” he said, his quiet voice making the simple statement sound more like a threat.
I deflated as the reality that Willow was better at teasing than I was settled over me. “Well, I didn’t know I was playing with the goddess of sex and sin, now did I?”
Nico spat his beer all over the table. “For fucks sake, Penn!”
“Oh please. Like you’re not trying to play doctor with Jessa.” I rolled my eyes.
Nico squirmed some more in his chair.
A light bulb went on in my head. “That’s what the text was, wasn’t it? My little vixen got them all to play.” I hooted with laughter. Put the beer bottle back up to my lips.
“What are the damn rules, Penn?” Turo asked.
I eyed him. “She’s playing, too?” I almost snorted my beer up my nose. I shook my head. “I don’t think the girls should get to hang out very often.”
“I received no text,” Mas said in his broken voice.
“Me either,” Rafe pouted.
I turned to Foster. Waited for him to admit lack of action.
He gave me straight-face.
All the Amatucci men snarled. Mas got his knife back out and started twirling it through his fingers in a rapid display of grace, experience, and precision. “Our sister is not a toy to play with, Ambright,” Mas said.
“Did I say I was going to play?” Foster asked, his eyes wide.
Turo chuckled. “Don’t think the innocent and parsing game will work a second time. Treat her with respect.”
I could hear the rest of that threat as if he’d spoken it aloud through a microphone. Or die.
Foster looked at the brothers. “I’m not the one starting it. She wants to play with me, I’ll play back.”