by Sadie Jacks
I winced. This was not the group to try to measure your dick against. They’d chop it off, dice it up, and put it in your food. Well, Momma might do that part.
Mas threw the knife with a casual thrust of his wrist.
Foster caught it by the handle, slammed the point down into the poker table. “You shouldn’t play with knives.”
Mas smiled. “Perhaps you can play with our Tali.” His expression dropped as if it had never changed. “But if she cries because of you, I will carve each of her tears into your flesh.”
Foster nodded. “Agreed.”
“Now that we all know Ambright here does, in fact, have balls, tell us the fucking rules, Penn,” Turo demanded.
I told them. As one, Turo, Nico, and Foster grabbed up their phones. Rafe and Mas snorted and set up for the next round.
I grabbed my phone, hit the speed dial button I’d assigned to Willow.
“Hey, hero. How’s poker?” her words were just the slightest bit slurred.
“I just lost to Foster of all people.” The man in question flipped me off as his thumbs flew over his screen. “How’s girls night?”
“We’re baking!” she screeched.
I pulled the phone away, winced. Once I heard her voice fall away, I raised the phone back to my ear. “I got your picture.”
“Which one?”
I sat there dumbfounded for a second. “You’ve sent more than one?”
Her chuckle was like silken fingers dancing over my cock. “Mhmm.”
My phone buzzed again. I pulled it from my ear. Looked at my messages. Sweet fucking angels. She was licking a long swirl of batter from her spatula.
“Did you like it?”
I growled. I was pretty sure I was going to get it mounted and put in my office. “Yes. Were you thinking of anything in particular?”
Her moan was a little soft, a lot gritty. “Just the salty sweet taste of...batter.”
Heat flared in my belly. “Good girl. Have you oiled up the pan yet?” An idea began to form.
“Mhmm. My hands are covered in it. I had to take my shirt off.”
I jolted as my brain went blank. “Why?” Her skin was out in the open? The other girls could see it? They could see her tattoo? I gritted my teeth. Her body was for me and me alone.
“Well, Jessa was trying to help Nik learn how to...beat...eggs. They were getting a little rambunctious and the whisk slipped. I got covered in clear stuff. In my hair. On my face. I practically had a necklace of it!”
I wanted to bash my head into the wall. “Cupcake, if you wanted a pearl necklace, I’m more than capable of giving it to you.”
Rafe boooed me.
I flipped him off. “Besides, what happens if you get more...clear stuff on you?”
She giggled. “One of the girls will wipe me off if my hands are still...busy. They’re so helpful and good with their nimble little fingers. They can fit in the tightest places. Did you know that?” The last word ended on a snort.
Stick a fork in me, I was this close to being done. I turned back. The others who were playing the game looked just as lost as I did. Were we really that bad with the ladies and seduction? Against Willow, I had zero game.
Mas rolled his eyes. Oh, like he was so much better? Asshole.
He opened his mouth, a glint in his eye.
I waited. Maybe he would actually be helpful. I raised my eyebrows at him. Practically begged him to help me.
After a second, he shook his head. The fucker left me high and dry as he shut his stupid piehole. He gave me a completely Italian shrug that could have meant anything from ‘go fuck yourself’ to the all-encompassing complaint of men globally, ‘women.’
I needed to up my game. There was no way I would be the one not coming for twenty-four hours. Think, think, think. “Cupcake?”
“Yes, hero?”
Come on, come on, come on. This was fucking ridiculous! I was wonderful with women. I could tie them up in literal and figurative knots. That my baker was out-sexing me was a hard truth to swallow.
I leaned my head against the wall. “I really want to taste your...batter, right now. I want to scoop my finger through it. Then I want to lick it off like you did that beater.”
“Aww, hero. You sound so sad. Are you giving up already? I didn’t even get to change my outfit yet.”
“Change your outfit?” I was pretty sure the top of my head was about to blow off.
“Yeah. I guess you’ll have to wait for the next hour. Make sure everyone can see your hand.”
My brow furrowed. “That’s not how you play poker.”
“I know. I love you, bye.” She disconnected before I could ask for clarification. Her innuendo game was off the fucking charts.
I was so screwed.
Chapter 24 – Willow
I disconnected and let out a soft scream. “Girls, I think we’re all going to win tonight!” I danced in a small circle, pumped my fists in the air.
When no one else joined me, I stopped and looked around. All I saw were bedroom eyes, flushed cheeks, and fidgeting. Even Tali. Ballbusting Tali was looking a little turned on.
“What? No!” I stomped my foot. “This is so not fair. What did they say?”
Nik looked away.
Tali just smiled.
Jessa’s expression looked like she either witnessed a horrific accident or saw her personal god.
The timer dinged, drawing my attention. I pouted all the way to the oven. The wave of heat that blasted me in the face mocked me. All my girls were getting their own boxes heated, and here I was, stuck pulling cupcakes from the mechanical box. It reminded me of the last eighteen months.
Except this time I wanted to be turned on.
My phone buzzed. I was tempted to ignore it. But I certainly wasn’t going to get turned on baking by myself. That calmed my urges; it didn’t rev them up.
I grabbed my phone. Flicked to the messages. I felt the breath back up in my lungs as my eyes widened. Without thinking, I set my hand against the freshly pulled cookie sheet. “Shit!” I waved my burnt hand in the air, unwilling to drop my phone. Talk about playing dirty. Ryker’s pants were unzipped. His hard cock was pressed up against his belly. His boxer briefs strained against the length.
This is what you do to me –Ryker
Someone led me over to the sink, pushed my hand under the cool running water. “What the hell, babe?” Jessa asked.
I shoved the phone into my chest. “He just sent me a dick pic,” I whispered.
Jessa hooted like an owl on crack. “Finally the man shows some damn promise. I swear, I had no idea he sucked so bad at teasing. From all the snatch that man caught, he’d think his mouth was full of gold.”
I glared at her.
She winced. “Sorry.” She inspected my hand. “Was the dick pic a good one, at least?”
I nodded. “Very.” I could feel the flush climbing up my cheeks. “I always thought dick pics were gross. Very low brow.” I giggled. “That man can send me dick pics all damn day. I want to lick it. And suck it. And kiss it. And wiggle it.”
“Wiggle it?” Jessa asked with a laugh.
I shrugged. “I’m not good at sex yet, I’m trying new things.”
Jessa snorted. “I think Ryker thinks you’re good enough at sex. You’ve got him on the ropes and about to tap out.”
I smiled. “What did Nico say to you?”
Her cheeks flared with pink. “The things he wants to do to me.”
“Without using any terms directly related to sex?” I asked.
She nodded. “Anyone reading it would assume it was some kind of workout routine.”
I sighed, jealousy in my heart. “Damn.”
She sighed too. “I’m glad you picked Ryker. I’m not sharing Nico, that’s for damn sure.” She pulled my hand from the running water again. “You’re going to need some ointment to keep the skin moist for a while.”
I nodded. I was accustomed to treating burns. “I’ve got some…somewher
e.”
She nodded. She dabbed the excess water from my skin. “I’ve got some in my purse. Hang on.” She walked off. She looked a little funny.
I tilted my head. Nope, she was definitely the one leaning to the side. I snorted. We were all variously saturated with alcohol.
I stopped on my way back out to the living area. I shut off the oven, kept the door open to let it vent faster. I didn’t need to possibly burn down the entire building because I was too tipsy to shut off the oven. We’d finished our cookies and cupcakes. The last one was just for us. I wasn’t too sure the soldiers would enjoy a giant penis shaped cake.
Tali and Nik were curled up on the couch. Tali ran her fingers through Nik’s hair. They both looked so peaceful and happy.
I plopped down in the armchair. “So, what did Turo and Foster say?”
Nik snorted. “Nothing worth sharing, that’s for damn sure.”
“Liar, I saw the look on your face before you turned away,” I teased her.
She looked me right in the eye. “Nothing worth sharing.”
Oh, damn. Whatever the oldest Amatucci had sent had not set well with our favorite computer nerd.
I looked at Tali. “Foster up to par?”
She smiled. “He’s got game. Ryker still striking out?”
I shook my head. “He finally stepped up to the plate.”
Jessa snorted as she swayed back into the living area. “Yeah, with his wang.” She got down on her knees as she held the little tube of ointment up. “See? Always prepared.”
“Such a fucking boy scout,” Nik said with a smile.
Jessa laughed. “Pretty much.” She smeared some on my hand. Once she was done, she sat back, looked at my palm. “That looks kinda like jizz,” she snickered.
Nik and Tali leaned over immediately.
“I need a picture like that,” Nik said. She whipped her phone out. “Jessa, smear some on my fingers.”
“Mine too,” Tali said, putting her hand out.
I laughed. “Yes, girls. Own those boys.” I couldn’t really take a picture of my hand, Ryker would want to know how I got burned. That would just ruin the mood. I got up. Stumbled to the bedroom.
I called Ryker. He finally picked up. “Hey, cupcake. Everything okay?”
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Yeah, hero.” I laid on the bed, stared at the ceiling. “You’re kinda sucky at innuendos and teasing. Did you know that?”
He laughed. “Had I known I was playing with the Venus Williams of the sport, I probably would have set different terms. Did you like my picture?”
I moaned. “Yes. If you’re not allowed to touch yourself, how’d you get it that hard?”
“I have my ways.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Are you cheating, Mr. Penn?”
“Not at all, Ms. Chase. Are you trying to think of how I did it?”
“Maybe.”
His chuckle was soft. “Fuck off, Mas,” he said quietly.
“Did Mas help you with your dick?” I asked. My brain was a little foggy now that I was laying down.
“No! No man is touching my dick.” I could almost hear him shudder as his side of the line exploded with laughter.
I snickered. “Oops. Sorry.”
“What are you doing?”
“Laying on our bed. What are you doing?”
“Playing poker. Don’t ever play with Foster. I’m pretty sure he cheats.”
“Don’t listen to his lies, Willow. He just sucks at poker as much as he sucks at seducing you!” the man yelled.
I felt my cheeks heat. “Uh oh. Have I impugned your honor and street cred?”
He laughed. “Nope. I’m still going to win. It just might not be over the phone.”
I giggled. “And how else do you expect this to work? Going to fuck me as soon as you see me again?”
He laughed again. “Something like that.”
“Tell Turo he needs to either change tactics or up his game. Nik is pretty close to pissed,” I whispered.
Ryker snorted. “I’m not helping any of these assholes. They can win or lose their women on their own.” He exhaled. “Now, are you still topless?”
I looked down at my chest. “I’ve still got my bra on.”
“Take it off.”
My brow furrowed. “We can’t touch ourselves. Why would I take my bra off?”
“Because I’m going to touch you. Take it off, cupcake.” He paused a moment. “Now. I want a picture of it on the floor.”
The command in his voice shot through me like high proof alcohol. I sat up, pinched the phone between my ear and shoulder. Reaching back, I flicked the hooks and eyes. I tossed it on the floor.
“I’m waiting, cupcake,” Ryker said.
I hurried to take a picture and sent it to him. My body was covered in goosebumps. “There. I sent it.”
“Good girl.”
My insides curled with heat. Such an archaic and sexist term shouldn’t turn me on this much. Too bad my cunt didn’t agree.
“Are you going to send me more pictures?” I asked.
“Do you want them?”
“Mhmm.”
“What do you say?”
I narrowed my eyes at the ceiling. “Give me the damn pictures, Ryker.”
He howled with laughter. “Not quite what I had in mind, but it worked. Stand up, go to the window.”
“I want a picture first.” I pushed up to my elbows.
“I’m sending you one now.”
I pulled the phone from my ear, waited for it to buzz in my hands with the notification of a new message. Finally the phone danced. I swiped up, hit my messages app. I almost put my thumb through the phone as I stabbed at Ryker’s name. The picture finally loaded.
I whimpered. “That’s not fair.”
He chuckled. “No one said anything about fair, cupcake. Go to the window.”
I got to my feet. “What am I doing at the window?”
“I want you to lean against it.”
I sucked in a breath. “It’s going to be cold.”
“Yeah. Like little bites against your…skin. Up against the glass, Willow.”
“How did you take that last picture?”
“I’m not here alone, you know.”
I giggled at the idea of the men all playing photographer for each other. “Is Rafe saying, ‘give me more pout, dahling. Yes, so sexy.’”
Ryker laughed. “Something like that. But a little humiliation between new friends is what builds stronger bonds. I want you pressed against that glass. I want to hear your inhale as it touches your skin. I want to imagine your…flesh pebbling.”
I bit my lip. “I’m not alone either, you know.”
He sucked in a breath. “No. That’s out of bounds.”
“Is it though? I wouldn’t be touching myself. Girls aren’t nearly so finicky as boys are.” I bit the tip of my finger. Moaned slightly. Maybe I could turn this back my way.
“Willow Koa Chase, you let any of those women touch you, and you won’t need to worry about twenty-four hours,” he growled down the line. “Now, put your body against the glass or I’m hanging up.”
Dang it. I took the last couple steps. Leaned forward until my breasts hit the cold window pane. My breath fogged the glass.
I pulled the phone down, took a picture of me from the top view. My smile was huge as I sent it off. “I’m cold now. Enjoy the picture.” I hung up as I stepped back.
I shivered as I walked to the closet. Grabbing one of his sweatshirts, I pulled it over my head. Huddled in the warmth and scent of him around me.
My phone buzzed with another message. Steeling myself, I opened it. I sucked in a breath as I studied the picture. One of his hands was bracketing his dick. His hard, long dick. His fingers were pressed into his jeans as if they were about to clench shut.
I bit my lip. Dammit. I should have just finished him in the office.
Groaning, I shook my head. No. No. I could do this.
I co
uld win a game of sexual teasing against Ryker Penn.
Chapter 25 – Ryker
I groaned. “Dammit.”
“She top you again?” Rafe asked.
I nodded. “Fucking women.”
“Can I put my computer away yet? Taking pictures of all you isn’t really how I saw this evening going. Not to mention lying to all of them with my wicked Photoshop skills.”
Turo and Nico just laughed. “At least we’re not actually getting naked. Nor are we as hard as you’ve made us out to be.”
We all laughed.
“I would be leaving. Dick does nothing for me,” Mas announced.
We all nodded. I shuddered. Nope.
“And since we have abandoned any and all pretense to playing poker, I will be leaving anyway.” Mas rose from his chair and gave a short wave. He was through the door and had it closed behind him without a sound.
I looked at his brothers. “Seriously, does he have some kind of ninja blood in his DNA? Is he actually a voodoo priest? Into witchcraft? Did he meet the devil at a crossroads and exchange sound for his soul?”
They all stared at me like I was an idiot.
“The man moves and doesn’t make a sound. You can’t tell me none of you notice that.” I shook my head. They might tell me that, but I certainly wasn’t going to believe them.
Turo smirked. “No. He’s simply that good. Have you ever heard the whispers of the Wraith?”
I slapped a hand to the table. “I fucking call him that in my head. That’s actually Mas?”
Turo nodded. “And they have not been exaggerated. Our brother is very skilled.”
I whistled.
Foster sat there like a statue for a moment. Then he started shaking his head. “No. Not possible. There’s no way those stories about him haven’t been exaggerated or embellished. He’s practically Superman and Jason all rolled into one seriously scary guy.”
Turo shrugged. “Believe what you will.”
Foster looked at me.
I shrugged. I was willing to bet Mas was the Wraith. Hell, I had absolutely no trouble believing it was him.
Nico’s phone buzzed.
We all looked at him. The muscles of his cheeks clenched. “Fucking hell.” He closed his eyes as he tipped his head back.