Not to her.
Not again.
Bets for Texas hold ’em hit the felt like thunder as Blaire delivers my second drink. Sutton raises it to my lips. I sip, eyes still locked on my opponent. Ashlyn sits perfectly placed, directly across from me. Her back to the bar, face lit with challenge.
“Light up a cigar,” I tell Sutton, who takes a puff first, then holds it near my mouth, slow and sultry.
Ashlyn tosses in her first bet with a roll of her eyes. “Can’t even use your hands? What are you, a child?”
“Is this how it’s going to be, baby girl?”
She flinches at the nickname, and Tade flashes two digits from his position.
“How about we handle our differences on the felt?” Imurmur the question, tapping my ring finger on the table.
“What do you mean?” she asks as I toss in a raise to her. A few of the other guys fold, but Ashlyn scans my expression, my body... Then, she calls.
“I mean, we make this round personal. One-on-one. Side bets.” I flash her a grin that could end lives. “If I win? You lose that dress.”
Her eyes dart to her cards for a second. “And if I win? You’ll lose that pathetic excuse to replace me on your lap.”
“Sure.” I take a long drag off the cigar. “She can suck my dick from the floor.”
Ashlyn’s nostrils flare like she’s about to spit fire.
“You know what I meant.”
“Alright,” I say, voice low and final. “Bet.”
The flop drops. Exactly what I needed. Three of a kind. Tade’s eyes jolt to theThetasophomore reading the plays from behind me. When Tade gives me the nod, I know…It’s done.
“Raise,” I say, casually sliding chips forward.
Ashlyn barely masks her panic. She’s holding a pair, maybe two. But she can’t fold. Not now. Not with half the room watching. Her eyes flick to Sutton, then back to me. Her throat works on a hard swallow. “Call.”
The turn doesn’t seem to help either of us…but I push her further.
“Another hundred.” I smirk, tossing in a chip.
“Only that? Fine.” She shoves one forward to match my bet as if it’s nothing to her, but if I keep staring at her tits, I’d swear her heart is beating harder.
On the final card, I smile, knowing I’ve got her. Tade nods, indicating victory. I leave the bets as is. No one raises. When it’s my turn, I reveal my cards, and gasps spark around the table.
Ashlyn freezes, but doesn’t flinch. Nonetheless, the fire dims behind her ocean eyes.
“Looks like you lost that round,” I murmur, sipping my drink and savoring the numbing smooth burn. “Now it’s time to lose the outfit.” Smoke clouds the table as I wave the sugary scent toward her low-cut frilly dress. My smile is laced with superiority. Victory tastes good.
Sutton giggles, nuzzling into my neck, and my palm gathers her ass to pull her higher on my lap. Ashlyn ignores her and juts out her chin.
With absolute defiance, she reaches behind her back and unzips. The moment the fabric hits the floor, every eye in the room devours her.My dick responds to the sight before me with a steady thump in my trousers.
Bare tits, nipples sharp as diamonds. A tight little waist. Hips begging to be spread. Striped stockings kissing the tops of her thighs. Only a strip of black lace thong hides what I already own. She must have gathered up the panties I shoved in her mouth earlier…
In true Ashlyn fashion, she shoves her hands on her hips andtwirls.
Slow. Proud. Naked.Daringme.
The table goes silent except for the sound of throats being cleared and drinks being choked on.