Page 14 of A Devious Arrangement
I run my tongue over my teeth, steadying myself. Unfortunately, for this to work the way I want it to, I have to lose at least a few rounds. I need him as distracted as possible if I’m going to avoid his suspicion. As it is, I’m playing a much more dangerous game than just removing a few items of clothing.
I flatten my cards on the table. “Are you in?”
“Princess, I am so fucking in.”
Chapter 5
Bash
Stasia’sthick lashes lower over her clear blue eyes, hiding her expression, but not before I catch the look of satisfaction. I should have called her out when I noticed she’d been feeding me drinks, but I’m nothing if not curious, and this girl has me more than intrigued.
I have to fight the smile that wants to take over my face when I look at my cards. Queen and a nine waiting, looking back at me.
She’s good, barely a tell on her, but the slight shift of her ears gives her away. I expect her to call for another card, but she rolls her shoulders back. She’s taking a risk. I almost want to encourage her more, but the anticipation of what item she’ll remove outweighs anything else.
“Ready.” She gives me the sweetest of smiles, and for the first time tonight, worry shifts through me. She looks like a cat playing with a mouse.
I flip my cards over, resting my head on my palm. “Nineteen.”
She sucks in a breath as she looks at my hand. It’s about as close to twenty-one as possible.
It’s not until her lips curl into a grin that I know I’m fucked.
She flips hers over, revealing a queen and an ace. “Twenty-one.”
“Not possible.”
“Are you accusing me of cheating?” Her brows shoot up, and an adorable crease forms between them.
“Never dream of it, Princess.”
Her mask slips with her win, and she accidentally reveals the fire burning within her gaze. I huff out a breath. She’s riveting when she’s up to something, and I’m going to find out what.
Taking my time, I loosen my tie and let it fall to the floor before undoing the top button of my shirt. Her bottom lip catches between her teeth, a soft flush covering her cheeks.
“Whatcha looking at, Princess?”
Her gaze darts down to where she’s shuffling the cards. “Nothing special.”
I bark out a laugh. Oh, this is going to be fun.
She deals again, and this time, there’s no lift to her ears. Nothing to give herself away. Impressed that she’d been able to trick me so easily, I knock on the table for another card.
Stasia does the same, but instead of the glint in her gaze, her head drops forward, and she flips her cards. Twenty-three.
Bust.
I run my thumb over my bottom lip, watching her intently. Will she play it safe and remove a piece of her jewelry, or did she suggest this game because she really wanted to play?
“Shit.” Stasia takes her glass and tips it back, emptying the liquid down her throat. There’s a muscle ticking in her flushed cheek, and she clenches and unclenches her fists on the table.
I’m about to call it all off, putting an end to her misery, when my breath catches. She reaches behind her, and there’s a soft click as she unclasps her bra. I can’t look away as she lowers each strap, slowly slipping her elbows through until she’s able to pull the thin black lace out from under her dress. My mouth fills, andI swallow hard as the tips of her nipples are visible through the thin fabric.
Not fucking fair, Princess.
It’s my turn to polish off my drink, and she fills it immediately. It’s not lost on me she’s filled it to nearly the brim. She’s definitely up to something, but if she thinks she can get me drunk, she’s sorely mistaken. Stasia has me riveted, caught in her snare.
If only Xander could see me now. He’d be laughing his ass off at how easily she’s pulled me in, but at this point, I’m way too curious to turn back.
