Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44788 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44788 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
But he was not marble. He was flesh and blood. Warm and hard and way too inviting .
The way the firelight caressed his bulging muscles made it next to impossible to focus .
“ I win .”
I conceded with a nod .
“And ?”
He rubbed his hands together with glee and leaned in. I had to stop myself from reaching out to touch him. I was weak, but I had my pride. And I was not going to admit I still wanted him .
Not now. Not ever .
“What did I do to make you hate me so much ?”
Chapter Twenty -One
Whiskey
S he stared at me, not giving me the answer I was waiting for. Then she exhaled, making the hair around her face flutter .
“I can’t answer that .”
“ Why not ?”
“Because I don’t hate you, Whiskey .”
Hmmm, reassuring though I didn’t quite believe her .
“Okay, then what made you run away ?”
“That’s a different question .”
“You won’t answer ?”
She gave me a challenging look .
“Not until you win another hand .”
“Then remove a piece of clothing .”
“What ?”
I was pissed off and frustrated in so many different ways. I wanted her, and she was so close. I could have pounced on her, right then and there. I’d wanted her for so long, only to get her and then lose her .
This was my chance .
But I was angry at her too. If she wasn’t going to give me answers, she was going to have to strip .
“It’s truth or strip. You agreed .”
“Whiskey, I’m only wearing one thing. A dress .”
I smiled in anticipation .
“Then you won’t have a choice but to answer my questions .”
She sighed, shaking her head .
Then she pulled off a shoe and waved it at me .
“Fine. But this is ridiculous .”
I just smiled and dealt another hand. I didn’t even cheat this time. If I could get both our clothes off that was good. And if I got my answers, I could stop wondering and try to fix things .
It was a win-win situation .
* * *
A couple of hands later I was down to my boxers and socks. Damn, Becky was a poker shark! I’d been gamed !
But I had to win another hand eventually. And for now, I’d just have to comfort myself with the fact that she was blushing .
And she had been for ten minutes .
Oh yes, Becky was trying not to look but she couldn’t seem to help herself .
And it was pretty obvious she liked what she saw .
I made sure I had three aces when I dealt the next hand .
I smiled to myself as I rearranged my cards. I was going to get my answers once and for all. Or I was going to see some very sexy skin .
Beat that, Becks !
Chapter Twenty -Two
Becky
“Y ou’re joking .”
Whiskey looked dumbfounded as he stared at my cards .
A royal flush .
What were the chances ?
His three aces with a pair of tens did look rather paltry next to my perfect, gorgeous hand .
I pretended not to stare as he pulled off a sock, grumbling the whole way about being stark ass naked and people who lied about their abilities .
I had to admit, I did like watching him strip. Even his feet were sexy! I was also relieved .
Mostly because I was terrified of what he might ask me when he won another hand .
What if he asked something that hurt .
Where is my baby and why did you hide her from her own father ?
Something like that for example .
But I lost the next hand. He stared at me, solemn and serious. I wasn’t going to get away with a glib answer or evasion .
If I lost my courage, I could always take off my bra and leave my dress on. That would distract him, and hide my post-baby body. Plus, I still had a shoe .
“Why did you leave? Why didn’t you say goodbye ?”
“That’s two questions, Whiskey .”
I exhaled deeply .
“But since they have the same answer, I’ll allow it .”
I shook my head, gathering my courage. This was it. This was my cue to tell him. What difference did it make? He couldn’t break up with me. We weren’t together .
We’d never really been together to begin with, even though it felt like we had been a devoted couple .
“The night before I left, I got off work early. I came to surpise you. At the club .”
He was frowning, his brow furrowed. But he didn’t say anything .
“I saw you there. With two girls. I left the next morning .”
“Two girls? I was with you! I hadn’t been with any other girls. Not since I met you. Not even after you left .”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought too .”
I couldn’t keep the bitterness out of my voice .