Page 51 of Pursuing Desire

“Yep. That’s it. Just a kiss. It’s not going to matter, though, since you plan to win. Isn’t that right?”

He’s so sure of himself. I shrug lightly and try to keep my tone even. I hold out my hand. “Fine. I accept your bet.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” He shakes my hand to seal the deal. Then, he goes to the sideboard, where he must’ve spotted a deck of cards earlier. He sits back down in the chair across from me and begins to shuffle the cards. “Each hand you lose, you take off a piece of clothing. First one down to their underwear loses.”

He deals out five cards to each of us.

My poker face comes in handy right away as I’m dealt a pretty decent hand. Three aces, a Jack, and a ten. I debate keeping the Jack, but then decide to toss it with the ten.

I chance a peek at Dax’s face, but it’s completely unreadable. I take two new cards, and Dax takes three new cards.

I reveal my hand, three aces, a four, and a two. “Three of a kind. Whatcha got, Dax?”

His mouth lifts in a smirk, and he puts his cards on the table, face up. “One pair. Looks like you win. Maybe you know how to play after all,” he jokes.

Dax leans back and unbuckles the belt of his jeans. He slides it off, all the while never taking his eyes off me. He deals the cards again, five to each of us.

I pick up my cards. Without looking up, I say, “I bet you’re thinking that this little game of yours is going to have me naked and in bed with you. You think we’re going to have some hot, steamy, climactic, screaming-at-the-rafters sex.”

I have to suppress a laugh at the startled look he gives me.

He recovers quickly and chuckles. “I see what you’re doing. You’re trying to distract me with sexy talk. I won’t deny that the thought crossed my mind once or twice,” he admits. “We could just skip the poker game and get right to the second act of the night. Screaming-at-the-rafters sex sounds really fucking hot.”

I blink hard at his admission. I thought he’d come back with some flippant remark, not actually admit to using the poker game to get me to sleep with him. “You know, it’s possible for a person to go a few weeks without sex. You should try it some time. In fact, now is a great time to practice restraint. Once we get back to New York, you’re free to sleep with all the women you want.”

He raises his brows. “All the women I want? All at once? Even for a stud like me, that’s a lot for one night.”

“Full house, Kings high,” I say, slapping my cards down a little too forcefully.

“Damn, two pairs for me. You beat me again.” He reaches down for the hem of his t-shirt and slowly raises the material over his head.

I suck my lip in between my teeth, and I bite down hard. I refuse to look at him or his chest. I take a sip of wine to distract myself. I’m astonished to notice I’ve already drunk my second glass. That’s probably why I’m thinking all kinds of lusty and impure thoughts about the man sitting across from me. I must be drunk. Why else would I be sitting here and wondering if he tastes as good as he looks?

He deals out the next round, and we pick up our cards.

“You kinda suck at this game. You only have one more article of clothing to lose,” I taunt. “Is this your first time playing or what?”

“Nah, you just have extra motivation to win. You want to see me naked. Admit it,” he jokes.

Naked? I’m pretty sure I already got a good look at what he has to offer, and I’ve been trying to forget it ever since. I do not need to see him naked again.

So why did I agree to this game?

“You don’t have anything I haven’t seen.” I pop my hand over my mouth, and my eyes go wide. Shit. “I mean, I’ve seen lots of men. Not you, of course. I never want to see you naked,” I finish lamely.

His eyes darken, and he leans forward. “Are you sure about that?”

“Yes! I’m sure I haven’t seen you naked!” I say too fast and too loud. I feel my face heat up. I will never live down the embarrassment of this awkward conversation.

“I never asked if you’d seen me naked. I asked if you were sure you didn’t want to see me naked.” His eyes narrow. “Wow, Jess. Are you a Peeping Tom? Have you been watching me undress?”

I wave my cards at him to distract him. “I need two new cards.” Please, please, let him drop the subject. I can’t seem to keep my mouth clamped shut when I’m around him.

He slides the cards over to me, and he also takes two cards. I hear his indrawn breath, and his eyes shift away, almost nervously. He looks disappointed as he sighs out loud. A thrill runs through me. I’ve got him now. He’s obviously not happy with his cards. If he loses this hand, it’s over. I’ll win, and I won’t even have to take off a single article of clothing. That’ll show him.

All I have is three tens. Not a bad hand, but not super great either.

Dax turns up his lips in a smile suddenly and puffs out his chest. “I’m pretty sure I have you beat on this one,” he boasts. “If you fold now, I won’t make you lose an article of clothing.”