Page 54 of Defying Ella
“Having something to lose isn’t a premonition for what’s to come.”
“I know, but with my shitty luck…” Jared picked up the dice. “Let’s just say no one’s ever going to blindside me, and leave it at that.”
“Fine, but if you ever want to talk about it…”
“Els,” Jared sighed, emotion clogging his throat. He reached across the table and took my hand. “I appreciate it, but I’d rather live my life than talk about and focus on all the things that could go wrong. Okay?”
I begrudgingly agreed and he scattered the dice. For a couple of turns, we asked mundane questions and went through the motions. With my mind chasing its tail, I wasn’t capable of more.
He trusts me.
He’s always trusted me.
I felt drunk, moments away from giggling at the delicious thrill working through my body.
My mind focused on the board for the first time in at least thirty minutes. Neither of us were anywhere near bankruptcy — read,Iwas nowhere near bankruptcy despite Jared shaking me down on nearly every turn. The sun had long set and candlelit flickered around the room, casting soft shadows across us.
I bit my lip watching those shadows play across Jared’s blond stubbled jaw. As much as I enjoyed asking him absolutely anything, the game needed to end.
Jared reached for the dice and my hand landed on top of his, stalling his move.
“I have an idea.”
“Okay,” he drawled, amusement creasing his eyes.
“Instead of questions, the payee loses an item of clothing.”
Jared’s eyes widened for a faction of a second before a lascivious grin claimed his lips.
“Are you sure you want to play strip Monopoly?” He bit his lip at my nod. “You realise we won’t finish the game?”
I shrugged.Of course I realise, you plonker.
He let the dice fly across the board, watching it with more scrutiny than I’d seen all night. When it didn’t give him enough moves to land on one of my properties, he chuckled.
“I guess you’re not the lucky one this time.” He pushed the dice towards me, mirth dancing in his green eyes. “Your turn.”
Given he owned more than half the board, I knew the result before I even rolled the dice.
“Well, what’s it going to be, Sparky?” Jared leaned back in his chair, grinning wide.
Without a moment of hesitation, I tore the tank top over my head. Jared’s gaze dropped to my bare breasts, and I pushed my shoulders back to add to the effect.
C’mon, Jared. You know you want to give in.
“Where’s your bra?” he asked, his voice very hoarse.
“We’re trapped. I’ve got nowhere to go, and I’m meant to be relaxing.” My face scrunched up in horror. “Why would I put myself through that for no reason?”
“But…” His gaze fixed on my peaked nipples, glazing over slightly.
Bye bye, board game torture.
“Honestly, Buttercup.” I muttered, continuing the innocent charade with some fake but totally honest indignation. “No one in their right mind would wear one of those underwired torture devices unless they absolutely had to.” I dragged my hand up my stomach to cup a breast, chewing my cheek to not give myself away. “Can you imagine how distracting it would be?”
The lust sharpened on his face, and his hands slid under the table. He shifted in his seat, swallowing like he could somehow maintain the upper hand.Don’t be silly, Jared.
“It’s your turn.” I pushed the dice towards him, outright grinning at his predicament.
