He tossed the same amount of iron chips onto the table. “Three.”
The red woman’s sultry eyes slid to his. She took a slow sip of her drink, eyeing him over the rim.
Orelia let her fingers drift to the back of Vade’s neck and played with the hairs that had fallen free from his usual knot. She flashed Riata a possessive grin, then turned it on Vade.
His pupils blew wide when she smoothed her thumb across the skin just under his ear. Rough fingers slipped under the fabric of her dress around to her ribs, making her breath hitch. From his intent stare alone, she felt herself growing slick with arousal. Subtly, Orelia squeezed her thighs together and watched as Vade’s throat bobbed in response.
The thump of coins hitting the table pulled their focus back to the game. Viktor bet one, Fargus bet one, and Egan bet zero. When all the bets were placed, Riata set a card down from her hand in the middle of the table—three of hognose. The tan and brown dragon with its upturned snout was drawn with its wings at its sides.
Vade tossed out a ten of hognose, Viktor a two of hognose, Fargus a four of tri-tip, and Egan an eleven of tri-tip.
“Hand goes to the dark man,” the dealer said. He gathered the cards and tossed the stack so that it landed in front of Vade, who set them next to his chips.
“If you won, don’t you get everyone’s money?” she asked, speaking close to his ear so no one else could hear.
Goosebumps started on his neck, eyes darting between hers and the cards he held. “I bet three, so I have to win three hands, then I win the pot. If I win more than three hands, then technically, I lose. You can only win the number of hands you bet. No more, no less.”
She twirled a strand of Vade’s hair while committing the rules to memory. His eyes were focused straight ahead, though she couldn’t stop watching him. His decadent scent had her leaning closer, her breasts nearly in his face, though he never looked at them.
She wanted him to.What is in this wine making me like this?Orelia thought, before promptly taking another long drink.
Fargus stared at her as he drank from his cup. “Great set of tits, that one. Would love to bury my face in them. Tell me, are her nipples more pink or rosy? I bet they’re pink. Ripe and fresh like that tight ass of hers.”
Orelia gave him a fake smile she’d seen Teegan perfect, setting her cup on a side table. “Want to see for yourself?” Having forgone her breastband, she slipped the straps off her shoulders and tugged the front of her dress down, stopping just above her nipples.
Vade tensed.
She cocked her head. “On second thought, I don’t think you’ve earned it yet.”
Fargus watched her intently. “Oh, you little tease. You’re going to be fun when I have my cock inside you later.”
Vade quickly righted her dress straps. “The only one who will be fucking her is me. Stick to your own whore.”
She swore there was genuine jealousy in his tone, but Orelia told herself it was all for show.
“Everything is available at the right price. Especially people.” Fargus’s twisted grin made it difficult to keep her smile. He must have been the one Vade said was always with Egan. Another slave trader. The hand she had in her lap clenched into a fist.
Vade placed his hand on hers, covering up her show of disgust. “You couldn’t afford her,” he said with a territorial narrowing of his eyes.
Fargus laughed. “I am the richest man in this town, and inallof Goldbottom. How large is your fortune, you prick?”
“It’s bad manners to discuss money at the card table,” Riata said as one of her men brought her another glass of clear liquid.
“Suck it up, Fargus. You’ve got a pretty whore, and I’m stuck with this plain broad. Be grateful.” The woman on Viktor’s lap dropped her eyes to the floor. She was beautiful, in a more ordinary kind of way. Orelia wanted to reach across the table and slap Viktor for disrespecting her.
Fargus watched Vade like he was trying to figure him out. The two stared at one another the entire time the next hand was dealt.
The waitress from earlier brought them two more glasses of wine, which Orelia happily accepted. Riata won the second hand, and as the third was being dealt, the wine kicked in. Orelia felt loose and relaxed, warm and comfortable perched atop Vade’s lap. He sat so still, but his thumb had moved lower down her back.
“Get on your knees, girl.” Viktor nudged his woman off his lap, making her stumble. Hesitant doe eyes went to Orelia briefly before she slipped under the table. Viktor grinned as he untied his pants.
“At the table? Really?” Riata didn’t look as disgusted as she sounded.
“Wish it was you?” Viktor made a smooching sound at her.
She laughed. “Please. I have two men who worship me.”
The men fanning her still had distant eyes and probably hadn’t even heard what she’d said.
