“Prove it.”
As the chaos escalates, Nora leans closer, voice low and honey-slicked in my ear. “You okay, Max?”
I glare at her, jaw tight, heat crawling up my neck. “What are you doing?”
She shrugs, her hand now pressingfirmlythrough my jeans. “Playing the long game.”
I bite down on a groan.
“Your turn,” she adds sweetly, nodding toward the table.
I toss a card down without looking. “Three sevens.”
“Bullshit,” Annie says immediately.
Shit.
DeShawn howls with laughter when I reveal a single lonely jack. “Damn, Max. Distracted much?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Nora says innocently, sliding her hand away just as Lucas starts dealing again. “Maybe he’s justreallybad at bluffing.”
I shoot her a sharp look, my breath still coming too fast, my body thrumming with the promise of what Ican’tdo right now.
But the second her fingers leave my leg, I want them back.
Desperately.
She flashes me a knowing smile, then turns her full attention back to her hand of cards like she didn’t just almost make me embarrass myself in front of my entire band.
Holyfuck.
The second the game ends, I’m up.
“Alright, that’s enough bluffing for one night,” I mutter, standing fast enough to make the cards scatter.
Lucas groans. “What, no rematch?”
“I’m out before someone makes me play musical chairs or strip Scrabble,” I call over my shoulder, already reaching for Nora’s hand.
She laughs like I’m joking. But I’m not.
Not even a little.
She stumbles up after me, wide-eyed, gripping the hem of her blanket like a shield.
“Max—”
I don’t answer her. Just take her hand and pull her down the dim hallway, the LED lights underfoot casting a soft golden glow.
I slide the pod door shut behind us. Melody’s off exploring somewhere, and we’re finally alone. The soft glow from the control panel warms the space as I ease her gently down onto the bed.
She’s still laughing when I crawl over her.
“Oh, now you’re quiet?” she whispers, eyes gleaming, braid messy, legs already wrapping around me.
“You knew exactly what you were doing back there.”
“Did I?”
