“Just watch,” I say, unable to take my eyes off of her.
The room stays silent as Emery steals the goddamn show. Her every move, every deliberate stroke is sensual, almost provocative. She leans over the billiards table, her body arched and mesmerizing. Her fingers caress the smooth surface of the cue, such a delicate touch that it sends a shiver down my spine. As her gaze stays focused on the various balls scattered across the green felt, it’s like she’s entered a world of her own. A world she now rules.
Who knew math could be so sexy?
“Quinton…” Will swallows, glancing at her final ball. “She’s going to…” The cue ball clinks against the last stripped ball and rolls into the pocket. Will grabs my arm, nearly vibrating from impending victory.
“Do I win?” Emery asks Claude innocently.
Anger brims from Claude. “Not yet,” he grunts through clenched teeth. “You need to sink the eight ball.”
“Oh.” Emery blinks, arching over the table, and swiftly, almost like she’s mocking him, knocks the eight ball into the top right pocket. “Do I win now?”
“Merde!” Claude slams his cue stick on the table, storming out of the room in a huff.
Will quickly chases after him. “Ohhhh Claude! Where do you think you’re going, old friend? Claude!”
I stand off to the side as Emery shakes the hands of her newly established fan base and soaks in her unexpected win. Unexpected to her. I had full faith that she would be phenomenal.
“You were right,” Vivienne says as we both watch Emery’s victory lap. “Sheisfull of surprises.” She lifts a brow. “I no longer regret my invitation.”
I offer Vivienne a knowing smile as Emery approaches us, her excitement contagious. “Well, that was an experience,” she says, taking a steadying breath. “I take it Will is pleased?”
“Ecstatic is more like it,” I say, grinning. “I believe he might even owe you a cut of his winnings.”
Emery waves me off. “The adrenaline is payment enough. I haven’t felt like this since…” She cringes. “It’s been a while.”
“Well done, Emery.” Vivienne offers her hand and Emery accepts. Vivienne’s touch lingers a second too long. “I must be leaving now, but I will be seeing you again very,verysoon, ma chérie. And quite frankly,” she licks her lips, “I cannot wait.”
Emery frowns a smidge. “Have a good evening, Vivienne.” Viv wiggles her brows before she departs with a breathy chuckle, closing the door behind her and leaving us alone. “She’s a bit odd, isn’t she?”
“Mmm,” I hum, taking a step closer to Emery, walking her backward up against the edge of the pool table. I stare down ather bright green eyes, the temptation to coax her lips open with mine far too enticing. “Victory suits you well, darling.” I trace the outline of her jaw with my finger, and her breath hitches. “You’re practically glowing.”
“Yeah?” Emery breathes, her breasts rising against the tight hem of her dress. “Maybe I deserve a reward?” She swallows, gaze flitting down to my cock. “A little prize?”
I perk a brow. “Darling, we both know my prize isn’t little at all.”
Lust burns in her irises. “Show me,” she whispers. “I seem to have forgotten.”
Arching down, I feather my lips against the soft shell of her ear. “I don’t do prizes, darling.” Her breath hitches as I rock my hips against her core. “But Iadorepresents.” She swallows, meeting my scheming gaze as I pull away. “I think you will appreciate just how well I know you.”
“Sounds dirty,” she whispers, the intrigue in her tone unmistakable.
“Not dirty, darling,” I say. “Filthy.”
THE SINFUL GIFT
EMERY
Christmas was alwaysa difficult time for my family. My parents did the best they could to hide their stress but I knew. Even at five years old, I knew. But despite thousands of dollars in medical bills, they made sure Christmas morning was special. They made sure that the dark space between the tree and the floor was packed with bright-colored boxes, with bows that sparkled. Maybe that’s why, as I got older, I was never drawn to things that shine. They often simply mask the darkness. Never fill it. Not permanently.
This morning is different. Though I am surrounded by glitter and gold, by the scent of fresh pine and sweet cinnamon toast, it doesn’t feel artificial. The laughter in the room isn’t tainted by burden, by the constraints of credit limits and overdue bills. A part of me resents the joy floating around the villa, and another part, the selfish side of my psyche, wants to drink in the ease of wealth, soak in every ounce of their happiness.
“A quarter?” Will scrunches his nose as the family sprawls around the living room in front of the wood-burning fireplace.Ella snorts, helping her daughter unwrap a gift from Quin. “I don’t get it.”
Sophie chuckles, setting her rum and eggnog to the side. “It’s a trick quarter, Will. Flip it and you’ll see. It always lands on tails.”
Will flips the quarter in the air and perks a confused brow when it lands. “Thank you? I guess?”
