“It is now. It’s my party, I get to change the rules.”
“It’s Grady’s party too.”
They both turn to me, and I instantly say, “No.” I’m not getting in the middle of an argument between these two. Not for every dollar in the world.
Quinn rubs his forehead in amusement. “I believe it’s your turn, Grady.”
I’m not surprised that Sebastian is as good at this as he said he is; he’s a lawyer used to being multiple steps ahead of everyone else. Iamsurprised by how well he takes direction, and how well we work together when we have a common enemy.
Somewhere deep down, there’s a grudging respect. His stupid brain is helping me win this game. That’s worth a little give, I guess.
Zach moves this time, getting into position to conduct a pincer move with Sebastian. The other team won’t see it coming, and they’ll walk right into the trap.
Avery bends a knee and wiggles his ass, like he’s about to jump.
“Don’t you dare move,” Lake says. “I’m trying to protect you, dork. As a pawn, you don’t make it easy, you know?”
“I don’t need protection. I’m ready to kick some ass. Put me in, coach.”
And the bloodthirsty game continues.
Lake ends up right in front of me. “Hello there, fiancé for one more night,” he says cheekily.
“What are you doing? I’m a queen piece.”
“You sure are,” he says, grinning.
Little brat. “You’re leaving yourself wide open.” He’s literally just put himself into a position where I can easily take him. He hasn’t even set it up so that someone else is lying in wait, stopping me from making a move towards him. “Do you think I’m going to take it easy on you just because you’re hot?”
He leans closer, hand playfully tapping my chest. “Yeah, kinda. And the whole ‘we have sex together’ thing.”
“Hey, no fraternising with the enemy,” Avery calls out.
“You have to use every advantage,” Felix says. “All’s fair in love and war.”
“I’m inclined to agree,” Quinn adds.
Never knew he was so cutthroat. Board games show you the real person behind the persona, every time. Monopoly shows you who they really are. Apparently so does chess.
“Don’t let them distract you,” Sebastian says. “Be strong, Grady. We’ve got this.”
A pep talk from the demon lawyer himself. Hell has officially frozen over.
Quinn laughs. “Are we distracting?”
Lake leans in even closer to me, our breath mingling. He smells good, like fresh berries and a woodsy scent that’s familiar. He’s wearing my cologne. Fuck, that’s hot. “Do you think they’d notice if we went off to play hooky?” He nips my bottom lip.
“Probably,” I mumble, swaying towards him.
A smile plays on his lips. “We should hurry up and beat you so we can go and get naked at home.”
“Think you’re going to win, do you?” I palm his nape and drag him into the kiss I’ve been thinking about since we left. Before that. I’m always thinking about it.
He opens his mouth instantly, letting me in. Not a second of hesitation.
“Thought we were playing chess, not watching a show,” Zach says, cackling.
Flipping him off, I reluctantly let go of Lake.
