The woman sitting beside Cambria is down to a bra and jeans; gorgeous dark, smooth skin on display. Her hair is pulled away from her face in a braid down her back, but she tugs it over her shoulder to fiddle with when she notices the bouncer’s attention on her. Jax is down to his boxers, same as Atlas, and the behemoth’s eyes keep flitting between us and the girl.
“Who plays strip poker at work?” Lucien demands, his scowl bleeding into his tone.
Cambria’s silver eyes flit to him and she grins, not balking at his reproach in the slightest. Of all of them, she’s the only one still fully clothed and a growing pile of winnings in front of her.
“I do, when I’m trying to be a benevolent roommate. Atlas came to stay with me so that the two of you could try your luck in the cesspool,” she chirps, as if the thought of us getting laid doesn’t bother her in the slightest.
I hate the fact that it stings, that I want her to care and am not sure where we stand in her eyes.
Lucien directs his anger at Atlas instead. “How’s this taking care of her?”
Atlas leans back in his seat, not caring that he’s down to nothing but his underwear. “I’m making sure she doesn’t get into trouble, just like you wanted, boss. Figured gambling can bring out the worst in people and she might need an extra hand if things got out of control.”
Cambria gives Lucien a strange look. “Taking care of me? Luce, I didn’t mean that as literally as you’re taking it. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long damn time. I just meant that,” she cuts off when she realizes Jax and the woman are still in the room.
Lucien sighs. “If you’re done with your shift, let’s just get home, shall we?”
She doesn’t get up right away. “Night’s still young. I can stay with Atlas while you find someone to blow off steam with.”
I interject before Lucien can say something insulting by mistake. “Nah, we’re not really feeling it tonight. Let’s just go back to Atlas’ place and watch a movie or something.”
She furrows her brow, but doesn’t push. “Sorry, Stella. Guess it’s just you and Jax for the next round.” She stuffs her winnings into the too tight pockets of her shorts and kisses the girl on her blushing cheek, winking at her when she’s behind the bouncer. “I’ll lock the door on the way out so no one else can interrupt the game, sorry about all this.”
Jax turns to lock eyes with Cambria and in them I see his barely veiled panic. “These pretty boys bothering you again, Ria? Hate to see you get in over your head and three seems like a lot, even for you.”
Cambria bites her lip, no doubt debating the idea of toying with us all, but ultimately sighs. “Nah, they’re my escorts. Hired men, sent to attend to my pleasures. Besides, no kink shaming, Jax. If I want to end my night with a gangbang, that’s my choice, just like I won’t call you out on any of the weird shit you’re probably into.”
He laughs awkwardly, still looking uncomfortable at being left alone with Stella, but a little more relaxed after her teasing. “What about the golden rule?”
She grins. “Still a few days before they expire, by my last count.”
Stella snorts a laugh. “Three day time limit? You mean you haven’t started the clock yet? Girl, I commend your restraint.”
She grins and shoots a finger gun in her direction while coming around the table and beside me. “Iamrather commendable. A dick a day is a fine life motto, my friend, you should give it a try.” Her eyes light up in a genuine smile when Jax stiffens, offended, and she turns to Luce. “Sorry, sir. Does it count when I’m thinking with your dicks instead of mine this time?”
Stella bursts out laughing and we head out, leaving them to figure out how to navigate what is obviously a crush to anyone besides the two of them.
Lucien groans, putting a hand on the small of her back to usher her out. “You’re incorrigible,” he chastises.
“You mean insatiable,” Atlas fake coughs, smiling as we make our way out of the club and flag down a cab to take to Atlas’ apartment.
We get into the car and I claim the backseat beside Cambria, because sue me, but I want to soak up anytime with the enchantress that I can. She doesn’t even need to use her gifts to enthrall me and I will gladly surrender to her charms without a fight.
