Page 131 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

“Baccarat predates our marriage by several centuries.”

“That isn’t a denial.”

We play again.

This time I choose banker and win.

I stack my small collection of chips. “What happens tonight?”

The warmth leaves Lucian’s expression, replaced by something more calculating.

Caleb glances toward him.

I look from one to the other. “That reaction is not reassuring.”

Lucian folds his hands loosely on the table. “There is a private game at the Bella Rosa.”

“Poker?”

“Baccarat.”

“So this lesson has a purpose.”

“Everything has a purpose.”

“Am I expected to gamble?”

“You’ll accompany us.”

“That wasn’t my question.”

“No,” he acknowledges.

I wait.

His gaze remains steady on mine. “You may be asked to place a wager.”

“I won’t.”

“Then you’ll say no.”

The answer surprises me enough that I frown.

Caleb shifts in his chair. “Today is a lesson. Nothing else.”

“And tonight?”

“Tonight is tonight.”

“That is infuriatingly unhelpful.”

“Still true.”

Lucian collects the ivory chips and arranges them into a perfect stack. “You now understand the game, the probabilities, and the psychological traps. That was our objective.”

“Why do I need to understand any of that if I’m allowed to refuse to play?”

His eyes darken slightly.