Page 40 of Play Dirty

“I took meetings,” she says quietly. “With contractors.”

“Contractors?” I ask. “For what?”

“The building,” she says.

I look over at Alexander, who just shrugs. “I don’t know either. She’s been playing coy with me about the whole thing.”

“My building?” I ask.

She meets my gaze and says, “It’s not your building.”

“But you’re selling it to me. I’m here, playing your game, so in three weeks you’re selling it to me. That’s what you said.”

“These arrangements were already in place. It’s just… motions, Jordan. Going through motions.”

“What arrangements? What motions? You’re not tearing shit down in there, are you? I mean, for fuck’s sake, Augustine—”

“Don’t bother,” Alexander says, interrupting me. “She’s trying to rile you up.”

Augustine makes a face at him then turns to me. “I’ll keep my word. And nothing’s been changed yet. I’m just making plans.”

“What plans?” I ask.

“If everything goes the way it’s supposed to then you won’t need to worry. So just… eat. I made a lot of lamb and it’s never good the next day.”

She nods to Alexander and he carves the meat, dishing a portion out to each of us.

I’m suddenly not hungry. I’m suddenly ready to go home and order pizza. I’m suddenly filled with regret for even coming over here tonight.

“We had a nice kiss today,” Alexander says, bringing me out of my thoughts.

I look at him, but he’s looking at her.

“How nice?” Augustine asks him. They’re acting like I’m not even here.

“Full mouth,” he says, taking a bite of lamb. Then he pauses to chew. Slowly. And swallows. “I made him hard.”

Augustine beams a smile at me. “Well… we’re making progress. Want me to tell you what we did last night?”

Alexander nods his head. “Please.”

I don’t say another word through dinner. She describes our sex in explicit detail. Like we were recording it and then she took that recording home, watched it over and over on repeat, and wrote down and memorized everything she was going to say tonight.

“You’re making me hard,” Alexander says, standing up so we can see his proof. “Feel me,” he says, walking towards her and taking her hand. He places it over his cock and she squeezes him through his pants.

I can’t stop watching.

He grabs her hair. Hard. Rough. Augustine lets out a small yelp and I am immediately on my feet.

The deal we have—the one Augustine offered—is back, front and center, in my mind.

Alexander glances over at me. Aware that my reaction is one of challenge. “What?” he growls. “What will you do?”

I tilt my head at him, unsure if this is an act or if it’s real. I don’t allow myself to look to Augustine for clarification. That just feeds his power. “You know damn well what I’ll do.”

“Pretend I’m obtuse, Jordan. And spell it out.”

“Keep you under control. Keep you from losing control.”