Page 53 of Play Dirty

She and Alexander exchange another look. These looks, they only come from a couple when they know each other so well, words go unspoken.

Then Alexander says, “There’s some rules first.”

“Shoot,” I say. “Games always have rules.”

“First,” he says, “she’s mine. We’re here for us, not you.”

“Harsh.” I laugh, hand over my heart like I’m wounded. “But OK.”

“Second,” he says, “you’re here for me.”

“What’s that look like?” I ask. “Seeing as how you’re the one out of control and I’m the one here to control you.”

“It looks exactly like that. You back off unless I need help.”

“You need help?” I ask, squinting my eyes at him. “Or she needs help?”

“It’s the same thing,” Augustine interjects.

“You two are combative tonight. Which is surprising since you’ve been pursuing me for weeks. What’s that about?” I ask, mimicking Alexander’s earlier bluntness.

“It’s caution,” Alexander says. “This turnaround of yours is unsettling.”

“Why? Because you suddenly feel out of control? Well, here’s a fucking newsflash for you, Alexander.” I change my tone now, the words coming out like a snarl. “You’re already out of control. That happened when your wife upended your life and dragged you here. So I can tame you. Shape you into something she can deal with.”

“That’s not true,” Augustine says, voice raised.

“It is true,” I say, my eyes locked on Alexander.

“We’re still in love,” he says back. Meeting my intense gaze.

“Obviously,” I say, shrugging with acceptance. “And I’ve moved on. I’ve told you that. I’m not interested in the two of you beyond how I can use you to get what I need. So don’t forget that.” The last few words are directed at Augustine.

“Noted,” she whispers. But her body is stiff now. Rigid with tension.

It’s dumb. This whole game is dumb. I mean, the animosity in this room is so thick, we’re stuck in place. How that translates to life-altering sex, I have no idea.

But it doesn’t matter. I’m a defense lawyer. My job is to lie without lying and I do it well. They will get what they came for, even if it’s not real, and we’ll all come out the other end satisfied the other side got screwed.

I count the seconds of awkward silence and when I get to eight, I’ve had enough. I unknot the tie at my neck, pull it through my collar with a soft whoosh, and toss it on the ground.

My suit coat comes off next, laid carefully over the back of a chair, and then I’m walking towards her, tossing my platinum cufflinks to the floor and unbuttoning my shirt as I go. I’m getting hard. Harder with each step forward. I don’t bother glancing at Alexander, but I know she’s watching me because he hasn’t moved.

I stand in front of her as I unbutton my shirt. I let it hang open. Let her gaze wander to the lines of cut muscles running across my hips and disappearing inside my pants. They’re like an arrow pointing to my cock and there’s no way for her to miss this.

She exhales, then drags her eyes away from what she wants and up to what she needs to do to get it.

I take her hand in mine. Stroke it gently. Then place it on my lower stomach. She presses against the tight ripple of muscles. Exhales.

I smile. “Don’t move,” I say, pointing at her. “And I’m dead fucking serious about that, August.”

She swallows. Unsure of exactly what’s happening here tonight, but very sure it’s something she wants to be part of. Because she nods her affirmation.

I remove her hand and let go. It hangs in the air, like she can’t move. Can’t do anything without my permission.

God. I’m really good at this mind-fucking these days. These two better have game or they’re gonna lose pretty bad.

I turn, unconcerned with what she does with her hand once I can’t see it anymore, and give Alexander my full attention.