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“What makes you say that? It’s impossible to tell.”
“Nothing is ever impossible to tell. That’s the beauty of the game. The tells are everywhere, all the time. The whole world is rife with them, everyone with their own stash of mini tells. You can read their character. Their desires. Their hates, and loathing.” I raise an eyebrow. “What kind of spice level they’ll have in the bedroom.”
“That’s where you’re normally looking, is it? The bedroom?”
I shrug, happily.
“Like I said to you. My outlets are sex and gambling. If it’s not the bedroom action I’m scoping out, it’s usually how best to get people’s money out of them.”
Her eyes widen, and I laugh.
“Legitimately! I’m not a con artist after people’s bank details. Gambling, poker, casino action. That’s where my psychic powers are at their best. Tell me your high-flyer dad doesn’t spend his time doing the same.”
She groans.
“What’s the bloody fixation with my father?”
I raise an eyebrow. “Daddy issues?”
“I don’t have daddy issues!”
“Like hell you don’t, only child princess. BT is on the edge of a whirlpool. You might not want them, but they’re there. Loud and clear.”
She leans forward so quickly her coffee splashes onto her lap.
“I don’t have daddy issues, Jack. I’m not fucking joking.”
Ok, so that route is a no go for the time being. I slip that card back in the deck.
“Chill out, Soul Girl. I’m winding you up,” I say.
“You’d better be.”
My smile buys one of hers. My toes do another sweep up her calf.
“Back to the game. It was Bryce who fell first. I’m locking in my guess. Don’t give me the bullshit of impossible to tell. Yes, or no?”
Alice sips her coffee, delaying the inevitable. It’s no wonder BT fell first to be fair. The girl is an absolute beauty. Her long, toned legs are like a hot Barbie in stilettos. Her blue eyes so deep and full of life. Her blonde hair is natural. No extensions. She doesn’t need extensions. It’s luscious as it is.
It’s not just that, though.
It’s her laugh. Addictive.
The ferocity in her eyes when she’s getting defensive, like the beautiful golden sparks of a firecracker.
The way her pretty lips move when she’s getting emotional. Scared. Hurt.
Alice Rose Parker is one hell of a fucking woman. Bryce must have been besotted from the second he knew what the word meant.
“Yes or no? Was it him who fell first? Am I right?”
She pretends to check her toenails. Painted nude.
“I, um. It was…” She takes a breath. “He admitted it first. Does that count?”
Nice. She gave me a free handout there.
“Must have been a big deal, him admitting he’d fallen for the high priestess. Did you confess your undying love in return?”
