Page 64 of Twilight Sins

On the hot-and-cold teeter-totter that is our relationship, tonight was heating up. We were almost friendly. I’m not ready for that to be over.

He inhales like he’s going to say something, but I interrupt before I can stop myself.

“How about a game?”

He arches a brow. “Another rousing game of Truth or Truth?”

There are still a million questions I want to ask him. So many things I want to know. But what I want more than all of that, even if just for tonight, is to go back to when we first met. When our situation wasn’t nearly as complicated. When Yakov was nothing more than the most attractive, interesting man I’d ever met.

“I’m less interested in baring our souls tonight. I was thinking poker?”

“I like to play games with stakes. There’s no fun in poker for me.”

“I wasn’t thinking we’d play for money.” Slowly, I reach for the red and black gift bag. “You said it was my gift and I could decide how to use it. Strip poker is my decision.”

Yakov is unreadable. He studies me without revealing even a hint of what is going on inside of his head. Then he nods. “I’ll get the cards.”

The room is warm, but every inch of my exposed skin is covered in goosebumps. Which, right now, is a lot of skin.

I shuck off the hat I found in the back of Yakov’s closet. It lands in a heap with the rest of my clothes. “You’re cheating.”

“Says the woman who added three layers of clothing while I went to find playing cards.”

When I changed into the lingerie he bought for me, I may or may not have added a few things. Like a second shirt, a jacket, a hat, some gloves. Not that any of it helped. Yakov has taken me for everything I’m worth. I’m down to a black lace cami and my jeans. One more hand and I might as well have bared my soul by answering his questions. I’ll be baring everything else shortly.

“I’ve changed my mind. I want to play Truth or Truth.”

Yakov is about to deal out the next hand when he stops. He tucks the cards into a neat stack in front of him and nods. “Fine. But it’s Truth or Strip tonight.”

“That’s not the game!”

“I already told you, solnyshka. I like to play games with stakes.” Desire flashes in his eyes as he looks me over. “Plus, I’ve made an investment. I’d like to see it through.”

If we keep playing Poker, I’ll be completely naked in three rounds. At least with Truth or Strip, there’s a chance I can take Yakov with me.

“Okay, but it’s my turn to go first.” I lean forward, not missing the way Yakov’s eyes drift down to my chest. “Who is trying to hurt me?”

Yakov growls and reaches for the hem of his shirt. “That question is not in the spirit of good, clean competition.”

“It wasn’t meant to be.” I sit back and admire the new expanse of tan skin. This man’s abs could make steel look soft. I want to scratch him with a diamond and see which cracks first.

“My turn.” He runs his thumb over his jaw. “Okay, how about you tell me why you wanted to play strip poker.”

“It sounded fun.”

He shakes his head. “Strip poker isn’t fun. It’s foreplay. How about you try answering again.”

I cross my arms. “Why should I? Sounds like you think you already know the answer.”

“We could have done a puzzle or gone to a wine and paint night.”

“Oh my god. You’re joking. You would never do that.”

“No,” he admits with a smirk. “But you could have asked. Instead you wanted to get naked. Why?”

Because it’s the only way I knew I could get him to stay. Because the way he looks at me when he wants me makes my chest ache in the best way. Because I might be a masochist, too. Touching Yakov is my favorite kind of pain.

Without breaking eye contact, I stand up, unbutton my jeans, and shimmy them down my thighs.

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