Page 213 of Hateful Games

I call out, “Body shot!”

“Lap dance,” says Iris at the same time.

Except before either of us can take our positions, there’s a sudden sinister shift in the air. A heated shiver running down my spine, making my brow furrow.

Behind us, a dark, threatening voice booms, “What about you, kitten?”

The music keeps blaring but all of us are frozen. Except for Iris, who is way past tipsy. My fearful gaze connecting with a wide-eyed Bianca. Our silent conversation conveying we’ve been caught.

But how?

Oh fuck. We’re so in trouble.

Trembling, I whip around and I’m flayed alive by impassive yet intense brown eyes looking straight at me. As dark as exotic chocolate. They possessively roam down my body, examining every inch of me in my minidress. The skin it shows because of the deep neckline causes the muscle in his square jaw to tic.

Nova looks livid.

I can’t believe I eagerly jumped to do a body shot I probably wouldn’t have gone through. With a man that isn’t my husband. Murderous intentions must be whirling in his head. Nevertheless, my pussy quivers at the thought of being punished by him for lying about going on a vacation.

Bianca and I appear guilty as hell.

Like we’ve been caught at a crime scene, which we—at least I—shouldn’t feel. I don’t need his permission to live my life or attend a strip show.

Nova stands in the middle with an equally wrathful Dash and an unhappy Nathan. They’re all casually dressed compared to their pristine suits, making them appear far more formidable.

Iris, who finally catches on to the threat in the room, turns toward our guys with her hands on her hips and does a double take. Her lips form a perfect O and she says, “Nathan?”

“Did I interrupt your fun?” he quips, gaze skirting to Aiden and Ross.

They haven’t spoken a word. Our roles reversed because we’re giving them a dramatic show now.

“Don’t let us stop you,” drawls Nova with a tight smile. “I believe Rose was about to have a body shot. I’m curious to know who’s going to drink off of who.”

He’s not going to stop me? I stare, flabbergasted.

“I asked you a question, kitten.”

Bianca gulps. “Dash… darling.”

“Neither then? Good,” Dash almost growls the words. Closing the distance between them, he bends and throws Bianca over his shoulder, making her yelp. On his way out, he says to Nova and Nathan, “See you both at breakfast.”

“We’re out too,” announces Nathan, then he proceeds to pick a statue-still Iris bridal style and carry her outside.

“But my lap dance?” drunkenly pouts Iris.

“One wasn’t enough?” I hear Nathan retort just as they leave.

Meanwhile, stunned, I flick my gaze to Nova, “You were following us?”

“You stay,” Nova points to Aiden, ignoring my accusation. “You can leave.”

I hate the flicker of disappointment when he doesn’t do a bold display of affection and possessiveness like his friends. So be it. I’ll do the goddamn shot.

Crossing my arms, I cock my hip and ask, “You wanna watch, hubby?”

“You and your friends went to a lot of trouble to scheme and lie to us and fly here,” he calmly with a hint of impressiveness states. “I won’t stop your little rebellion now. Go ahead, have your fun, Rose.”

Why did that sound like a threat and a dare?

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