Page 79 of The Single Dad

Across the table, Declan lays his cards face-down. “I fold.”

Quickly, I follow suit. “Uh, me, too.”

Reed blinks at both of us. “Seriously, you guys? You’re gonna make it that easy?” Shaking his head, he rakes the pile of chips toward himself.

I change the settings on the vibrator again. This time, I’m not even sure what I changed—the speed or the rhythm. I just want to keep her on her toes.

Declan raises his eyebrows, then flips over a dismal hand. He gestures to mine. “Let’s see that.”

I let go of the remote to comply. As I do, my phone chimes—a text from Riley. I bite my tongue to hide my smile.

Upon seeing my cards, Reed huffs, shaking his head. “Come on, bro, you would’ve won with that.”

“How was I supposed to know that?” I say, glancing down to check my phone.

RILEY: One.

ME: Good girl. Keep counting for me.

I notch the speed of the vibe back down, ready to turn it up again at a moment’s notice. I’m growing turned on as I think of her, thinking of how her back arches every time she comes.

“Play bolder,” Reed suggests.

“Sure,” I say with a shrug, only half-listening.

Declan deals out a new hand. I turn the speed back up, imagining her whispered cry in response. We begin to play, and as the game goes on, I continue to change the vibe’s settings. My phone chimes multiple times.

RILEY: Two.

RILEY: Three.

RILEY: Four.

RILEY: Five.

Eventually, for her sixth message, Riley doesn’t even send a number—just an emoji. The wailing one, its mouth wide open and eyes closed.

Fuck.

“Hey, are you still with us, Cole?”

Declan’s voice makes me jump. I look up from my phone. “Huh?”

“You seem kinda distracted,” Reed says, taking up the topic. “And you keep looking at your phone. What’s going on?”

“It’s, ah—” I glance down at the screen. “It’s a work thing. Don’t worry about it.”

As I stow the phone in my pocket, Declan gives me a sympathetic nod, but Reed shoots me a suspicious glance.

“So,” I say, making an effort to engage in the conversation, “how’s Dynasty doing right now, Declan?”

“Pretty well, all things considered.” Declan reaches out to rake the cards back toward himself for another shuffle. “We’re doing great with the new affordable line. Sales are fantastic. Turns out, there was a real niche for that kind of product on the market.”

“That’s great,” I say, working the vibe controller in my pocket. The controller fits neatly into the palm of my hand. “And Reed, how are things? You seemed a little agitated when I called the other day.”

“Girl trouble?” Declan asks with a smirk.

Reed groans. “If only.”

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