Page 76 of Plaything

By far, the best purchase of the day was cat clothes. I found the cutest pastel pink and yellow sweater for Cat. Aiden may actually pass out after seeing it, and I couldn’t wait.

“In the dining room, Baby,” Collin called back. Reesia dropped her bags and took off her shoes. I followed suit, placing my bags neatly in a corner before removing my heels.

We walked through a hall into their dining room. Everything was brightly colored and clean, much different from the dark moodiness of our house.

Everyone was sitting at the dining room table with poker chips, cards, and beer in front of them. My gaze immediately landed on my professors, dressed down in jeans and t-shirts, looking just as happy to see me.

My skin burned, feeling Jamie’s cold glare on me as I stood between Wyatt and Aiden. I still wasn’t convinced that this was her way of flirting. She was a scary woman, and I couldn’t meet her gaze.

“Is this new?” Wyatt asked, his arm wrapped around my thighs as I stood, his fingertips brushing the bottom of the dress. Music was playing in the background, and Vincent was talking with Reesia and Collin. I was grateful that everyone here didn’t seem to care about the PDA, even if it was just a touch—I was shy.

I smiled, shaking my head. “No, all the new stuff is by the door,” I explained.

Niko smirked, a mischievous, alcohol-induced grin on his lips. “Maybe you’ll give us a little fashion show later. Show us all your new pretty outfits.” His voice was slightly raspy as he perfected the pseudo-innocence.

Fighting a blush at his insinuations, I nodded. “Maybe.”

Aiden and Dominic, sitting across the table, also looked intrigued. I smiled at them, realizing that I’d missed them all day.

“Nice to see you again, Odette,” Vincent greeted.

I straightened, “You too,” I responded politely.

“Be a doll and tell me what cards Niko has, will you?” He grinned.

I looked down at Niko’s hand and saw an Ace and King, arguably one of the best hands in poker. I used to play with the cooks on rainy days when Charles was in meetings.

I knitted my eyebrows together, “A three and an eight? I’ve never played this game,” I played dumb.

“All in!” Vincent said immediately, pushing his chips into the center.

Hiding my smirk, I basked in the gentle touch Niko gave my knee, hidden by the high table. His fingers against my skin were all the praise I needed, and I practically melted—internally, of course. On the outside, I was as cool as a cucumber.

Niko and Vincent were the only two left in the round. A massive amount of chips was in the middle—probably accumulated before the rest of them folded their hands.

Niko smiled, “Turn over your cards,” he prompted.

The two of them turned their cards up at the same time. Vincent had two Queens, and Niko had won.

Vincent looked dumbfounded, glancing between the cards, Niko and me. “A three and an eight, huh?” He leaned back in his chair, out of the poker game.

“I misspoke,” I dismissed. Even if I didn’t know how to play, I’d never tell him what Niko’s cards were. I was on his team, no matter what. It was strange he thought I’d tell on Niko.

“She got your ass,” Jamie chuckled, giving Vincent a hard time. “You should have called her bluff; she’s an awful liar,” she smirked.

Okay, so she was flirting?

“Odette, three truths, one lie!” Reesia grinned. “Come on, it’ll be a fun way for us to get to know you,” she smiled.

I widened my eyes, really hating the attention. Everyone looked at me expectantly, and I didn’t want to say no. I knew that if I did, they’d convince me eventually, and I didn’t want to come off as weird. “Okay, um...” my eyes wandered around the room, trying to think of truths. The lie was easy, but it was difficult to think of a single thing about myself.

“I speak fluent French. Four of my ribs have been removed. I’m terrified of spiders. And I have an 800 credit score.”

Everyone, even Aiden, looked perplexed. He pushed his eyebrows together. “You don’t speak French?” he said mostly to himself, like he was ruling them out.

Niko placed his hands around my ribs, “Nah...” he shook his head.

“What the hell?” Reesia laughed, looking at Collin with a smile. “I have no idea...”

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