Page 56 of Blue Moon Mistress

“Maybe. I don’t remember that being her style, but even before I left my mother’s coven, I avoided her whenever I could.” I shrug. “And I have no idea who she might want to protect down there.”

But she was very likely the one who had put the tracking ward around the city. Another reason her surprise felt completely disingenuous.

I don’t want to give her anymore time tonight. “What are we playing?”

“Hearts.” Johnny says, sliding a sharp glare at Thomas.

“The game no one plays with you?”

“I have generously offered to sit this one out, and I have promised I won’t interfere with game play.” He reaches for me, pulling me onto his lap. “If anything, I may take a page from Johnny’s book and cause you to lose.”

I look at Chase—it was his turn after all—but he just laughs and grabs half the deck to shuffle with Johnny.

Eight

The clock hitmidnight and Joshua grimaced. “I think we can call tonight a five-way tie.”

“I like to think I won.” I say, helping to collect the cards. “Besides, there’s only one more game I’d like to play tonight…”

“Does that mean you’ve missed us as much as we’ve missed you?” Thomas scoops me up from behind and I can’t stop the laughing shriek that comes from it.

“I don’t think that’s humanly possible.” Chase leans against the counter, watching me with that hunger in his eyes that I’ve begun to crave from all of them.

Joshua trails his hands down my arm. “Safe to say no one lost.”

“Actually,” Chase says with a sharp smirk. “You did.”

“You were keeping score?” Joshua shoots a glare at him.

“I was. And if you truly want to know, Johnny won most.”

I hum, tapping my finger to my lips. “I guess that means he gets the first reward.”

“And what’s that?”

I probably should have come prepared with a plan, but… “He gets to undress me.”

Joshua grumbles. “I’m going to try harder to win next time.”

“Don’t worry, old man.” Johnny laces his fingers in mine and tugs me into the living room. “I’ll make sure youallenjoy this.”

Turning me so I’m facing the three of them where they stand just inside the door, Johnny runs his hands down the front of my shirt.

“I need you to wear one of these you don’t like sometime soon.” He whispers those words low enough the othersdon’thear. “I want buttons to go flying.”

But he doesn’t tear. His fingers open the hook closures slowly.

Three other sets of eyes watch as he works his way down.

“See how much they want you?” His words are a whisper against my ear, but loud enough the others hear every word. “The beasts inside of us want to take you. To claim you the way we did on Halloween, but like this.Skinto skin.”

He brushes his rough hands down the line made by my open blouse and I can’t stop the shiver that sends gooseflesh over my arms.

When he eases my shirt open, his fingers smoothing over my shoulders a moment before the fabric slips to the floor, I don’t even try.

“This,” he says, slipping a finger between the lace bra strap and my skin, “Is a very pretty color.”

“Champagne” I say, even though I know he probably doesn’t really care. The shimmering color is supposed to be nude, but the faint pink gives it away.

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