Page 116 of Fake Game

I catch his eyes as he peels off his T-shirt. The giant tiger tattoo on his back shines against his otherwise bare skin. He gives me a smirk, flexing his bicep slightly before reaching forhis hoodie. I roll my eyes but don’t stop my smile from spilling over either.

“If I didn’t already know you guys banged, I’d know for sure now.”

“What?” I whip my head back to Parker. “We did not bang.”

“You don’t need to deny it.” He gingerly pats my knee. “We’re happy for you.”

“We did not have sex,” I protest.

“So, you’re saying Jackson didn’t introduce you to his ropes and whips last night?” Aleks’ takes a seat opposite us, wiggling his dark brown brows.

“Whips?”

Parker throws out his arm, pointing at me, “Aha! She didn’t deny the ropes.”

My cheeks heat. “What? No. I—"

“Oh, fuck off, guys,” Jackson cuts in. “Leave her alone.”

I chug the rest of the blue drink to keep my mouth busy and avoid incriminating myself any further.

“Aw, come on, mate. I’m just teasing.”

“Yeah, and I’m just going to tease my fist up your ass if you don’t shut up.”

“I am an ass man.”

“Okay, all right. That’s enough.” Syd steps up and places one of her heels on the coffee table. “Both of you, leave the two of them alone.”

“Love, you’re supposed to be on my side.”

Sydney’s professional mask cracks slightly, a slight flush pulling at her cheeks.

“Come on.” Jackson reaches a hand out for me. “Let’s escape while we can.”

I smile, taking it and letting him pull me away from the lion’s den.

“Wait,” Syd calls out just as we open the door. “Take one of the security team with you.”

“But—”

“Just let them trail behind, for my sake. Please?”

I sigh, “Okay.”

Jackson gives my hand a squeeze, and it brings the grin back to my face.

“Here.” He pulls out a black face mask from his pocket.

“Ooh. You came prepared.” Reluctantly, I let go of his hand so I can loop the mask straps around my ears. “Good?”

He finishes putting his own mask on and then reaches forward, tucking a stray piece of pink hair back under my hoodie. “Good. No one will know.”

As soon as we step onto the show floor, the noise returns full force. The constant chatter is a crackling buzz around us, and it takes me a second to acclimate as the crowds return, bodies everywhere I look. Now that I’m actually on the main floor and looking around, I realize just how busy the event is. It was easier to ignore it when the security team blocked it all from my view and I was kept safe in my designated areas.

My feet begin to lag, refusing to listen to me as that exhaustion creeps back with a vengeance. I shake my head a little, trying to clear the growing fog.

Maybe this is a mistake…

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