Page 7 of The Players Next Door

Her gaze flicks between us, curious, a touch of caution there too. Smart girl.

"We've been thinking—" I start.

"Fantasizing is more like it," Deacon corrects with a half-smirk.

"About what?" The question slips from Holly's lips, innocent but edged with the knowledge that something is up.

"About you," Cam says bluntly. "About us."

"Us?" Her eyebrows knit together, the blush deepening.

"Here's the deal." I lean closer, lowering my voice. "We're into you, Holly. All three of us. And we know it's complicated. But we can't shake this...tension."

"Sexual tension," Deacon clarifies, as if it wasn't clear already.

"Right." Cam nods. "And we have a proposition for you."

"Go on..." she prompts, her breath catching slightly.

"One night," I say, watching her closely. "No strings, just us and you. Together. One night to get this crazy chemistry out of our system."

"Think of it as...an exclusive interview," Cam adds with a playful wink.

"Very exclusive," Deacon interjects.

Silence hangs for a heartbeat, two, three. Then Holly bites her lip, considering. Dangerous territory, but here we are, laying it all on the line.

"Are you sure? This could get messy," she says, eyes searching each of ours. “And, I’ve never…”

"Life's messy," I answer truthfully. "But this feels...right."

"Could be fun," Deacon says with a shrug, as if we're suggesting a midnight skate.

"Intense," Cam adds, his voice low.

"Intensely fun," I finish, hoping it sounds more convincing than desperate.

Holly looks at us, really looks at us, her gaze piercing. Then, slowly, the corner of her mouth lifts into a coy smile. "One night," she echoes, and it's like a green light flashing “go” in my head.

Chapter 3

Holly

I'm standing in the middle of the Blue Line bar, my heart hammering like it wants to burst through my ribcage. Jaxon's dark eyes bore into mine, filled with heat and promise. Cameron’s soft smile tells me he doesn't doubt what my answer will be. And Deacon, oh God, Deacon is already prowling toward me like a lion who knows the kill is inevitable.

"Let me get this straight," I say, my voice surprisingly steady. "All three of you. One night. With me?"

Jaxon nods, the corner of his mouth ticking up. "That's the deal, Hol. We share more than just the ice." He winks.

My cheeks flame hot. This isn’t me. I'm Holly Hawthorne, the girl from a Podunk town where everyone says please and thank you and no one would dream of such a...scandalous arrangement.

But…

"Look, I’m not usually into casual sex," I admit, fiddling with the hem of my sweater. "One-night stands? They've happened, but they never rocked my world."

Cameron leans against the wall, arms folded over his chest. "We're offering earthquakes, Holly."

"Life-altering," Deacon adds, his voice low and husky.

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