Page 76 of Inflame

“Your confidence is that low?” I ask, a smirk marring my expressionless face.

“You already took my money down at the tables. Publicly, I might add. Now I want something in return that is worth more to me than just money.”

“And if you lose?” I counter.

“I’m sure you’ll make your demands worthwhile,” he grins.

I think about my winning prize. I don’t need money. I don’t need material goods. What I desire doesn’t have a price. I rub my hands together and then lean back into my chair.

“I want to watch.”

His confusion is evident on his face. “Watch what?”

“Watch you fuck Claire.”

22

CLAIRE

I should be happy to have eight hundred dollars in cash to spend on myself. I haven’t had this kind of money up front since the last time my parents sent me some in the mail for school supplies and general expenses. Those days are over. This behavior from Ethan is new though. He also was the most affectionate toward me since he arrived here late last night. Yet, here I stand in the middle of the Forum Shops at Caesars with actual money to spend, feeling alone and neglected.

Maybe it’s guilt. The nagging thought in the back of my head is telling me to pocket the money and put it toward my own debt. As amazing as new spring sandals would feel right now, I need to be responsible toward my future. I walk around and shop with my eyes, taking in the fashions. Portland is a fun city, but some of these styles would make anyone stand out—and not for good reasons. I am naturally bold, but some of these are too wild, even for me.

I enjoy an organic strawberry smoothie near the aquarium attraction and check my texts for messages. Angie and Graham asked me to join them at the Paris Hotel, but I didn’t want to interrupt their special date night. Asking Nic to join me—while Ethan does whatever it is he is doing—now seems inappropriate. Why would my boyfriend not want to spend time with me?

When my feet hurt and my willpower is dwindling, I decide the best way to save money is to remove the temptation. I walk toward the exit and make my way into the cooling evening air. I check my phone again and see that it is almost ten o’clock. The lights on the strip are spectacular at night. It still stops me in my tracks no matter how many evenings I have enjoyed them.

At a slow pace, I get back to the Bellagio in twenty minutes, feeling a little sweaty and ready for a shower. The spa day with Angie was so relaxing that I do not want to negate the benefits of the massage and facial by letting my pores get dirty.

Earlier today, Ethan sent a worker up to my room to pack and deliver my belongings into his room. That’s what it feels like too.Hisroom. At least he wants to stay together. Based on the way he has treated me thus far, I wasn’t exactly sure he would.

I knock on the door and then quickly remember that I have my own key. I put in the card, wait for the green lights, and then pull open the door.

Ethan and Nic are chatting at the table, poker chips scattered about the surface.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“Come here, babe,” Ethan directs, opening his arms for me to move into them.

I look into his eyes for a hint as to why his mood has drastically changed. “Did you win?” I ask directly.

“In a way, yes?” he chuckles, glancing at Nic—who seems to lack any real emotion.

Nic’s eyes follow my every move. It unnerves me. I bring Ethan’s drink up to my lips and some dribbles out of my mouth to my chin. I quickly grab the dampened cocktail napkin that is wrapped around the base of the glass and wipe at the mess on my face. I glance over to Nic again. He is still watching me. Staring. He looks at me with such laser precision—as if I am the most interesting girl on the planet. He is getting under my skin and he knows it. Likes it, even. Damn him.

“I’d like to shower,” I say softly, rocking on my feet.

Ethan nods, placing a hand over my ass. “Go shower then.” He cranes his neck to reach my ear. “Put on something sexy when you get dressed. I saw some things in your luggage.”

I want to snap at him for going through my things. I want to shake out of the possessive hold he has on me in front of Nic. However, this new passion of his is a welcome change from his previous behavior since he arrived. I scurry off and dig through my luggage, tucking what I need under my arm to be out of sight. I make my way into the bathroom, locking the door and double checking that it is in fact secured.

I decide on a long shower to give the men time to finish up whatever it is they are doing. I also want to look good for Ethan. We haven’t had sex in some time and tonight may be exactly what we need to get things back on track. I’m not suggesting that sex fixes issues in relationships, but it sure helps with the morale. Right now, we can use any boost we can get.

I shave again, despite doing it recently. I wash my body in my favorite vanilla scrub. Typically, I would not blow out my hair this late at night, but tonight is special. I am hopeful. Plus, I want Ethan to remember all the things he likes about me. My long hair is one of those things.

I dust on a little makeup and curl my eyelashes. Two light coats of mascara make them pop. My outfit is completely black see-through lace, with straps and ties all over my ass and breast areas. I got it at a boutique shop online and love the originality of having an outfit that I was able to custom order and design myself. It wasn’t cheap. I would like to think it will be worth it.

I open the door a crack and listen for talking. Nothing.

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