Page 14 of Play to Win

This strikes me as hilarious.I start to laugh, but then the laugh turns into a sob.This man doesn’t even know me, but he knows I’ve had a shit day—no, a shit life—and my own brother doesn’t care, and ...and Théo’s looking out for me.I could bawl my eyes out.

No.I am not going to feel sorry for myself.“I’m fine.”I meet his eyes, determined to be cheerful.“But if I want to get ham sandwiched, I will.”

His lips quirk.“Okay, sure.”

“Let’s go down to the pool bar,” Brent suggests.

This sounds like a fun idea.

“But we just ordered all this champagne,” Théo points out.

“That’s not a problem,” I tell him.“We can get to-go cups.”

Crystal brings us the giant plastic wineglasses we give customers to take their leftover wine with them, which hold about half a bottle, and we fill them up and head to the elevator.She’s giving me bug-eyed looks that clearly say,What the hell is going on?

We’re all drinking champagne as Danny gets us into the pool party by giving the doorman some folded bills.I feel the thumping music inside me, dazzled by colored lights everywhere—the pool glows turquoise, the walls around the pool area shimmer with multicolored lights, and there’s a big video screen above the stage at one end with spotlights that swing around.The beat of the music the DJ is playing surrounds us along with half naked, wet dancing bodies.The air is still warm and lots of people are in the pool, dancing in the water with their drinks in the air.It’s a crazy party vibe, and we stroll around the pool taking it in.We’re pretty much the only ones not wearing swimsuits, but oh well.

The song is “Make It Bounce” by Martin Vide, and everyone’s bouncing all right.I can’t help but move my shoulders to the music as we wander.A bunch of girls in bikinis eye the group of guys and smile at them, and next thing I know we’ve joined them.I don’t know if these guys are all single or married, but I guess it’s not my business if they want to party.

“Okay, not my scene,” Jeff says to the guys.“I’m out.You young pups have fun.”

“Same,” says Ivan, who is apparently the coach of the team.They both give Théo bro hugs, exchanging final goodbyes and good lucks and backslaps while I stand and groove to the music, drinking champagne and wondering what the hell is happening.

The girls have a big high-top table, so I drop my backpack beneath it.And what the hell ...I toe off my high heels and plant my bare feet onto the cement pool deck.Aw fuck, that feels good.I wiggle my toes and rock back and forth on my angry soles.

The music changes to “In My Mind” by Dynoro, a slower song but with a catchy, sexy beat.I’m still moving, and Théo notices and grins.He grabs my hips and pulls me up to him, moving our bodies together now to the sultry beat.

I smile at him as I drape my arms over his shoulders.“Are you married?”

“Fuck no.”He frowns.“Why?”

“Just wondering.”I jerk my head toward the other guys, now dancing with the girls they just met.“Are they?”

“No.”

“Okay.Not that it matters to me.I mean, I don’t even know you guys, and you’re leaving tomorrow.”

“Right.”

Our bodies grind together in a way that’s a bit dirty and a lot sexy, our eye contact holding and drawing out.The electronic beat of the music fills me up.I’ve still got my champagne and I take a sip.

“This is wild,” Théo says.

“You don’t party like this every weekend?”

“God no.I work way too much for stuff like this.”

“Ah.Too bad.”I pat his chest.Which is firm and muscular.I’m feeling a little warm between my thighs at our sexy dancing and the feel of his hands and his body and ...his smile.The way it heats his eyes and reaches way inside me ...My hand lingers on his chest, absorbing the heat from his body through his shirt.“Everyone deserves to have fun once in a while.”

“Even you?”His gaze fastens on to my face.“Why do I have a feeling you don’t get much fun either?”

I huff out a sigh.“Okay, not lately, true.”

“I know you’ve got some big problems.But tonight ...can just be for fun.”

I slowly smile and move with his body.His eyes darken and his fingers tighten on my hips.

My skin buzzes, my heart picks up speed, and our eyes lock together in a trancelike connection of heat and desire.

---