Page 15 of Play to Win

When the song ends we move apart and turn back to the table.

“You guys are way overdressed for a pool party.”One of the girls points at all of us.

“Yeah, you need to get wet!”another says.

Danny and Brent look at each other, shrug, and then they toss their cellphones onto the table, take two big steps, and jump in to the pool with a big splash.

I laugh and cringe a little as water drops splash me.I glance at Théo.His sculpted lips are curved into a smile and he’s shaking his head.“Idiots.”

“Come on, Wynn!Get in!The water’s nice.”

“I’m not the type of guy who jumps into a pool with his clothes on,” he calls back to them.

I shoot him a curious, smiling glance.“No?No spontaneity?”

“I like to plan my spontaneity well ahead of time.”

Another laugh bubbles up inside me, and as our eyes meet again we share the joke.

“Well,I’mthe type.”I walk to the edge of the pool, take a step, and drop straight down into the water.It’s not deep here, only up to my chest.

The guys cheer me, and Théo is once again shaking his head, arms crossed.

“Come on!”I splash some water his way.“What did you just tell me?”

Sighing, he toes off his shoes, adds his cellphone to the others on the table, and takes a running leap, sending up a geyser of water around us.

I’m laughing so hard.He finds me in the pool and clasps my waist.He’s grinning too, water dripping from his hair.“This is nuts.”

“This is Vegas, baby.Your last chance to let loose in Sin City before you leave.”

The girls have jumped in too, now flirting with the other guys.There appears to be an unspoken understanding that Théo and I are together.

We dance and party in the pool as the DJ spins some great music.When we all get out, the guys take off their shirts and then their pants.They’re all wearing boxers, which aren’t much different than the swim shorts most guys are wearing.I’m jealous, because I’m stuck in a wet dress, not about to strip down to bra and panties.

I’m also having a hard time keeping my eyes off Théo’s ripped torso and muscled shoulders.I mean, I can’t even.

“You’re wet,” Théo says with a gleam in his eye.

“I am.”I look down at myself, at the already tight dress clinging even more.“But this fabric will dry fast.”There’s no sun, but the air is still warm.I reach up to pull out the pins that hold my hair back for work, which kept it mostly dry in the pool, and let my long hair fall around me.I run my hands through it and shake it back.When I look up, Théo is regarding me with a hot, hungry expression.

“You have gorgeous hair,” he says hoarsely.

“Thanks.”

I don’t know how much time passes or how many drinks are consumed as we party and dance, until the other guys are putting their clothes back on, apparently leaving with the girls.There are a few low-voiced comments between the men, and then they say goodbye to Théo as well with more hand clasps and bro hugs.

And Théo and I are alone.

We both still have drinks to finish.We lean on the table, music and lights pulsing around us.

“So, what are you going to do about those assholes who came after you tonight?”

I blow out a breath.“I don’t know.”

“Here’s an idea.”He sips his drink.“Come to California with me.”

6

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