Page 78 of Bulletproof Love

“She’s been running herself ragged,” Jasper adds, his hand moving to massage the back of my neck. The playfulness from moments ago has faded from his voice. “I guess I can blame myself for some of that.”

“Let’s get drunk and play games,” I say. “Just for today. Tomorrow we can go back to business as usual.”

Jasper slings his arm over my shoulder. “I’m in.”

Blake laughs. “Me too.”

“This is peer pressure,” Damon groans. “But fine, as long as we get some good booze. None of that cheap ass vodka.”

“Done,” I say. “Leon? You in?”

He rubs his eyes, shutting his laptop screen. “I do need a break from staring at this thing. When you say games, what do you have in mind?”

“I have an idea,” Jasper says, his eyes twinkling.

I know I’ll either regret bringing up a game day, or end up learning things about these people that’ll haunt me forever. Knowing Jasper, probably both.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE

JASPER

“Tell us this game idea again?”Falin asks from her spot beside me on the couch. I can smell her rose perfume even over the scent of booze permeating the area. We’re one bottle and multiple beers in, and everyone’s feeling much more relaxed. Computers are put away, phones are on silent, and we’re ready to let our hair down. I grab a chip from the bowl in front of me, purposely taking my time chewing, just to get Falin to give me that adorable fucking scowl.

I reach under my shirt for my gun, remembering I'd grabbed it earlier, and remove the magazine, pulling back the slide to clear the chamber before setting it on the coffee table. “Truth or death.” When everyone stares at me like I have five heads, I add, “Relax, it's empty.”

“Truth or death?” Leon asks. “What the fuck, man?”

“It’s easy. Spin it, spill your darkest secret. No bullshit allowed.” I grin, showing a lot of bravado for a guy with skeletons living permanently in his closet.

“That’s fucked up,” Damon says, but he’s already leaning forward.

“You scared?” Falin teases. That smart tone gives me a semi.

He narrows his eyes. “Nope, bring it on.”

“So, it’s basically spin the bottle but with a gun?” Leon asks, stating the obvious.

I shrug, and Blake answers for me. “It’s like truth or dare, spin the bottle, and Russian Roulette combined? Except no bullets, of course.”

“I hadn’t thought of spin the bottle,” I say, smirking. “Does that mean we get to smooch?” I plant a wet one on Falin’s cheek and she laughs, pushing me away.

Blakes eyes light up. “I’ll never say no to a little show.”

Leon points his finger between me and Damon. “Those two need to scrub their mouths with disinfectant before I’d go near them.”

“Hey!” Falin says, tossing a pillow at him. “He kisses me.”

Leon laughs, a rare sound. “My point exactly.”

“Rules?” Blake asks, ever the student.

I lean in, trailing my finger over the sleek black handle of my gun. “The secret has to be real. Something that makes you sick just thinking about saying it out loud.”

“Christ,” Damon groans. “Way to kill my buzz.”

“I’ll spin,” I say. This game could be the biggest mistake I’ve ever made, or could be a fun night. The thrill makes my semi grow to fully hard.

“Wait.” Falin grabs my hand as I reach for the gun. “What if someone doesn’t want to share?”

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