Page 111 of Seduction in Spades

“Me too. We’ll schedule another one soon. I think the guys are planning a birthday dinner atRedsoon.”

“Whose birthday?”

Nora tilts her head and laughs. “Nolan’s. It’s today, actually.”

“Seriously? Why didn’t he say anything?”

“It’s been a crazy few weeks.”

Guilt rips at my chest. I’m sure his family wanted to spend time with him, and he was busy risking his life for me.

“Avery.” Nora rests her hand on my arm. “Nolan doesn’t care about birthdays. He even told Ryder and Drake not to plan anything.”

“Well, he didn’t tell me.”

The car waits until I’m inside, at Nora’s request, I’m sure. I toe off my shoes and send Nolan a text.

Avery:Safe and secure at home.

I draw a bath and am just settling in the hot bubbles when my phone vibrates. My heart kicks up a beat when I see Nolan’s name.

Nolan:Did you have a good time?

Avery:We did.

I contemplate calling him out on keeping his birthday a secret but think better of it. Better to surprise him. With what, I haven’t a clue. I’m strapped for cash, and I can’t think of anything to get him.

Nolan:What are you doing now?

Avery:I’m in the bathtub.

Nolan:If I weren’t working the poker room right now, I’d demand you put me on Facetime.

I bite my lip and giggle.

Avery:Demand? I’m not a woman who bodes well with being demanded to do things, Mr. Jones.

Nolan:I beg to differ, Miss Braxton.

Despite the warm water, chills take over my arms. Flirt-texting with Nolan is the perfect ending to a wonderful night.

Avery:I’ll let you get back to work. My water’s getting cold, and my pink Energizer bunny is waiting for me.

Nolan:You are a terrible, terrible tease.

Avery:It’s been a while, and a girl has needs.

I regret the words as soon as I send them. We’ve been making progress.I’vebeen making progress toward a normal relationship that’s not one hundred percent based on sex, and then I go and ruin it. I want Nolan to see there’s more to me than the physical and that I want more from him than the physical.

I watch as text bubbles appear, then disappear, appear, then disappear again. Shit. I set us back to where we were months ago. I close my eyes and rest my head against the tub when my phone vibrates in my hand.

Nolan:Swear to God. If I didn’t have to be at work, I’d be between your legs right now. My fingers, my mouth, my cock, and not that fucking pink bunny of yours.

Heat floods my face as I read and reread his text. Before I can reply, he sends another.

Nolan:Fuck. We’re going slow and I shouldn’t have said that. I like the new us. No pressure, no guilt. I guess I pushed because we’re texting and I’m working. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.

Avery:The only uncomfortableness right now is between my legs.

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