Page 84 of High Roller

When it’s just Lili and me, she leans back in her chair and gives me a wicked smile. “You’ve got a special girl on your hands, Victor. You should really stop kidnapping other women or you’re going to fuck it up.”

“Dinner was Grace’s idea. I can still pull out the ball gag. I hear the two of you shared a kiss.”

“Of course she told you about that. She’s honest and pure-hearted. It was my fault. Don’t be too hard on her.”

I settle deeper into the corner of the couch and stretch my arm across the back. “I can’t tell if you’re trying to stir up trouble or you’re being sincere.”

“Good. I always want people guessing until I’m ready to reveal my intentions. But there was no desire to cause trouble. I can’t explain it, but I like Grace a lot. Too much, it would seem. I want everything good and wonderful for her. So don’t fucking hurt her.”

I let out a short laugh. “There is no way you are sitting here lecturing me about not hurting my best friend since high school. You’ve known her for two minutes.”

She smirks and picks up a brownie. “These are fantastic. It’s like I’ve had them somewhere before.” She pauses and closes her eyes, taking another bite. It’s sensual watching her savor the chocolate treat. She opens her eyes and snaps her fingers. “Got it. They remind me of the ones Obsidian Mirage serves.”

It’s my turn to smirk, but I can’t reveal that the five-star restaurant that recently opened in Las Vegas belongs to Tyson Vance, the very man who made the brownies for us.

I can tell she wants to ask about the look on my face, but Grace returns holding Scrabble and two card games.

“Scrabble!” Lili says, clapping her hands. “I love Scrabble.”

I fucking hate it, but Grace seems excited about it too, so I stand and clear the food from the table in front of us so she can set it up.

“Grace,nowthatyou’vethoroughly trounced us with your superior vocabulary, we should get some sleep. I’m not sure what tomorrow will bring.”

Grace seems nervous, but she begins cleaning up the tiles.

We say goodnight to Lili, and she surprises me by offering a hug to me first and then to Grace. I’m not a big hugger, but I accept and almost instantly regret it. Her hair still smells like her shampoo, and I want to pull the neat little bun she keeps it in down and force her to her knees.

When she moves on to Grace, they linger in the embrace for what feels like an awkward amount of time.

When she pulls away, Grace is flush. We walk down the hall holding everything from dinner and playing games. I drop everything in the kitchen and then hold her hand all the way to our room.

She’s quiet, and I’m dying to know what is going through her mind.

“What are we doing, Victor?” she asks after our door is closed.

“We’re getting some sleep. What do you want to be doing?”

She shakes her head and drops onto the sofa. “I mean us. Lili. What’s going on?”

“We’re keeping her comfortable until we figure out the right move. The goal is still taking her husband down, butterfly. We can’t forget that. No matter how much we both may want her.”

“So, you want her?”

“I won’t lie and say I’m not attracted to her.”

“And me?”

“If you’re asking me to compare the two of you, it’s impossible. You’re my best friend, and that’s not changing. I’ve always found you attractive, and it’s never felt right to act on that until now. I’m still not sure if it’s right, but we’re trying it. Lili is a passing ship who can’t stay in our lives.”

“Our?”

How am I making such a mess of this conversation? I move to stand in front of her and drop to a knee so I’m at eye-level with her. “I’m here with you, Grace. Don’t forget that.”

“I don’t think I’m ready for sex.”

I place a palm against her cheek and lean in for a kiss. “That’s completely OK. You take the bed, and I’ll sleep on the couch. No arguing,” I add when she opens her mouth to protest. “We need good sleep, and I’m not letting you sleep on the couch. End of discussion.”

She closes her eyes and leans into my hand, and I can tell she’s still resisting the urge to protest. “Say yes, Sir and get your ass in bed, butterfly.”

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