Page 21 of Riding Danger

I did as she requested, getting water for myself and a diet cola for her. I also found a bag of chips in a cupboard and emptied that into a bowl. By the time I came from the kitchen she had the board set up and a tile holder on each side of the coffee table.

Playing board games with Shiloh was probably the most wholesome thing I had done with a woman in my entire life. Yet, there was a certain amount of intimacy to it that scared me. I needed to remember my place. I was Ethan’s father, and I could be a friend to Shiloh. Focusing on being a good dad was all I needed to do.

I didn’t know of any man who would be worthy of all her goodness. That had always been apparent. Besides being a good soul with a kind heart, she was the kind of person who took on other’s responsibilities. She had great friends and did what she could to keep them.

After picking her seven letters, Shiloh frowned and rearranged the tiles in her holder.

“While Ethan is not here, let’s play a game of Dirty Scrabble.” She twisted her mouth in that adorable way but I couldn’t miss the smile that was trying to escape.

I narrowed my eyes. “What exactly do you have in mind? Because if it's anything like strip scrabble, I’m all in.”

“No.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “We'll keep on our clothes—wait, how exactly does strip scrabble even work?”

“One day, I’ll show you. Now tell me about Dirty Scrabble.”

“All the words we use must be related to something x-rated or salacious. It can be a slang or swear or even something as blatant as fuck. Something you would never say in front of my mother.”

“Okay. Why don’t you go first so I can see what you mean.”

“I was hoping you would say that.”

She pulled out her tiles one by one and I had to groan as she started forming a word. S-C-H-L-O-N-G.

“I used all seven letters plus I started with a double word score and the O landed on a double letter score.”

My eyes darted from the board to her. “Seriously? You made up rules just so you can play that word.”

“Not really made-up rules. The girls and I play like this from time to time when we have a girls’ night in.”

“You made up rules so you and friends can behave like twelve-year-old boys.”

I was not successful in hiding my smile.

“I never professed to be the most mature.”

With that I raised a brow at her. “Really?”

“Well, not on girls’ night. Usually, my parents babysit and there's a lot of alcohol and processed sugar. And Cheese. Copious amounts of things smothered in cheese. Those are good nights.”

I had to admit I envied the relationship she had with her friends. As close as I was with Layla and Jason, I wasn’t that kindof friend to either of them. In fact, when Jason wanted a bender, he usually came home. I’d never seen him drink at any industry event we attended together. Even when we hung out for a beer, he’d have water.

If I was a better friend, I would’ve taken note of something like that earlier. We continued playing. Some of the words bordered on risqué and others were just downright hilarious.

Some elicited images in my head which necessitated me adjusting myself and others gave me her beautiful laugh. Either way, the game of Dirty Scrabble was a lot more dangerous than I ever expected.

The board was getting pretty full, but I pulled an ‘x’ while there was still a triple word score block open. As she played her word, I hoped it would not interfere with the one I planned. Instead, she picked the ‘k’ at the other end of the board and placed the word J-U-N-K.

“That word should not count.” No self-respecting man should refer to his manhood as junk.

“It's a legitimate dirty word.”

I rolled my eyes knowing I would not win the protest. Besides, I really wanted to add my word.

One by one I added my five letters under the ‘c’ that was already on the board. L-I-M-A and the ‘x’ landing on a triple word score block. “That’s fifty-seven points.”

She stared at me with her mouth open just as the front door opened. A loud squeal escaped her and she banged her hand on the board, sending all the tiles flying. Ethan stood in the doorway frowning at the two of us.

“What are you two doing?”

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