Page 44 of Falling Hard
Luke sat up. "Whoa, do I need to point out the obvious?"
Eagerly, I waited for him to do so.
"My poker face is just as good as yours. Maybe even better."
That wasn't true, and he knew it. "You wish."
Luke stood and squinted.
"The food is ready," Dorothy announced, but neither of us reacted.
"Let's test who has the best poker face once and for all."
Why he bothered asking, I'd never know. We both knew it was me.
"Luke, don't make me whip your butt and then later say I emasculated you."
"I'm not that fragile, and don't forget, you claimed to have no idea I loved you," Luke said as he got up and walked toward the kitchen.
"Let's not forget you didn't know the feeling was mutual," I yelled after him. "Forget eating, let's play a game of poker right now."
He froze. "Now?"
"Why not? I wanted this thing settled," I said. Then, a daring idea came to me. "Why don't we make it interesting? Let's play strip poker."
At my words, Luke wore a devilish smile. "You're on."
After dismissing Dorothy,we sat on opposite sides of the table.
This was war.
"I hope you’re not bluffing again," I said, tossing a pair of sevens on the table with a smug grin.
Luke leaned back in his chair, shirt sleeves pushed to his elbows. He rolled his eyes at me then lifted one brow. "Bluffing would imply you’re good enough to make me nervous."
"I’m half-naked and still winning." I wiggled my toes against the hardwood, my bra strap slipping off my shoulder.
He laughed under his breath and drew another card. "You’re cocky for someone who just lost her pants."
"Those pants were too tight. I'm glad to be rid of them."
He leaned over, glanced at my bare legs, and bit his lip.
"Comfort is important. Plus, if you asked me, those pants didn't do anything for your ass."
Cocky Luke wasn't my favorite. I loved him just the same, but still. "Stop talking and play."
"You're in a rush to lose?"
"I’d say dream on, but I’m not sure you need encouragement."
He slid two chips forward. "Call."
I stared at his pile of winnings, my socks, jeans, and even some of my pride, was there. Luke had lost less, and it wasn't fair, but maybe that had been his plan all along. I narrowed my eyes. "You’re too confident."
"Admit it, you've always liked my confidence. Plus, don't blame me for the fact that you’re easily distracted," Luke said.
I couldn’t look away as he pushed his pants down, his body lean and defined in that infuriatingly effortless way. I bit the inside of my cheek, lifting my cards like I wasn’t already thinking of his hands on my skin.
