Page 35 of Wolf Heart

"Bragging rights," I say with determination. Though images of us naked play along the edges of my mind and Dex's bare muscled chest isn't helping any.

"Fair enough." Aspen grins like he's thinking anything but. "But I propose something more interesting like a favor."

"How do we know how many to bet?" My voice squeaks and I clasp a hand over my mouth.

"We don't," Aspen says, obviously enjoying my discomfort. "How about this, the loser has to do something for the winner, within reason."

"Like what?" I can't help but look back and forth between them.

"Whatever he wants?" Dex tilts his head and grins, but the gleam in his eyes makes me nervous.

"No. No way." I shake my head.

"I'm game, but I want something special." Aspen smiles.

I squirm, feeling a tightness in my core that's seriously not helping.

"Can't do that." I shake my head, not wanting to get into more trouble with these two.

"Nothing bad. Just a little fun," Dex adds.

"And what if I say no?"

"Then you can counter with another offer. Like if I ask for a foot massage, you can offer—"

"Not to break your toes?" I ask sweetly. But I'm not letting them get the upper hand here. Something tells me they'd wish for me to be naked and each of them kissing me everywhere.

Now that my mind has drifted there, I can't tell myself that I'd hate that idea.

Dex finishes shuffling the cards, dealing out three to each of us.

"So, how far have you both traveled?" I ask conversationally. The wolves around my hometown never talked much about the world beyond our border.

"All over. Even saw a circus once." Aspen mimics juggling and I laugh.

Dex's eyes light up. "Those acrobats scared the crap out of me."

"He was a late bloomer." Aspen winks at me.

"Shut up, man," Dex grumbles. "You gonna draw?"

Aspen and I both draw a card and Dex follows. I peek at my cards. A queen of hearts, three of diamonds, and a spade. Not much to go on. My new card is a two of clubs. "I fold."

Dex whistles and draws another card, then Aspen does the same.

"Okay. What have you got?" I lean forward on the table.

"I'll go first," Aspen says, laying out his cards. A queen, king, and jack of hearts. "Three of a kind."

"Nice." Dex grins and lays down his cards. "A full house."

"Damn it." Aspen throws his cards down on the table.

I start laughing and they both stare at me like they want to do more than play cards. I blush and turn back to Dex. "Your deal."

"Let's play again and see how you fair against us." Aspen gleams, looking like he's about to get what he wants.

"This isn't going to end well for me, is it?" I groan.

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