Page 62 of Counter Bet

Matt laughs. “Told you, man, these fucking women!”

“Sorry, did you say something?” Princess asks Steph, then looks over to Josh and adds, “I was too busy whooping the baby’s ass.”

Josh shrugs while the rest of us laugh. “I should be offended, but you’re too fucking hot, baby.”

Steph clears her throat and smiles sweetly at Emily.

My hackles instantly rise.

“Are you up for a game of truth or dare?”

Ben’s head shoots up off the floor. He stares at Steph, shaking his head subtly. He’s suspicious too.

We exchange a glance.

“Aren’t we a bit old for that kind of game?” Emily asks carefully. I don’t blame her. Whatever Steph is up to is not good news. She reeks of mischief.

Steph cocks her head and sweeps her tongue over her bottom lip. “Let’s just say it’s a more grown-up version of the game.”

“Steph!” I hiss, glancing nervously at Emily. She’s never going to trust us if we come on too strong. She doesn’t know how crazy things can get around here and how far we tend to take things. Or that we don’t have any inhibitions with each other.

“It’s okay,” Emily cuts in, interrupting what I was about to say. She squares her shoulders. “I’ll play.”

Ben meets my eyes.

I swallow thickly. “It’s okay, princess. We don’t have to pla—”

“I want to.”

I gulp. She never ceases to surprise me. My assumptions about her were wrong. She’s not reserved and uptight. She’s adventurous, playful, and curious.

“I’m warning you, it can get graphic,” Steph smiles, looking like the cat who got the cream. Or, in this case, caught the helpless and unsuspecting canary.

Emily stares at her for a long minute before she nods. “I want to go first.”

My heart picks up speed, beating painfully against my ribcage.

Are we really doing this?

Steph shrugs. “Whatever you want, princess.” She grins as she looks at April. “Pour us shots. It’s about to get interesting.”

April rolls her eyes but gets up off the floor and pours the shots.

I neck mine, watching Emily drink hers.

Our eyes collide.

She looks away and points at Josh. “I want you to go down on Matt.”

I choke on air.

Nina and Steph double over with laughter while Ben has the misfortune of spraying his tequila shot everywhere. He shakes his wet hands and stares down at his soaked t-shirt.

Josh’s mouth hangs open. The surprise on his face is comical.

Matt smirks. He lifts an eyebrow and says to Josh, “Well, are you going to look after me or not, babe? Make me feel good.” He palms himself.

Josh breaks out of his stupor, chuckling. He stares at Princess appreciatively. “Wow. Just wow.”

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