Page 13 of Illicit Heir

"Jessica," Lauren groans in annoyance.

I ask again, keeping my gaze on Lauren, "Well, were ya a champion or not?"

She squares her shoulders. "Yea, I was."

"Okay, so a champion horse jumper is scared to play a little bit of cards. Makes zero sense to me."

She lifts her chin in defiance. "Of course I'm not scared to play cards. But I'm not sure how there's enough time for a game when you're only here for two rounds of drinks." She smiles and bats her eyes.

Adrenaline bursts into all my cells. "I'm sure ya can't beat me."

"At what game?"

I shrug. "Any one ya choose."

She scoffs. "That's a dumb bet."

I squeeze her thigh and lean closer. "Then let's place a wager."

Her face hardens. "I don't gamble."

"Why? Ya just said that I made a dumb bet. You don't want to place a wager with me that ya can win?"

She glances around the bar and shakes her head. "I'm not gambling any of my cash. If ya haven't noticed, this place requires an investment to fix it up, and money doesn't grow on trees."

"But if it's a dumb bet, ya have nothing to lose," I point out.

She stays quiet.

Jessica gets up, reaches over the bar, and tosses a deck of cards on the table.

Lauren gives her another dirty look, which I'm becoming a sucker for. All I can think about is how I want to wipe that pissed-off glare off her face while she's coming with my cock inside her.

"Play, Lauren! You're great at cards. Place a bet. Who cares?" Jessica chirps and takes another shot of whiskey.

Lauren accuses, "You're getting drunk."

Jessica shrugs. "So? After the night we've had, we all deserve to get drunk."

"Agreed," Alison says and grabs another shot off the table.

I ask, "How much will it cost to fix this pub? My guess is maybe 5,000 euros?"

Lauren briefly closes her eyes and sighs. She avoids my gaze, but I can see the worry on her face.

Leave it to Jessica to tell me everything I want to know. She blurts out, "Last time, it cost seven. The time before that, six. Oh, then that one time it was eight. The lowest we've ever gotten away with is three."

Oh, how I'm starting to love Jessica.

"Why don't ya just tell everybody all of our business?" Lauren seethes.

I move my hand up her thigh.

She holds her breath and slowly meets my gaze.

"10,000 euros if I lose," I challenge.

Her eyes widen. "I don't have 10,000 euros to gamble away."

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