Playing a Player (Sweet Cravings Book 1) Page 3

  I could feel my jaw drop. What the fuck? "Rory, can I talk to you?"

  "Yeah." He reluctantly pulled his eyes away from the girl to his left. He stood up and walked over to the kitchen. I followed him, fuming.

  "You're turning my apartment into a brothel?!"

  Rory laughed. "Well, it was going to be a normal poker night, but then you saw me naked this morning. So I figured this wouldn't be a big deal."

  "Well it is a big deal."

  "You don't have to play. I can call someone else to be our sixth."

  Jealousy seared through me. Do I want to do this? Can I even change his opinion about me?

  Rory was no longer even looking at me. His eyes were back on the girl that he had been flirting with.

  "Fine. Game on." I turned on my heel and went back to the table. Maybe I could make him jealous too. Connor had his arm on the back of my chair. I sat down without flinching and smiled at him. Besides, I knew how to play poker. It wasn't like I was going to lose.

  Connor dealt out the first hand.

  I knew how to play, but it didn't mean I was lucky. I exchanged one card, but my hand still sucked. I had a variety of suits and no pairs or anything in a row. "I fold." I put my cards face down on the table. Connor was smiling at me.

  "Okay, full house," Connor said and placed his cards on the table, fanning them out to the side.

  Everyone else at the table was silent.

  Connor drummed his hands on the table. "Take it off, Keira!"

  I felt my face already blushing. "What do you want me to take off?"

  "Hmm." Connor studied me for a minute, before reaching over and lightly touching the bottom hem of my tank top. "How about this?"

  Luckily I was wearing a nice bra. I reached down to lift off my shirt, but before I could, Connor pushed the fabric up the sides of my torso. My body tensed. His fingers pressed against my flesh as he pushed my tank top up over my bra. I gulped. No one had ever undressed me before. I locked eyes with him as I put my hands above my head. He lifted my tank top off over my head and pulled it slowly down my arms. Connor whistled approvingly as he tossed my shirt on the floor. But Rory didn't even look at me. I bit my lip. This isn't working.

  Connor dealt out the next hand. The girl to the left of Rory won. She straddled Rory and pulled his shirt over his head. What a slut. I watched as his hand slipped down her back and grabbed her ass. I rolled my eyes at them as Jackson laughed. I looked over at Jackson. He was laughing at me! I lightly pushed his arm. The girl next to him gave me a look to kill. Geez. I put my hands back on my lap.

  A few rounds later, I was a little more than tipsy. Everyone except Connor had lost their shirts. And the girl next to Jackson had lost her skirt. I was pretty sure she was losing on purpose. I exchanged one card and smiled. I laid my hand down on the table. "Four of a kind."

  Connor tossed his cards down in disgust.

  "Hmm." I looked around the table. Rory leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. He looked me up and down. I loved the feeling of his eyes on me. He smiled at me. He thought I was going to choose him. Not today, Rory. I looked over at Connor. He was pouting, but I could tell he wasn't really upset. "Your turn, Connor."

  Connor gave me a seductive smile. I wanted to make Rory jealous. I was glad I was wearing low rise jean shorts. I stood up, walked behind Connor's chair, and slid my hands over his shoulders and down his chest. I leaned in, pressing my breasts against his shoulder, as I grabbed the bottom of his shirt and pulled it up. I moved my fingers up his chiseled abs and slowly lifted his shirt over his head. He caught my wrist in his hand.

  "I need another drink. Come with me," he said.

  I gulped, but followed Connor into the kitchen. I didn't have much of a choice, since his hand was still wrapped firmly around my wrist.

  When we reached the fridge he touched the middle of my chest, pushing my back against the cold stainless steel.

  "I know what you're doing."

  "What?" My face flushed.

  "You're trying to make Rory jealous."

  "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't like Rory. Besides, we have this like roommate pact thing or something. So even if I did, I wouldn't pursue it. But I don't anyway, so it doesn't matter."

  "Do you want my help or not?" Connor put his hands on either side of me.

  I looked over at Rory and watched as he pushed the girl's hair behind her shoulder.

  "Okay," I sighed.

  "You'll owe me a favor, though."

  "What kind of favor?"

  "I'm sure I'll think of something."

  I bit my lip and peered around Connor's shoulder. Rory was still completely enthralled by the woman sitting next to him. Maybe I could use Connor's help. "Okay, deal."

  Connor opened up the fridge, grabbed two beers, and popped the caps off. "Cheers." He held up his bottle.

  I felt like I was making a deal with the devil. I hit my bottle against his and followed him back to the table. He dealt out the next hand. After I picked up my cards, Connor immediately scooted his chair out, grabbed my waist, and pulled me onto his lap. I laughed as he lightly nipped my shoulder blade.

  "Stop trying to see my cards, Connor!" I pressed my cards against my chest.

  "Fold," Connor whispered into my ear. I wiggled out of his grip and sat back down in my chair. I looked at my hand. I was dealt a flush. It was likely that I would win. I stole a glance at Rory. He was definitely looking at me now. And he didn't seem happy. Maybe this was working. I put my hand face down on the table, refusing to even exchange any of my cards. "I fold." What is Connor planning?

  Rory laid out his hand. He had a straight.

  "Not so fast," Connor said. "Four of a kind. Read 'em and weep, Rory."

  Rory scowled.

  "Stand up," Connor said to me.

  My heart was racing. Please don't take my bra. I stood up and faced him. He moved his hands to my waist and then slowly unbuttoned and unzipped my jean shorts. He hooked his fingers in my belt loops and pulled me toward him. I could feel his warm breath against my belly button. I held my breath as he pulled my shorts down my hips. The rough fabric fell down my thighs, and his fingers lightly pressed against my skin. He let go of my belt loops and placed a kiss just above my panty line. Oh my God. I felt everything below my waistline clench with desire. I took a step back and tripped over my chair and onto Jackson's lap.

  "Hey there," Jackson said, and smiled at me.

  "Oh God, I'm sorry." I quickly got back up and kicked my shorts off my ankles.

  Everyone seemed to be staring at me. I was completely mortified. At least my thong matched my bra. I usually didn't care about things like that, but I had wanted to feel sexy tonight. Because I wanted Rory to think that I was sexy.

  "I think I'm done for the night," Rory said and stood up.

  "Oh, good," the girl sighed next to him. "I'm not wearing any panties anyway."

  Slut!

  Rory grinned, leaned down, and lifted the girl over his shoulder. She screamed in protest. He slapped her ass and disappeared with her into his bedroom.

  "We're going to go too," the girl said that was sitting next to Jackson. She gave me a nasty look.

  "Sorry, Keira," Jackson said. He stood up and grabbed his shirt off the floor. The girl next to him was staring longingly at his abs. I turned back to Rory's door. I suddenly remembered I was just wearing my underwear. I put my arms across my chest.

  Jackson and the girl walked out of the apartment arm in arm. Poor girl. She probably had no idea what she was getting herself into. Or does she?

  Chapter 8

  Connor cleared his throat.

  Oh God, we're alone.

  "So about that favor..." He touched my knee and began to trail his fingers up my thigh.

  I took a step back. My ass pressed against the poker table. "You didn't help me at all."

  "I tried my best." His fingers continued to trail up my thigh. "You like playing hard to get." He pressed his palm against my u
nderwear.

  I couldn't help the moan that escaped from my lips. Oh my God, what am I doing? I stepped to the side, away from his hands. "No. No, I like playing poker." I picked up the deck of cards from the table.

  "Forget about the favor for now. Do you like to gamble, Keira?"

  "Not really."

  I heard distant moaning. I turned toward Rory's bedroom. "Yes!" the girl shouted from inside.

  My stomach churned. "What do you have in mind?" I asked, trying to ignore the girl's screams of pleasure.

  "Well how about this. If you get me naked first, you can do whatever you want to me. And if I get you naked first, I can do whatever I want to you."

  I gulped. "You're wearing more clothes than me."

  "I have shorts and boxers, and you have a bra and a thong. Two versus two."

  I sat down. "Deal."

  Connor smiled and shuffled the cards. He passed out five cards to each of us. I picked mine up and tried to hide my smile. They were all hearts. And I was only one card away from a straight.

  I looked up at Connor. "Are you going to exchange any of your cards?"

  "I'll pass," he replied.

  He must have a good hand. I looked back down at my hand. A flush probably wasn't going to cut it. I picked up the card that was out of order and placed it face down on the table. "Hit me."

  "Oh, I'm planning on it."

  What did he just say?

  He gave me the card off the top of the deck. This time I couldn't suppress my smile. I already had a 3, 4, 5, and 6. And the card I just got was a 7 of hearts. "You first."

  Connor smiled as he placed his hand down. "A straight."

  I pretended to pout. "Oh, me too." I spread my cards on the table. "Except it's also a flush. Boom." I made an exploding noise and spread my fingers in the air.

  "Did you just boom me?"

  "You're just jealous of my awesome game. Take off your shorts, Connor."

  "You have a good poker face." Connor stood up, unbuttoned and unzipped his shorts, and unceremoniously pushed them to the floor.

  My eyes gravitated to the bulge beneath his boxers. Oh my God. He must be huge. Or is he already starting to get an erection? Is that the tip of his penis hanging out from the hem of his boxers? I looked down at my hands that were knotted in my lap.

  "Do you like what you see?"

  "Are you talking to me?"

  "There's no one else here, Keira."

  "Well, I wasn't looking at anything. I mean, you just took your pants off in my apartment and I barely know you. I didn't mean to look. Not that it's not worth looking at. I'm sure it's very nice." I could feel my face turning red.

  "Nice, huh? You're not going to think it's nice when it's spreading your tight pussy wider than it's ever been."

  Did he seriously just say that to me? I gulped. His dirty words seemed to have a direct line to my groin. I could feel my panties getting damp. I crossed my legs. I had only been with three men. And they had all been my boyfriends. Why was I so turned on by this sexy stranger? He was supposed to be helping me out with Rory, not trying to seduce me.

  "Now let's get that bra off." Connor rubbed his hands together before dealing out the next hand.

  I could feel my heart racing. I glanced down at my cards. Three of a kind. I could work with this. I put one card face down and waited for Connor to hand me a new one off the top of the deck. He was staring intently at his cards. He exchanged one of his cards and then handed me a new one.

  Four of a kind!

  "Sorry, Connor, but I think I've got you again. Four jacks." I fanned my cards out for him.

  "I feel like you're cheating."

  "Right, because I desperately want to see you naked."

  "Well, go ahead." Connor stood up. His erection was definitely visible now.

  "Look, we barely know each other. And I'm kind of tired. And we've both had too much to drink. Let's just call it a night."

  "We're about to know each other real well." He grabbed my hand and placed it on his erection. I couldn't help but wrap my hand around his cock. I had never felt one so massive before.

  "Let me help you out," he said, and pulled his boxers down. I moved my hand away and watched his cock stand to attention. When I didn't move, Connor took a step toward me, grabbed my ass and lifted me onto the poker table. His cock was pressed firmly against my stomach.

  Holy shit.

  He grabbed a fistful of my hair, tilted my head back, and kissed me. He shoved his tongue in my mouth, possessing me. How many millions of times had he done this before?

  "Connor," I pushed on his chest. This isn't me. I don't do one night stands.

  He ran his index finger along the top of my panty line. I felt my hips rise off the table.

  What am I doing?

  His other hand spread my thighs apart. He pressed his palm against my clit again and another moan escaped from my lips. I couldn't help it. I hadn't had sex in months.

  "Fuck, you're so wet. You're dripping through your thong."

  "We shouldn't be doing this."

  "Is there something that you want?" he asked, ignoring me. Somehow, even though he was the one that was naked in my apartment, he seemed to have all the power. "Do you want me to fuck you with my fingers?"

  I whimpered at his dirty words.

  He leaned on top of me, pressing his erection against my stomach again. "Trust me, this will definitely make Rory jealous," he whispered in my ear. "He's going to be so pissed that he didn't get you first."

  "Get me first?" I slid away from Connor's hands, knocking a few beer bottles off the table.

  Connor shrugged. "Yeah. Isn't that what you want? For him to be jealous?"

  "Who are you guys? What, do you just pass women around like objects?" Are these guys prostitutes?! Does that make me a prostitute? Shit! I ungracefully climbed off the table.

  "You're not seriously going to leave me like this?" He gestured to his massive erection.

  I stared at it for a second and then tried to focus my eyes on the poker table. "Thank you, for, er...well, an interesting night. But I'm not interested in being whatever it is you think I am."

  "Keira, a deal's a deal. I'm cashing in on that favor. How about you put those lips to good use." Connor began to stroke his cock as he looked at me.

  I put my hand out in front of me to block his erection from view. Part of him was still visible past my fingertips. "Okay, night." I turned around and ran to my room, locking the door behind me.

  Chapter 9

  I heard Rory moaning. Every now and then his bed frame would tap against the wall. I turned sideways, grabbed my pillow, and covered my ears. I was already so turned on. Hearing him moaning was making it even worse. Who has sex for this long?

  This was ridiculous. I never realized how thin the walls were in this apartment. I rolled out of bed, grabbed my pillow and comforter, and stormed out into the living room.

  Holy hell! Connor was sprawled on the couch. On his stomach. Naked. I quickly turned around and ran into Rory. I yelped and dropped my pillow and comforter on the floor.

  "Looks like you had fun." Rory peered over my shoulder.

  "What? No."

  "You seem to have worn Connor out."

  "Oh." I laughed awkwardly. "No. He wore himself out."

  Rory looked at me skeptically.

  "That sounded weird. That's not really what I meant. I don't think he was masturbating or anything."

  Rory laughed.

  "I didn't sleep with him, if that's what you were referring to."

  "Then why is he passed out naked on our couch?"

  "Actually...I think he might have a drinking problem." I leaned down and picked up my comforter and pillow. "Excuse me."

  Rory stayed where he was standing, blocking my path through the hallway.

  "You know what? I think it was really rude of you to have a strip poker night in my living room without asking me first," I said. Why wasn't he moving out of my way? What an asshole.

&n
bsp; "It's our living room."

  "Right. Well, try to be a little more considerate next time."

  "I warned you about Connor."

  "I'm not talking about Connor, I'm talking about you." I took a deep breath. I wanted to slap his beautiful face.

  "It won't happen again. Sorry." Rory ran his hand through his hair. His sex hair.

  "And can you please keep it down in there? I can't sleep with all that ruckus." Geez, I sound like an old maid.

  Rory smiled at me. "Sure thing. I'm actually going to bed now. I just came out to get some water." He stepped out of my way. "But I'll try to keep it down," he whispered.

  I walked past him and back into my room. What is his problem? I tossed my comforter and pillow back on the bed. I heard faint murmurs from outside my room. I walked over and pressed my ear against the door. It sounded like Rory and Connor were arguing. I stepped back from the door. I just wanted this night to end. I flopped down on my bed and put my pillow back over my head.

  ***

  My alarm clock buzzed and I slammed my hand down on the off switch. I wanted to get out of the apartment before Rory and that girl woke up. I didn't want to have to see her. I quickly got dressed and grabbed my notebook.

  I closed the bathroom door and brushed my teeth. I sighed as I heard Rory's door squeak open. Crap. I finished getting ready and walked out into the hallway and toward the front door.

  The refrigerator door was open. The girl Rory had been with was bent over rummaging through my food. She was only wearing a men's t-shirt. I turned away from her and walked past the kitchen. I noticed that Connor was no longer in the living room.

  "Oh, hey!" the girl said.

  "Hi." I felt a little rude for not knowing her name. This whole situation was extremely awkward. "I'm heading out. See you."

  "Where are you going?" she asked.

  "To the coffee shop down the street." I held up my notebook. "To work," I added.

  "Oh, great. Will you bring me back a latte? Extra whipped cream?"

  "I'm not coming back for a long time. Great meeting you though!" I left the apartment before I could hear her response.

  Chapter 10