8 POKER NIGHT CONTINUED
2318 Words
Alice POV
I walk over to the poker table and sit with a wall to my back to see the room—something I always do when not at home.
I move my stack of money to the side as Muscles, and Dem each take a seat.
”What is your preferred game?” muscles asks.
I grin at him. “My favorites are 5 card stud and blackjack,” knowing which he would pick since he said this was poker night.
He begins dealing the cards, and I take a drink, watching him. When I look over at Dem, he is assessing my every move with curiosity.
”If we are playing to get to know one another, what's the anti?” I ask, keeping eye contact with Dem.
His lip twitches. “Tell something about yourself; most people don't know.”
I nod and think for a moment. “I am a twin,” I say, waiting for him to anti up. He raises an eyebrow and leans forward with interest, but he can’t ask a second question right now.
“I am an only child,” he says, keeping his face neutral.
I look at muscles to pay up. “I don’t like cats,” he says. That catches my attention. First, why not? Second, he avoided talking about family.
We are quiet as we look at our cards and make our plays. I win the first hand, and Dem eyes me suspiciously.
I lean back in my chair, smiling mischievously. “Time for you two to answer a question,” I say, thinking. I look to muscles. “Although I enjoy calling you myshtsy, what is your real name?”
He smirks at me. “Lev,” he replies. “Lion,” I whisper, but he hears me. I think it fits him perfectly. He is large and imposing, but something tells me he has a gentle side.
I look at Dem and examine his facial features as I think of my first question for him. So many come to mind. “How long have you lived here?” I ask because his accent is still heavy.
”In the United States, ten years. In this penthouse eight years.” he says cooly, finishing his drink. When I researched him, there were no records of him entering the country, which isn't uncommon for the Bratva.
He stands. “Would you like another drink or a snack?” he asks me. “Yes, thank you,” I reply. Handing my beer bottle to him.
”We are not suitable hosts,” Lev says. Damn, it seems weird thinking of him as that instead of muscles. “We never have guests.”
”You never have anyone into your home?” I ask, tilting my head to the side, confused. “It's not a home; it is a penthouse,” comes Dem’s deep timbre voice, sending tingles down my spine. I think his words hold a lot of meaning. They don’t feel like this is their home. It saddens me.
Lev deals us all another hand, and I know we each need to anti up.
”I hate flowers as gifts,” I say with a shrug. They both look at me like I’m crazy.
”I dislike cell phones,” Dem says, and Lev grunts. Hmm, is that an issue between them?
”I hate wearing suits,” Lev states, and we both turn to him. Then why the hell is he always wearing them? I look at Dem, and he is smirking at Lev. Yup, I bet that's another point of contention between them.
I win this hand, too, and Dem leans back in his seat and takes a long drink. “You count cards well, Vikson,” he says, staring at me.
I don’t lie, ever. So I smile and say, “Thank you.”
”I think it’s time we put the cards away and get to know one another,” he says, sitting his tumbler down.
“I agree,” I lean back, matching his relaxed posture.
”You owe us each an answer for cheating,” he says in a demanding tone that sends a shiver through me, and my n*****s tighten. That’s his dominant voice. His lip quirks up. He knows what he is doing to me.
”What's your name, associate of Lightning?” he asks. I almost forgot that's all Lightning told him when she arranged my membership.
”Alice,” I reply, picking up a potato chip he brought over earlier as a snack.
As I place it in my mouth, Lev asks, “Where do you work?” I chew and think about how to answer that. I need to give enough that they don’t clam up on me because I want to know more about them.
”I work from home. I am a hacker,” I state. They both look surprised, and Lev rests his forearms on the table. I know what he is dying to ask.
I meet his gaze and answer his unasked question. “Yes, part of my job is working for Lightning.”
“My turn,” I state with a wicked grin. It’s time to pull out the big guns.
I look at Dem since he questioned me first. “Do you regret the oath you took with the Bratva?”
I watch emotions cross over his face. He is taken aback by me asking such a direct question. But he shouldn’t be. I’m not one to beat around the bush, and he will find that out quickly.
”Da, for the past year,” he admits. Now, I am the one surprised. Why? Does he regret it because of me or because he wants a family now?
I get out of my thoughts and turn to Lev, who is watching me. “Do you regret your oath?” he didn’t look surprised. I asked him the same question.
“Da,” he replies, looking me in the eyes with such intensity I can’t look away.
Dem breaks us out of our trance. “Our turn. Are you seeing anyone?” he asks.
I immediately turn to him without hesitation. “No.”
“Have you ever had a man?” Lev asks, and I raise an eyebrow at him. That is an open question that can mean different things.
“Be specific,” I say with a laugh. He smiles, knowing damn well what he did. “Have you ever had a boyfriend or been married?” he clarifies. But I don’t think that's all he wants to know.
”No, I have never been married or had a boyfriend,” I state. But I am feeling naughty. “Don’t mistake that knowledge with me being innocent, though.”
I reach for my beer and take a long drink, watching them. Lev is clenching his jaw, and Dem is gripping the table so hard I hear a crack.
I set my beer down and can’t hold back the laugh that comes out of me.
”Who?” Dem asks in a deadly tone that has goosebumps rising on my skin.
I lick my lips and take my time to consider my words carefully. “Not a who, but what,” I say.
Lev leans forward, his elbows on the table, looking confused. I turn my gaze to Dem, who is trying to work out what I am saying.
Maybe I should put them out of their misery. I’m enjoying this way too much.
”Just because I haven’t taken a partner doesn’t mean I don’t have needs. Needs that I fulfill every chance I get with toys,” I say with a grin.
Knowing damn well these two masterbait. So why should I feel embarrassed? But I do. I can sense the heat rising to my cheeks at my admission.
”Yebat,” (f**k) Lev says, sitting back, and his hand goes under the table. Is he adjusting himself?
I hear a growl from Dem at the knowledge I have private ‘me’ time. “Vikson,” he says with a rumble. “You are playing with fire.”
I smile. “My turn. You are both obviously Dom’s, and you are both attracted to me. Hypothetically, how would that work?”
”We have discussed that,” Lev says, and I am surprised and curious. Was it a general conversation? About another woman? About me?
”When two Doms take one submissive, one is the lead Dominant when they are all together. They never contradict each other during a scene,” Dem says. Leaving me to use my imagination.
”We have observed your reactions to scenes for a year now. What about impact play turns you off? Lev questions.
Damn, they are cutting right to the deep questions too. I try to think about how to answer this. There is no sense in me getting too specific when they are sworn to the Bratva.
”Everyone has hard limits. I have a few I know from watching others. As for impact play, most of it would be a hard no. However,” I pause, lifting my hand and slowly trailing my fingertips from my collarbone down between my breasts.
“If I were to be spanked, it better be when his d**k is deep inside of me to heighten the pleasure.” I finish sliding my fingers over to my stiff peak, pulling on my n****e ring through my shirt.
They both watch the movement and sit straight.
“Have either of you ever taken a partner or submissive?” I ask since they want to play hardball.
”Net,” (No) they both answer. That surprises me, and I’m sure they can see it in my face.
”What do you want from a partner?” Lev asks me. Damn him. That’s a tricky question.
”A unicorn,” I finally answer with a laugh, finishing my second beer. I’ve had enough with me driving home.
”Explain,” Dem demands. “A unicorn is a mythical creature. I think what I want may be impossible to find,” I say, pausing. I may as well lay my cards on the table, so to speak. I may see them again, but we’ll probably never talk.
”I am not submissive in the true sense of the word, but I crave dominance in the bedroom. I am a bottom who wants both a top and a Dom. A dominant or dominants that enjoy a challenge,” I shake my head.
I meet his eyes. “I want a dominant who won’t hesitate to take control, not demand I give it willingly,” I watch as they both take in my words, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Like so many other women, I am a complex creature.
Dem’s face shows his interest and lust in his eyes. I swallow hard, thinking of him touching me or tying me down to the bed in my playroom to have his way.
I turn, looking at Lev. The fire blazing in his eyes is unmistakable. But something about his expression is hesitant.
The air seems thick with all we have said tonight. I think it’s time for me to go. I stand, grab my money off the table, and walk toward my coat.
“I think I will call it a night, gentlemen. Thank you for this evening,” I feel my chest clench as I say the words. I shouldn’t have come. I’m only torturing myself.
As I reach the couch, two prominent arms are on each side of me, grabbing the back of it and caging me in. I have just enough room to turn, so I do.
I am now looking up into Dems face. I take in his deep blue eyes, much like Lev’s. His strong, sharp jawline is flexing. His eyes are intense and hold years worth of knowledge, staring straight into me.
”Have dinner with us tomorrow,” he says, but it’s more like a demand.
I think for a minute. “I can’t. I have plans,” I say.
“What plans?” He asks, half growling. “I’m picking my baby up, and it will be his first night home with me,” I explain.
Dem looks confused and tilts his head to the side. “You have a child?” I laughed because I told them I had never had a partner.
I pull my phone from my pocket. “His adoption is final tomorrow when we complete our training together,” I say, finding the picture of him and holding it up.
Lev comes closer to see also. “His name is Bear,” I announce.
Dem smiles, revealing beautiful white teeth. Damn, he is gorgeous when he smiles. “Saturday then,” he says with a nod like it's final and backs up a step.
“Why?” I have to know their reasons. “You know why. We have much to discuss,” he says, determined. ”Doesn’t the club need you two there on such a busy night?” I ask, looking between them.
”Our men will cover for us. The things we need to discuss will need a private setting,” Lev says, stepping so close his dress shirt is brushing against my arm. The heat from his body radiating to mine is intoxicating.
”Here or your place?” Dem asks, getting my attention again. “Here,” I reply.
He steps into my personal space again and bends down so his mouth is right on my ear. “Till Saturday, Vikson,” he says lowly, then bites my earlobe before pulling away.
Damn, now my panties are wet, and I know my face and chest are flushed.
- Writer
