Chapter 8
WEST
CAME FOR THE PRIZE… STAYED FOR THE ORAL PRESENTATION
What kind of man am I if I can’t keep my thoughts or my eyes to myself?
She’s my son’s girl. Even though she’s his ex, I didn’t miss the way he claimed her the other night.
Theo called her his girlfriend. Which means what we did, what never should have happened, crossed a line with him, and I can’t say I blame him for reacting the way that he did.
In his eyes, I betrayed him. In my defense, not that it matters, I didn’t know who she was, let alone that there would be a woman waiting in the dark for who, at the time, I thought was me.
We were both wrong.
I thought with my cock, not my head. I don’t know what the hell she was thinking, either, only that she believed I was my son.
So why can’t I control my own damn thoughts right now?
Jovi Stone.
She was probably sent here to ruin me.
Her presence alone steals the air from my lungs.
The stage lights wrap around her like a shimmering halo, but I can’t shake the feeling that this woman is no angel.
She’s trouble. I also know I shouldn’t be staring like I am, but I can’t help it.
I trace the lines of her glowing silhouette, memorizing details I have no fucking right to notice.
She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.
Her blonde hair falls down her back in thick waves, her hazel-green eyes wide with nerves, and for some reason, I find myself wanting to reassure her.
To tell her I’ve got her. That there’s nothing to be afraid of, and this game that I could give two shits about… I'd do whatever it takes to win.
For her.
The smell of her sweet perfume is seductive, clinging to the space between us, and I fight the urge to reach out to touch her.
God, I’m fucking pathetic.
She doesn’t belong to you, idiot.
I should do the honorable thing and walk off this stage without so much as a glance in her direction because, what sort of father am I if I don't?
Every part of Jovi being here is a punishment. An invisible line I can't come back from if I cross it. A living, breathing temptation dangling like forbidden fruit before me, promising everything I crave and everything that would shatter my already fragile relationship with Theo.
I haven't been able to get her out of my head since the other night and that’s not for lack of trying.
Every time I close my eyes, I see those perfect, full lips, wrapped deliciously around my cock, taking me so well while I gaze into her mischievous, wide eyes, captivated by the way her tongue feels tasting me.
Every time I see it in my mind, after fucking my fist in the shower because simply imagining her on her knees before me isn’t enough, the guilt that follows is unbearable.
I’m a piece of shit for thinking about her in the first place.
A piece of shit for wondering what things would be like if the situation were different. If she wasn't my son’s ex-girlfriend.
“Enough to make you wish you’d stayed in your seat,” she finally answers, her voice dripping with challenge and rapturous honey. I grind my molars, the sound lost beneath the low murmur of the crowd, and the only thing louder is my pulse pounding in my ears.
“Alright, alright!” The annoying host, Daniel, or whatever the fuck, says enthusiastically through his mouth piece as he walks closer to where Jovi and I stand, almost awkwardly, by the wheel. “Time to see what fate has planned for these two.”
My gaze drifts to Jovi, her eyes almost pleading as she silently begs me to go through with whatever bullshit is about to happen.
“You sure about this?” I whisper.
“Fifty-thousand dollars.” Is all she says and I guess that's enough for me. With a resigned sigh, I reach out and grip the lever, then with a hard pull, yank it down. The wheel erupts into motion, colors blurring together in a dizzying rush as it spins wildly. Music sounds through the speakers, some dramatic talk-show music and I scrub a hand down my face, already regretting my decision to go through with this. It finally begins to slow. Somewhere in the audience, I can practically feel Haze and Beau’s eyes on us, no doubt planning how they’re going to mock me for this later.
Jovi shifts beside me, but neither of us looks at the other.
We’re too focused on the arrow as it knocks against each wedge before finally ticking to a stop.
“Truth And Temptation!”
I freeze then groan, and when I hear Beau’s laugh cut through the noise of the crowd, I shoot a death glare into the void before waiting for whatever embarrassing instructions this dickhead has for us.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have a good feeling about this one. But will they handle it? Or will they forfeit and let the other couple take the win?” The crowd cheers, causing the applause meter to ding and light up like a Christmas tree.
He glances down at the stack of cards in his hand, flipping through them with unnecessary suspense, clearly enjoying our descent into public humiliation. Finally, he clears his throat.
“For your chance to win, your first task is simple,” he announces.
“You are to read the last text message you sent out loud to the audience. Not from an app. It has to be the actual last text. No context.” Excitement falls over the crowd.
This should be easy enough. I glance at Jovi, who’s staring dumbfounded at Daniel.
The color drains from her face as she reaches into her purse to retrieve her phone.
Her lips part slightly, and for a split second, she looks panicked.
Slowly, I pull my phone from my pocket and open my messages, selecting my last conversation thread with Theo.
I stare at the screen, embarrassment creeping up my neck as the last words I messaged my son sink in.
These assholes are making us air out our dirty laundry.
I lift my gaze to Jovi, finding her already watching me, worry flickering in her eyes.
Daniel steps in, holding a microphone out to me. I take it, my fingers tightening around the handle as I glance up at the crowd. Hundreds of shadowed faces stare expectantly at me. Nope. I’m not doing that. I quickly look away, focusing on my messages instead.
“How bad could it be, folks?” he says cheerfully. “Ready when you are, handsome.” He can shove his handsome up his cheerful, sadistic ass, and I resist the urge to tell him just that. I clear my throat. The only way to win this thing is to cooperate, so here goes nothing.
“Theo… Son,” I begin, my voice rough. “I didn’t know she was your ex-girlfriend.
Please just call me.” My mouth feels dry all of a sudden and I can’t bring myself to look at Jovi.
I don’t want to make her feel bad for what happened.
I fear that the mention of Theo might do just that.
They were together. At some point, she chose to be with him.
Even though things didn’t work out between them, can’t imagine why, he’s still her ex.
Which means at some point, they meant something to each other.
That thought stings a little, even though I know it shouldn’t.
The words hang in the air and a hush falls over the crowd, the earlier cheers fading before Daniel breaks out into oohs and ahhs. Keep talking, asshole. I pass the mic back to Daniel, and he pivots toward Jovi.
“All yours, sweetheart.” He steps into her space and lifts the microphone toward her mouth.
She doesn’t take it. Not right away. Instead, she stares at her phone like it might catch fire in her hand.
Her shoulders rise with a slow inhale, then another.
“How incriminating do you think it is, ladies and gentlemen?” If looks could kill, Daniel would be fish bait because the glare Jovi shoots him is next level.
I fight back a smirk. She might be all sweet and innocent looking, but there’s something in her that would have a man’s balls in a vice quicker than he could say ballsack, if she wanted.
She nods once, barely perceptible, as if she’s psyching herself up to jump off a cliff.
“Okay,” she murmurs to herself, before gripping the microphone. Her thumb flicks across her phone screen, her eyes skimming the messages. She’s stalling. Daniel leans in a little more, and if he gets any closer, I’m gonna throw him off this stage.
“Let's hear it, Princess.” Jovi presses her lips together, then exhales through her nose, steadying herself. The crowd immediately perks up. She lifts her chin, finally meeting the sea of faces in front of us, then she looks back down to read.
“I should have known it wasn’t Theo, because his dad’s cock was so much bigger. Anyways, let me know if you need anything. I’m on my way.”
The words land and the room goes dead silent as they put two and two together. I, on the other hand, have to fight the grin threatening my lips despite myself.
“Oh my God! Did you guys hear what I just heard?” Daniel booms, clearly loving every second of this.
“It seems that Cupid has done a number on these two! Is it a coincidence that the person this lovely lady is referring to in her messages goes by the name Theo? The same person this gentleman referred to as his son? Wow. Talk about messy.”
Wow. Talk about shut the fuck up, Daniel.
The audience gasps, and I can feel my face heating, my ears burning with embarrassment. I look down at Jovi. Her eyes are glossy with unshed tears and my chest tightens. She’s fucking mortified.