Chapter 8 #2
The noise of the theatre fades into a dull hum as I take in the way her shoulders curl inward, like she’s trying to make herself smaller.
I hate that I am part of the reason she looks this way.
Hate that this stupid fucking game, this spectacle, has turned something personal into entertainment.
But underneath, I can sense her determination.
It’s still there, and I don’t think she wants to back out of this.
She seems focused on the prize, and who am I to stand in the way of that?
I shift closer, angling my body toward her, a quiet shield no one else seems to notice.
My hand brushes hers, tentative, asking without words if she’s okay.
All she has to do is say the word and we are done here.
Jovi doesn’t look at me, but she doesn’t pull away either. Her fingers brush against my skin for the briefest second before slowly lowering her hand back to her side. Disappointment crashes into me unexpectedly. What? Did you think she’d hold your hand or something? Get a grip, West.
Daniel is already moving on, riding the wave of the drama.
Way over the top if you ask me, but I suppose that’s the point of this whole thing.
Jovi and I return to our positions on stage as the other couple steps up to the wheel, and I hate to say it, but their next challenge is dangerously close to crossing lines, more so than the last. It’s borderline inappropriate, not to mention intimate.
They’re strangers for fuck’s sake. It’s as if each round was intended to peel away every layer of your fucking dignity, all while your significant others watch.
I mean, yeah. If you win, you get a whole lot of money out of it, but that doesn’t make what we’re all doing here any easier, especially with an audience.
Yet, my guys seemed over the fucking moon for me to get up here, much to my annoyance.
But of course they were. I’m sure they’re loving every second of seeing me squirm in the spotlight.
The last place in the world anyone would expect to find me.
The couple before us begins their turn, only they hesitate, each sharing a look before nodding to one another.
It seems they’re just as determined as we are to win, so inconveniently for us, they push through their next round, but not before the woman whirls around, locking eyes with us in a devilishly confident stare.
“You might as well walk away now. This game is ours,” she says audaciously, and boy, she’s got some nerve.
Jovi stiffens beside me, but she doesn’t say a word.
Part of me wants her to give the other woman a mouthful just for the hell of it, but Jovi doesn’t strike me as the confrontational type.
Neither am I, usually, but for some reason, I catch myself leveling a glare at the woman that’s menacing enough to make her splutter on the spot.
You’d think I’d just slapped her by the way she storms off. Yeah. That’s right. Walk the fuck away.
“We’re not letting them win, you got that?” I murmur, and Jovi’s lips curl into a satisfied grin before she whispers, “Sounds good to me.”
For the next two challenges, Jovi and I destroy whatever is left of our pride.
We flirt shamelessly when told to, throw out our smoothest pick-up lines, each garnering laughter from the audience.
But in the last round, when Jovi’s challenge was to make me blush, I honestly thought we were going to lose for sure.
It takes a hell of a lot to make me blush, but this woman…
she had me in a goddamn chokehold and I never stood a fucking chance.
Jovi dropped to her knees, looking up at me with those pretty eyes and told me she’d be a good girl for daddy.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from those full, pink, pouty lips of hers.
I almost busted a fucking nut in my pants in front of everyone.
The whole time, all I could think about was how her hand felt wrapped around my cock the other night, and fuck.
I almost embarrassed both of us. We should have won fair and square with that task, because the level of restraint I showed alone should qualify me for sainthood.
My cock was literally weeping in my pants, but thank fuck I managed to pull myself together.
I don’t know how much more I can take of this.
I’m in it to win it and everything, but Jovi is a goddamn temptress.
A very forbidden one. Which, of course, only makes it harder.
No pun intended. The audience had clearly put two and two together from the text messages we read out earlier, because the moment Jovi said the word “Daddy,” they completely lost their shit.
I’m equal parts shocked and amused that Jovi went there, but since the other couple gave us attitude, she’s only gotten more determined.
“Okay, lovers! We’ve reached our final challenge for the evening,” Daniel announces, pulling me from my thoughts as he paces the stage, informing everyone that there will be a change of rules.
“We’re gonna do things a little differently this time around.
” I grow more and more annoyed each time this asshole speaks.
Every round seems to be getting worse when it comes to intimacy and with this being the final challenge, I’m guessing it’s about to be the real test of the night.
The other couple fidgets nervously in their positions, tension plastered across their faces, and I bite back a smirk.
They’ve been sending us death glares the whole time, and I don’t want to provoke them into upping their game.
Daniel circles us slowly, doing his best version of a predator, before he eventually straightens, rolls his shoulders, and delivers what I am sure is the performance of his entire career.
What a douchebag. The lights dim slightly and the background music changes to something low and ominous, making everything around us feel dark and eerie.
“This,” he says, prowling slowly on the edge of the stage before us, “is your final task.” He stops center stage, gesturing broadly, pausing for dramatic effect.
“Welcome to Stroke Of Luck!” The crowd grows louder, but I barely hear it.
I’m too busy sensing Jovi’s nervous energy.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is where you come in. Double or nothing.”
What? Double or nothing? Is he serious? He points toward the audience, grinning like a damn maniac and Jovi grips my hand like her life depends on it.
She curls her fingers around mine and I can feel the tension in her touch alone.
Instinctively, I try my best to reassure her.
I don’t know what it is about this woman that has me wanting to take care of her, but somehow, I do.
“It’s okay. We’ll win this thing. Everything is fine, okay.
Don't worry about them.” By them, I mean the other couple, feigning nonchalance, beaming at the crowd like a bunch of competitive lunatics.
A far cry from the nervous heap they were a couple rounds ago.
I don’t even want to know what I look like.
Especially after Jovi’s seductive and very persuasive challenge earlier.
“You have the chance to win one-hundred thousand dollars to split between yourself and your partner.”
What the fuck? Is there crack in this water?
My breath catches. How much money are these fuckers making to throw away a hundred grand like this?
“We’re gonna toss in a sweetener for your significant others in the crowd,” he adds, wagging a finger.
“Because let’s be honest, they’ve been put to the test too, am I right?
” The crowd responds with agreed murmurs, but I’m still stuck on the prize money.
Judging by the tightness and strength of Jovi’s grip, she is too.
“The winning group will also walk away with an exclusive upgrade to a private, luxurious island for the duration of the trip. Private butler, chauffeur, tour guide, diving instructor, as well as your very own personal chef.” He lets every word sink in.
“Think of it as our way of apologizing. For testing the limits of your relationships.” My mouth goes dry as I try to pry my hand away from Jovi.
God, this woman is strong. “But here is the catch. The audience…” he continues, sweeping his arm across the crowd, “gets to decide your next challenge. And their applause determines the winner.” A murmur spreads across the room.
“Complete that challenge,” Daniel says, tapping the cards in his hand.
“You walk away a whole lot richer.” He pauses.
“And if you lose, you walk away with nothing.” Nothing but silence follows.
My mind is fucking racing. As if we would embarrass ourselves in front of an entire cruise ship and walk away with nothing to show for it.
No. We're going to win this thing. Anticipation coils tight in my chest and I glance at Jovi, trying to read her expression. The nervousness that was there earlier has left the building. Double or nothing. When I don’t move right away, she turns to look at me, her gaze unwavering before nodding once.
“Let’s do this,” she whispers, and fuck, she looks so damn cute right now. Not in a soft, uncertain way, but in a determined, no turning back kind of way. I nod slightly in response, then turn my attention to the crowd, bracing myself for whatever they’re about to throw at us next.