Chapter 10
ten
Rage so seething, I go numb. And focus.
I’ve been infected with her chaos. And the only treatment is control.
I knew she wouldn’t be done. She always has to have the last word. And now, that little hellbitch thinks she won.
Everyone’s watching as I slam the closet door. Faces flick to me, then quickly avert their gaping stares.
But I know where I’m headed.
On my way to the back tent, I snag Sutton’s hand, interrupting her make-out session with a Sigma in the corner. With a pop, their lips part, and she releases a tiny squeal.
“Come with me. I need you.”
She hurries to keep up as I cut through the chaos of the carnival toward the casino. I flip open the striped canvas flap without slowing, heading straight for the high-stakes tables near the bar.
On the way, my older brother, Ryan, tries to catch my eye. I don’t stop. Only shoot him a look—the kind that says: I’m about to fucking commit murder.
At the blackjack table, Tade leans on his elbows, mid-laugh with some of the other Thetas.
Until he spots me. His posture shifts in an instant.
Shoulders straighten as he abandons his play and falls into step beside me, matching my pace without a word.
He knows. Poker’s the destination. And something’s about to go down.
“Game on?” The inflection isn’t a question.
I just nod, grab a seat, then pull Sutton onto my lap. “For luck, my lady,” I murmur against her ear. Despite her smile, her mouth quivers. Everyone can tell I’m fucked up right now. I’m not okay. But I don’t have to be.
All I need is to win…
Blaire, ever the goddess, sets down a full glass of whiskey in front of me. With one swallow, I knock it down and hand it back.
“Bring me another.”
She nods, her black hair falling over her tattooed shoulder, then shimmies away.
With a flick of my finger, I point Tade toward the tall stool at the bar, and he slides into it with a solid look of confidence.
The table fills up, but as a Delta attempts to take the last spot, I lean forward, place my hand over it, and inform him, “This one’s taken.”
He goes still. Eyes dart to mine. His jaw tightens, like he’s weighing the cost of pushing back. But after a long second, he swallows whatever pride he had and backs off—silent, retreating like prey that realized it was about to be eaten.
As I suspected, the succubus comes bouncing into the room before the hand is dealt. When she spies me, I make sure she’s watching while I dive in and suck on Sutton’s neck. She threads her fingers through my hair, tits soft against my chest as I tap the green felt table behind her. Waiting.
Steam practically blows from Ashlyn’s ears as she strolls toward me like a hurricane, whip gripped in her hand. As if she plans to use it. She halts at my side, then snaps her fingers. Hand on hip. Attitude seething with ire.
“Up, asshole. You lost. I won. I get to take you to the center ring and make you my bitch.”
My laugh is slow and filled with venom. “Oh, baby girl…everyone knows whose bitch you are. You’re just the last to admit it.”
“If you’re implying I’m yours—”
“You are.”
“No, I’m not.” She crosses her arms, the leather strap held loosely in front of her. Eyes darting toward the felt, the cards, the dealer. An addict trying to deny herself the next hit. The tip of her pink tongue dips out to swipe at her bottom lip.
“Wanna bet?”
Her big blue eyes narrow as she examines my face for a tell, which is hard to do because Sutton takes the moment to press her mouth over mine.
“Bet what?”
“On who owns who. If you win? I’ll not only go to the tent and do your little obedience test. But I’ll wait on you hand and foot for a week. Whatever you want. Whatever little humiliation fantasies you’ve dreamed up, I’ll be yours.”
“In front of campus, Mr. President?”
“Yep.” I pop the p to emphasize my point. And now…here’s the kicker.
“And if you win?”
“Well, then I own you for the week.”
With a tug on Sutton’s blonde ponytail, I trail a finger down the front of her neck, letting it dip into her cleavage while warning the jealous woman next to me. “Collared. Leashed. And trained into submission to me, Ashlyn Donovan.”
Ashlyn rolls her tongue over her teeth, contemplating. Her expression gives nothing away, but I can feel the heat radiating off of her.
Hmm, maybe I overplayed the hand.
Lips brush against Sutton’s ear as I maintain a locked gaze on Ashlyn. “Didn’t think she’d do it. She knows she’ll lose to me.”
Ashlyn’s arms drop. Upper lip curls into a sneer. “Fuck you. I’m in.”
The sound is electric. Harmonious. Like angels singing. I’m about to get what I want. And for the first time since I left that fucking closet, I can finally breathe.
When I wave at the empty seat, she scurries into it, like she’s afraid I’ll change my mind. The brown leather padded chair groans as she settles in, squirming with anticipation, dropping her whip to the side. She’s glowing as gold as her hair. Almost smug.
I hate that her corset makes her tits crest the surface of her dress.
I hate how much I can’t look away.
A silent, simmering fury is what keeps me going. And if I give that up to lust after her pussy? I’ll lose.
Not to her.
Not again.
Bets for Texas hold ’em hit the felt like thunder as Blaire delivers my second drink. Sutton raises it to my lips. I sip, eyes still locked on my opponent. Ashlyn sits perfectly placed, directly across from me. Her back to the bar, face lit with challenge.
“Light up a cigar,” I tell Sutton, who takes a puff first, then holds it near my mouth, slow and sultry.
Ashlyn tosses in her first bet with a roll of her eyes. “Can’t even use your hands? What are you, a child?”
“Is this how it’s going to be, baby girl?”
She flinches at the nickname, and Tade flashes two digits from his position.
“How about we handle our differences on the felt?” I murmur the question, tapping my ring finger on the table.
“What do you mean?” she asks as I toss in a raise to her. A few of the other guys fold, but Ashlyn scans my expression, my body... Then, she calls.
“I mean, we make this round personal. One-on-one. Side bets.” I flash her a grin that could end lives. “If I win? You lose that dress.”
Her eyes dart to her cards for a second. “And if I win? You’ll lose that pathetic excuse to replace me on your lap.”
“Sure.” I take a long drag off the cigar. “She can suck my dick from the floor.”
Ashlyn’s nostrils flare like she’s about to spit fire.
“You know what I meant.”
“Alright,” I say, voice low and final. “Bet.”
The flop drops. Exactly what I needed. Three of a kind. Tade’s eyes jolt to the Theta sophomore reading the plays from behind me. When Tade gives me the nod, I know… It’s done.
“Raise,” I say, casually sliding chips forward.
Ashlyn barely masks her panic. She’s holding a pair, maybe two. But she can’t fold. Not now. Not with half the room watching. Her eyes flick to Sutton, then back to me. Her throat works on a hard swallow. “Call.”
The turn doesn’t seem to help either of us…but I push her further.
“Another hundred.” I smirk, tossing in a chip.
“Only that? Fine.” She shoves one forward to match my bet as if it’s nothing to her, but if I keep staring at her tits, I’d swear her heart is beating harder.
On the final card, I smile, knowing I’ve got her. Tade nods, indicating victory. I leave the bets as is. No one raises. When it’s my turn, I reveal my cards, and gasps spark around the table.
Ashlyn freezes, but doesn’t flinch. Nonetheless, the fire dims behind her ocean eyes.
“Looks like you lost that round,” I murmur, sipping my drink and savoring the numbing smooth burn. “Now it’s time to lose the outfit.” Smoke clouds the table as I wave the sugary scent toward her low-cut frilly dress. My smile is laced with superiority. Victory tastes good.
Sutton giggles, nuzzling into my neck, and my palm gathers her ass to pull her higher on my lap. Ashlyn ignores her and juts out her chin.
With absolute defiance, she reaches behind her back and unzips. The moment the fabric hits the floor, every eye in the room devours her. My dick responds to the sight before me with a steady thump in my trousers.
Bare tits, nipples sharp as diamonds. A tight little waist. Hips begging to be spread. Striped stockings kissing the tops of her thighs. Only a strip of black lace thong hides what I already own. She must have gathered up the panties I shoved in her mouth earlier…
In true Ashlyn fashion, she shoves her hands on her hips and twirls.
Slow. Proud. Naked. Daring me.
The table goes silent except for the sound of throats being cleared and drinks being choked on.
But I know better. I see the twitch in her jaw. The flicker in her lashes.
Her poker face isn’t that good.
“Next round?” she calls out, sliding back into her seat. “She’s leaving.” She points to Sutton, who gives me a sly grin, then slides to the floor between my legs.
Sutton’s palm rubs over my thickening cock. But it has nothing to do with the woman beneath me. And everything to do with that cunt across from me with the pride of a fool.
“Hmm, maybe.” I toss back my drink as Sutton presses her hot mouth over the tent in my trousers. My hand snakes down to her head as I pat her like a puppy. Ashlyn’s face screws up with fury.
“I love you jealous, baby. How about this? You win? She leaves. But if I win?” Setting my drink down, I wave my palms toward my dick. “You take her place right here.”
“Fine. Deal.” She tosses her ante in like she’s throwing away garbage. The utter confidence of this girl hasn’t changed a day since—
Let me stop that memory right there.
“Ouch!” Oops. Sutton draws back as I inadvertently crush her nose into my belt buckle.