Devil's Gamble

by Michele Arris

  “No, thanks. You’ve done more than enough.”

  “Holler if you need anything.” He headed out.

  “Gavin?”

  At the door, he gave a look over his shoulder.

  “You’re really sweet. That’s all I wanted to say.”

  Wow! Okay, he let that one wash over him like a warm spring rain. Guilt filled his chest as he thought about how much he didn’t deserve her.

  He nodded, closed the door behind him, and went back to the kitchen island.

  “That’s one save,” Dax whispered. “Three more to go. What will you do when you get call number two from your father . . . and the rest of them? You won’t be able to use the ladies hanging out each time.”

  “I’ll deal with it as it comes.”

  Dax stood up and stretched his long frame, then moved to the door. With a hand on the knob, he said, “If you need me to join you tonight, I’m there.”

  “Nah, I got it.” Gavin gave a quick look over his shoulder in the direction of the hallway before whispering, “What you can do is meet up at Sean’s around five. I intend to make a quick stop there before I head to Dylan. In case Sienna asks about hanging out with you and the guys, I’ll be able to say truthfully that I was there.”

  “Dude, that’s called lying by omission.”

  Gavin frowned. “Weren’t you leaving?”

  “Just saying.”

  “Get the fuck out.”

  With a chuckle, Dax delivered a mocking salute, and exited.

  Pain in the ass. Gavin hated to admit that his buddy was right, but what choice did he have? He was taking a gamble by not telling her and just hoped the deck was in his favor.

  At the close of the door, he made his way back to the bedroom. Sienna had removed the sheets from the bed. The woman just refused to keep still.

  The sound of the shower running drew him to the bathroom. She stood just outside of the glass door with a hand under the water.

  “I see you insist on making me worry about you.”

  “Bailey will be over around three. I wanted to straighten up and take a shower. Will you help me shampoo my hair?”

  Gavin helped her out of her tank top and panties. Keeping his attention on the task at hand, he assisted her into the shower.

  “You could join me.” She beckoned her head in the direction of the warm spray.

  Admiring her beautiful, naked, tantalizing form as the water glistened over her smooth skin, he was barely tethered on the edge of his restraint as it was. “It’s best for both of us that I don’t.”

  After tending to her hair, with swift hands, he bathed her, then wrapped her in a towel and guided her to the chair by the fireplace. He made quick work of dressing the bed. She came forward and took a seat on the edge. On his knees before her, he squeezed into his palm the strawberry-scented moisturizer and began running his hands over her legs. Soft and smooth as new spun silk.

  She removed the towel, exposing her nakedness, and encircled her legs around his back, drawing him in. Her brilliant smile dared him to succumb to the blatant invitation.

  Sensual and sexual. I fucking love that about her.

  Staring at her succulent breasts on down to her bare sex, he licked his lips, remembering the sweet taste of her. “Stop torturing me, woman. You make it damn hard to be good.”

  “Maybe I don’t want you to be good.”

  With her body spread before him like a decadent smorgasbord, he glided his hands along her legs, over narrow hips, and cupped her breasts. So damn weak to her, he took her right nipple into his mouth, sucking the pebbled flesh into a hard peak, then dragged his tongue up the delicate column of her throat, and finally claimed her offered mouth. His kisses were light, teasing, until she began an aggressive sweep of her tongue over his lips, nipping, licking, and tasting him with a rough and greedy insistence. The act was so provokingly stimulating, his dick pulsed in his jeans as he all but rammed his tongue down her throat. “Sie, I want to lick every inch of you,” he breathed huskily, as he slipped a finger between the split of her moist folds and gently circled her clit before pushing the thick digit into her already wet pussy. A shudder was shared between them as her channel clenched and unclenched in time with his deep stroking finger.

  The ring of his cell phone jolted Gavin back to his senses. He drew back and pulled the phone from his front pocket. Seeing Abela’s name on the display took him by surprise.

  Sienna palmed his face, her eyes seeming to glow like hot coals of unquenched passion, and tugged, attempting to force him back to her mouth.

  “I need to take this.” He stood up and answered the call on his way out of the room, “Hey.”

  “Hey yourself, stranger. It’s been a while.”

  He stepped into his bedroom and closed the door. The last time they’d spoken had been during Dylan’s wedding almost a year ago. They weren’t related by blood, but waking up naked in bed with her had been wrong, not to mention downright stupid. He’d reduced his whiskey consumption from that day forward.

  “You still there?”

  “Yeah.” Gavin pulled himself out of his thoughts of the day he’d made the fucked-up mistake of sleeping with her. A lurch curled in his stomach . . . so fucking stupid. “How are things with you?”

  “Good, I guess. I asked Eddie how you were, since he’s the only one that has gotten the pleasure to see you. I’m sure you’re still hot with a great ass.”

  She was always vocal that way with him. There was a time when his ego ate that shit up. Not anymore. Bypassing the comment, he asked, “So what’s doing?”

  “I was calling to see if you’ll be at the party?”

  “What party?”

  She chuckled. “Your pop’s birthday party, silly. Will you be there? The family would love to see you. I would love to see you. Uh . . . yeah, you got weird after we had se—”

  “When is the party?” Gavin cut in, not wishing to be reminded of that night.

  “The same time it’s always been. The second weekend in September. I was also calling to see if you’d like to grab a drink, you know, to catch up? Like I said, it’s been a while.”

  “My plate’s sort of full right now.”

  A sigh dragged out from her. “Gav, come on, we’re talking one drink and a bit of conversation.”

  Awkward silence filled the space for several seconds as he tried to drum up a reason not to see her without hurting her feelings. None came to mind fast enough. “Uh, yeah, sure, I’d like that. I’ll hit you up when I have some time.”

  “Great. Okay, well . . . it was nice hearing your voice . . . deep, smooth, and sexy.” Another soft laugh. “I’m looking forward to that drink.”

  “Sure thing.” Gavin ended the call and raked his fingers through his hair, flooded with a sea of regret. She’d gotten the wrong idea about his feelings for her. To avoid hurting her, he’d put distance between them, hoping she’d get the message. That apparently had been his second mistake with her. They needed to have a talk.

  Sienna. He’d left her smack in the middle of foreplay to talk to the other woman. Damn it.

  The ring of his cell in his hand startled him. Dylan. He answered, “What’s doing?’

  “The meet time is the same, but the location has changed.”

  “What do you mean it’s changed? Changed to where?”

  “Not over the phone. I’ll tell you when you get here, which will be when exactly? If we want to be on time, we need to be ready.”

  “How far out are we talking?”

  “Dude, not over the phone.”

  “Fuck, what’s the distance!” Gavin barked and looked at the closed door. “How far?” It came out more calmly, but not by much. He could do without all this incognito bullshit.

  “Just under two hours . . . one way.”

  He bit out a curse. “I’ll head out in a few.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Are you kidding me!

  Sienna sat slack-jawed, staring at the empty space of the
door. Baffled and feeling slighted once again, slowly, she stood up, and made her way to the closet. It took a bit of effort, but she managed to bandage her side and forehead, and then dressed for the day in tan shorts and a pink T-shirt. On her trudge back to the bed, Gavin entered the room and approached her.

  “Here, let me help you.”

  She slapped his hand away. “I’m good.” Dismissing the offended look in his eyes, she held her breath and eased down onto the bed.

  The sound of the doorbell had them both checking the clock. Without a word, he left the room. Moments later, Bailey bustled in carrying a bright orange floral tote and wearing a smile just as bright. They shrieked excitedly and hugged tight.

  “I know I’m early, but I couldn’t wait to see you.”

  “It’s fine. Girl, I’m so glad you’re here.”

  Bailey’s gaze roamed, studying. “How are you? Have you been resting?”

  “She refuses to take her meds,” Gavin chimed in from his perch at the threshold with arms crossed and a shoulder resting against the doorframe.

  Bailey turned her head to him. “I knew she wouldn’t.”

  “I don’t need them. I can manage on my own,” Sienna said with a knowing look over at Gavin. Ignoring the dimness in his blue eyes, she brought her attention back to Bailey and smiled. “We’re going to have a blast.”

  “You know it. I brought your favs.” Bailey pulled from her tote a box of cheddar and caramel mix popcorn and a bag of mini dark chocolate bites. She looked back at the door. “Gav—” The space where he’d been was empty. She turned back. “I was going to ask if he has Netflix?”

  “He does, as well as Amazon, Hulu, all of it.” Sienna clicked the remote at the TV on the wall and pulled up the menu.

  “Perfect. We’re about to series binge.” As Bailey kicked off her canvas sneakers and climbed in bed, she said, “I hear the guys are hanging out tonight. Lucas mentioned it before I left.”

  “Yep.” Sienna stared at the empty space of the door. She could hear Gavin’s low murmurs but was unable to make out what he was saying. He was speaking on his cell again, that much was obvious, but to who?

  “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  She met Bailey’s quizzical stare and smiled as she tore into the box of popcorn, soaking up the cheesy-sweet aroma. “I was craving this, thanks.” She received a long look, then her friend relented, picked up the remote, and started flipping through the channels.

  About two hours and an empty box of popcorn later, Gavin came into the room carrying a glass of water and her medication. He shook two pills from the bottle and set them next to the glass on the nightstand. “You ladies need anything before I head out?”

  The piece of chocolate in Sienna’s hand stilled at her lips as she took in his tall presence. Dressed in all black—jeans, a crew-neck shirt beneath a stylish jacket, and heavy soled shit-stumpers—the first word that came to mind was gorgeous. The second was threatening. Her head turned to the nightstand. It was closing in on 5:00 p.m.

  “You’re getting your party started kind of early.” His lips pursed, then there was a pause, a pregnant pause as if he was trying to think carefully before his attention dropped to the floor briefly, then back at her. He’d once claimed that he could read people. Well, she was becoming a scholar in her own right at reading him.

  “I’m headed to Sean’s place. We’ll likely hit up a bar for drinks later.” He lowered and came in, aiming to kiss her.

  Seriously? Sienna turned away just enough that his lips caught her right cheek. He reared back, head cocked slightly. A questioning look subtly colored his expression before his poker face settled back into place. Again, seriously? Oh no, buddy, it doesn’t work like that with me. One minute you want me and then all it takes is a phone call to change that? Nope, you go do you. She wasn’t stupid. There was no doubt in her mind that the call he’d taken earlier had been from a woman, one who apparently was important enough that he would walk away from having sex with her.

  “Tell my husband to behave himself.” Bailey grinned, her head bouncing between them, unknowingly breaking into their silent exchange.

  “I’m on it,” Gavin said to her, yet his eyes remained pinned.

  Sienna chose not to move away from the hand that cupped her cheek and resisted turning her lips into his affectionate touch. Damn him for consistently seesawing her emotions.

  “You try and rest some. Have fun, ladies.” Straightening to his full height, he turned, and left the room.

  No words were spoken until the resounding clank of the entry door, then Bailey asked, “What was that about?”

  “We had sex.”

  Bailey gasped. “Sienna, are you nuts? You have a cracked ribbed and a concussion.” Her eyes narrowed. “That’s it, you’re out of her. You’re staying at my home. What kind of man would take advantage—”

  “I initiated it.” Sienna met her friend’s tightly furrowed brows. “Yep, all me.”

  “What were you thinking? You could’ve worsened your injury. You’re here to rest up, not to be . . . be . . . ”

  “Rocking out,” Sienna supplied with a curved lip. “Did you see the man? He’s smoking hot with his clothes on, picture him without them. On second thought, don’t. Erase him from your mind.” Receiving a reprimanding glare, she sobered. “No worries, it won’t happen again.”

  “Good,” Bailey huffed. “Why?”

  Sienna drew back. “Why? You want me to sleep with him or you don’t?”

  “Yes . . . No . . . ” She shook her head. “I don’t know. I picked up some sort of weirdness between you two. What’s up?”

  “I think he’s seeing someone.”

  “What makes you say that? You’re staying in the man’s home. If that had been the case, why did he insist on having you here to recuperate? You’re supposed to be getting to know him better.” Bailey cut a sideways look and shook her head. “I guess that much has been accomplished.”

  Sienna thought about Gavin’s fingers buried deep inside her while his tongue was practically down her throat, yet whoever the woman was on that call enticed him a hell of a lot more.

  She munched on her chocolate while saying, “I know the signs. Heck, I’ve seen Lifetime movies just like this—the text messages and phone calls—rich guy with two mistresses.”

  Bailey sucked her teeth. “You’re being ridiculous.”

  “Oh really? Well, how do you explain this? We were about to have sex again and—”

  “Sienna!”

  “Pish.” She waved a hand at the objectionable frown. “Yeah, yeah, give me a break, okay. I’d been sex deprived. Anyway, he gets a phone call and bam, I’m all but forgotten.” Fiddling with the blanket, she was annoyed that she’d allowed her feelings to cultivate into this all-consuming affection for him. She didn’t like feeling vulnerable and unsure, especially where a man was concerned.

  “The sex between us had been just that, sex. It didn’t mean anything.”

  “It meant something to you. I can tell.” Bailey regarded her with an acumen that came from years of a deeply bonded friendship.

  “Nah, I’m good.” Major lie. Her best friend maintained a concerned frown. “Bails, stopped looking at me that way. Really, I’m okay. Gavin and I are friends.” Needing to change the subject, she said, “I met Daxton—Dax Pattarozzi.” They stared at one another, then shrieked in unison like high school cheerleaders. “Hottie, right?”

  Bailey rapidly nodded. “Oh yes.”

  “Have you met Sean?” Sienna asked as she tore into another bag of chocolate. “I’ve seen his pics online of course, but I haven’t met him.”

  “I’ve met him, and the Internet doesn’t do him justice.” They shared grins as Bailey aimed the remote at the TV. “So, what will we watch first?”

  Chapter Twenty

  Gavin made the hour drive to Sean’s sprawling suburban estate along the Potomac River.

  Before he could press in the code to open the gates, the twelve-foot, gloss
y black irons parted. Sean must have been alerted on one of his security feeds. The property was outfitted with sensors and cameras that could thwart anyone lurking within twenty feet of the private grounds.

  Gavin drove along the black flagstone, flanked by neatly groomed, lofty, aged evergreens, pulled into the circled driveway and parked beside Lucas’s silver Ferrari. To his left, over by the side driveway that led to the guest house and to the rear of the property, was a lime green Volkswagen Beetle.

  As he exited his car, Dax’s car came rolling up. He got out and came forward. They gripped palms and pulled into a hug.

  Gavin raised his chin in the direction of the bright green vehicle. “Who else is here? Or, has Sean gone economy friendly?”

  “It belongs to a friend of Nate’s. I think they’re study partners in his master’s program. Nate invites her out to play tennis on occasion.”

  Gavin raised a brow. “Her?” he asked as they made their way up the stone steps and tried the door, expecting that it would be unlocked. “So, Nate has a girlfriend?”

  Sean had practically looked after his cousin, Nate, after the guy’s parents’ plane went down over Nosy Berafia Island when he was ten years old. Their bodies were never found. Nate’s father had piloted the plane.

  “Yes, to the female friend part, and I’m pretty sure it’s a no to the second part,” Dax answered as they strolled through the expanse of the great room and into the kitchen.

  Gavin squinted briefly to allow his vision to adjust. The stark white room was near blinding. Lucas sat at the island nursing a Yuengling, and Sean was standing over by the glass French doors looking out.

  “Gav, man, to add to your second question, that’s why.” Dax directed a comical look over at Sean.

  Perplexed, Gavin frowned. “What do you mean?” He stepped over to Lucas, and they greeted one another with their usual handshakes and bro hugs.

  “Sean’s got a crush,” Dax sang out.

  Sean came away from the window sporting a scowl. “Dax, shut up. I’m not fucking twelve. I don’t have a damn crush.”