Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 157162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
“She speaks for who she spreads for,” I quipped in an icy tone. “And the only shot you’ve got at me spreading my legs for a man like you is me being a woman of my word. And you’ll always know that it wasn’t because I found you desirable or attractive in any way but because I’m honorable.” I spat the word that all but turned to dust in the present company. “My honor exceeds only so far as fulfilling favors owed. Once that is done, I’m free to go back to my hobby.” I inspected my nails, knowing I had the rapt attention of every man in the room. “Which is destroying men who think that they are untouchable. I’m exceptionally good at that. As you’ve likely heard.” I gave him a saccharine smile. “But by all means, make the bet.” I shrugged, phrasing the offer like the threat it was.
The trick was to ensure that every man in the room knew I was not a victim. Even though I felt like I was, I never let it show. That was the goal.
As much as Jasper was a master of deception and tawdry deeds—having caught me off guard—I was an expert too, and I recovered quickly.
Therefore, I already knew what would happen before anyone spoke.
They made the bet.
Jasper won the game.
Which I wasn’t entirely surprised about. Jasper won most things. Through grit, skill or cunning.
Yes, he counted cards and likely knew all the cards in play. But I’d seen his hand. And he had nothing.
He bet me on nothing.
Because the job he was there to do was so important? Maybe. More likely because he could. Because he saw his opportunity to use me, to teach me a lesson with this favor.
I didn’t let my ire show. My anger. During the game, I’d been the picture of the woman he wanted me to be. Which was more or less me with a slightly sluttier wardrobe and emptier brain.
The experience was not unlike the handful of situations we’d found our way into over the years. Danger, money, sexual tension… It was all an adrenaline rush. And like when I was younger, I’d enjoyed it. Hadn’t I?
Yet since arriving in Vegas, there was not a moment when I hadn’t felt covered in grime.
I should’ve felt some kind of relief the closer we got to the airport—my favor now cashed in, no longer indebted to Jasper—but my body was coiled tighter than ever. Because I knew this was far from over.
Jasper betrayed nothing. He’d been sitting in the car silently. No phone, no distractions, just sitting. Waiting. He knew it was coming. The release of the pressure I’d been building, the explosion of words I’d been swallowing.
He knew me.
And I hated that. I hated the person he knew.
“I’m not your whore,” I told him quietly, the words sharpened to blades.
“No,” he agreed flatly. “But you owed me. And—”
“And you were willing to bluff your way into that deal?” I slammed my fist onto the dashboard. “Turning me into a whore if you lost.”
He didn’t react at all, not even inhaling audibly. The picture of composure. “I wasn’t going to lose.”
“You were bluffing.” My nails cut into my palms. It was one thing to do it with a hand you knew would beat all others, quite another with a fistful of nothing. Therefore, he knew he could lose.
“Bluffing is lying.” he remained emotionless. “We both know that I can do that.”
“Yes,” I murmured. “We do.”
“If I had lost, I wouldn’t have turned you into a whore.” He adjusted one of his Montblanc Heritage cufflinks. “Because you would’ve used that dagger strapped to your inner thigh on any man who tried to collect you as winnings.”
It didn’t surprise me that Jasper knew about the knife. He knew about it because he’d undressed me enough times to know I kept it there. I wasn’t stupid enough to go into any situation with Jasper unarmed. I was under no false impressions that he would protect me. Maybe he might, he probably would. Yet there was always a doubt there, a little sliver in the back of my mind that didn’t trust that he would save me. The danger in him was half of the reason I had continued to sleep with him; I liked courting death. Cheating it. But I wouldn’t rely on him for my survival. I wouldn’t rely on anyone. Relying on people I didn’t trust would get me killed. Relying on people I did trust would get them killed.
Jasper saving my life would ensure that I owed him another favor. That I owed him my life.
I’d rather die than accrue that debt.
My mind connected the dots quickly, shame blanketing me for not doing so the second Jasper made the bet.
My time with the good and honest people of Jupiter had made me rusty, something that could be fatal.