Page 130 of Double or Nothing

“This tragic little work performance would be more convincing if you weren’t still sitting there naked with cum splatter on your cheek. Doesn’t quite fit the vibe.”

I laugh before I can help it. The cum splatter is still there. Clearly visible.

Bryce’s eyes flick to me. He rolls them as he tuts.

“Don’t encourage him.”

“I’m not,” I say, absolutely encouraging him.

Jack grins. “She is. Soul Girl has excellent instincts.”

“I’m being sensible,” Bryce says, with the dignity of a man trying to defend civilisation from two reckless vandals.

“Nah,” Jack says. “You’re saying the word sensible in the hope it turns into a personality.”

Bryce narrows his eyes. “I have a meeting. Reports to prepare.”

“You always have a meeting and reports to prepare. So what?”

“It’s important.”

“They’re always important.”

“It’s with Bill. He needs the figures.”

Holy hell, that changes the air. My dad’s bastard name in the room changes everything.

Thank fuck I didn’t mention Christopher Otley. It would have sent Bryce running for the hills.

Dad’s name is as thick as a dose of poison, but it’s not enough to ruin the night. Not yet. Still, Bryce feels it. The pressure. I see him feel it. The tightening in his jaw. The way his eyes drop from Jack’s face, as if he’s already been caught doing the unthinkable.

Because that’s what this is. The unthinkable.

Jack sees it too. His grin doesn’t vanish, but it shifts. Softens at the edges.

“BT, seriously.”

Bryce doesn’t look up.

“Get yourself off the bloody leash,” Jack says. “There are enough other minions around to polish the board members’ communal ego, I’m sure.”

Ouch.

Bryce looks at him then, sharp. “You don’t understand.”

“I understand perfectly. You want to run now so you can pretend you didn’t want to stay.”

Silence.

That was nasty. Too blunt.

Bryce’s mouth opens, then closes again.

I should say something. I know I should. Something gentle. Something helpful. But I’m too busy watching them. Watching Bryce’s panic press itself against Jack’s certainty. Watching Jack hold the moment open with one lazy hand and one ruthless little truth.

“That’s not fair,” Bryce says, once his mouth stops flapping.

“No,” Jack says. “But it is accurate.”