Nights Embrace (Others of Seattle) (9 page)

Roxy shrugged
and took her shot with Sorcha. Trevor went ahead and took his before clearing the table and going to the fridge.

Trevor asked,
“Hey, Roxy, what would you like to drink, love?”

The easy way the endearment rolled off his tongue made her cheeks go ros
y. “Water, please.”

“You got it.” He filled a glass and passed out a Guinness to everyone else before bringing her cup.

“Thank you,” she whispered as he took the seat beside her.

He squeezed her hand.
“You know how to play poker?”

She nodded.

“Please tell me you aren’t going to win every hand,” teased Joey.

Sorcha smacked his arm with her usual sass.
“You watch it. My girl will likely kick your arse again.”

Roxy bit her lip and turned to Siobhan,
“Just you two?”

She nodded.
“Fiona and Nick like to keep to themselves more often than not.”

Trevor added,
“They’ll warm up. It takes them a bit longer than the rest of us.”

Shane glanced at Trevor.
“So which rules are we playing by?” He shot Joey a stern look. “Make sure you explain it all before you start dealing, lad.”

Trevor snorted. Roxy
’s brow rose as she looked between them with slightly narrowed eyes. Her wheels seemed to be turning, and he couldn’t help wondering what she was thinking.

* * * *

Trevor was acting way too cautious about everything. Like he worried his friends were going to spill some horrible secret. What the hell could they be hiding? His place was spotless, everything in its place. There wasn’t any women’s anything lying about. Nothing that screamed druggie. So what was it?

Roxy knew she was being paranoid, so she sat back and downed her water, knowing she didn
’t want any more alcohol. She had a good buzz, and she wasn’t interested in being drunk for this game.

She took a breath and turned toward Joey.
“Yeah, the rules are?”

He chuckled.
“Don’t trust me?”

“Not yet.” Her lips twisted into a smirk.

“Oh, she’s feisty. I like it.” Joey shot Trevor a taunting glance.

“And she’s mine,” Trevor warned with a low growl coloring his words.

A lick of electricity trickled through her body in response to Trevor. She grinned back at him. “Who says you aren’t mine?”

He leaned in, a sensuous smile playing across his mouth.
“Aye, that too, love. I have no problem being yours.”

“Mmm,” she
agreed, thinking being his wasn’t such a bad notion. She turned back to Joey. “Okay, smartass, what rules are we playing by?”

Joey let out a heavy sigh, and pouted.
“Fine, fine, take all the fun away.”

Sorcha grinned devilishly as she explained,
“Good old poker with five cards. The person with the lowest hand removes a piece of clothing. Once you’re naked, you pick truth or dare and the winner gets to choose. Everyone agree?”

“Mmhmm
.” Roxy nodded, shifting her gaze to Trevor who was watching her like he might pounce. God, she wished he would, but knew he wouldn’t. Much to her disappointment, he had managed to hold himself in check all day. Normally she would think twice about getting naked in front of strangers, but with Trevor’s heated expression, she felt bold.

Joey dealt the cards.

Trevor lost the first round and kicked off his shoes.

Roxy managed not to pout.

Sorcha was next and her shoes followed.

Before long everyone
’s shoes were under the table.

Sorcha lost another round and pulled her sweater off. She threw it at Joey
, who laughed.

Roxy lost and took her sweater off. The next hand was crummy and she shimmied out of her jeans.

She was the first one down to her underwear and Trevor kept reaching over to trail his fingers down her thigh, causing her to shiver.

“Drink break,” Siobhan announced as she got up to go to the fridge.
“Anyone want anything besides beer?” She gave Roxy a raised brow.

Roxy switched gears, deciding a little more alcohol was in order.
“Beer is fine,” Roxy answered.

“How many tattoos do you have?” Joey asked as he
admired Roxy’s arms.

“Ten,” she shrugged. “They
’re slightly addictive.”

Trevor turned her right arm to read the ambigram.

“Creative,” she turned her arm the best she could, “Dreamer.”

He placed a kiss to the ink.
“That’s much more fitting.”

She about melted right there.

Sorcha asked from across the table, “And the other?”

“Beautiful Disaster,” Roxy
offered, remembering her earlier conversation with Trevor.

Her scarlet brows scrunched.
“Hmm. Why ‘Beautiful Disaster’?”

Roxy sighed.
“Long story. The short version is I have moments feeling like both.” She took a gulp of her beer.

Trevor ran his fingers over the snout of the dragon wrapped around her thigh, his head resting on her hip. A burning shiver traveled through her whole being.
“What’s the story with the dragon?” he whispered.

“Mikey drew it up for me when I turned eighteen.
He said he would protect me. It was my first tattoo.”

“Damn, first?”
he asked in surprise. The dragon coiled around her thigh three times, covering the shapely length, the tail trailing down her calf. “That had to hurt.”

“Nah, wasn’t too bad,” she grinned.

“Wait. Who’s Mikey?” Joey asked, clearly concerned.

Roxy laughed out loud.
“My brother. He’s an artist, and my band’s guitar player.”

“I want to see,” Sorcha demanded. “Stand up, and show me. Now.”

Laughing, she did, and turned. Trevor’s fingertips danced over her skin, trailing along the outline. “That really is gorgeous work.” His breath skated over her thigh.

If he moved his fingers
two short inches up, he’d find her panties soaked. She looked back to see his jade eyes darkened, and his nostrils flared before he sat back.

Oh
god, can he smell my desire? No, he’s human, just human, and his face wasn’t in my crotch. I’m imagining shit again.

Siobhan leaned into Shane, her voice drawing Roxy
’s attention. “Maybe he’ll draw something for me. I want another, but I haven’t figured out what.”

“I can ask him,” Roxy replied.

Shane frowned. “I told you, I would draw you something but you never tell me what you want.”

She gave him a sweet smile
before leaning over to give him a quick kiss.

The game started back up, clothes piled up under the table. They all had their crest tattooed on them, and everyone but Siobhan had more.

Shane’s arms were covered in full sleeves. Joey had several pieces as did Sorcha. And Trevor’s entire back was covered by a beautiful wolf in a forest scene. She thought she’d seen that same wolf somewhere, but she couldn’t for the life of her figure out where.

Roxy still felt out of place as the only one among them who didn
’t look like she belonged in a fitness magazine. She was in decent shape, but she was softer, with a small waist, and ample curves.

Siobhan was the first one naked. Joey wasn
’t far behind her. Then Sorcha.

Roxy finally lost another round and pulled her tank over her
head. Desire burned in Trevor’s gaze as he trailed a finger over the music notes flowing down her ribs.

“Beautiful,” he whispered.

Sorcha lost another round and Roxy won.

“Truth.” Sorcha grinned.

“What makes you and Joey work?”

Laughing, she answered,
“We both flip each other shit and it never bothers the other. We both have fun no matter what. And he’s great in bed.” She waggled her scarlet brows.

Joey laughed.
“You’re my little firecracker, Sorcha.” He dealt another round.

Roxy lost again and tried not to wince as she removed her bra, feeling like she might be too curvy for her present company. Trevor
’s desire-filled eyes eased her self-doubt.

Next
, Shane was in his birthday suit.

Then Joey, with Trevor winning. Joey shouted,
“Dare!”

Trevor laughed.
“Ten jumping jacks.”

Roxy couldn
’t watch, so she focused her attention on Trevor. He laughed with the rest of them at what she knew must be a comical sight.

Sorcha
tempted, “Come on Rox, it’s quite amusing.”

She nodded
, not daring to turn. “Oh, I’m sure, but I hardly know him and don’t need to see it flopping around, thanks.”

Another round and Trevor lost. He stood to slide his underwear down his legs.

Roxy tore her gaze away. A thrill of fear and excitement shot through her. The man was hung like nothing she’d ever seen in person. Quite frankly, she wasn’t a hundred percent sure she could accommodate him.

She managed to choke out.
“Does that mean I won? I’m the only one with anything on.”

“I didn’t think there were any winners in this game. I say we keep going.” Shane answered with a
devilish grin. “That is, unless you’re planning to go somewhere else?”

“I’ve got time
,” Roxy retorted, but she was a little nervous now.

Joey dealt again and Trevor lost. Joey won.

Trevor glared at Joey and made his choice, “Dare.”

An evil glint sparked in Joey
’s dark eyes. “Show these guys how you kissed Roxy at Pike Place earlier.”

“You saw?” Roxy whispered.

Trevor stood and took her hand, pulling her to her feet. Her eyes rounded as he wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her tight against his hard body.

She nearly swallowed her tongue
when she felt his length harden against her before his mouth captured hers. Everything fell away, leaving only the two of them. His overheated skin set her ablaze as though napalm coursed through her veins.

His hand skated down her thigh, hooking under her knee to pull her leg over his hip. He ground against her
feminine heat and she moaned deep in her throat as his tongue caressed hers in a sensual dance.

“Ahem,” Shane cleared his throat. “I think we get the
point.”

Trevor released her slowly, staring into her eyes. His expression
trapped somewhere between primal and tortured, and he couldn’t quite catch his breath.

That was fine, she
wanted him as bad as he obviously wanted her. Her chest heaved at the loss of his touch.

H
e covered himself awkwardly, and she failed to hide an embarrassed giggle as he sat down.

“Sorry,” he whispered before sitting.

Shaking her head, she sank onto her seat. “Don’t be,” she replied with sheepish smile.

The next round was lost by Roxy. She slid her panti
es off and shoved them under her jeans.

Siobhan lost
the next round and bashfully chose Truth.

Shane was the winner.
“Have you ever been jealous of Sorcha, and why?”

She answered quickly,
“Yes, but only because she has more guts than I do.”

Roxy lost again, Sorcha winning. No matter what she
chose, she knew she was about to be embarrassed, not that she could blush any deeper.

Best to get it over with
.
Roxy took a breath, and answered, “Dare.”

“Ballsy, I like it.” Sorcha practically bounced out of her seat. “I’ll
play nice. Sit in Trevor’s lap the rest of the game.”

That was nice?
Roxy’s eyes narrowed as she slipped from her seat, and onto Trevor’s knees.

His arm banded around her waist, pulling her back flush against his chest.
She froze, afraid to move. His breath was ragged and he sat as still as she did.
This is torture
.

Before Joey could shuffle, someone
’s cell rang. Siobhan dove under the table.

“Hi. What’s up?” Siobhan asked. “Okay, yeah, I’m starved. Let me ask the others.” From where she knelt on the floor, she asked, “Anyone else want to go down to Charlene’s for a late night snack?”

Trevor whispered against her ear. “Please tell me you’ll join us?”

“Mmm, I will.” She wasn’t sure she could leave him yet.

“We’ll be there. Roxy’s practically one of us already.” Siobhan gave her a wink. That seemed odd coming from the quiet one.