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  There were several chuckles. "That sounds like a challenge to me, Ewan," said Jav.

  "That it does," the other man replied, staring straight into my eyes. I knew that from that moment it was game on between us. The second I played a hand, he'd be all over me.

  And a few minutes later, I was dealt something I couldn't ignore. A pair of Queens. One of the best starting combinations possible. My pulse quickened. This was it.

  I raised, and several people came along for the ride, including my new friend. The first three cards dealt into the centre looked harmless, so I bet again. Everyone folded until it got around to Ewan.

  "Finally found some stones, hey?" he asked. "Alright then, let's play." He threw in enough chips to match my bet. Everyone else folded.

  The next card didn't change much, but nonetheless I began to feel nervous. The first few bets in any given hand are relatively small, but as the money in the middle grows, so do the size of the wagers. There was already a large sum in the centre of the table. This hand had the potential to get out of control very quickly.

  I considered just cutting my losses and giving up, but I couldn't stomach the thought of giving Ewan that satisfaction. I'd sat down to compete, and so compete I would. With shaking hands, I bet again.

  He thought for about thirty seconds, staring me right in the eyes. "Okay," he said, then called once again.

  The final card was an Ace. It wasn't very likely that it helped Ewan at all, but it was still a scary card. One of the only ones higher than my pair. I didn't think I could bet again.

  "Check," I said, passing the action over to him.

  Instantly he pushed a tall stack of greens into the centre. "Nine hundred."

  I exhaled slowly. It was a huge bet; all of my remaining chips. My first instinct was to fold. I couldn't imagine calling such a bet and being wrong, and Ewan had made a habit out of betting big when he had the goods. For all his recklessness, he hadn't shown much of a propensity to bluff.

  But as I thought it through, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was just being bullied. My presence clearly offended him, and this was the perfect opportunity for him to show me who was boss.

  As if on cue, he spoke. "Just let it go, girl," he said. "You've still got most of your lad's money. There's no shame in admitting you're outgunned here."

  I'm not sure if it was his tone or the smug look on his face that did it, but I suddenly knew I couldn't fold. If I was wrong, I was wrong, but I wasn't going to let him intimidate me.

  With my heartbeat thundering in my ears, I silently pushed my money forwards and flipped up my hand.

  He gazed at me for what felt like a lifetime, his mouth slowly twisting into a snarl, before shooting wordlessly to his feet and storming from the room. The table erupted into applause.

  "I guess he folds," said Sebastian from behind me. I hadn't even realised he was back. "God, that was the most satisfying thing I've seen in a while."

  I grinned. "It felt pretty damn satisfying too."

  "You should bring her along more often, Sebastian," said Jav. "I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a show as much as that."

  Sebastian grinned. "I told you you could handle it," he said to me.

  "Oh I knew I could too, I just didn't want to embarrass your friends here."

  He laughed. "That's very gracious of you."

  I smiled. "After that hand though, I think it's time to call it a night. Not sure my heart can take much more." I started gathering up the chips. "Still, over a thousand bucks profit for a couple of hours work. Not a bad night."

  "It was a little more than that."

  I paused and did a quick count in my head. "Well, I guess it might be closer to one point five, if you add up all the change."

  He stared at me for several seconds. "Sophia, that hand you just won was worth a little over two point two million dollars."

  I did a double take. "Excuse me?"

  "You didn't know?"

  Something hot surged through me. "Know? How could I know?" I said, my voice getting progressively louder. "You said you were buying in for five hundred."

  "Yes, five hundred thousand."

  I looked down at the stack of chips once more, my eyes wide. There was more money in front of me than both my parents had made in their entire lives. I was no stranger to extravagance — the partners at work were notorious for their heinous disregard for money — but this took it to a whole new level. It seemed almost impossible to comprehend. "Holy shit. How the hell could you let me play with that kind of money? I could have lost it all!"

  "But you didn't."

  I shook my head slowly. "I know but still...fuck."

  "Relax. You showed me you knew how to play. I had faith things would work out. And if they didn't, then c'est la vie. It's only money."

  Several of the other players were watching this exchange with amusement. "He's lost more than that in a night before, Sophia," said Trey, who seemed to have recovered from his own loss. "And I dare say I'd take you over him if it were my money," he said with a wink.

  Sebastian tried to look offended, but he couldn't quite hide his smile. He really did seem completely at ease with the situation. Perhaps he really would have been okay if I'd lost.

  "Still," I said to him, "the next time you put me in charge of a million dollars, do me a favour and let me know, okay?"

  "Of course. Sorry, I really thought you were aware. Anyway, look on the bright side. Since you're responsible for a large chunk of the winnings, you're entitled to a cut of the profits. How's fifty fifty sound?"

  I gaped up at him. "I can't do that."

  "Of course you can. You earned it."

  "No, I didn't. I won it by accident, using your money, playing for stakes that I was totally unaware of."

  "But you deserve some kind of reward. I want you to have it."

  "Well I don't want it. It feels too much like a handout."

  "Sophia—"

  "—I'm not taking it, Sebastian! End of discussion."

  Something in my tone must have got through to him, because his expression softened. "Okay. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push."

  I took a deep breath. "It's alright. I just don't do well with charity, you know? I like to earn my success."

  He nodded slowly, a strange smile appearing on his face. "I completely respect that. Like I said, I'm sorry. Can we not let this ruin our night?" He leaned in so only I could hear his words. "I still have plans for you and I'd hate for them to go unfulfilled." As he spoke, he reached out and ran a hand tantalisingly down my hip.

  I could already feel my tension ebbing away. It was difficult to be too angry at a man whose only crime was offering you half a million dollars. Especially if that man was a smoking hot sex god who wanted to take you home and do unspeakable things to you.

  I sighed dramatically. "Fine. You know you're lucky you're so damn sexy."

  "Am I now?" he said with a laugh.

  I tutted and shook my head. "Fake modesty doesn't suit you. Shall we go?"

  "Sure." He signalled for someone to tally up his chips, explaining that the money would be wired to him later. We said our goodbyes and headed for the car.

  He must have called Joe at some point, because the older man was waiting for us when we got downstairs.

  "Good night, sir?" he asked, as he opened the door.

  Sebastian nodded. "Yes, although I do believe it's about to get better."

  I blushed, although I'm not sure why. Given that less than two hours ago we'd been having incredibly obvious sex not five feet away from Joe, it felt like the time for embarrassment had passed. We slid into the back cabin and the car took off.

  Our lack of restraint on the earlier trip had left me sated, but that melted away almost as soon as the door closed behind us. Trapped with Sebastian in the privacy of the car, the air instantly seemed to grow warmer. It was like we couldn't be alone together without there being some kind of sexual charge.

  He must have felt it too. Sliding c
loser, he leaned in and planted a soft kiss on the nape of my neck. "I can't wait to get you home," he whispered in my ear. "I believe I was promised a show."

  "And I intend to give you one," I replied.

  I reached for him, trying to pull him in for a kiss, but he caught my hands in his. "Uh uh. I lost control once tonight. I'm not going to do it again. I want to wait until I've got you exactly the way I want you."

  The way he said that made my sex clench with anticipation.

  We sat quietly for a minute, Sebastian staring thoughtfully out the window.

  "Most girls would have taken the money," he said eventually.

  "What?"

  "Inside earlier, most girls I've dated would have taken the money."

  "Well, I'm not like most girls."

  I thought perhaps we were going to go round two over my refusal, but instead he just smiled ever so slightly. "No, you aren't." A few seconds passed. "You know, I think you left quite the impression on my friends."

  "Oh yeah?"

  "Ewan was right, I don't think there have been many women at that table. Not because they weren't wanted, it just doesn't really happen. But still, you handled yourself wonderfully. You didn't let them intimidate you."

  I looked sheepish. "Would it shatter your impression of me if I said I was actually scared shitless?"

  He laughed. "No. You might have been scared, but you went with your gut anyway and that's what matters. Fearless in the face of pressure. I can see now why you make a great lawyer."

  I blushed and looked away. I didn't know why his praise meant so much to me, but it did. "Well, thanks. The pressure in law is usually a little different though. Mostly it's just pressure not to fall asleep in the middle of a document." I cleared my throat, hoping to change the subject. "Speaking of work, tell me about your trip."

  He hesitated. I could almost feel that shield begin going up inside him. "Nothing to tell, really. I spent most of it in meetings."

  "Come on, you can do better than that," I replied. I'd decided earlier in the day that I was going to try and get something out of him. I was still vaguely uncomfortable with how little I knew about his day to day life. It was like dating a secret agent. "Just give me generalities. You know a little about what I'm going through at work, I'd like to know the same."

  He considered this, before eventually nodding. "I guess I can do generalities. In a nutshell, I'm working on a project. It's going to be a pretty big deal if it gets off the ground. A real revolution. But as with any progress, there are people who would rather it didn't happen."

  "What, like competitors?" I asked.

  "Exactly. Anyway, it's making things rather difficult for our clients."

  "But surely that's their problem? Don't you just provide funding?"

  "Yes and no. We've built up quite a few connections over the years, so if we can help clients in other ways, we do our best. Their success is our success."

  "Right. So, I'm picturing a lot of secret lunch meetings and nondescript briefcases changing hands."

  He laughed. "Sadly, it's not nearly that cool. Mostly it's just paperwork and boardrooms."

  "Well, now it just sounds like my job."

  Even though it was fairly mundane, I liked the fact that he'd given me something. I wasn't under any illusions that it meant much, but it was nice to feel like he trusted me, even if it was just a little.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Soon we pulled up in front of his building. We said farewell to Joe and headed inside. As the lift rose to his apartment, Sebastian stepped around behind me, encasing me in his arms. His mouth found my ear, nibbling delicately. "Fuck, you don't know how difficult it was for me to get through those discussions earlier."

  "Oh?" I asked, trying to sound innocent.

  "All I could think about was that I had your panties in my pocket." His hand slid down my stomach, coming to rest provocatively close to my crotch. "You're naked under here for me right now."

  "Naked and wet," I replied.

  He growled softly. "We'll have to take care of that, won't we?"

  The doors opened into his apartment. Without a word he took my hand and led me toward the bedroom, his movements radiating primal intent.

  As we entered, he spun me lightly onto my back and then climbed on top of me. His mouth locked over mine, so sweet and so strong, and my body yielded beneath him. I'd never met a man whose kiss could break me so. Every stroke of his tongue seemed to echo through me all the way to my toes.

  I felt his hands snaking across my skin and I responded in kind, enjoying the little moans and sharp breaths that I coaxed out of him as I explored his most intimate places. Under his shirt, his chest was warm and firm, and he still smelled lightly of sweat from our earlier exertions. I don't know why, but I liked that scent. It was so perfectly him.

  We writhed together like that for some time, his fingers wandering, but never making any effort to remove my clothes. Eventually they found their way to my thighs and peeled up my skirt, my legs falling open without the slightest resistance. Every nerve in my body seemed to be standing on end. And this was just the beginning.

  "I don't know why you were worried about your outfit," he said, pausing to study me. "You look hot as hell all corporate and sexed up."

  "I'm glad you like it," I replied.

  "I do. In fact, I don't want you to remove a thing. I want to watch you play with yourself right now."

  I smiled seductively. "I think I can manage that."

  He slid off the bed and sat on a nearby chair, his eyes never leaving my body. "Touch yourself for me, Sophia."

  And I did as I was told. I was already impossibly excited. My finger glided with silken ease across my aching slit. I was tentative at first. Even given all that we'd shared, it was strangely invasive having someone else in the room while I pleasured myself. But as my passion mounted, my hesitance gradually fell away. I found the exhibitionism of performing intensely exciting. It was a different kind of intimacy. I was showing him something I'd never shown anyone before, something usually reserved just for me.

  "Go slow," he said, barely able to drag his eyes away from my dancing fingers. "I want tonight to last."

  I eased up, rubbing myself in gentle circles, savouring the look of desire that burned on his face. There was a wonderful sense of power, seeing what my show was doing to him. The bulge in his pants was growing with every passing second.

  I let out a soft moan as I brought my second hand down to play too, slipping it inside me while my first continued to focus on my clit.

  "God, you look so fucking sexy like that," he said.

  "I promised you a show didn't I?"

  "You certainly did. I just have one suggestion."

  "Oh?"

  He reached out and opened a nearby chest of drawers, withdrawing a long, pale blue vibrator. It was thick and elegantly curved, with a smooth, rounded head and a small secondary arm about three quarters of the way down. "I bought it especially for you."

  I took it from him, weighing it in my hand. It was larger than the one I had at home, almost as large as Sebastian's cock. A few weeks earlier I'd probably have said it was too big, but recent experience had taught me that I didn't know my limits as well as I thought.

  "It's lovely." I said.

  "It will look even more lovely inside you."

  Taking the hint I flicked the switch to the lowest setting and the toy buzzed to life. My pussy was already wonderfully slick and the smooth rubber slid in easily. "Oh god," I groaned, as the head found my G-spot, sending a steady stream of pleasure rolling through me.

  "That's it," he said. "Feels good, doesn't it?"

  "God yes," I breathed.

  With a little experimentation, I found the right angle to let the smaller arm work my clitoris at the same time. The simultaneous stimulation was exquisite.

  "Now imagine how good it's going to feel when it's my cock inside you instead."

  "So get over here and fuck me!"

  "Patience.
Like I said, I want to draw it out. I will, however, give you a preview."

  Reaching down, he unfastened his zipper, freeing his shaft from his pants. The sight of it made my whole body throb. Although I hadn't laid a finger on him, he was stiff as iron.

  With tantalising slowness, he began to stroke himself, gripping the base firmly in his fist and working up and down. I'd never watched a man masturbate before. It had never seemed particularly appealing when we could be doing other things, but just a few moments with Sebastian showed me how wrong I'd been. This was off-the-charts hot, and made hotter by the fact that it was my body he was staring at. With every flick of his wrist, his cock seemed to swell just a little more.

  "Don't stop," he said, and I realised that I had. The sight was so captivating that I'd forgotten my own pleasure. "But remember, you have to restrain yourself. If you come before I say so, there will be repercussions."

  I resumed, now acutely aware of how close I was to the edge. I was doing my best to restrain myself, but the whole experience was so sensual that I didn't know if I could hold back. Our passions seemed to feed off one another, and as his pleasure mounted, so did my own. I loved staring into his eyes, watching him react as I performed for him, knowing that I was having the same effect on him. We weren't touching at all, but nonetheless there was a sense of connection to the situation that rivalled anything else I'd shared with him.

  Our rhythms synchronised. As he stroked up, I thrust in. With every passing moment, my longing to have the real thing inside me grew. I burned for it. Despite the distance between us, in my head he was already buried eight inches deep, unravelling me with that tender ferocity as only he could.

  Soon, I couldn't take any more. The charge pulsing between my legs threatened to overwhelm me. "I'm close."

  His eyes narrowed. "Did I say you could come?"

  "Please," I moaned, shifting the vibrator restlessly. I tried to move it to a less direct angle, but every part of me was humming by now, begging for release. "Please."

  "Take out the vibrator, Sophia." The sudden sharpness in his voice caused me to slow. It was the same deep tone he'd used with Hannah the first night we'd met, that heavy command that seemed to echo right through me. Impossible to resist.