The Billionaire's Bet

  The scrape of chair legs on concrete died down as everyone took their seat, and Allie continued the introductions. She motioned to AJ and me with an open palm and said, “And this is Batman and Robin. AKA, Cam and…Jay? I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name earlier in the brawl at the convenience store.”

  Allie leaned forward with her hands on the edge of the table, and I pouted to myself, unhappy with the seating arrangement. Damn. She took the chair across the table from me and I was hoping she’d sit next to me. It wasn’t a big table, but I was wedged in between AJ to my left and her couple-friends to my right. It seemed like she’d built a fortress of human bodies for protection and I wondered why such a confidant girl would feel the need for such a thing?

  “My name is AJ,” he said. “Sorry about the little tussle earlier.”

  I cut in, “Hold on. I’m Batman,” I said to everyone at the tale and jabbed a thumb to my left. “He’s Robin. Just to set the record straight.”

  I gloated as everyone around the table laughed at my humor, everyone except Allie, that is. All I got from her was a little half-smile as if stifling her approval. She turned in her chair, and waved down a waitress, once again, taking charge of the situation.

  Jen pitched forward so we could hear over the bar music, and said, “Allie told us what happened at work today and the attempted robbery.” Jen giggled at the end of her sentence, her voice as soft and petite as she looked. “That was great of you guys to come to her rescue, even if she wasn’t in trouble.”

  Jen’s last sentence landed with her words directed at AJ, and I knew she was zeroing in on him. I saw his reaction as he straightened in his chair.

  Ah, yes. Jen was claiming AJ. A good sign. That meant these two sweeties had a little girl talk beforehand, the kind of thing girlfriends do when picking out who gets which guy for the night, and it looked like I was with Allie.

  Sweet.

  Taking the bait, AJ replied, “Aw, it was nothing.” He dipped his chin to his chest, brushing off the compliment. “I just saw Allie all alone with that rough-looking guy and figured I didn’t want to take a chance.”

  I narrowed my eyes and shot him a sidelong glance. He saw that she was in trouble? He had to do something?

  Bullshit.

  He was telling it all wrong, taking all the credit, stealing my thunder. Well, that figured, but it didn’t matter. It was working for him. Jen was staring at him, all doe eyed, and I wanted him to have fun. After all, it was spring break.

  She seemed impressed as I watched her eyes sparkle. Or maybe it was his long hair that infatuated Jen. AJ had the coolest hair, like that of many children of mixed race parents, a golden, peanut butter color with tight waves. He wore it, as only AJ could, shaved close on the sides and long on the top, tied up in a man-bun. With that, as well as his green eyes against caramel colored skin, he had a winning combination all the girls loved. AJ, Adam Jamal Thorpe, was too pretty for football, but then all the Thorpe men were good looking—and wealthy, so he’d fit right in when his football career was over and he’d join the family lingerie business. Yeah, that’s right. I said lingerie. As in push up bras and thong panties.

  Jesus. AJ’s dad was a promotional and marketing beast. He’d started a woman’s lingerie business years ago, Gloria’s Secret, as a store where men could shop for sexy underwear for their wives without feeling embarrassed. It took off and now he made millions. Who’d have known? So this was what AJ had to look forward to after college. Rough life, I know, dealing with smoking hot models and their bra cup issues.

  I turned to the group and said, “Can you give us a minute? My friend here forgot to take his Librium today.”

  When I leaned over to whisper in his ear, AJ spoke first. “I like the little one. She looks like she knows things.”

  “Right, but I’m trying to impress Allie and you made me look like an idiot with your version of the gas station thing.” I barked the words in a sharp whisper. I was sitting across from one of the hottest girls in the world and he was flapping his jaws about our screw up at the gas station. “Enough already.”

  “Alright, alright. I won’t embarrass you anymore.”

  “Thank you very much. I can do that all by myself.”

  I straightened in my chair, just as the waitress appeared with a cheery smile and her tray. I was relieved to move the conversation in a different direction and stop talking about the humiliating gas station incident.

  Before I could talk, Allie spoke up. “Okay, everybody. We’re gonna play a drinking game.”

  I raised an eyebrow. This girl didn’t waste any time.

  “What can I get you?” the waitress chirped.

  I opened my mouth to speak, but Allie cut me off. “We’re gonna need beers, the bigger the better. The twenty ounce size for this game.” She pinned me with her gaze and spoke directly to me when she added, “No wussing out.”

  Why’d she say that? Was she singling me out? Had AJ’s story convinced her I was a loser? I felt stupid, launching into my usual rant about the downfalls of too much beer, but I had to think about my future. I couldn’t afford to look sluggish at training camp. I ran the 40-yard-dash at the Scouting Combine with an excellent score, but what would it be with a beer belly? A slow 4.6?

  “Oh, I don’t know. A drinking game? Can’t get a beer belly before Draft pick day.” If I did anything to screw up my chance at getting drafted, it’d be over, and my future would be working the grill at Chili’s. But before I could finish explaining to my new friends about the importance of staying in tip-top shape for my football career, Allie interrupted. No surprise there.

  “Cam…” Her voice was sharp and it caught me by surprise. Like the crack of whip, a naughty whip in my mind, and it sent my blood rushing to my groin.

  “I said, no backing out. Only real men with balls can play this game. Now, get with the program.” She pierced me with a teasing smile, more alluring than the previous little smirk.

  Wow. Fucking amazing.

  The magnetism between us was unbelievable, yet we’d just met. I wanted to kiss that smile until she was pressing herself against me, and begging me to take her, but I knew I shouldn’t. Despite the warning bells ringing in my head, I ignored them and decided to accept her challenge. Oh, it was so on now. She had no idea who she was messing with.

  Come on, sweetheart. You come in here looking all sexy. Well, bring it on. I can play dirty too.

  I threw my hands up in surrender and laughed, “Okay, okay, I’ll play your silly little drinking game. Ruin my fine athletic body, suffer the sling and arrows of hangover hell, just for you, baby.”

  The waitress nodded, seeing we were ready for the tools of the game and said, “A serious drinking game needs a lot of beer. How about a couple pitchers for starters?”

  “Good idea, Carrie“ Allie said. “And keep’em coming.”

  As I watched the two exchange glances, I had the feeling they knew each other and were in cahoots. This probably wasn’t the first time Allie pulled the drinking game stunt with some new guy she just met, similar to a pool game hustle, and I was the little bitch.

  Before long, two large pitchers brimming with foam were delivered to the table along with several tall, slender beer glasses. By now, we’d gotten through the small talk, where AJ and I explained that we were headed to Vegas for spring break. The others already heard the part about the flat tire and the gas station, and Matt seemed genuinely interested when we talked football and my plans to go pro.

  Allie immediately grabbed one of the pitchers and started filling the empty glasses. As she poured, her dark eyes flicked to mine, and she asked casually, “So Cam, are you leaving in the morning?”

  “Yeah, first thing. We got a room for the night. It’s practically right next door at that little motel.” I motioned with my hand. “The one that kinda looks like the Bates Motel.”

  She returned the pitcher to the table without cracking a smile and said, “That’s convenient.”

  Convenien
t? Was I reading too much into this? Did she want to go to the motel and have wild sex with me? I could only hope.

  “Yeah, I noticed your car parked over there when I came in,” she said. “I recognized it from the gas station. It’s…um…rather old. Are you sure it’s gonna make it to Vegas?”

  Matt picked up the other pitcher of beer and began pouring for Steph and himself. “I think I saw it too,” he said. “That old gray Camry in front of the motel next door?” He winced. “Yikes. Hope you have a good towing service.”

  Everyone laughed, but AJ’s face wrinkled in dismay. “Hey, you people are awfully hard on the new guy. Don’t worry, my car’ll get us there. That’s right, Old Reliable, she’ll make it to Vegas.”

  The look on everyone’s faces told me they doubted it, but they shrugged it off, ready to have some fun.

  With all the glasses filled, Allie straightened in her chair. She placed her palms down on the table, signaling everyone to pay attention, as she launched into an explanation of the drinking game at hand.

  My eyes trailed down the bare skin of her slender arms and over the metal-studded edge of her top as it rose over the mountains of her nicely curved breasts. Her long legs were hidden under the table, but I vowed to get my hands on them and that fine round ass of hers sooner, rather than later.

  Before I could get lost in my fantasy any further, the sound of AJ’s voice brought me out of my thoughts.

  “What game are we playing? Quarters?” he asked. “We play that all the time, at college.”

  “Beer Pong?” Matt’s tone was hopeful.

  “No. This game’s called, Questions,” she replied. Although the answer was meant for the group, Allie’s gaze dug straight into me.

  Matt made a sour face. “That sounds like a girl’s game. We need a manly game, like Beer Pong,” he said drumming a fist on his chest. “Me, like Beer Pong.”

  Steph groaned a response to his caveman gesture, then warned the rest of us, “Watch out, you guys. Allie is really good at drinking games.”

  “Is that right?” I was intrigued. Sexy, beautiful and she can hold her own in a drinking game. “Questions?” I mused. “Is that like Truth or Dare?”

  All she said was, “You’ll see,” and quirked a smile. Then she continued, “Okay, here’s how it goes. We take turns and ask one person, one question at a time. The person asking has to address the other one by name. No pointing fingers allowed.”

  The expression on Allie’s face was serious as she mimicked, pointing at each of us. “Okay, so once you’ve asked your question, the other person must answer with a yes or no, and then immediately ask another person a new question. Any hesitation in answering, like laughing, or doing anything else besides asking a new question, is punishable by a drink. And it has to be a different person. If you ask a question back to the same one who asked, that’s punishable by a drink. And if you ask the exact same question, that’s punishable, too.

  “Oh, shit,” AJ said with a laugh. “I know I’m gonna fuck this up.”

  Allie ignored him and added, “Oh yeah, and you can’t just rephrase the same question. It has to be completely new and unique. Everyone got it?”

  I held up a hand. “Hold on,” I said. “Are there any questions considered off limits? Like something you don’t want anyone else to know?”

  AJ smirked, teasing, “Like what? Do you have three balls?”

  Everyone laughed and took a pre-game swallow of beer to grease the wheels before getting started. Allie gave a devious smile and said, “All questions are fair game, Cam.”

  There she was, directing remarks directly to me again. What was up with this girl? I hoped it meant she had the hots for me.

  “It’s a really fun game,” Jen added. “We’ll get to know each other better than you ever wanted. And if a question causes everyone in the group to laugh, I’ll call a team-drink. Okay?”

  I positioned my beer glass in front of me and hunkered down. “Alright, let’s huddle and break. Who’s going first?”

  Allie eyed me with a challenging look, and said, “You’re the guest in our town, so you go first, Cam.”

  “Oh, shit. I don’t know what to ask,” I said, feeling put on the spot.

  Without breaking her gaze, Allie enticed me further and said, “Make it a good one.”

  I swallowed hard. Her dark eyes and piercing gaze drove me crazy with desire. All kinds of kinky thoughts about her in that silver-studded top popped into my head but, I couldn’t just ask, “Wanna fuck?” Which was what I really wanted to say.

  “Um…well, Okay,” I began and said the first stupid thing that popped into my head. “Allie, how was your day?”

  She cocked her head to the side, looking at me like I was an idiot and said, “It has to be a ‘yes or no’ question. Rephrase it.”

  “Oh, right. Then, Allie, did you have a good day at work?”

  Her gaze was burning holes in me and it seemed the others began to notice.

  Finally, she answered, “Yes, I met a very…um, interesting person.” Her eyes lingered on me as she turned her head slowly to Jen. According to the game rules, Allie had to ask a question immediately and she did. “Jen, do you think Cam is hot?”

  “Yes,” she shot back with a smile.

  I grabbed my beer and took a swig, trying to hide my grin. I was beginning to like this game.

  Jen had answered quickly, as if impatient to start her question, and turned immediately to my friend. “AJ...do you like girls from Arizona?”

  AJ perked up, surprised to be called on so soon. “Well, we did sort of get stranded here...I mean, yes, yes! I like girls from Arizona.” He rushed his final answer to keep with the rules of the games.

  There was a noticeable spark growing between AJ and Jen and everyone at the table picked up on it. He grinned wide and paused, caught up staring at Jen, but it was his turn to ask a question and if he waited too long, he’d have to take a drink. I elbowed him and said, “Hurry up.”

  “Oh, yeah. Jen…” Before he could continue, everyone stopped him with a unanimous groan. He shook his head when he realized his mistake, can’t ask the same person your question. “Shit! No, I mean…arrrgh!

  “Ah ha!” Allie said, triumphantly. “Take a drink. You messed up. Can’t ask the same person. Drink.”

  Everyone laughed at AJ’s foul as he reached for his beer. “Hey wait,” he whined. “This game isn’t gonna be very interesting unless we all drink.”

  So in the spirit of fun, we all agreed and took a sympathy drink along with AJ’s punishment before continuing.

  “Okay, here goes,” he said. “Steph, do you…?”

  Allie cut in, “Come on, ask something wild. Don’t hold back.”

  He gave her a doubtful look, as if he wasn’t sure if he should be so bold, then pushed on. “Okay, okay…Steph,” he started again with a smile. “Does Matt here, you’re lover, satisfy you in bed?”

  Everyone raised an eyebrow in anticipation and turned to Steph. Steph blushed and answered with an exuberant, “Yes!”

  Matt stuck out his chest and chimed in, “Every night and every day, baby.”

  Steph took her turn next and with a mischievous look in her eye asked, “Matt, do you masturbate often?”

  “Oh, man!” I reeled back, not sure how Matt would react, but from Steph’s expression, I was pretty sure she’d played this game before.

  Matt furrowed his brow, and said, “What the…” and everyone laughed. “Yes. I mean, no!” Steph widened her eyes in mock surprise, to which he said, “No! Not at all, baby. Not since we’ve been together. I have you. Don’t need my hand.”

  AJ and I nodded in unison, and said, “Good answer, man, good answer.”

  Jen called out, “I call a team-drink! Matt, you took too long to answer plus, you changed your answer. No fair. And everyone laughed, so team drink. Come on, everyone. Go!”

  Smiles all around the table told me everyone was happy to take a team drink. Even Allie’s initial coldness was mel
ting, and she smiled at me over the top of her glass.

  Once finished, Matt rubbed his hands together as if eager to dig into his question and said, “Alright. Let’s make this more interesting.” He leaned in my direction. “Cam…you’ve been eyeing Allie pretty hard all night…what do you think her cup size is? C, D or...double D?”

  “Ah’s” and snickers bounced around the table. “Guilty, as charged!” I threw my hands up in the air. “Matt, my friend, you’re going to get me in trouble with the lady.” Although Allie didn’t seem all that unnerved, I suspected she was enjoying the direction things were going.

  Allie said, “Take your punishment, Cam. Take a drink. You didn’t answer with a yes or no.” Then she turned to Matt and swatted his arm. “Who told you my size, Steph? Matt, you have to take a punishment drink for that one, too.”

  “I’m just saying…” He shrugged. “Why do I have to drink? You keep changing the rules.”

  “Because you’re a moron.” Allie teased. “And it’s my game, so I make all the rules. Okay, now back to the game. Whose turn is it? Oh, yeah, Cam. You didn’t exactly follow the rules, but go on…make it a good one.”

  “Hmm, let’s see…” I scanned the faces around table, feeling a little buzzed from the beer. We’d all been breaking the rules and drinking in between our turns, punishment or no punishment. I wanted to see Allie laugh again, so I decided to razz AJ.

  “AJ…does your girlfriend arch her back when you give it to her good?”

  It worked and everyone laughed as AJ pretended to be a girl in the throes of an orgasm. He arched his back, bringing out more laughter as he made noises to go with his bad acting, and I watched Allie, giggling with laughter. I liked it when she smiled. Much better than her badass attitude.

  “Oh, god, please stop,” Jen called out through her giggles, “Team drink! Team drink! You all are laughing so I’m raising the punishment. Double drink, for that one. Come on, everyone. Bottoms up!”

  All the players took a long drink and after AJ drained his glass he cleared his throat to speak. “It’s my turn. Okay, Allie…” AJ paused, as if searching to find the right words. He scratched his chin and by the way his mouth curved into a smile, I could tell he was up to no good. “Allie, do you keep the front yard mowed? You know, keep the bushes trimmed, so to speak?”