Chapter 33

“Money’s kind of boring as stakes.” Isabella rested her chin in her hand, changing the subject.

Everyone looked at her, and Bethany’s eyes shone.

Chapter 33 Loser Strips “So, what are we going to put on the line?”

Isabella crossed her arms and suggested softly, “Why don’t we play a stripping game? Loser strips.”

Bethany replied, “But-”

“Only the men will strip.” Isabella smiled, ignoring the glares she was getting. She turned to Simon.

“Good luck, Mr. Gates.”

“That’s a good idea.” Bethany clapped her hands and swayed Dariel’s arm. “You’re a hunk, honey. You don’t mind, do you?”

Dariel patted her head. He smiled, but he looked at Isabella. “That’s a… good idea, Miss Symons.” He stuck his tongue out at Seth. “Mr. Shaffer’s well–built Chapter 33 Loser Strips too. Taking a piece of clothing or two off is nothing.”

Seth leaned backward and tapped the edge of the table lightly. He said calmly, “Don’t be so sure about winning.”

He’s agreeing to this, I see.

Bethany cheered, then turned to Gordon. “You’re well–built too, Mr. Dunkstein. You don’t mind, do you?”

Gordon held Selena in his arms. He looked calm. “I don’t care,”

“I am not a good player, though.” Selena looked dejected. She said, “Why don’t we…”

“It’s not like you’re the one stripping. It’s me.” Gordon hated it when women got up to their hesitant antics. Even if Selena was pretty, it still annoyed him. Even before the game began, he regretted switching Isabella out.

Selena was embarrassed that she was snapped at and she turned red. No one cared what she felt Meanwhile, Bethany and Dariel were hyping things 1. up. They smacked the table and called for the game to start.

“Does anyone have a three of spades?” Dariel looked at everyone.

Simon tossed a three of spades out. The game began.

Chapter 33 Löner Stript The ones going after him were Seth and Isabella.

Seth was going to pull a card and play it. Before he could do so, Isabella played all four kings. “Boom.”

Silence fell. Seth huffed, but it was so quiet that it could be mistaken for a breath.

“That’s not how you play this game.” Dariel cocked his eyebrow and mocked, “Unless you’re a patsy, that is.” Only idiots would trump the card with the least value using four kings. Either that, they’re doing it on purpose.

Isabella rested her chin in her hand and turned to Seth. She was smiling, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Oh, it’s nothing in the grand scheme of things.”

“It’s so obvious you want to see Mr. Shaffer strip.”

Chapter 33 Lower Strips Bethany gave her a knowing look. She held Dariel’s arm tightly. “I wanna see you strip too, Dariel.” She drew a few cards from Dariel’s hand and tossed them out. “Boom.”

Everyone fell silent.

Simon held his forehead and put on a resigned smile. “God, you guys.” He turned to Selena and Gordon on his left. “So, what will you play?”

Selena tried to say something, but Gordon tossed two cards onto the table. “Here you go.”

Simon cocked his eyebrow. He held his cards and smiled drily. “That’s nice. I’ll skip my turn.”

Everyone skipped their turns too. Gordon played one of the best combos in the game, after all.

Gordon then played a five, Simon went next, and he played a six. Soon, it was Isabella’s turn again.

Seth was holding all the cards, but he wasn’t going to play. He still had his arm around Isabella and held his cards before her.

Isabella wasn’t going to let this rare chance of pranking him go. She tossed a few more cards onto the table. “Boom.”

Simon’s face twitched, and he glanced at Seth. “It’s just a six. You didn’t have to go that far.”

Seth didn’t look at him, but a smile appeared on his lips. He said coolly, “It’s just tactical play.”

Thu, 21 Dec Chapter 33 Lower Stript Tactical, my foot. You’re bombarding the whole board right off the bat. I don’t mind Isabella doing this, but Bethany and Gordon are idiots too. I can’t believe they’re playing along.

Two rounds later, almost no one had good combos in their hands anymore. Aside from Simon, they could only play singles or doubles. Eventually, they could only play singles. The more combos someone had, the more advantageous it would be for them.

Simon said, “Flush. Does anyone have anything bigger?”

The other players said, “No.”

Simon said, “Double.”

12:25 Thu 21 Dec 0 10 G Chapter 13 Laser Stript The other players said, “Skip.”

Damn it.

“Alright, I win.” Simon played his last card but didn’t feel the joy of winning. He was left wanting for more -in a bad way, at that. It was a little awkward now.

He thought they’d be better off not playing the game in the first place.

Bethany was the only one happy here. “Yay, you’ve lost! Strip!”

Everyone looked at Seth. Isabella only wanted to embarrass Seth, but when the moment came, she felt embarrassed, too. She didn’t turn around, but 12:25 Thu 21 Dec 60 G Chapter 34 Laser Takes Off T Seth sat up. She heard him unbuttoning his clothes, and the other players watched with interest.

Seth loosened his sleeves, took off his shirt, and tossed it on the chair. He hugged Isabella again, and there was only a shirt between them. Isabella could feel the shape of his pecs on her back.

She stared down and saw Seth’s arm. His biceps were beautiful, and the lines were fluid down to his wrist. Then, she saw his hand–it was a beautiful hand. He wasn’t wearing a watch, but a silver ring on his index finger showed off his regal side subtly.

Dariel whistled and clicked his tongue.