Sweet Pain (Amatucci Family #3) - Sadie Jacks Page 0,75

let my legs slide down the outside of his slowly.

I held my breath as my tissue felt like all of my nerves exploded into bright, brilliant life. “Fuck,” I whispered.

“Hmm? What was that? Admitting defeat already?” he asked, his voice a little hoarse.

I smiled up at him as I stepped away. “Not on your life, hero. Your ass is going to be mine for twenty-four hours. I’m going to –” my mind went blank. “Do things to you,” I finished lamely.

He laughed, right in my face, the jerk. “I hope you bring a better game than that when we’re calling and texting, otherwise I might feel bad for taking advantage of your obvious lack of skill.”

I stuck my tongue out at him and spun on my heel. I pushed through the door and strode down the hall. Fuck! Here’s hoping the girls had some ideas on how to help me win.

“Call me later, cupcake,” he said after me. The taunt and challenge in his voice made me want to both slap him and jump his body right there.

Dammit! I needed to find some freaking game. And fast.

Chapter 22 – Willow

I hurried through the penthouse, cleaning up the various scattered piles of clothes that remained. I got the last shirt on a hanger as the public elevator doorbell rang. “Ha, ha, suck it!” I pumped my fist in the air. At least I’d won one game so far tonight.

I rushed out to the entryway. Smiled as I saw all three of my girls come out together. “Perfect timing.” I darted forward, grabbed bags of groceries and baking staples.

Tali was dressed in her favorite yoga pants and sweatshirt. Her hair was up in the perfectly stylish messy bun that I was always jealous of. Her feet were stuffed into her ‘I’m not leaving the house for anything but an emergency’ slippers. She had another bag looped over her arm. “I’ve got the liquor. Hard and wine. When do we start?”

I laughed and waved her in. “As soon as you can get a glass and the drinks poured.”

“Woohoo!” She passed by me. “Let’s get our drink on.”

Nik slid in next. Her red hair was flowing down her shoulders, her face scrubbed clean. Her leggings were alternating stripes of opaque black and black mesh. Her hoodie was unzipped and showed off her beautiful collar bones and skimpy teal cami. “I brought the stuff you told me.” She looked at her bag a little dubiously. “I’m not sure how all of that makes cupcakes, but you’re the baker, not me.”

I chuckled. “I swear it makes cupcakes. Come in, come in.”

She nodded and ducked by.

Jessa was the last one just standing there. “Does it seem weird that it kinda feels like this is my first time in this penthouse even though I’ve been here before?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know. Do you feel like a newbie?” I linked my arm through hers. “You’ve known Ryker the longest of all of us. Maybe it’s me who should feel weird. I literally moved in not even two days ago now and I’m having a sleepover.” I bumped a shoulder in the air. “But I also feel like I’ve known you all for most of my life.”

Jessa nodded. “Maybe that’s it. I’ve never been greeted by a woman here. Outside of Daphne when she served as hostess for some kind of business function.” She bumper her shoulder to mine. “I can’t tell you how pleased and excited I am that he’s chosen you. For so long I just wanted to scream and yell at him for his life choices. You’re one that I can actually get behind.” She hip checked me softly.

I burst into laughter as my game with Ryker came to the front of my mind again. I waited until we were all gathered around the kitchen island. My utensils from the shop were spread out in various stations. Nik and Tali already had glasses in their hands.

Tali handed me a drink with a mint leaf and some ice cubes. “Mojito to get you started.” She turned to Jessa. “I wasn’t sure what poison you wanted to start with, but tell me, and I’ll whip it up.”

Jessa looked at all the liquor bottles and drinks that Nik, Tali, and I held. “I think the mojito looks good.”

“Coming right up. And yes, Chase, I can see that you’re practically bursting with the need to say something. Spit it out before you choke on it,” Tali said as she