really take a picture of my hand, Ryker would want to know how I got burned. That would just ruin the mood. I got up. Stumbled to the bedroom.
I called Ryker. He finally picked up. “Hey, cupcake. Everything okay?”
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Yeah, hero.” I laid on the bed, stared at the ceiling. “You’re kinda sucky at innuendos and teasing. Did you know that?”
He laughed. “Had I known I was playing with the Venus Williams of the sport, I probably would have set different terms. Did you like my picture?”
I moaned. “Yes. If you’re not allowed to touch yourself, how’d you get it that hard?”
“I have my ways.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Are you cheating, Mr. Penn?”
“Not at all, Ms. Chase. Are you trying to think of how I did it?”
“Maybe.”
His chuckle was soft. “Fuck off, Mas,” he said quietly.
“Did Mas help you with your dick?” I asked. My brain was a little foggy now that I was laying down.
“No! No man is touching my dick.” I could almost hear him shudder as his side of the line exploded with laughter.
I snickered. “Oops. Sorry.”
“What are you doing?”
“Laying on our bed. What are you doing?”
“Playing poker. Don’t ever play with Foster. I’m pretty sure he cheats.”
“Don’t listen to his lies, Willow. He just sucks at poker as much as he sucks at seducing you!” the man yelled.
I felt my cheeks heat. “Uh oh. Have I impugned your honor and street cred?”
He laughed. “Nope. I’m still going to win. It just might not be over the phone.”
I giggled. “And how else do you expect this to work? Going to fuck me as soon as you see me again?”
He laughed again. “Something like that.”
“Tell Turo he needs to either change tactics or up his game. Nik is pretty close to pissed,” I whispered.
Ryker snorted. “I’m not helping any of these assholes. They can win or lose their women on their own.” He exhaled. “Now, are you still topless?”
I looked down at my chest. “I’ve still got my bra on.”
“Take it off.”
My brow furrowed. “We can’t touch ourselves. Why would I take my bra off?”
“Because I’m going to touch you. Take it off, cupcake.” He paused a moment. “Now. I want a picture of it on the floor.”
The command in his voice shot through me like high proof alcohol. I sat up, pinched the phone between my ear and shoulder. Reaching back, I flicked the hooks and eyes. I tossed it on the floor.
“I’m waiting, cupcake,” Ryker said.
I hurried to take a picture and sent it to him. My body was covered in goosebumps. “There. I sent it.”
“Good girl.”
My insides curled with heat. Such an archaic and sexist term shouldn’t turn me on this much. Too bad my cunt didn’t agree.
“Are you going to send me more pictures?” I asked.
“Do you want them?”
“Mhmm.”
“What do you say?”
I narrowed my eyes at the ceiling. “Give me the damn pictures, Ryker.”
He howled with laughter. “Not quite what I had in mind, but it worked. Stand up, go to the window.”
“I want a picture first.” I pushed up to my elbows.
“I’m sending you one now.”
I pulled the phone from my ear, waited for it to buzz in my hands with the notification of a new message. Finally the phone danced. I swiped up, hit my messages app. I almost put my thumb through the phone as I stabbed at Ryker’s name. The picture finally loaded.
I whimpered. “That’s not fair.”
He chuckled. “No one said anything about fair, cupcake. Go to the window.”
I got to my feet. “What am I doing at the window?”
“I want you to lean against it.”
I sucked in a breath. “It’s going to be cold.”
“Yeah. Like little bites against your…skin. Up against the glass, Willow.”
“How did you take that last picture?”
“I’m not here alone, you know.”
I giggled at the idea of the men all playing photographer for each other. “Is Rafe saying, ‘give me more pout, dahling. Yes, so sexy.’”
Ryker laughed. “Something like that. But a little humiliation between new friends is what builds stronger bonds. I want you pressed against that glass. I want to hear your inhale as it touches your skin. I want to imagine your…flesh pebbling.”
I bit my lip. “I’m not alone either, you know.”
He sucked in a breath. “No. That’s out of bounds.”
“Is it though? I wouldn’t be touching myself. Girls aren’t nearly so finicky as boys are.” I bit the tip of my finger. Moaned slightly. Maybe I could turn this back my way.
“Willow Koa Chase, you