Entice - By Ella Frank Page 0,25

with him.”

Josh laughed at his brother, moving to the stereo. “I know. I just told him the same exact thing today, but he has informed me that he has ‘read up on it and now knows all the rules.’”

Jeremy looked over at him, and they both started to laugh.

“God, that guy is something else. He’s such a suit and yet so flippin’ scary cool at the same time. I don’t know how he pulls it off,” Jeremy said, shaking his head.

Josh finally found what he was looking for—ahh, classic Pink Floyd—and put the vinyl on. “No one knows what makes that guy tick, and shit, I’ve known him for years. He never gives anything away either.” Josh smiled as the doorbell sounded. “I’ll go let them in.”

“Okay, I’m just gonna get the rest of the food,” Jeremy answered, walking back into the kitchen.

***

Two hours later and several beers in, Josh was down twenty bucks but was almost positive he was about to win fifty. Sitting across from a stoic-faced Cole, Josh was starting to think the guy was up to something.

Cole had been kicking everyone’s ass tonight. He’d walked in dressed in a three-piece suit from an earlier meeting in the office—yes, on a Saturday—acting like he’d just read up on how to play last night. Then, he’d sat down and proceeded to clean house.

The guy was playing them and playing them well, but Josh felt like he had this one. After all, he had a straight flush. There he sat, staring at his five hearts, as Cole slowly smirked at him like a cool seasoned pro.

“You know this I’m-better-than-you smile makes you look real ugly, Madison.”

Cole just smiled wider. “Does it? I thought it made me look…” He paused, cocking his dirty blonde head to the side as the other two sat back watching. “Rich?”

Josh shook his head and picked up his beer, taking a swig. “Nope, sorry, just ugly.”

Cole nodded and asked him, “So, what’s eating you? Usually, you’re a much better loser when these other guys win. Is it because it’s me kicking your sorry ass?”

Josh laughed a little and ran a hand up and through his hair, thinking about a certain blonde. “Nah. Not that I’ve lost,” he stressed. “You going to show your cards or keep talking shit?”

Cole casually put down his five cards. Sitting up and leaning across the table, Josh and the other two men stared in complete shock at Cole’s beautiful royal straight flush.

Josh shook his head, throwing his cards down on the table. “How in the hell, Madison?”

Cole leaned over and picked up the cash. “I told you. I read up on how to play.”

Jeremy chuckled in the background, and Vince let out a loud bark of laughter, too.

“You read a fucking book, and then just beat us all and took our money?” Vince questioned in disbelief.

Cole folded the cash and pulled out what appeared to be a money clip.

The guy has a money clip? Who even knew they still made those?

Clipping his money and tucking it away, Cole nodded. With that same annoying as shit grin, he told them all, “Yes, that is exactly right.”

“Not cool, man. Not cool,” Josh said, shaking his head.

“Sorry, just the way it goes.”

They all sat back, shaking their heads.

Then, Jeremy asked, “You have been in a funk today, Josh. What gives? Woman trouble?”

Is that the reason I’ve been kind of pissy and irritable today? Because I don’t know what the deal is with Shelly? Josh reached up, scratching his head. It doesn’t matter anyway. It’s supposed to be a secret. Well, it could still be a secret if they don’t know her name.

“Well, yeah, actually. I met this woman.”

All of a sudden, the guys sat up, moving slightly forward. It was like a bad scene from a movie. Tell me more, tell me more. Anyone?

Josh sighed and again found himself running his hand through his hair.

“So? What about her? Why’s it bothering you?” his brother asked.

“Well, it’s complicated.” Josh paused. Relaxing back in the chair, he grabbed his beer as Jeremy, Cole, and Vince stared at him.

“Why? What’s so difficult about the woman? And if it’s such a fucking pain in the ass, kick her to the curb.” Vince suggested.

Josh thought about that, rubbing a hand over his stomach, and then blurted out, “She’s fucking hot. I’m not kicking her to the curb. I kind of want to haul her to my bed.” And keep her there, he thought right before Jeremy jumped in.

“So,