Betting on Bailey

“Mmm-hmm.”

She looks from me to Sebastian, then back to me. Finally, she shakes her head with a laugh. “So, about that pool lesson. What do I need to do?”

11

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.

E.E. Cummings

Bailey:

Unfair though it is, I blame Gabby for my confused state of mind. If she hadn’t told us about her threesome, such a forbidden fantasy wouldn’t have even been in the realms of possibility.

Now, as Daniel bends over me, helping me aim my pool cue, I can’t stop imagining him doing other things to me in the same position. As Sebastian gives me instructions, I wonder if he’s just as dominant in bed. I have butterflies in my stomach and sex on the brain.

When Sebastian mentioned the bet, my heart had sunk to my toes. They hadn’t made the offer to coach me because they were being nice, or because they wanted to help me. It was about winning the bet and nothing else.

Then I stopped to think, and realized that it didn’t matter. I’m not looking for anything from them. Some people flirt as easily as breathing, and Sebastian seems to be one of them. Daniel’s more of an enigma, but I can’t spend time analyzing them. I need to get dramatically better at pool to beat Trevor in July, and Daniel and Sebastian want to win their bet against Clark. For the moment, our goals are aligned. That’s all.

* * *

“Tell me about cultural anthropology,” Daniel says to me as we play. “I thought you joined the team to use us as research subjects. And don’t jerk your head up as soon as you make your shot. Keep your movements slow and steady.”

Heat pools in my lower belly at his words. Slow and steady. I can imagine him saying that to me under very different circumstances, circumstances that would involve a lot less clothing, but I push the lust back and respond to his question. “‘Gender relations and interpersonal dynamics in a modern sporting environment’ would make for an interesting paper,” I agree. “But no, I’m just here because my ex-boyfriend is a jerk.”

“What did he do?”

I tell Daniel about the letter from Trevor’s lawyer, and he laughs. I glare at him, but he’s unconcerned. “Come on, Bailey, think about it. You must have hurt his feelings quite a lot for him to retaliate with such a dick move.”

“I doubt it,” I say dryly. “The Met Gala’s coming up, and Liberal Arts faculty at NYU get an invitation. Trevor’s pouting because he can’t go rub shoulders with celebrities.”

Sebastian’s listening to our conversation, but he doesn’t interrupt. “Is that all you think it is?” Daniel asks gently. “You are a beautiful woman, Bailey. Your ex-boyfriend is an idiot if he missed that.” He drinks the last of his beer. “Can I get you a drink while I’m at the bar? You were drinking vodka, right?”

Trevor’s never called me beautiful before. My heart feels like it’s beating faster as I raise my gaze to Daniel’s chocolate brown eyes. “You were watching me when I walked in?” I ask faintly. Damn it, why is my body so aware of these men? I barely know them. I’m not supposed to react this way.

“I would be a fool not to.” His eyes are warmly appreciative as he looks at me with a grin. “As horrible an outfit as this is, it can’t hide all your charms.”

“Vodka neat,” I tell him, barely registering his assessment of my attire. “The bartender knows my preference.”

He nods and walks away, and I tear my eyes away from his butt with difficulty. “Ready to play?” Sebastian mutters in my ear, making me jump once again. “Steady, Bailey,” he soothes, his hands on my arms. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

He is touching me, and I don’t know what to do. Things like this don’t happen to me. I’m a chubby girl. I tend to be invisible to guys. Men rarely look at me with open heat in their eyes, the way Sebastian is right now, and it both arouses me and terrifies me.

“Is it my turn to break?” I mumble. I need to distract myself from the desire that swirls in my body, pulling me like a helpless marionette toward these men.