Chapter 159: A game of poker

Braelyn’s POV

I knew the game was going to be twisted the moment Benji started explaining, but stripping? That caught even me off guard.

Lucien didn’t seem pleased by the suggestion, but he hid his reaction well. I only noticed because I felt the way his muscles tensed slightly from beside me.

A few gasps rippled through the room, mostly from the women. Karis’s glare could have sliced glass, she looked more offended than Mikhail himself, which said a lot.

I shifted uncomfortably on my seat Lucien noticed and gave me a concerned expression. “You don’t have to play. Just observe.” He reached for my hand.

“It sounds fun.” I teased him. “Maybe this will get heated once it gets to stripping.” I pushed further and his gaze darkened

He smirked but the light didn’t reach his eyes. “Know when to bite Lynn.” He whispered breathlessly. The rest were focused on Benji and didn’t notice us

Lucien’s eyes carried a sharp glint. “If you badly want to strip. You can do it in the bedroom for me to watch and maybe the ghosts.” He drawled dangerously. I scoffed at him. Although I didn’t necessarily have any plans of stripping, I just wanted to push him.

Although the thought of stripping before him reminded me of the mask incident, boy, that didn’t make things easy for me. A strange thrill of excitement coursed through me. My toes curled with embarrassment flushing me.

Why was I getting turned on by that thought alone?!

I awkwardly cleared my throat, trying to ignore Lucien, who still had more to say. “It’s not like you can force me.”I winked at him and he hissed, irritatedly shooting Benji a glare.

Benji understood his sentiment and only smirked in response. A vein throbbed on Lucien’s forehead. “This game better be fun.” He hissed underneath his breath just loud enough for me to hear.

I scoffed, then my attention shifted to the room. I glanced at Adelina. Her expression barely shifted, but I caught the slight tightening of her jaw. She looked like she was deciding whether to bail out or stay.

“Unfortunately, I’m not good at poker,” Karis said flatly, opposing the game.

“That’s fine,” Benji replied smoothly, slipping into mediator mode. “Xander’s excellent. If anyone’s uncomfortable, you’re free to sit out and observe.”

Lucien gave me a knowing glance after hearing Benji’s statement. I rolled my eyes, still ignoring him.

The tension eased a little, though I could tell most of them still wanted to play.

“What are the rules?” Mikhail asked, and my eyes flickered.

I was surprised he chirped in. Everything about him screamed resistance, but his subtle compliance made Benji literally glow with mischief.

Benji’s smile widened as he started to explain the game. “Simple, it starts as regular poker but instead of chips, we bargain with clothing. Watches, jackets… depending on how bold you’re feeling.”

So it was indeed strip poker. I leaned towards Lucien’s ear and whispered mischievously. “Your friends are all handsome. I wonder what they will look like without clothes.”

. My taunt worked as I imagined. His jaw rolled. “Viper, you are really testing me. Are you that desperate to be taught a lesson? ” He hissed.

I chuckled lightly. “What can I say I am a bad Viper?” I chimed, and something shifted in his gaze, and he quickly hid.

Karis, on the other hand, shot Xander a look that clearly asked why are you friends with lunatics like this? Xander looked just as starstruck in return.

I wasn’t stunned that they were Lucien’s friends. They matched his madness perfectly. “This is your last chance Lynn. Don’t do anything stupid.” He leaned closer to me, murmuring in my ears.

His warm breath fanned on my ears, giving me a tingling sensation. “It’s not like I can turn a blind eye if they start stripping.” I retorted, enjoying getting on his every nerve.

Something flickered in his eyes. “What’s the need of staring at what you can’t have? Aside from Benji they are all taken.” He retorted with a smug smile.

I grinned back. “I have a husband, but look at us in this twisted fake relationship,” I said in a hushed tone, staring straight at his eyes. Lucien was left speechless; he could only laugh at my words.

“You are truly something viper.”

“Nothing compared to you, Killian “, I smugly replied, but I was still trying to process it all.

I curiously glanced at Adelina. She was the youngest here and should freak out at this game, but to my shock, she didn’t seem fazed.

“At the end,” Benji continued, “the winner gets to assign a truth or dare to everyone, including observers. If you refuse, you either strip… or someone strips on your behalf for the ladies only.”

That did it. The unease in the room deepened. Lucien didn’t show much of a physical reaction, but the air around him got a bit suffocating.

Benji glanced at Adelina, concerned, since she was the youngest. “You good with that, Adelina?”

“Yes,” she said calmly. It puzzled me. Mikhail’s stare at that moment could have frozen fire, but she ignored it. They were surely an item. I was certain of it.

Adelina spoke again. “One question.” she chirped

Benji nodded, intrigued by what she had in mind. “Does the winner get to keep whatever items were bargained?”

That earned her a curious look. I blinked, surprised. She looked like she was doing this for the money, and I couldn’t help but laugh. It was a cute chuckle that earned a glance from Lucien.

Mikhail looked like he might actually lose his composure and explode. That’s what happens when a couple get into a fight. It must be because Mikhail refused to acknowledge their relationship and now he was going to pay

“Of course,” Benji said, delighted. A small smile curved Adelina’s lips, and I realised this wasn’t bravado. She was enjoying this.

“We should head to the game room instead.” Casper stood, guiding everyone toward another room. He was familiar with the mansion since he was Mikhail’s assistant.

Conversations resumed in low murmurs as we moved. I walked beside Lucien, but my attention stayed on Adelina and Mikhail lagging behind.

“This is your chance to walk away,” Mikhail said quietly to her. She stopped and turned, folding her arms. “Why? It’s just a game. You invited me, remember?” I was curious to hear more, but Lucien’s hand wrapped around my wrist, pulling me away.

He increased his pace and their conversation faded behind us. “You are truly interested in other businesses. I didn’t know you could be nosy.” Lucien’s hissed

I arched a brow at him. “As long as it isn’t my drama, and besides, you brought me here to have fun.” I chimed then glanced back at the troublesome couple

Mikhail looked like he was about to explode from Adelina’s glare. “They are interested. I am sure they are a couple.” I Chimed

Lucien’s arm wrapped around my waist, and he pulled me closer, his face crooked next to my ears as I was pushed against the wall. My heart started to beat fast.

“I don’t like the way your attention easily shifts to them. Aren’t I handsome enough for your interest?” He suddenly said, Where was this coming from? My heart beat spiked and my face burned.

I blinked slowly trying to get my thoughts together. Was he jealous? “Don’t tell me you are jealous? You were also having fun teasing him.” I argued back.

He clicked his tongue. “I was but my gaze didn’t leave you for long. Although it was fun getting on his nerves, you were still the most interesting thing.” He said with a straight face, then nibbled my ears, sending sparks through my spine.

“I can’t help but be jealous, Lynn. Now I am regretting coming to this party,” he drawled, then added in a hush tone.

“I just want to go back to that haunted mansion and punish you in front of the ghost Lynn…” Something fluttered in my stomach. Lucien straightened up then said with a straight voice leaving no room for arguments

“Don’t join the game and you better not stare at any guy for too long either.” He said leaving baffled before stepping into the game room. I took a moment to get my pulse in place and the twisted desire brewing in my stomach.

What was up with him cornering me like that? Adelina and Mikhail were done with their little lovers’ quarrel. Mikhail walked past me into the room before Adelina approached

I felt the shift in her then, the bravado cracking just slightly. She was nervous. Her hands clenched, her smile fading as she stepped inside and I followed after.

“Oh Adelina, I thought you decided to call it a night,” Benji said as surprise flickered in his gaze when she took a seat opposite Ivan, with Mikhail a few chairs away.

I sighed then took a seat next to Lucien at the table. “Not a chance,” Adelina replied lightly, dead on getting on Mikhail’s nerves.

Lucien and Benji didn’t have to try because Mikhail’s girl was after his life at this rate. Lucien gave me a lazy glance, it was a warning.

“Glad you didn’t back out. It is safe to assume none of the ladies are playing poker and have someone to take on their punishment later.” He asked, to everyone’s shock, Adelina kicked against it. I smirked because I expected it.

“I would love to join the actual game,” she suggested and a round of laughter rang. Casper and Ivan were enjoying this while Mikhail remained unconcerned.

“Are you sure?” Benji asked with doubt. A grin crossed my lips. “I am not scared of

a poker game,” she said in a challenging way, glancing to her left to make sure her eyes met with Mikhail’s.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep