The Billion Dollar Sitter by Eliza DeGaulle Page B

you play along. You're just as willing to play along with this nonsense as anyone else. Because you can't stand the idea that people would think less of you. You have too much pride. So I'm telling you, you're a coward. Are you afraid if your lovely Marci has one night with a man like me she'll be lost to you?"
    Tyson seethed again. He took a deep breath. The cards had been dealt almost ten minutes ago. He peeked at his hand thoughtfully. A glance towards me, and he caught how I looked at Alejandro. Another breath, he finally spoke. "Fine. We'll play it your way."
    "I cannot fault you, Tyson. Pride is strong inside me as well. It has to be to get this far in this cutthroat world."
    "Shut up and play your hand."
    Tyson threw down. All diamonds. 8, 9, 10, Jack, and a Queen. They were high numbers and of the same color and icon thingy. I knew enough to know this was good. Really good.
    "A nice hand. Confident of you to make such a gamble with your sweet girl. I certainly can't beat that."
    Tyson shook his head. A victory here was almost meaningless to him. He'd probably send Alicia or whatever her name was on her way for the evening.
    "As for mine." Alejandro put down his set. Spades. 9, 10, Jack, Queen, and a King. I knew enough that this was also good. Really good. Better than what Tyson had. "You should know better, Tyson. Good business isn't made through gambles. It's made through sure things, and getting the most possible out of those sure things. As such, I improved the value of my hand."
    "You son of a bitch." Tyson spoke flatly. His emotionless facade was being tested. "No. I won't allow it."
    "Alejandro is the victor. Gentlemen, I will allow you to settle the terms amongst yourselves." The dealer stepped away. He wanted nothing to do with the volatile nature of the billionaires in front of him.
    "A verbal contract, my friend. Isn't that what this bet was? You don't want to let it be known that you are not a man who honors his agreements, no?"
    "This was a foolish bet, not a contract."
    "Hah. You know how petty people are. Whether it's for actual money or simply one night with your new teenage squeeze, word gets out," Alejandro pushed himself up out of his seat. He waved Not-Alicia away. He was swift to my side. "Besides, I am sure your young beauty would love to experience someone besides yourself. Wouldn't you, Marci?"
    I swallowed. I wasn't even thinking at that point. The most base part of my brain was in control. "Uh huh."
    Tyson breathed deeply. "You don't want Marci, Alejandro. You want me to sign the agreement between our companies."
    "Oh, I would indeed." Alejandro's eyes never left mine. "But perhaps I want her as well. Perhaps we could compromise?"
    "What do you want? I'm not letting you take her back to your room and have your way with her."
    "You sign that agreement, and I'll let you come with us. Let you watch as I show her how true love is done."
    Tyson grabbed the hand that Alejandro didn't have. "If I have to sign your terrible agreement, I will. For Marci. But," Tyson pulled my face towards his. "You're young, Marci. You have your whole life ahead of you. It would be wrong of me to claim your heart wholly as my own. I see the way you look at him."
    "Ah, coming around, my friend?"
    "I'll let you experience him. Because I want you to gain a better appreciation for me, and how much you mean to me."
    It all came at me too fast to comprehend. Their fighting and squabbles were over me . Tyson was making a terrible business decision for me . My mouth hung open in amazement. "I - I - Um, I - "
    Alejandro turned my face towards his and laid a kiss right on my lips. Rough, swift, lovely, I felt my juices start to stir from his touch. He swept me off my feet. The bulge of his pants rubbed against my thigh.
    Tyson wouldn't be outdone, and stole me from him. He laid a kiss on my lips of his own. The familiar, sweet kisses of Tyson. I loved the brashness of his beard. No matter how many times he had done this, I