“What exactly are you asking?”
“I’m asking are you dating anyone.”
“I don’t think that’s what you’re asking while holding Morris up in the air.”
“Okay. Well, why don’t you answer what I’m not asking?”
“No.”
“No? Why?”
“Because it wouldn’t seem fair for you to get significant personal information from me when I can’t reciprocate the inquiry because I already know the answer.”
“You think you know the answer, but you don’t—”
“Oh, brother,” she blurted. “You’re gonna try to tell me you’re not sleeping with Jenna…your girlfriend?”
“That’s not what I’m saying at all.”
“I don’t get it.” She hiked a brow while crossing her arms over her abdomen.
I paused, cautioning myself. I knew if given just a half hour I could be buried deep inside of Zoey. I knew our magnetic pull toward each other was that potent. I could tell by the way her pulse was drumming in her neck that she was charged. But this wasn’t about sex. It was about intimacy, no matter how inappropriate it was for us at that point in our relationship. I thought of another way of going about what I wanted from her; Ezra’s admonitions whispering in my conscience be damned.
“Five rounds, Texas Hold ‘Em. The winner of each round gets to ask any question they choose. The loser must answer truthfully without hesitation.”
I challenged her eyes and I could see Zoey’s mind working overtime. She was competitive as fuck. It came with being a top student all her life. This was the manipulation. Here was where it was confirmed that I could have her if I wanted, but I wouldn’t because I respected her too much…and Jenna.
Scraping her bottom lip between her teeth, she nodded enthusiastically. The power of my influence over her tightened my fucking chest. I rounded her to leave for the bathroom.
About thirty minutes later, I sat in Zoey’s office, waiting for her to join me. This was the best room, the least conducive to relaxation—not that I couldn’t take her in here. It just was…best. Zoey came in shortly and we started our card game right away. I let her deal the cards to warm her up. I won the first round, feeling triumphant. My question was already planned.
Zoey rolled her eyes. “I know what your first question is already.”
“No. You don’t,” I fired back. She sucked her teeth. “What was it that you told the dude, Jae, you’ve never done last night?”
Zoey’s mouth dropped. “You were eavesdropping—”
“Answer the question, Elizabeth!”
She slammed her back into the chair, rolled her eyes again.
“It doesn’t matter because I lied.” I fucking knew it! “I…uhhhh.” She licked her lips nervously, unable to look me in the eyes. “I just don’t like discussing my sexual history with men. He didn’t need to know I’ve done it all.” She shrugged.
I’d hoped she didn’t see my shoulders sag in relief.
We played another round…another round I won. Zoey straightened her shoulders, preparing for my next probing question.
“How often do you…” I cleared my throat, “…engage Morris?”
“As often as I need to.”
“That’s really not an answer, Zo. As your former lover, I know that could be… well, a lot.”
“Well…” she inclined, placing her elbows on the table, shifting closer to me across the table. It was a seductive move and intended. “I don’t exactly keep a paper trail of hotel receipts from our encounters, StentRo. Besides, Morris is not Stenton and Stenton is…not Morris.”
Really…
Fair enough. I began shuffling and dealt the cards, disturbed. Provoked. This time Zoey won. I grabbed my glass of Maracame Gran Platino, awaiting her question that could only refer to my sex life with Jenna.
“So, how soon before you and Jenna get married?”
I choked on my drink, needing a few moments to settle my throat.
“Wow. Is that too personal?” she asked wryly.