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“You wouldn’t be the first guy I’ve played strip poker with that’s been to prison.” I give him my sweetest smile.

My gaze drifts to Anthony’s tattoos catching in the moonlight. There are so many pictures woven together, it’s hard to make out what each of them is, especially in the darkness. A sailing ship, Latin words, a date in roman numerals on his inner wrist.

“Did you get your tattoos in prison too?”

Anthony nods, focusing on the cards. “Some of them. I got my first one at sixteen. They’re addictive once you start.”

“Any you regret? A koi carp? An ex’s name?”

“Maybe if you started winning, you could find out.”

“Ouch.”

Anthony’s Adam’s apple rolls as he chuckles. “I’ve got a few names of people who mean something to me. No past lovers or koi carp though.”

“Sensible choices.”

“What about you, Red? You got any tattoos?”

“Just one.” I smile sweetly. “You wanna see where?”

Anthony’s gaze dips to my cleavage before darting away. “You’re not going to have anywhere to hide when I kick your ass again. I’ll find out soon enough.”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were scared of me losing another round.” I glance at him. “Where’s the Anthony who was going to tie me up a few hours ago?”

Anthony leans forward. “I’m a man who likes to draw things out. Patience, remember?”

“I don’t think I’ll ever master the art of patience,” I admit. “I get bored easily.”

“That explains why you’re single.” Anthony winks, waiting for me to play my first card.

I roll my eyes, snapping my first card down. “I’m single because I want to be.”

“When’s the last time you had a boyfriend?”

I shrug. “I haven’t had a serious boyfriend in years. I love love, and I appreciate beautiful relationships like Hazy and Patrizio’s, but for me, the experience of dating lots of people and trying new things is much more exciting.”

Anthony leans back, surveying me with intense focus. Fire rises from my chest onto my cheeks and unexpected heat courses through my limbs.

“I enjoy my freedom and the rush at the beginning of relationships more than being in one,” I continue. “Most people do. They’re just not honest with themselves about it. Love isn’t high on my priority list.”

Anthony snaps a card down. “I bet if you spent enough time with me, you’d fall in love.”

I smile at him as I place another card down. “Unlikely.”

Anthony places another card onto the pile, and I curse, reaching over to add a stack to my hand. “I’m incredibly patient,” he reminds me.

“So, you’ve said.”

We barely have enough time to continue with the conversation, because Anthony clears his hands of cards within seconds.

I lose, again.

Realising Anthony’s probably going to delay suggesting I strip to my underwear; I plant my hands on the benchtop and push myself off my high-backed chair. I glance at Anthony, whose entire body has stilled.

Without hesitating, I unbutton my denim shorts, undo the zipper and slowly slide my shorts down my legs. Gently, I step out of them and remain standing before him in the semi-darkness. “Only bra and panties left.”

Anthony stills as his molten gaze drags over my body. Adrenaline numbs my body as he rises from his chair, resembling a panther stalking its prey.