Phoenix Burning(52)
Alex gave her a wry grin. “Because it already takes twice as much to get him drunk.”
“If he gets drunk at all,” Jessa grumbled.
“And she claims you cheat?” The words popped out before Emory could stop them.
Connor laughed, the chuckle so deep that she felt it in her bones. “I think I like this one, Alex. Can we keep her?”
Alex gave her a warm smile that made her melt inside. “Absolutely.”
“We can start over since you two just came in.” Jessa’s brow wrinkled. “I’ll go first. Apple.”
Alex was next. “Apple and banana. Like I’d like to watch Emory eat a banana.”
His childish words made her grin. “So, apple, banana, and codfish.”
“Yep, I was right,” Connor said. “You’re a handful. And so far we have apple, banana, codfish, and I’ll go with Dijon mustard.”
“Ugh! You’re so predictable. You always pick stuff that’s impossible to say without slurring.” Jessa’s words were disgusted though she looked anything but.
Emory hadn’t played a drinking game like this since she’d bartended. They were utterly ridiculous. According to Connor’s rules, you not only had to repeat the expanding list back word for word, but it had to be understandable. Forgetting an item meant you had to take a shot. As their list grew, Emory found herself having to take multiple shots per turn. She kept getting lost in the middle when Connor would throw in words like “escargot” and “huevos rancheros,” just because they were impossible to say.
“This is ridiculous.” Alex lounged in his chair and eyed Jessa. “You can’t miss five things in one turn. How about instead of taking multiple shots, you take one for the first item missed and then give up a piece of clothing for everything after that.”
“Strip alphabet memory?” Jessa seemed to mull it over in her head.
Emory’s heart rate skyrocketed. Were they really going to start stripping there in the bar? She really wasn’t wearing that much clothing. She would be buck naked in no time.
A slow, teasing grin spread across Jessa’s face. “You got yourself a deal.”
She slammed down a shot and stood up. With complete confidence, she drew her tight knit top over her head and flung it at Connor. Beneath the clingy black fabric, she wore a pink-and-black lace-trimmed bra. Her full figure was softly curved and luscious in a way Emory had always envied in other women.
Connor was staring at Jessa as if he was no longer remotely interested in their game. The carnal desire in his expression made Emory feel achy and hot between her legs.
“My turn.” Alex shattered the tension. “And I’m not even going to pretend I know what letter we’re on.” He slammed a shot. Pulling his T-shirt over his head, he flung it back over one shoulder.
Emory didn’t even bother to pay attention to where the shirt landed. She was too busy soaking up the sight of her lover’s etched physique. He was so sculpted, so hot. How had she ever managed to snag the attention of a guy like him?
“Your turn, Em.” Alex’s low murmur made her shiver.
“Uh.” She tried to focus through the haze of alcohol and sensual heat flooding her brain. “Apple, banana, codfish, Dijon mustard, escargot, frankfurter, grapes, huevos rancheros—and…” Her mind was utterly and completely blank. “I can’t remember anything else.”
“Drink up,” Jessa urged.
Emory swallowed the liquor, thankful for the liquid courage and knowing it would never be enough. She and Alex had fooled around inside this bar just days ago, and she’d acted like a nymphomaniac. It hadn’t mattered then that there were people watching, because she’d been so far over the line of lust that she just hadn’t cared. This was different.
Alex’s intense blue gaze caught and held her. “Show us that sexy body, love.”
She was wearing Morgan’s corset top. That left her with zero coverage on top if she opted to remove it. Sucking in a deep breath, she stood up and unbuckled her cargos. With every eye in the room watching, she shimmied them down her legs and stepped free.
It was like a strange dream, the kind where you’re naked in a public place and uncertain how you got there.
Jessa was the one to break the silence. “You have such beautiful hips, Emory.”
Time slowed as the other woman reached out and brushed her fingers across the strip of sensitive skin above the elastic waistband of Emory’s lacy bikini panties. The touch was featherlight, so different from Alex’s, but no less arousing. The tantalizing sensation sent frissons whizzing throughout Emory’s body. Her nipples hardened instantly, her body plumping as it begged for more attention.