the room was all velvet and vice. gold framed oil paintings lined the walls, catching the low amber light, poker chips clinked like champagne flutes, and smoke curled in the air. not just from cigars but from the friction between you and the woman sitting way too close beside you. renee rapp

she was draped against your side like you were still hers, like she didnt make a habit of pretending you didnt exist for three months then texting you at 2 a.m. with a 'wanna come over?' that always ended with lipstick smudged apologies and silk sheets pulled over tangled limbs

you shouldve said no to this poker night and walked out when they announced partners but when you saw her lips blood red, blouse unbuttoned just enough to be dangerous, and that same smug smirk, you sat down. of course you did

“you still bluff with your left eyebrow” she whispered in your ear, breath warm and teasing. her fingers brushed your thigh as she reached for her drink

you didnt flinch “you still pretend like i didnt teach you how to read a table”

she laughed and the sound was low and lethal “please. i was only faking so youd keep leaning over me”

you turned to her, slow and sharp “worked out for both of us. until it didnt”

she cocked a brow with her lips curved “you still salty about the breakup or the fact that you begged me to stay?”

you grinned like a knife “neither. im just pissed you still owe me that chanel coat”

she reached for a chip stack, pushing a few thousand into the pot without breaking eye contact “you mean the one i wore leaving your penthouse the morning after we agreed not to do that again?” and that caused your jaw to twitch and she noticed. she always noticed

the table around you was forgotten. this wasnt about cards anymore, it hadnt been since she sat down and crossed her legs toward you. you could feel her energy like static, begging to ignite something neither of you had the self control to keep buried

“so whats the wager this time?” you asked, voice cool but your pulse anything but cool

she tilted her head, something glinting in her eyes “winner takes the pot. loser calls the shots for the night”

you stared her down long enough to make her pause and for her to realize you werent playing just to win

you leaned in with your voice barely above a whisper “you sure about that baby?”

she licked her lips slowly then smiled like she already knew how this night was going to end “oh sweetheart. im counting on it”