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need to redeem herself.
    Layla quickly explained the rules of the game to him, and he nodded.
    â€œDon’t we need to write down the score to keep track?”
    She pointed to her chest. “Math major, remember? I can keep track in my head.”
    â€œNo offense, but I prefer to see it in black-and-white. You know, just to be sure.”
    Her jaw dropped dramatically. “Are you accusing me of being a cheater?”
    â€œYou? Never. I’m sure you would never consider doing anything like rubbing up against me or shaking your hips to distract me during my turn.”
    She smiled. “That was just to keep you on your toes. I was attempting to level the playing field. You’re a pool shark and I’m a newbie. I wanted a fair chance.”
    â€œUsing your feminine wiles is dirty pool.”
    â€œHmm-mmm.” She dealt the cards and organized her hand.
    Phin found a napkin and wrote two columns, putting their names on the top of each. Layla held her cards high, not sure if she had a tell that would give her away. Phin was far too perceptive and she knew it, which was why she didn’t want to play poker with him. She’d lose her pants figuratively and literally.
    She schooled her face and focused on the cards. If she watched closely, she’d beat him. She just had to play her cards right. Now she was thinking in clichés. Giving herself a mental shake, she played her first card.
    An hour later, Layla and Phin were slapping cards down faster than either could see. It turned out that Phin’s competitive side matched hers. He pushed; she shoved. They trash-talked each other and laughed all the way through. She hadn’t had so much fun playing a card game since she had first learned to count cards as a freshman.
    Finally, she sent Phin her best seductive smile and splayed her cards on the table. “Gin,” she said sweetly.
    Judging by the stack of cards he held, he wouldn’t be able to catch her.
    â€œYou’re better than I expected,” he said, tossing his cards down without adding them up. “How would you like to collect your winnings?”
    He crawled across the couch until he had her pressed against the wooden arm. He stared into her eyes, his lips close to touching hers. She smiled again. “Twenty bucks. I’m broke.”
    He laughed and put his arms around her, the sound tickling her ear. Phin kissed her neck and ground his hips into hers. The energy between them skyrocketed from playful to sensual in a blink. God, this man was good. She had no problem imagining him as a con artist. His smile and smooth-talking ways drew her to him. And those eyes. They were spooky—laughing one minute and drowning in passion the next—but they never revealed who Phin was.
    Her phone rang and Layla moaned. As much fun as she was having, she knew Felicity was calling to rescue her. She shifted to grab the phone, but Phin beat her to it.
    Before handing it over, he said, “Stay with me. You have to wait until your car is ready. Stay here.”
    She took the phone and answered. “Hey, Felicity, hang on a minute.” She covered the mouthpiece. Looking at Phin, she asked, “Why?”
    â€œBecause we’re having fun. Why pay for a hotel when you’re just gonna want to sleep with me anyway?”
    â€œYou think you’re all that.”
    â€œOf course, and then some.” To prove his point, he slid a hand between her thighs and massaged her muscles, keeping his hand just south of her mound, making her wetter.
    She shifted away from his hand and turned her attention to the phone, but his hand was persistent.
    â€œHi. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.” Was that her talking all breathlessly?
    â€œHey, Layla, are you okay? What happened?”
    Focus on Felicity, not the pleasure waiting in Phin’s hand. “My car broke down. The transmission needs to be rebuilt. It’s going to take a few days, and then as