Read The Game for Free Online Page A

She squared her shoulders, her expression determined. “I’m going in.”
    * * * *
    “Toss me a pillow, will you? The footboard is kinda hard to lean against.”
    Dave grabbed the pillow next to him and gently threw it toward Marcie. She caught it with one hand and shoved it behind her.
    “Marcie, I’m sorry you and I…” Dave leaned against the headboard, his hands crossed behind his head. “I love Shari.” He paused. “At least, I think I do. At least, I think I am…falling in love with her.” He looked past her toward the wall behind her. “Do you think she and Frank…?”
    Marcie almost fell off the bed, laughing. “No way.” She halted. “Well, I don’t think…” She shook her head. “No, no way.”
    “You and Frank?”
    She grinned full out. “A lady never tells.”
    “Shari told me a little about your ambition. Next time I’m over at Shari’s, I’d love to see some of your work.”
    “Sure. I’m not shy. I’d love to show them to you.” She paused. “That is if you and Shari aren’t…busy.”
    Dave managed to look abashed. “Yeah, I guess we have been…busy.” He smiled. “I think that might change. We have a few more things to talk about now.” He looked again at the wall as if he could see through it. “It’s awfully quiet in there.” Is he fucking her? Is his cock up her ass? Or maybe it’s so quiet because he’s eating her pussy? Or maybe…?
    “Maybe they’re asleep.”
    “In the same bed?”
    Marcie laughed again. “You know they could be talking like you and I are doing.”
    A look of relief crossed Dave’s face. “Yeah, yeah, you’re right. Thanks. Besides, Shari is really…yeah, they’re not doing anything.”
    A staccato knocking at the door interrupted them.
    “Marcie, could you come out for a minute, please?”
    “Shari? Sure, just a minute.”
    Marcie turned to Dave and shrugged.
    *
    Shari spoke without preamble. “Marcie, I need to talk to Dave. Now, before I lose my nerve. Is it okay with you if you spend the night with Frank?” She laughed nervously. “Or if I wind up coming back in two minutes and borrowing a blanket while I sleep on the couch?”
    Marcie shook her head. “I’ll be very surprised to see you before morning, but don’t worry. I’ll leave the door unlocked.”
    Shari gave her a swift hug. “Thanks, hon. I owe you.”
    “Damn straight.”
    *
    Dave stared at the door. Now what? He went over to the window and looked out at the snow still steadily falling. The drifts were almost halfway up the windows. Even with conserving the generator fuel, it would be tight. Shit. Why hadn’t he called that son of a bitch caretaker beforehand?
    A cool breeze across his backside announced the door opening. “Marcie? What did Shari…Shari?”
    She stood just inside the room as if afraid he’d send her away. She looked adorable in his T-shirt and bare feet. Adorable and on the verge of tears.
    Four strides brought him to her and he touched her cheek. “What’s wrong?”
    She took a deep breath. “Dave, please sit down. I need to show you something.”
    He nodded and sat on the edge of the bed.
    “Thanks.”
    She opened the closet door and pulled out the smaller of the two suitcases she’d brought with her. She carried it over to the floor in front of the bed and unlocked it. Taking a deep breath, she nodded, looked up at Dave and turned the case around so he could see the contents.
    “What the fu…? Shari?” He closed his eyes for a second then opened them. “You weren’t looking for a story that night at the club were you? You belong to it.”
    She shook her head. “Belonged to it. I haven’t been back since we met.”
    “Why? You afraid I’d arrest you? It’s not illegal, you know, only when someone gets killed or uses one as a cover for something that is illegal.” He laughed harshly. “You’re safe. You can go back at any time. You didn’t have to fuck me to not arrest you.”
    She shoved the case across the floor and