“Ten ball in the corner pocket,” I say, then get into position, biting my lower lip when I realize my ass is right in front of Mason’s view. With precision, I slam it in.
“Fuuuuuck,” Liam groans. “Nice one.”
“Told ya.” Lennon beams.
“Want to increase the stakes?” I ask, eyeing Liam who’s grinning at me.
“Whatcha have in mind?” He arches a curious brow.
Biting down on my lower lip, I give myself a second to gain the courage I’ll need to go through with this. Maybe those shots were a good idea after all.
“Strip pool? Make a shot, the other person loses an item. Miss a shot, and you gotta take something off. Understand?” Once the words are out, there’s no going back, but I’m damn glad none of the other partygoers have come in here. They’re too busy drinking in the kitchen and dancing in the living room.
Lennon bursts out laughing, knowing damn well I’m about to strip him down to his underwear.
“Well, well, well…you just made things interesting.” He sets his stick against the wall, then leans down to remove both shoes for the last two balls I made.
“Should’ve worn layers tonight.” He chuckles.
I call two more balls before I miss, then it’s Liam’s turn. He’s stripped off both socks, and I’ve removed my right shoe for the one I missed.
He gets three in before he knocks one in with mine and forfeits his next turn.
“Strip,” I tell him.
I’ve removed my left shoe and then both earrings during his rounds. Of course he gave me shit, saying I wasn’t playing fair, but that’s what he gets for not asking for specifics beforehand. I’ll take off every piece of jewelry before I take off my clothes.
We all watch as he peels off his shirt, and God Bless America, the man is ripped like Hercules. It shouldn’t come as a shock, though, considering the tight shirt he was wearing didn’t leave much to the imagination. Liam Evans is built like a linebacker I wouldn’t want to piss off. He has tattoos on both arms and his chest, and if my little sister were here, I’d be wiping her drool off the floor. She has a thing for bad boys even though she’s not been allowed to date either. I have a feeling the second she moves here next year, she’s going to be thinking of ways to get rid of her V-card.
I have two balls left, and he has three, so I take my time deciding on my next one.
“Getting worried?” Liam taunts. “Do you need me to show you how to really work that stick?”
I blush at his sexual innuendo, knowing he’s only doing it to piss off Mason, and by his audible grunt, it’s working.
“You know…” I say in a seductive tone, flirting back. “I could use some help. The whiskey has gone right to my head.” I straighten my spine with the stick in my right hand. “Do you think you could help me line up this shot? It looks like a tricky one.” I’m playing dumb, and Lennon knows it too. She giggles behind me, whispering to Brandon. I notice Hunter leaning against the wall on the other side, glaring at the happy couple, and I wonder if there’s more to the roommate story than Lennon’s told me.
“I’d be happy to.” Liam hands his stick to Hunter, then comes to stand behind me with a knowing smirk. I bend over the table with Liam’s large frame covering mine, his arms around me as he helps guide the pole between my thumb and forefinger.
“Nice and slow…don’t rush or you’ll risk giving it too much pressure and it’ll bounce off instead of falling right in,” he directs, and I pretend to be helpless in his hold.
“Like this?” I stroke it back and forth, keeping my eyes on the ball.
“Perfect,” Liam says seductively in my ear, then slowly backs away and stands to the side.
“Fifteen in the corner.” After a few seconds, I take the shot, and it effortlessly sinks into the pocket. Then I’m left with one more striped ball.
“Your options are limited,” I mock as he starts unbuttoning his jeans.
“Don’t act like this wasn’t your plan all along,” he muses, pulling them off his legs until he’s standing in only his boxer shorts.
“Final ball,” I say, grabbing the cue chalk and rubbing it on the end of the stick. “Fourteen side pocket.” I look at Liam who winks at me. He doesn’t care that I’m going to beat him, but when his gaze follows Mason, I instinctively turn and see the intense, pissed-off expression painted on his face. If they’re as close of friends as they say, he should know Liam is purposely taunting him. But maybe he thinks I’m the one out of the loop instead and really believes Liam is flirting with me?