CHAPTER 89: CHAPTER 89 GETTING HOT IN HERE

Caroline’s POV

Ryan started shuffling for the first round, and everyone was on edge. You could see people checking out who they wanted to kiss and side-eyeing their competition. Eleanor shot me a quick thumbs up across the table, while Draven had his hand planted firmly on my thigh under the table.

"Game on!" Ruby called out, lifting her glass.

Ryan dealt the cards like a pro.

First round went fast.Nate lost quick and groaned about it, then Jax muttered "shit" when he lost too, which made Draven smirk.

In the end, Dominic won with twenty points. Eleanor’s eyes got big when Dominic turned to her, taking his sweet time about it.

"Sorry Nate," Dominic said, not looking sorry at all, "but I can’t pass this up." He locked eyes with Eleanor, who was already leaning in with this sexy little smile. "Someone time this."

"Got it," Ryan said, checking his watch.

Dominic traced Eleanor’s cheek with his fingertips, then slid his hand to cup the back of her neck. He pulled her in for a kiss that started gentle but quickly deepened. Eleanor responded enthusiastically, her hands finding their way to his shoulders.

"Time’s up. Twenty seconds," Ryan announced, though I noticed he’d let it run a few seconds longer than required.

When they finally broke apart, Eleanor looked slightly dazed, her lipstick smudged. Nate’s face had gone from pink to crimson, his hands clenched into white-knuckled fists on the table.

Eleanor turned to her fuming mate with a playful smile. "See, babe? That wasn’t so bad."

The table erupted in laughter while Nate muttered something that sounded suspiciously like a death threat aimed at Dominic.

"There is absolutely no fucking way another man is putting his mouth anywhere near you tonight," Draven whispered in my ear, his breath hot on my neck. Something about how protective he got sent shivers down my spine.

The next round began, and Paul emerged victorious with twenty-one points. Kyle’s eyes widened as he stood up with a triumphant grin.

"Perfect score!" Paul announced proudly, extending his hand to Kyle. "And no time limit."

Kyle rose from her seat, shooting a quick glance at Luke who gave her a subtle nod. Paul pulled her close by the waist and claimed her mouth in a kiss that quickly turned heated. Kyle’s arms wound around his neck, her fingers threading through his hair as their bodies pressed together. The kiss deepened further, their movements growing more urgent with each passing second.

I felt my cheeks flush watching them.This wasn’t just a game anymore,the attraction between them was undeniable. When they finally broke apart, both were breathing heavily, lips swollen and eyes dark with desire.

"Even better than I’d imagined," Paul murmured, tracing Kyle’s lower lip with his thumb before helping her back to her seat.

"Now we’re talking!" Theo rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Next round!"

The energy shifted as everyone focused intently on their cards. I noticed Luke whispering something to Kyle, who nodded with a smile while glancing at Paul. The stakes felt higher with each passing moment.

Ruby won the next round with twenty-one points. Without hesitation, she stood up, walked over to Ryan, and straddled him right there in his chair. She took his face between her hands and gave him a kiss so passionate. When she finally released him, Ryan looked completely stunned.

As Ruby returned to her seat, she winked at Wesley. "You’re next!"

"Ruby!" Jax scolded his sister immediately.

She shrugged innocently. "What? It’s just a game."

"Relax, brother-in-law," Ryan said to Jax with confidence."That’s never going to happen."

"We’ll see about that," Wesley challenged with a grin. "Next round."

Joseph won the following round with twenty-one points and immediately pulled Ava into a kiss that had her melting in his arms.

In the next round, Nate won with nineteen points and promptly gave Eleanor a proper twenty-second kiss that seemed designed to erase any memory of Dominic’s previous kiss.

Things really heated up when Kyle won with twenty-one points. She didn’t hesitate for a second before beckoning both Luke and Paul toward her. What followed was possibly the most erotic display I’d ever witnessed. Luke embraced her from behind while Paul positioned himself in front. As Luke kissed her neck and shoulders, Paul claimed her mouth hungrily. Sandwiched between them, Kyle turned to kiss her husband while Paul continued his kiss on her neck, ear, and collarbone. The three of them moved together with such familiarity that I wondered if this wasn’t their first time in such an arrangement.

When they finally separated and returned to their seats, the atmosphere in the room had grown thick with sexual tension.

"Is it just me, or did it get about twenty degrees hotter in here?" Ryan fanned himself. "I’ll crank up the AC before we all spontaneously combust."

Another round began, and this time Jax won with seventeen points after Draven busted with a frustrated growl. Jax celebrated as if he’d scored a perfect twenty-one, his eyes locked on me with predatory intent.

He leaned toward me, taking my face in his hands and turning it slightly toward Draven to ensure he had a perfect view. Then he began placing slow, wet kisses down my neck. I could practically feel Draven’s fury radiating beside me, his entire body rigid with tension.

Jax kept going, kissing behind my ear before moving his lips down my neck. He gave me a little bite, then ran his tongue over the spot. He made his way to where my neck meets my shoulder, then slowly traced back up, his nose brushing against my skin the whole way. He finished with the softest kiss right under my ear, making me shiver all over.

"God, Caroline," Jax murmured, his voice all husky, "you taste amazing." He pulled back just enough to give me a flirty wink.

Draven’s eyes had darkened to a dangerous violet, Alaric clearly fighting for control. I could feel the Alaric’s desire to claim me, to eliminate the competition.

The next round, Draven was laser-focused, ignoring all the jokes and laughing around him. When he won with twenty-one points, his smile was dangerous in a way that made my heart pound. He gave Jax this "I won" look before pulling me close.

He kissed me hard, holding me tight against him. His tongue found mine, and I could taste whiskey and pure want. We fit together perfectly, like we were made for each other. He kept kissing me deep and hot, showing everyone exactly who I was with.

When he finally pulled back, he kept his forehead against mine, both of us breathing hard. He made sure everyone could hear when he said, "We’re leaving,my mate. Now."

I didn’t catch his slip until I saw Eleanor’s shocked face. He hadn’t called me his girlfriend or even his date. Instead, he’d basically called me his mate.

Draven grabbed my hand and walked us straight out of Ryan’s place without another word, leaving everyone staring after us.

The whole drive back to his place, Draven didn’t say a word. His hands were tight on the wheel, and he just stared at the road. The tension was so thick I didn’t dare break the silence.

When we got there, he just opened my door and scooped me up in his arms, striding quickly to the elevator.

The look in his eyes was pure heat,I knew exactly what he wanted.