Chapter 9: Queen Of Hearts

Siren's POV:

My grip slipped and the ball skirted wide from the pocket.

I missed. I fucking missed.

I could feel his smouldering gaze burning my back, his soft breaths beside my ear as I abruptly stood up, in shock.

Is it really him?

"But I have to say, I liked the position you were in last time better," He whispered quietly for my ears. He seemed inappropriately close

I turned around, only to see him standing at a respectable distance behind me. I avoided eye contact, that scent, the same scent intoxicating me, reminding me of the incredible highs I felt last night. The high that I spent last night craving, needing my fix.

My heartbeats sped up, making it harder to breathe as he scanned me, his eyes roaming every inch of my body before stopping on my face, specifically my lips as he licked his own.

He looked even more stunning, clean-cut in an onyx black suit that looked like it was moulded to fit only him, making his fierce jet black eyes darker. His shirt was the only piece in his ensemble that was white. His necktie rested loose, making him look more appealing with the top button undone. His face looked even more prominent with his chin length hair gelled back.

"It's been long time since we last met," Evelyn's voice made me turn back around to see her sinking the last ball.

Did I just loose?

Being the spoilt child I was, I wanted to stomp my foot. I don't loose. Somehow I controlled myself from flipping out and walking away from the table. Instead, I turned around to shoot Noah a dirty look. He looked surprised as I gave him a glare. He made me mess up.

I know, I'm a brat.

Wait, did Evelyn just acknowledge him?

Do they know each other?

Wow, I don't think I've ever been in a more awkward situation.

"I win," Evelyn gave me a small smile as she walked towards us.

"How've you been Noah? It's like you don't even want to hangout with us anymore," Adrik's voice made me sidestep slightly to see him walking towards us.

Noah didn't look like the same person as the last time, there was something off about him. Maybe it was Adrik's presence or Evelyn's that made his eyes harden. He was as emotionless as before, but his tone was icier, his demeanor had grown stronger, his stance taller and his eyes almost....dead with zero emotions. I had seen some emotion that night but right now, it was nowhere to be found.

Noah's gaze petrified me as Adrik gently held my hand, pulling me away from Noah before resting his hand on the small of my back.

"This is my date, Siren. And Siren, this is Noah Winston," Adrik introduced us but I could feel Noah's stare turned hostile as he raised a brow.

"We've met before, right Siren?'' He gave me a crooked smile as he offered me his hand.

"Y-Yeah," I took his hand in mine and I felt the warmth of his hand, making me feel giddy. Adrik looked at me as his mind registered how that may be the case.

Okay, he's gorgeous. Get over it girl. This is the same man who made you feel like a used condom two days ago. Just because he's hot doesn't mean he gets away with it.

"What's with all the tension?" Alessandro waved his hands in the air, as if clearing it, "Now that Noah's here, let's play poker, shall we?"

I could see Evelyn and Adrik were curious about how we knew each other. So I excused myself to the bathroom, all of that was too much for me. I can't do this. I wanted to wash my face, to wake myself up from my delusional fantasies, every one of which included Noah. I shook my head, trying to wrap my head around this situation. The guy I had the most earth shattering experience with two days back showed up to my date with another man.

My mantra in life is 'avoid till you feel void'. So I went along with it. If I don't give it too much thought, I won't feel this...this guilt? Is that it? Am I guilty? But then again, I had no reason to be.

My head started spinning so I shut out my emotions and stood tall before strutting my way out of the closed space.

I stumbled back when I saw Noah standing against the wall in front of me, a wild strand loosely falling against his forehead. I had the most irrational urge to tuck it back.

"I have to say, you're glowing," His face was giving nothing away as he took a step forward,"I'm guessing it has something to do with your date."

"Noah, It'd be much appreciated if you just minded your own business," I stated sternly, trying my best to sound professional.

"Hmm. That's not fun and from what I remember, you really love gratification, don't you?" He took another step, my heart racing from just one look.

"What do you want, Noah?" My voice sounded breathless to my own ears. My current circumstances didn't really allow me to entertain the idea of fun with him but I did, nonetheless.

''I want to feel the high you gave me once again," He took the last stride, his face too close to mine. His scent gave me a rush as I felt his soft breaths against my skin. His gaze fixed on my lips, reminding me how passionately he kissed me that night.

"No." Definitely not when I'm here with another guy.

"No?" He was still emotionless but his eyes gleamed as if it wasn't what he was expecting,"Then how about we place a bet, play a game of poker? Maybe you can make up for losing to Evelyn back there. Nurse your wounded self esteem."

He fucking made me lose. I would've won if he didn't...uhh.. distract me. Ugh, why am I such a brat? Do I really need to prove a point so badly that I'll risk something dangerous in exchange of winning a petty game?

Because that's what the aura surrounding this man screams. Danger. It couldn't be clearer if this man walked around with a sign that said 'Fatal for your heart'.

''What do I get from it?" I couldn't resist asking even though I was going to say no.

"Anything if you win but if I win I'll expect nothing less," He softly murmured to me.

"I'm not letting you play with me like that," I crossed my arms, to create some distance between you.

"Weren't you begging me to play with you two days back?" He whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my back. I was desperate for some sort of physical contact but he refused to touch me even when he was so close I could feel all of him.

I gently tucked back the loose strand that rested on his forehead back before placing my finger under his chin, making him look into my eyes. I leaned into his ear, placing my other hand on his chest before quietly whispering in his ear, "Babyboy, just because I let you play with my pussy doesn't mean I'm going to let you play with my mind too."

I lightly brushed my lips against his cheek before pulling back. Although he showed no visible signs of being affected, I picked up on the slight change in his heartbeat as I retracted myself from him.

"But I'll humour you because I swear to god this isn't a game I would lose."

Sitting at the poker table, the dealer dealt the hole cards out to each player after the initial bet. There was silence as everyone took a look at their cards. I checked my cards to see I had the Queen of Hearts and Spades. That could make for a good hand.

The old man, Matthew, who sat on the left of the dealer placed his bet. Alessandro sat next to him, followed by Evelyn, me, Adrik and another man who arrived with Noah. What was his name, again? Kai, I think. Besides Kai, there was the couple whose names I can't seem to remember.

Did I mention that I'm awful with names?

Lastly sat none other than Noah himself, right in front of me.

"Why do we even play when we all know Noah's going to win anyway," Evelyn muttered as she matched the bet. Alessandro quietly held her hand under the table as he called the bet.

I looked up to see Noah smirking at me.

What the hell is that about? Don't tell me I blindly made a bet against a pro or something. I blinked rapidly, trying to wrap my head around the repercussions if I were to lose. The expression on Noah's face told me that his intentions towards me were less than innocent.

I mentally shook my head, clearing it of any erratic or erotic... thoughts.

I can't afford to lose. And I won't.

Alessandro raised the bet and Evelyn matched it. Adrik raised again, pushing a few ten thousand dollar chips. I called and Kai folded. The couple called and Noah raised again by hundred and eighty grands.

The dealer dealt three cards face up on the table. A Queen of clubs, a Ten and a Nine of hearts.

This game is turning out to be in my favour but I could never be too sure.

Dad once told me the most important thing and the hardest to master in poker is keeping a poker face. However, it seemed like these people had no problem doing that. Not even a hint of what their cards could be. It was like the whole casino went silent as we played.

After another round of betting, Adrik, Evelyn, Noah and me were left in the game.

The turn card was revealed, a Jack of hearts. My gaze steered towards Noah who was already staring at me.

Evelyn tapped her long fingernails twice against the table and I raised the bet. Noah raised an eyebrow as Adrik matched my bet and then he raised again.

Finally, the river card was placed face up on the table to reveal a Queen of Diamonds.

Oh fuck.

This is the best poker hand I've ever been dealt.

Even though I kept a straight face, I was dancing in celebration on the inside.

Beat that, bitch. I wanted to shout at Noah. But the way he sat back, relaxed and without a single care in the world, I couldn't help but think that maybe he was going to win, no matter what.

No. No. Don't loose focus. He could be bluffing for all I knew.

Evelyn bit her lip slightly as she looked towards me, waiting for me to place the bet. Finally, a sign of weakness.

"All in," I muttered as I pushed all the chips in front of me towards the dealer.

Evelyn's eyes grew wide for a second before she caught herself. Finally!!! A sign of weakness. Adrik chuckled as he folded.

Noah met my gaze once again, the intensity of his stare burning me down as the two words left his lips, "All in."

I couldn't help but think he wasn't just talking about the game.

Oh really, bitch? You think a guy you met not even a week ago wants to go all in with you.

My subconscious berated me.

Maybe not all in with me but all in-side of me?

I wanted to hit myself on the head for thinking that way. It's like years of sexual deprivation was catching up to me and I was about to jump any hot man who so much as gave me a glance.

"Showdown," the dealer said and everyone waited with bated breath as each one of us revealed our cards.

Evelyn revealed an Eight of Clubs and a Seven of Diamonds, making her highest hand a straight.

Next was Noah, he revealed an Ace and a King of Hearts, making his highest hand a flush. His expression was smug as if he had already won.

I was so eager to smack it off his arrogant face.

Everyone else sat back relaxed in their seats as if the game was over with Noah's victory.

With all four Queens, I turned my cards face up for Noah to see.

His face fell as he, along with everyone else as they peeked at my cards. The look of pure bewilderment was pure heaven to my eyes and ego as Noah sat back, stupefied.

"Sad, all you needed was a Queen to help you win. A Queen of Hearts," I shot Noah the fakest look of sympathy, turning the card delicately between my fingers for him to see.