Chapter 2

He tossed the agreement on the table. "Natalie, you brought this on yourself. Don't come crying and running home to Sterling Manor when you lose."

I picked up the pen and signed my name.

"The rules stay the same."

I handed the agreement to Mr. Brown for safekeeping. "Lose a shot, lose a piece of clothing. One game decides it all. Whoever pockets all their balls first wins."

Melissa laughed coquettishly and picked up a cue. "Miss Sterling, I won't hold back then."

First game. Melissa broke.

She deliberately stuck out her rear, striking what she thought was a seductive pose in front of Ethan.

Ethan moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, guiding her hands to aim.

"Lower your waist. Don't shake your hand."

A sharp crack rang out, and two striped balls dropped into the pockets.

"Wow, they went in!"

Melissa jumped up.

Ethan lifted his hand and tapped her nose. "Not bad. You're improving."

Under Ethan's "careful guidance," Melissa sank three balls in a row.

It wasn't until the fourth ball stopped at the pocket's edge due to a bad angle that it became my turn.

I pushed the cue forward, but the cue ball slipped.

Not only did it miss my target ball, it actually knocked in one of Melissa's balls for her.

"Ha ha!"

Laughter erupted again.

"Did I see that right? That was a gift. Did Miss Sterling practice with a mop?"

Melissa doubled over laughing, tears squeezing from the corners of her eyes.

"Oh, Miss Sterling, you're too kind—helping me sink balls!"

She walked up to me with a look of someone enjoying the show. "According to the rules, shouldn't you strip now?"

Ethan stood nearby with his arms crossed.

"Natalie, a bet's a bet. Don't waste everyone's time."

Without expression, I raised my hand and removed the diamond earrings from my ears, tossing them onto the pool table.

The diamonds glinted harshly under the lights.

"First piece."

I spoke.

Melissa wasn't satisfied. "Hey, we said clothes. What are you doing bringing out jewelry?"

"What's the rush?"

I picked up the chalk and leisurely rubbed it on the cue tip. "The rule is lose a piece. No one said it couldn't be jewelry. Besides, these were the engagement gift your boss begged me to accept. Taking them off—perfect timing."

Ethan's expression darkened.

"Natalie, cut the sarcasm."

I didn't look at him anymore. I stepped back. "Your turn, Miss Moore."

Melissa strutted forward smugly and continued shooting.

Because of my "mistake," the table layout favored her greatly. Soon she'd cleared all but her last two balls.

My balls—not one had moved.

Ethan's friend Derek Chase started cheering from the sidelines. "Ethan, the villa's about to be yours."

Ethan's lips curved upward, his eyes scanning me up and down without disguise.

"Natalie, if you're willing to bow your head and admit you were wrong now, kneel down and beg me, I might still leave you some dignity."

I looked at him. "Ethan, don't speak too soon. The game isn't over yet."

Melissa said sweetly, "Mr. Gray, ignore her. Watch how I deal with her."

She bent down and aimed at the second-to-last ball.

If this one went in, then she'd sink the eight ball, and I'd lose.

Everyone's eyes focused on Melissa.

The cue struck. The target ball rolled straight toward the corner pocket.

Ethan was already preparing to applaud.

But just as the ball was about to drop, it bounced lightly off the pocket's edge and stopped.

Just that tiny bit short.

A wave of disappointment swept through the room.