The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 88

88 The Kissing Bet

Damian’s game room was spectacular-a massive space with dark wood paneling, a professional poker table in the center, and a fully stocked bar against one wall. Plush leather chairs surrounded the table, and soft lighting created a warm, intimate

atmosphere.

1

“Make yourselves at home,” Damian said, moving behind the bar. “Drinks?”

The men gravitated toward the bar while we women settled around the poker table.

Chloe leaned in close to our huddle.

“Remember the plan?” she whispered.

“I’m having second thoughts,” I admitted. “This feels like playing with fire.”

Scarlett snorted. “That’s precisely the point.”

“Look at them,” Jessica nodded toward the men. Liam was watching me intently from across the room, barely participating in the conversation around him. “They need a wake-up call.”

Drinks distributed, everyone gathered around the table. Damian took the dealer position and began shuffling cards with surprising expertise.

“Stakes?” he asked.

“Same as before? Hundred minimum?” Noah suggested.

We played a few hands of blackjack. The atmosphere was cordial but tense. Liam sat directly across from me, his eyes rarely leaving my face. Levi had positioned himself to my right, occasionally brushing his arm against mine when reaching for chips.

After forty minutes, Chloe sighed dramatically. “This is boring.”

“Agreed,” Scarlett chimed in. “Let’s make it more interesting.”

The men exchanged wary glances.

“What did you have in mind?” Angel asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Scarlett leaned forward. “Winner of each round gets to kiss someone of their choice.”

The reaction was immediate. Liam’s face darkened. Noah choked on his whiskey. Damian’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline.

“Absolutely not,” Liam growled.

“Why not?” I challenged, raising my chin. “Scared?”

His violet-blue eyes locked with mine. “You can’t be serious.”

“Dead serious,” Scarlett continued. “And the best part? The card score determines the intensity of the kiss.”

“How exactly would that work?” Kyle asked, looking intrigued despite himself.

“Face cards are light kisses. Numbers determine seconds of a real kiss.” Scarlett’s smile was wicked. “And aces are dealer’s choice-winner decides exactly what kind of kiss they want.”

“This is ridiculous,” Liam snapped. “I’m not letting some random guy kiss my-”

He stopped abruptly, and my heart skipped.

“Your what, Liam?” I asked quietly. “I’m not yours anymore, remember?”

The tension crackled between us like lightning. His jaw clenched so tight I could see a muscle twitching.

“Count me in,” Levi announced, shooting me a smoldering look. “I like these stakes.”

“Me too,” Angel agreed, his eyes on Chloe.

Thea’s husband Owen looked uncomfortable. “I don’t think-”

“What’s wrong?” Thea interrupted. “You said you trusted me.”

“I do, but-”

“Then prove it.”

Around the table, similar conversations played out. The women pressed while the men resisted. Liam remained silent, his eyes never leaving my face.

“You’re being childish,” he finally said to me, voice low.

“And you’re being possessive over someone who isn’t yours,” I shot back.

12:25

2/5

Levi leaned closer to me. “I’m really hoping to win the first round.”

Liam’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Back off.”

“Or what?” Levi challenged. “Hazel made it clear-she’s not yours.”

“Stop talking about me like I’m not here,” I snapped.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” Levi apologized, though his smug smile remained.

“Don’t call her that,” Liam warned.

“Enough!” Damian intervened. “Are we playing this game or not?”

The room fell silent. All eyes turned to Liam.

“What’s it going to be, Sterling?” Levi taunted. “You in, or are you walking away?”

The challenge hung in the air. Liam’s eyes caught mine, searching for something- reassurance, maybe, or a sign that this was just a bluff.

I gave him nothing but a cool stare.

“Fine,” he finally said. “I’m in.”

The women exchanged triumphant glances.

“Excellent,” Scarlett said. “Blackjack rules. Winner chooses who they kiss. The higher their winning card total, the more… intimate the kiss.”

Damian began dealing the cards. My stomach knotted with anxiety. What had I gotten myself into?

I glanced at my cards-a queen and an eight. Eighteen. Not bad, but not a guaranteed

win.

“Hit or stay?” Damian asked me.

“Stay”

One by one,

the players made their choices. Levi stayed on seventeen. Noah busted with twenty-two. Jessica took a hit and landed perfectly on twenty-one.

“Twenty-one for Jessica,” Damian announced. “Anyone beat that?”

12:25 –

3/5

88 The Kissing Bet

No one had.

“Well,” Jessica smiled, “I choose Kyle.”

Her husband looked relieved as she approached him. “Twenty-one seconds,” she whispered before pressing her lips to his.

The next round began. My nerves intensified. What if Levi won? What if I won? Who

would I choose?

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