The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 89

89 A Game of Provocation and Possession

The blackjack game continued, with tension growing thicker by the minute. After my win, I’d chosen Chloe for a playful, sisterly peck that defused the moment but clearly frustrated both Liam and Levi. Several rounds later, the atmosphere had become electric with unspoken desires and challenges. 1

“Nineteen for Angel,” Damian announced. Angel stood and walked straight to Chloe, pulling her into a nineteen-second kiss that left her flushed and breathless.

“Get a room,” Kyle joked, but he was quickly silenced when Thea won the next round.

“Twenty,” she announced proudly, looking around the table with mischievous eyes. “I choose… Owen and Noah.”

A collective gasp rippled through the room. Owen, her husband, looked startled but intrigued.

“Both of us?” Noah asked, his voice slightly unsteady.

“Both,” Thea confirmed. “One at a time isn’t against the rules, is it?”

Scarlett laughed. “Absolutely not. Go for it, girl.”

Thea approached Owen first, kissing him deeply for ten seconds, then turned to Noah for the remaining ten. The display was sensual and provocative. When she returned to her seat, her eyes were sparkling with triumph.

“Never knew you had it in you,” Jessica whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear.

I risked a glance at Liam. His jaw was tight, eyes focused on his cards. He hadn’t won a single round yet, and his frustration was evident in the rigid set of his shoulders. Levi, on the other hand, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

“Next hand,” Damian called, dealing the cards.

I looked at my cards – a seven and a king. Seventeen.

“Hit or stay?” Damian asked.

“Stay,” I decided, not wanting to risk busting.

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89 A Game of Provocation and Possession

The round continued until only Levi and Scarlett remained. Damian turned to Levi. “Show your cards.”

“Twenty,” Levi announced, revealing his hand with a triumphant smile.

Scarlett groaned. “Nineteen. You win.”

Levi’s gaze immediately locked on me, exactly as I’d feared. “I choose Hazel.”

Liam’s head snapped up, his violet-blue eyes blazing.

My heart hammered as Levi approached. “Twenty seconds,” he reminded everyone unnecessarily, his eyes never leaving mine.

Instead of going for my lips, Levi leaned down and placed his mouth against my neck. I froze, completely unprepared for this move. His lips were warm against my skin as he trailed slow kisses from my collarbone to just below my ear.

“You smell heavenly,” he whispered loudly enough for Liam to hear. “Exactly like I imagined.”

I caught Liam’s expression from the corner of my eye. His face had transformed into a mask of cold fury. His hands gripped the edge of the table so tightly his knuckles were

white.

When Levi finally pulled away after what felt like an eternity, he shot a challenging look at Liam before returning to his seat.

The room fell silent. Everyone sensed the dangerous shift in energy.

“Next round,” Damian said quickly, dealing the cards with slightly unsteady hands.

I couldn’t focus on the game anymore. My neck still tingled from Levi’s touch, but not in a pleasant way. I felt used – a pawn in whatever game of masculine pride was playing out between him and Liam.

“Blackjack,” Liam’s voice cut through my thoughts. He revealed his perfect twenty-one

an ace and a jack.

My breath caught. Liam had finally won, and there was no doubt in my mind who he would choose.

He stood slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. The room around us seemed to fade away

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as he approached. Without a word, he pulled me to my feet.

One hand cupped my face while the other wrapped around my waist, drawing me against his hard chest. His eyes held mine for a charged moment before his mouth. descended on mine.

This wasn’t a game anymore. This wasn’t about winning or teaching Levi a lesson. The kiss was raw, passionate, and possessive. His tongue swept inside my mouth, reclaiming territory, erasing any trace of anyone else who might have touched me.

I couldn’t help but respond, my body remembering the perfect fit of his against mine. My hands moved to his shoulders, then slid into his hair as he deepened the kiss further.

Someone whistled. Someone else cleared their throat. But Liam didn’t stop at twenty-one seconds. He continued kissing me, his grip tightening around my waist.

When he finally broke away, we were both breathing hard. His eyes had darkened to a stormy indigo, filled with something primal and untamed.

“We’re leaving,” he announced to the room, never breaking eye contact with me.

“The game’s not over,” Levi protested.

Liam’s head turned slowly toward him, his expression dangerous. “My woman and I are leaving,” he repeated, each word clipped and final.

My woman.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the door without another word. I followed, too stunned to resist, my body still humming from his kiss.

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