Luck of the Devil (The Forge Trilogy #2)(31)

All the color drains from Indy’s face. “No. I’m not. Fuck. I didn’t even think—”

“It’s fine. We’ll deal with the outcome, regardless.”

Her blue eyes widen. “What the hell does that mean?”

I shrug as if this means nothing to me, when suddenly I’ve become very attached to the idea of Indy pregnant with my child. Call it a primordial mentality. Call it fucking crazy. It doesn’t matter which, because it just is.

“We both took part in what just happened, and we’ll deal with the consequences together, if there are any.”

When her brow furrows, I wish I could see inside her head and know what the fuck she’s thinking, because it could change the vision I just saw of what the rest of my life could look like. The one I just told myself I couldn’t think about. If she snatches that possibility away, I’m left with what now seems like a cold, barren road where the only thing that keeps me going is revenge.

This is all the Russian’s fault. He had to get philosophical, and it’s rubbing off on me against my will.

“I’m not just going to deal with the consequences, Forge. If I’m pregnant, I . . . I’m not just taking care of it.”

A rush of relief sweeps through my system. “Good, because that’s not what I was suggesting.”

The lines of confusion deepen on her forehead. “Wait. What?”

I lean down over her until our noses almost touch. “Don’t worry about it until there’s something to worry about. Okay?”

“That’s easy for you to say.” Indy drops her gaze to the sheet fisted in her hand.

“The only reason it’s easy is because it’s you.”

Her head jerks up, surprise widening her blue eyes. She studies my face, and I have no idea what she’s looking for, but she must find it. “We should be fine, but thank you for not insisting that this would be my problem to deal with if . . .”

“Of course not.” I straighten and hold out a hand. “Shower and breakfast?”

A few beats pass before Indy takes it, almost like we’re calling a truce. “That would be great. Thank you.” Her words are quiet and measured, as if she’s not sure how to process the conversation we just had. That makes two of us.

I help her out of bed and she brings the sheet with her, clutching it to her body. If she feels like she needs the armor, she can have it. For now.

“How was the game?” I ask, knowing that if there’s one subject to get her talking confidently, that should be it, given the bag I locked in my safe.

Indy’s face morphs from caution into something completely different. Blinding joy. “I won. I slaughtered them. No one will doubt again that I’m an opponent most men wouldn’t dare face.”

Her smile is so broad, it sets off little lines around the corners of her mouth and eyes, and I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life.

“There was never a doubt that you’re a formidable opponent.”

She shrugs, her smile dimming a few watts. “When I played you, I looked like an amateur.”

“No.” I disagree, shaking my head. “You were anything but that. It just so happened . . . I got lucky that night. Perhaps luckier than I’ve ever been in my life.”

“I want to play you again. I want to redeem myself. Prove to you that I can win against anyone.” Her chin lifts as her tone takes on a haughty edge that sends a punch of lust to my dick.

I’ll play her again . . .

“For the right stakes, you just might tempt me,” I say.

Her gaze dips to my midsection, and I realize she’s staring at my cock.

“My eyes are up here, madam.”

Indy steps forward, still clutching the sheet, but her smile takes on a teasing edge.

“I think we can come up with stakes that’ll tempt you just fine, Jericho. But in the meantime . . . I’m ready for breakfast, and I want to count my money.”





32





India





“Your avarice might even trump my own,” Forge says as I dump out the bag of cash on the dining room table, even before all the dishes have been cleared away.

I glance at him, and the easy expression on his face calms the doubt that’s plagued me since he pointed out what we’d done—have sex without a condom.

Considering my past, accidental pregnancy has never made my long list of things to worry about. But when Forge sounded like he was suggesting that an abortion would be the right option, I freaked, and my protective instincts over a child that likely wasn’t even conceived shot into overdrive. I’d go to war to protect my child, regardless of the circumstances of its conception. When I finally realized that wasn’t his intent, the weight lifted from my chest and I could finally breathe easy again.

Like I said, the odds aren’t in our favor, but I’m glad I know where we stand on the issue. Even I can’t lie to myself and say I don’t want to repeat exactly what happened this morning again and again.

I’m dick-struck. That’s all.

Either way, I put it out of my mind as much as I can with the shirtless temptation in front of me, and focus on the stacks of banded cash.

I’m riding high on the rush of my win, plus I’ve had killer multiple orgasms already today, so there’s literally nothing that could take the wind from my sails right now.