Cathy rose smoothly from her seat, her heels clicking softly against the floor, and gave the other two women a mischievous smile. “Come with me, ladies.” She glanced back as Joanne and Val followed, each a striking contrast in their shimmering evening gowns that flowed like liquid. Cathy’s dress hugged her sculpted frame in deep, sultry blue, its slit teasing her toned legs with every step. Joanne, elegant and statuesque, wore a deep emerald gown that highlighted the mystery in her eyes. Val, her curvaceous figure sculpted in vivid red, radiated energy with every sway. Their heels tapped a steady rhythm, hips swaying just enough to draw John’s attention — and maybe fluster him a little.
John trailed behind, trying to keep his composure as a mix of nervous anticipation and warm excitement settled over him. They’d been kind and playful, but he knew, deep down, he was here to be the center of their plans. Whatever they had in mind, he was certain it would be hard to resist. His heart beat faster as he followed them to the poker table, his mind racing with possibilities.
As he glanced around the setup, he noticed the subtle detail of the three chairs placed neatly around the table — just enough for the women, but none for him. The realization hit: he would be standing or moving around, fully visible from every angle, far more on display than he’d expected.
The women settled with effortless grace, their dresses shimmering in the low, ambient light. Cathy took her seat and looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. “John, honey, the three of us are going to play a little game of poker. And we hoped you’d be our dealer.”
The thought of simply dealing cards eased his nerves, and he let out a small, almost relieved breath. “Yeah, sure, I can do that,” he replied, smiling as Joanne and Val looked up at him with warm, inviting expressions.
“It’s a $50 buy-in for 100 chips. Texas Hold’em,” Cathy continued. “Do you know how it’s played?”
John nodded, laughing softly. “I know enough to deal.”
“Perfect,” she said with a wink. “We’ll play until one of us owns all the chips. And there’s a little additional prize for the winner, which you’ll find out about later.” Her voice carried a playful edge that kept him on his toes.
John agreed, finding himself relaxing into the moment. This seemed easier than anything he had imagined they might have in store.
Cathy’s eyes glinted with mischief. “One more thing, John,” she added, her voice dropping to a teasing murmur. “We think a slightly less formal costume for our dealer would be more fitting for the three of us.”
She rose and beckoned him closer, her eyes gleaming with playful anticipation. John stepped forward, heart pounding as the other women watched, their glances appreciative and faintly hungry. Cathy reached up and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his lips, then slipped behind him, molding her body to his back as her arms snaked around him. Her hands glided slowly down his chest, fingers grazing the clip of his formal black pants. She paused, teasing him with a featherlight touch, before giving it a gentle tug that made him shiver.
The sound of his zipper lowering sent a hot rush through his body. He drew a shaky breath as Cathy knelt behind him, her fingers trailing along the fabric before sliding his pants smoothly down his legs. Without a word, he stepped out of them, left in nothing but sleek black briefs, a bow tie collar, and matching cuffs. The cool air on his skin made him sharply aware of every inch of his body under the intense gaze of three stunning women. It felt like standing on a pool deck in a speedo, he told himself — except this time, every admiring glance and approving smile was just for him.
Cathy rose and circled back to face him, wrapping her arms around him in a warm, confident hug. Stepping back with a flourish, she turned to the others. “Ladies,” she said, her voice rich with mischief, “will this meet our needs?”
Val let out a delighted laugh, her eyes sparkling. “Oh, I’d say it more than meets our needs!”
Joanne nodded, her approving gaze lingering over him. “Absolutely. I think we’re in for quite a night.”
A flush rose up John’s neck, but their open approval only eased him further. Cathy smiled and gestured toward the table. “All right then, John. Can you collect the buy-in for us and start the game?”
He gave her a nod, feeling his confidence bloom. Tonight was bound to be an experience, and with their encouraging smiles and warm laughs, he felt ready to embrace whatever came next.
John moved around the table to collect the buy-in, each woman handing over crisp bills with knowing smiles — and subtle, teasing touches. Cathy’s fingers brushed deliberately against his wrist, her nails grazing lightly as she let go of her bill. Val let her fingertips drift across his palm a second longer than necessary, her eyes twinkling with mischief. Joanne simply slid her bill into his hand with a quiet firmness, her thumb tracing along his skin in a slow, lingering stroke. Each tiny contact sent a spark through him, making his breath catch despite his best efforts to stay composed.
After stacking the chips in front of them, he dealt the first round with a practiced flourish, sending the cards skimming across the table in smooth arcs.
He straightened up, feigning a swagger he didn’t quite feel. “All right, ladies,” he said with a playful grin that almost covered his nervous excitement. “Who’s feeling lucky tonight?”
Cathy arched a brow, her lips curving into a sly smile. “Oh, I think the better question is... are you feeling lucky, John?”
Val giggled, shifting in her seat. “Careful — luck can be a very... slippery thing,” she teased, her voice light and suggestive.
Joanne’s smile deepened, her gaze lingering on him as if she were already several steps ahead. “Some of us make our own luck,” she murmured, her tone silky and unreadable.
The first round started slow, each woman placing modest bets. Cathy opened with a small raise, her eyes sharp with playful focus. Val called, leaning over her cards with a mischievous pout. “John,” she purred, leaning in as if sharing a secret, “if you really want to win me over, maybe you’ll sneak me something worth showing off.” She winked as she pushed her chips forward.
“I’m not sure luck alone will help you,” Joanne purred, her voice velvety as she called. “You might need all the stars to align tonight.”
John chuckled as he dealt the flop: king, ten, five. Cathy’s gaze stayed steady as she bet again. Val called eagerly, unable to hide her excitement. Joanne matched the bet, her face a serene mask.
Their banter only grew. Joanne folded one hand with a sly smirk and glanced at John. “You’re dealing beautifully,” she purred, giving him a lingering look. “If you keep this up, maybe the winner will invite you to help her celebrate.”
John laughed, his curiosity spiking. “Hard to keep my focus… when you talk about celebrations like that.”
Cathy scooped a small pot, grinning. “Just a warm-up. Hope you two are ready to go the distance,” she teased.
Val rolled her eyes, giggling. “Don’t get too cocky. I’m just getting started!” She grabbed her next hand, her grin giving her away. Cathy chuckled.
“Val,” Cathy chided playfully, “you call that a poker face?”
Val gasped, hand to her chest. “This is my best poker face!” she cried, dissolving into laughter.
Joanne shook her head, placing her bet smoothly. “You’re an open book tonight.” Her eyes flicked to John, her smile deepening.
John grinned, his eyes lighting up. “I don’t mind a good book… especially when it’s this revealing.”
The women exchanged glances, Val rolling her eyes playfully and Joanne letting out a soft, knowing laugh. The tension and mischief between them buzzed stronger than ever. Each hand felt like it pulled John deeper, the playful energy wrapping around him like a promise. He knew there was so much more hidden beneath their teasing smiles — and though he had no idea what awaited him, he felt an electric excitement at the thought of finding out.
With each hand, John felt himself relax further, swept up in their playful, electric energy. The laughter, teasing, and sharp flashes of competitive spirit pulled him in, and he realized he was having far more fun than he ever expected. Each hand felt like a deeper step into their world — and he was more than willing to follow.
As the game unfolded, he began to notice small, telling signs between Val and Joanne: a quick, knowing smile, an almost imperceptible tilt of the head, a glance that lingered just too long. There was something brewing beyond chips and cards. His curiosity prickled until he finally leaned forward, eyebrow raised, catching both their eyes.
“All right,” he said, his tone playful but edged with intrigue. “What’s really going on between you two? Feels like the stakes are more than just poker tonight.”
Joanne exchanged a sly glance with Cathy, her lips curling into a slow, wicked smile. She turned to John, her voice low and smooth as silk. “Oh, John... when Cathy told us about your little backgammon game — and those special stakes — we were inspired. It’s not every day we hear about something so... deliciously daring.”
John’s gaze darted to Cathy, who simply gave a teasing shrug, her cheeks warm with amusement. His pulse quickened as Joanne leaned in closer.
“Val and I couldn’t resist,” she continued, her emerald eyes glinting. “We made a side bet. If I win and Val goes out first, she’ll spend an entire night at my whim. I’ll choose the pace, the terms... and maybe even who else might join the fun.”
Val let out a throaty laugh, her cheeks flushed as she shot Joanne a daring look. “Don’t listen to her, John. When she goes out first — and she will — I’ll be the one setting the rules. Let’s just say Joanne has no idea what surprises I have waiting.”
Joanne arched an eyebrow, her smile sharpening as she slowly crossed her arms. “Oh, Val,” she cooed, her voice edged with mock pity. “You can barely sit still for five minutes. I’d love to see you try to keep control... especially with an audience.”
Val leaned forward, her grin widening, elbows on the table. “If you think I’ll just sit back and behave, you’re in for a surprise,” she purred. “Let’s just say... you’re not the only one with plans.”
The crackling tension between them filled the room, electric and irresistible. John watched, captivated, every nerve alive as their flirtatious rivalry unfolded before him.
Cathy leaned back in her chair, fingers lazily tracing her wineglass as she smirked at them. “Well, well,” she teased. “Maybe I should be taking notes. Is this truly no-limit… or are there secret conditions I should know about?”
Joanne chuckled, her gaze sliding to Val. “Conditions?” she echoed, her voice like velvet. “Cathy, this is no-limit poker. The only condition is to win — at any cost.”
Val raised her glass in a slow, taunting toast. “Exactly. No limits, no mercy… and definitely no excuses.”
Cathy tilted her head, her grin widening. “Now that’s high stakes. John, think you’re ready to referee when this all comes to a head?”
John shook his head, laughing as he shuffled the deck. “Referee? I’m not sure I’d survive trying to keep you three in line.”
Val smirked, voice light but charged. “Oh, we’ll stay in line... mostly.”
Joanne leaned in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Mostly,” she echoed, her smile a sly promise. “But be ready — we might need a little... discipline if we don’t.”
Their laughter rippled around him, bright and intoxicating. John grinned as he dealt the next hand, his mind buzzing with excitement and a shiver of wonder at just how far these two might go. Tonight had become so much more than a friendly game — and in that moment, he realized he was all in.
In the next few rounds, the atmosphere thickened with tension — but it was a sparkling, infectious tension, threaded with giggles and teasing glances that kept everything light and electric. Joanne and Cathy began pulling steadily ahead, their stacks of chips climbing hand by hand, their eyes sharp with focus and a playful gleam. Meanwhile, Val kept giving herself away — each strong hand lighting up her face before she could stop it, each bluff betrayed by her restless excitement. Slowly but surely, her pile of chips dwindled, shrinking as Cathy and Joanne’s towers rose higher. Down to her final significant stack, Val was still laughing and chattering — but her earlier confidence was clearly starting to crack.
Then came the hand that shifted everything. Val leaned forward, eyes gleaming, fingers tapping an eager rhythm on her cards. She peeked down and let out a soft, breathless gasp — her excitement impossible to hide. Without hesitation, she pushed all her chips into the center, her grin wide and triumphant.
“All in!” she declared, practically bouncing in her seat.
Joanne arched an eyebrow, her lips curling into a slow, amused smile. “All in?” she echoed, voice velvet-smooth. “Are you sure you want to throw in the towel so soon, Val?”
Val gasped, hand to her chest in mock offense. “Throw in the towel? Please — this is just the start of my grand comeback. You’ll be begging for mercy before long!”
Joanne’s smile sharpened, her gaze glittering. “Careful,” she purred. “After this hand, you might be throwing in more than just the towel.”
Cathy snickered, lifting her glass in a mock salute. “Ouch… them’s fighting words.”
Joanne’s fingers trailed deliberately over her chips, the movement slow and confident. With a small tilt of her head, she calmly matched Val’s bet. “Call,” she said, her voice low and dangerous.
They flipped over their cards. Val revealed a pair of aces, practically glowing with delight as she smoothed her fingers over them. Joanne turned over a pair of kings, her expression unreadable except for the faintest flicker of amusement in her eyes.
John dealt the flop: ace, seven, two. Val’s face lit up in a blaze of pure, giddy triumph. She clapped her hands together, practically vibrating in her chair. “Oh, Joanne… you might want to start planning your surrender speech!” she squealed, her voice dripping with taunt and delight.
The turn card was a ten — no help to Joanne. Val was already half-celebrating, her eyes darting between her cards and the table, her excitement radiating in every bounce and wiggle.
Then came the river. John dealt it with a slight tremble in his fingers. The final card: the four of hearts.
Joanne’s flush completed.
Val’s eyes went wide, her jaw dropping in exaggerated horror as she stared at the table in disbelief. For a heartbeat, the room froze. Then she collapsed back into her chair with a loud, dramatic sigh, throwing her hands in the air. “No! Impossible!” she cried — though even as she protested, her sparkling eyes betrayed a wicked, eager excitement, as if some secret part of her had hoped for this outcome all along.
Joanne turned to Cathy with a wicked grin. “Mind if I enlist John to help me… work out the details of Val’s ‘payment’?”
Cathy caught John’s eye, her own twinkling with mischief. “Oh, you don’t need my permission — but you’ll have to convince him.”
Joanne leaned toward John, her gaze both inviting and commanding. “What do you say? Ready to help plan how Val pays off her debt?”
John glanced quickly at Cathy, then back at Joanne, his lips curving into a crooked grin. “I’d be like an apprentice in the kitchen with a master chef. I’d probably just burn the appetizers.”
Their laughter exploded around the table. Joanne raised an eyebrow, laughing low. “Careful, rookie. I might just hand you the whisk and test your skills.”
Val, still playing up her shock, grinned and wagged a finger at him. “Just don’t get me charred — I bruise easily!”
Joanne gave him a playful, mock glare. “Careful, junior. This master might put you through your paces yet.”
John threw up his hands in mock surrender, a crooked grin on his lips. “Yes, Chef!”
The game continued, the stakes — and the banter — climbing steadily higher. Joanne and Val traded mock insults, their rivalry bright and flirtatious, while Cathy’s focus turned razor sharp, a predator’s glint in her eyes impossible to miss.
Cathy tapped the edge of her glass, her voice smooth and playful. “Well, that little side bet was quite the show for us all. But tonight’s real game… that’s still up for grabs.” She let the words hang, her gaze sliding to John for a fleeting, suggestive moment before drifting back to her cards.
“Better watch out, Joanne,” Cathy teased after another win, scooping the growing pile of chips into her stack with confident ease. “Looks like I’ll be claiming the prize tonight.”
Her tone was playful, but there was a sultry undercurrent that made John’s stomach twist with anticipation. The prize? Whatever it was, hinted at something far more intimate than chips on a table.
As Joanne narrowed her eyes, smirking as she prepared her next move, Cathy leaned back, fingers lazily circling the rim of her glass. Her gaze flicked to John, holding him for a heartbeat with a slow, unreadable intensity. “Of course,” she added, her voice laced with mischief, “the real game doesn’t truly begin until the next round.”
John’s gaze snapped to her, curiosity flaring hot under his skin. Cathy didn’t elaborate — she only gave him a measured, enigmatic look, as if daring him to imagine it for himself.
Joanne caught that glance and let out a soft laugh, her eyes dancing as she turned to John. “Don’t think for a second I wouldn’t enjoy that prize just as much,” she teased, her voice low and velvety.
Val threw her hands up in giggling surrender, leaning back in her chair. “Honestly, I’m just here for the show now. I’m out of the running — but who knows? Maybe I’ll steal a bit of the spotlight before the night’s over.” She shot John a wicked, sparkling wink.
John swallowed, his pulse hammering. “So… what exactly is the prize?” he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Cathy smirked, her eyes catching his in a slow, electric pull. “You’ll just have to wait and see… trust me, the wait will be worth every second.”
John managed a chuckle, but the words wrapped around him like silk, sliding under his skin. Wait and see? He glanced at Cathy again, searching her expression for clues. The slight smirk on her lips only deepened the mystery — promise or warning?
The cards were dealt again, the tension coiling tighter as Cathy continued to pull ahead, hand after hand. Val, now fully a spectator, leaned in to poke fun at Joanne’s dwindling stack, while Cathy’s tower of chips grew with an almost dangerous certainty.
“Oh, this is getting serious now!” Val laughed, clapping her hands. “Cathy’s got that look — like she won’t stop until she’s taken everything on the table. Joanne, maybe it’s time to throw in the towel… or up the stakes.”
Cathy raised an eyebrow, her smirk sharp and daring. “Oh, I’ll stop… right after I own every last chip on this table. And then I’ll claim the real prize — the one everyone’s really after.”
Joanne let out a playful scoff, leaning back and narrowing her eyes at Cathy with a wicked grin. “Oh, don’t worry — I’m saving my best for the next round. That’s when the real stakes come into play.” Her eyes gleamed with mischief and challenge as she pushed her entire stack forward. “All in,” she declared, her tone calm but carrying a spark of daring.
Cathy didn’t hesitate. She glanced at her cards with that same cool, unreadable expression before sliding her chips forward in a smooth, confident sweep.
The room seemed to hold its breath as the final card fell, sealing Cathy’s victory in a single, decisive moment.
A triumphant laugh burst from her lips as she leaned forward to gather the pile of chips. Joanne groaned dramatically, throwing her hands up before leaning back in exaggerated defeat. “You win this round, Cathy — savor it while you can. I’m coming for you next time.”
Cathy grinned, patting her towering stack. “Oh, I’ll be ready. Maybe next time, we’ll play for something even more interesting.”
Joanne rolled her eyes, then stood and gave Cathy a graceful, mock-formal bow. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure it’s a prize that would make even Val blush.”
Val clapped dramatically, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Oh, I think we’ve all won tonight. And the suspense? Delicious.”
John laughed, glancing between them, a cocktail of thrill and wonder coiling in his chest. Whatever this mysterious prize was, he knew it went far beyond chips — and he wasn’t sure if he should brace himself or dive in headfirst.
Cathy leaned back, a satisfied smile curling across her lips. “Well, girls,” she purred, tossing a smug glance at Joanne and Val, “that was a blast — and a fair victory, if I do say so myself. But the real fun… is just about to begin.”
She shifted her gaze to John, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I think we can all agree that John deserves a little appreciation for his excellent contribution to tonight’s entertainment. Don’t you?”
Joanne didn’t need further prompting. She rose gracefully, crossing the room with a playful sway. Wrapping her arms around John, she pulled him into a warm hug, her body pressing lightly against his chest. With a sly smile, she leaned up to kiss his cheek — and just as he began to pull away, she delivered a playful squeeze to his backside, leaving him startled and grinning as she stepped back.
“Couldn’t have asked for a better dealer,” she teased, winking.
Val was next, giving him a cheeky grin as she approached. She wrapped her arms around his waist, holding him in a soft, lingering hug before leaning her head against his shoulder. She brushed a featherlight kiss on his cheek, then let her fingers trail down his back before delivering a playful smack to his rear. “A+ service, John,” she murmured, winking as she stepped back with a mischievous smile.
Finally, Cathy came up, moving close with a gentle yet intense look in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around him, her embrace longer and more intimate. As she held him, she leaned up and pressed her lips fully to his in a warm, lingering kiss — a thank-you, and a promise of more. When she pulled back, she held his gaze, her smile soft but charged. “Thank you for being such a good sport,” she said, her voice low.
As the laughter faded, Cathy exchanged a brief, knowing glance with Joanne before turning to the group. “Well, ladies,” she said, her tone warm but carrying an edge of mischief, “why don’t we let John refill our glasses — and then we can head into the high-stakes room?”
John froze for a beat, his smile faltering before he caught himself. High-stakes room? The words hung in the air like a challenge, sending a ripple of nerves and excitement through him. Until now, the evening had been a playful dance of teasing and competition, but the mention of the high-stakes room made his pulse quicken. Was this just more of their banter, or a signal that everything was about to shift? He forced himself to nod, slipping back into the role Cathy had crafted for him, though his mind buzzed with possibilities.
Taking a steadying breath, he managed a smile and gathered their glasses, moving to the bar. He opened a new bottle of wine, filling each glass carefully and arranging them on the tray as he fought to steady his thoughts.
By the time he returned, the women had settled gracefully around the fire. The glow of the flames flickered across their faces, illuminating their smiles and the gleam of excitement in their eyes as they waited.
John handed out the glasses, each woman thanking him with a soft smile and a playful glance — gratitude that felt both warm and charged with mischief.
As he turned to step back, Cathy’s voice slipped through the soft crackle of the fire, warm but edged with intrigue. “Oh, John,” she called, her eyes glinting with anticipation, “would you mind going back and grabbing the cards? I have a feeling we’re going to need them again.”
To be continued...
