Page 54 of Crashing the Altar
Like before, they hid their passing of the quarter beneath the table. There was no telling where it was this time because we didn’t know who held possession of it before their hands disappeared.
“Hands up.”
Fists raised, they awaited my signal.
“Hands down.”
There was a sharp crack that echoed when they slapped their hands flat. It was accompanied by a tiny, muffled jangling noise.
My wife pulled her lips inward, fighting hard against a smile. Declan picked up on her physical cue, pointing in her direction and shouting, “Penny’s got it!”
What he didn’t know was that my best friend was a master of deception. She would do whatever it took to win, and oftentimes, that meant playing the opponent instead of the game.
After a lifetime of playing opposite her, I’d learned all her tells. One look at the twinkle in her eyes, and I knew she was bluffing, making herself look guilty to draw attention away from whomever really had the quarter.
Was I going to warn the guys and risk losing out on the sight of watching her light up when she emerged victorious? Not on your life.
“Hiding something, honey?” My gaze briefly dipped to her flattened hands.
She lifted one shoulder. “Guess you’ll have to wait and see.”
“It’s Penny. I’m sure of it.” Declan’s voice held conviction. I almost felt bad for him because he couldn’t be more wrong.
Tate blew out a breath so heavy his lips buzzed, signaling he wasn’t nearly as convinced. Curling his fingers, he ordered, “Show us what you’ve got, Mrs. Sullivan.”
She raised both hands, wiggling her fingers as she quipped, “Better luck next time, boys.”
The men groaned in defeat, reaching for their beers and draining them as punishment for losing. Mine was halfway to my mouth when Penny rose from her chair and placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go push my husband around the dance floor to celebrate my win.”
That right there was why I had no problem “letting” her win. Because I would be reaping the benefits of her celebration for the rest of the night.
“Wait.” Patton stared up at us in confusion as I stood, more than ready to have Penny’s body cozied up against mine as we swayed to the music. “Don’t you meanhe’sgoing to pushyouaround?”
With one hand tangled with hers, I used the other to lift my beer, chugging what was left before setting the glass down. “You heard the lady.”
Four sets of jaws dropped, my admission stunning them into silence. My wife had me by the balls, and I would let her lead me wherever the hell she wanted to go.
Penny hid her giggles with a face pressed to my shoulder as we stepped onto the dance floor.
I pulled her into my arms. “What’s so funny?”
She started laughing so hard a snort sounded. “Did you see their faces?”
Humming against the top of her head, I remarked, “You know how it is. They live in a world that tells them to saddle up and be a man. The idea of a woman in charge, especially in the bedroom? It’s probably something they’ve never even considered before tonight.”
Peeking up at me, she chewed on the corner of her lip. “You sure you don’t mind it? I’m not too much?”
“Lucky,” I breathed out, lifting one hand to cup the side of her face. “You’re exactly what I need. I swear it’s like God made you just for me.”
“Don’t you mean he made you for me, seeing as how I’m three months older?”
I reared back in surprise. “Oh, you’re owning that shit now?”
Gracing me with an eye roll, she grumbled, “Just this once.”
Dipping my head, I let my lips brush against hers as I spoke. “Don’t know why it bothers you so much. I’ve always thought olderwomen were hot.”
