Twin Cupids at Work Daddy Come Home novel Chapter 118

The other two men playing along just shook their heads, a little helpless but honestly amused. Madeline was brand new to this, bold as anything, but if someone wanted to hand over their money, who were they to complain?

The second round got started. Everyone drew their cards. Madeline’s fingers were so delicate as she held her hand, calmly sorting through her cards and playing them without a hint of nerves. At first, the three men watched her like she was about to embarrass herself all over again. But when Madeline threw her last card onto the table, the laughter died off in an instant.

Josh stared at the cards in front of him, totally stunned. He looked up at the woman who had just beaten them all. “You won?”

Madeline nodded, a little smile on her lips. “I won.”

Josh blinked a few times, trying to wrap his head around it. “But I thought you didn’t know how to play?”

“I don’t,” Madeline said. “Just got lucky, I guess.”

Josh gave her this look, like she’d just grown a second head. Lucky? Was she serious? The first round, she’d practically tripped over the rules and lost so badly it was almost funny. The second round, she’d cleaned them out completely. No way that was just luck. Either she was pretending to be clueless, or she had some kind of genius memory and could calculate every move.

If that was true, they were all doomed for round three. He realized he’d seriously underestimated her. That was on him. He should have remembered who she was. This was the woman who had Casey backing her up. No way she was as simple as she looked.

Josh smirked a little, then glanced over at Julian, who still looked totally unbothered. If Julian didn’t do something soon, someone else might just steal his girl right out from under him.

Josh sighed and pulled out his phone to transfer Madeline her winnings.

Madeline’s breath caught. Her hands clenched tight on the table. Josh and Brady, who could see Julian’s cards and knew he was set to win, both stared at Madeline, holding their breaths. All she had to do was ask. If she begged him, Julian would let her win.

But Madeline didn’t say anything. The tension was so thick, Josh and Brady practically started fidgeting in their seats.

Julian looked at her, his eyes dark and patient, and repeated, “Beg me.”

Madeline’s lashes fluttered, soft and uncertain. Everyone in the room was watching her now. It was obvious, finally. Julian cared about her. If she would just ask, he’d throw the game for her.

No one had ever seen Julian back down for a girl before.