We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 192

Chapter 192

Cedar’s POV

Ridley’s hand rested on my shoulder, the heat of his touch radiating

through the thin fabric of my dress, sending an alarming warmth

straight to my core. My foggy mind suddenly cleared–at least

partially.

What the hell am I doing? I’d promised myself I would leave the

moment Ridley Sterling arrived at this party. Instead, here I was, five

-or was it six?-drinks in, sitting way too close to Chicago’s most

intimidating design mogul.

I shifted along the sleek leather sofa, putting a respectable distance

between us. The loss of his touch brought both relief and an

unexpected twinge of disappointment. I was about to make my excuses when Gordon, I think, the one who’d been bouncing around

all evening, grabbed a microphone.

“Come on, everyone! It’s Ridley’s birthday, and we’re all finally together. Drinking’s boring–let’s play a game!” His voice boomed

through the room.

Emma practically bounced in her seat. “I’m in! What are we playing?”

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Chapter 192

“Spin the Bottle!” Gordon announced with a mischievous grin that

made me reconsider my decision to stay. “We’ll spin an empty bottle

on the table. Whoever it points to has to choose–truth or dare?”

Emma clapped her manicured hands together. “Perfect! All my parties

have been stuffy corporate events lately. I need some fun!” She cast a

sidelong glance at Ridley, who remained impassive, his expression

unreadable as he swirled the scotch in his glass.

His silence was apparently taken as consent because Gordon was

already clearing the center table.

I gathered my clutch, ready to stand. “I should really—”

“Cedar!” Emma’s hand clamped around my wrist. “You’ve played this before, right? You have to stay and show me how it’s done.” Her smile

seemed friendly, but her grip was surprisingly strong.

I hesitated. The rational part of me screamed to leave. But five drinks had effectively silenced my better judgment, and I found myself

nodding.

“Great!” Emma beamed, not releasing my arm until I settled back into

my seat.

Gordon placed an empty wine bottle in the center of the table. “Let’s

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Chapter 192

go!” He gave it a spin, and we all watched as it rotated, gradually

slowing until it nearly pointed at Ridley.

My breath caught. But with one final rotation, it stopped directly in

front of Ethan.

“Damn it!” Ethan muttered as everyone else erupted in laughter.

Gordon clapped him on the back with exaggerated sympathy. “Sorry,

man. Rules are rules. Can’t make exceptions even for you.”

“Truth or dare, Ethan?” someone called out.

Ethan surveyed the eager faces around him and scowled. “Truth. I

know you guys would dare me to do something stupid like jump into

Lake Michigan.”

Gordon leaned forward, grinning. “How many women have you

actually slept with? The tabloids have you linked with lots of

Chicago’s socialites.”

The room fell silent, everyone leaning in. Ethan was known to be

quite the charmer.

“One,” he answered through gritted teeth.

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Chapter 192

Gordon nearly choked on his drink. “Bullshit! You’re already thirty,

man!”

“You asked, I answered. One woman.” Ethan’s glare could have frozen

Lake Michigan itself. “That’s all you get. Next question is for someone

else.”

Gordon looked like he wanted to argue but wisely moved on. “Next

spin!”

The bottle spun again, and this time, to my horror, it stopped

pointing directly at me. I straightened in my seat, feeling suddenly

very sober.

“Truth,” I said quickly, before anyone could ask. Whatever

embarrassing question they had would be better than any dare this

crowd could devise.

Gordon opened his mouth, but Ridley cut him off with a cold glance.

“Gordon, why are you asking all the questions?”

Gordon withered under Ridley’s stare. “I–you want to ask?”

Ridley nodded once, then turned those intense eyes on me. The room

seemed to still as he considered his question.

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Chapter 192

“If you were diagnosed with leukemia,” he asked, his voice

uncharacteristically soft, “would you still allow yourself to fall in

love?”

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