I'm His

10

I sincerely apologize for my lack of updating. I've just been super busy with the holidays and everything. I'll try to make up for it as best I can. I hope you accept my apology with two new chapters :)

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Sitting on the edge of Chance's bathroom counter, I watch curiously at him trying to scrub away the blood on my shirt. "Use cold water, Chance. I thought you said you knew how to take care of blood stains?" I frown at him. "Did I say that?" He's shirtless, having tossed aside his sweat-soaked clothes as soon as we walked through the door. "Pretty sure that exact string of words left your lips in that order, yeah." I raise my brow at him. "Impossible. I'd remember saying something like that. It's much easier to just buy new clothes." I roll my eyes but smile anyway. "Move, move, I'll do it." Landing on my feet, I shoo him aside and work out the blood on my own. Standing behind me, Chance plants a hand on top of my head, running his fingers through my hair. "You sure like bossing me around." I chuckle at him. "Somebody has to keep you in your place." I smirk, raising a brow. "Don't get too cocky, baby. You'll get ideas." I squeeze the water out of my shirt, bumping back against him. "Like you don't enjoy me bossing you around." My smirk widens and I laugh. "I'll deny that to my dying breath." Giving me a parting, playful spank, he takes a quick shower and puts on a fresh set of clothes.

~~

The rest of the gang is easily found. Chance and I missed dinner together, so we find them in the gambling room, loudly fighting over a match. "You are such a blatant cheater. How does anyone let you get away with this?" Marcus growls incredulously. "You can't blame me for your lack of skills, Taylor." Phaedra smirks at him. Hideyoshi gets up from his seat, glowering at Phaedra as he rounds up his chips and drags them back to his side of the table. "He's right, you were definitely being crooked last round! Ash, back us up!" Phaedra bites her lower lip, looking at Ash pleadingly. Ash sips his bourbon, legs crossed at the knee. "...Didn't see nothin'." He smiles at Phaedra. "Ha ha!" Phaedra crows, trying to wrestle the chips out of Hideyoshi's hands. "You're my guy, Ash." She sings, a triumphant smirk on her face. "Don't give her a cent, Yoshi!" Marcus points at him warningly.

Just when it seems like open chaos will erupt over the table, Chance and I take a seat. The rest of them calm down at once, suddenly on their best behavior with the boss around. "Hey, guys. Wanna play a round?" I smile at her. "Yes." Before I can say anything else, Chance yanks me from my seat and onto his lap. "I'll just watch." Getting comfortable, I let Phaedra deal and keep a close eye on her, just in case Marcus was right about her cheating. "Okay baby boy. It's Texas Hold 'Em. You know the rules, right?" I scrunch my eyebrows together in thought. "I think so. It's just poker, right...?" Chance rests his chin on my shoulder, arms wrapped around my waist as I play. I put up a valiant fight, but when it looks like I'm struggling he starts whispering directions in my ear. "NOW who's cheating?" Phaedra glares at him. "I'm just giving him tips." Chance says innocently. "...Really? Just the tip?" Marcus nearly spits out his drink, and my whole face flames bright red. "Th-that's NOT what he said!" I defend, but even my ears are suffering from my blush. "Eugh!" Hideyoshi drops his hand to shudder in revulsion. "No sex jokes about my brother, please! For the sake of my sanity!" 'I agree with Yoshi!' "Wimp." Phaedra smiles at him, laughing. "You're just...so gross. The grossest."

Phaedra displays her winning hand as I quickly fold, face bright red. "Ooh, you all have such bad poker faces!" She grins, laughing even more. "Whatever." Marcus mutters under his breath. As the next round starts, Chance's phone starts vibrating. Irritated, he excuses himself to stand, accepting the call on speaker. We all look up in curiosity, since his phone never rings without good reason. "Whoever you are, you have ten seconds to explain how you got this number." Chance's voice is devoid of any emotion. "It was on your keychain." 'Wait...I recognize that voice.' Setting the phone down on the center of the table, Chance gives the rest of the gang a single look. They're all paying close attention now, looking grim. "Oh, you again. If you're trying to waste my time, you're doing an excellent job." Chance rolls his eyes, but that's the only indication of emotion he has.