PleasureGames: A Games Novella Read Online Free PDF Page B

another drink, now tipsy as hell, and chugged it.
    "Juno, please," Leona said, concerned. "You really need to slow it down. You're going to be toasted."
    "Good," I said, and hid a burp behind my hand. Because right now? I really wanted to be toasted. Maybe if I was, this wouldn't be so bad. Maybe if I was completely lit, I would stop seething about being here. Maybe I'd stop wanting to claw everyone's eyes out.
    Starting with Heathcliff.
    After the introductions were done and we were all badged, Heathcliff had joined the women in the room. I'd tensed up, expecting him to make a beeline over to me so he could continue his harassment. Instead?
    He ignored me.
    Which made me even crazier. I watched as he moved about the room, mingling with people and talking politely. The women threw themselves at him, naturally, fawning over his every comment and touching his sleeve so often that I expected it to fall off his arm from overuse. He'd make a comment about the weather and they'd giggle as if he'd said something magical.
    And I constantly wanted to throw down my drink and scream, You don't know him like I do. You really don't. He may be handsome and charming and sexy, but that's part of the trap. He reels you in, gets your defenses down, and then utterly destroys you.
    But I didn't say that, because it was personal, and the memory was a knot in my throat. So I sat in the corner and stewed, chugging glass after delicious glass of champagne and wishing I was anyplace but here.
    Because every time I saw one of the women flirt with him? Every time I saw his eyes light up from a comment or his crooked smile play across his handsome face?
    It made my heart squeeze painfully, and it made me jealous as hell. Which was stupid, because we'd broken up eight years ago. I had no reason to be jealous. We both should have moved on a dozen times by now.
    So why was I so hurt that he was ignoring me? I must be insane.
    "Please move to your designated spot," an assistant told me, plucking my empty champagne glass out of my hand. "We need to get the Decision Ceremony moving."
    I sighed and grabbed my now-slightly-wrinkled skirts, heading for my spot. My head was swimming as the assistant led me over and pointed at my spot. I was on the front row, right next to the canary yellow viper. Dammit. I wrinkled my nose at her as she gave me a haughty look. I sincerely hoped she and her rack did not get picked.
    Actually, that was wrong, I told myself. I wanted her to get picked and me to not get picked, because I still hated Heathcliff. Right. I gave my head a little shake to clear it, and then leaned forward, peering around for Leona. She was on the back row, off to one side. Oh dear. I wanted her to get picked. Sort of. Kinda. She really deserved someone better than Heathcliff, now that I thought about it. Frowning, I rubbed my forehead. So many conflicting thoughts. I was getting confused.
    Leona gestured at me from the back row and made a motion to the front of her dress.
    "Hmm?" I called out, leaning forward as if that would help me hear Leona better.
    Her gestures grew more frantic, and she kept waving a hand at her front. She was clearly trying to tell me something, but my head was so muddy with champagne that I couldn't tell what she wanted. I just waved instead. "Hi, Leona! I see you!"
    "Shhh," Canary Yellow Viper hissed at me.
    I made a face at her and straightened.
    "All right, everyone remain in place," a voice called over the intercom. "If you are chosen, our billionaire bachelor will give you a flower showing that he claims you. If you are claimed, an assistant will walk you to the side of the room. Those not claimed, please remain in place. Does anyone have any questions?"
    "Um," someone said, and raised their hand like they were in class.
    Lawrence gave her a stern look. Light blue, didn't remember her name. "What is it?"
    She looked over at me, concerned. "I just want to point out that Juno's boob is hanging out."
    I looked down. Sure enough,