Game night

The invitation came from Marcus.

“Just a casual thing,” he said over dinner one night. “A few drinks, maybe a game. I’ve got a friend in town who’s chill.”

Claire looked up from her plate, intrigued. “What kind of friend?”

“Her name’s Nia. She’s bold, but cool. You’ll like her.”

Claire smirked. “Bold?”

Marcus shrugged. “She says what she thinks. Doesn’t really do filters.”

John listened, sipping his water, already feeling a strange knot of anticipation.

Friday night arrived with low music, dim lights, and too much whiskey.

Nia showed up around ten.

She was exactly how Marcus had described her—tall, stunning, with short cropped hair, gold hoops, and a tight leather jacket over a ripped tank top. She hugged Marcus like she owned part of him. Claire caught the vibe immediately.

“You two…” she started, grinning.

Nia cut her off. “Fuck? Yes. Date? Hell no.”

Claire laughed. “I like you already.”

They started with drinks. Then more drinks. Then someone suggested a game.

It was Nia, naturally.

“Truth or dare,” she said, already half-drunk and draped across one arm of the couch. “Old school.”

Claire raised a brow. “We’re adults.”

“Exactly,” Nia replied. “Time to play like adults.”

Marcus smirked. John stayed quiet.

They circled up: Marcus and Nia on one side of the coffee table, Claire and John opposite. The bottle spun. The music dropped to background noise. And the tension ratcheted up with every turn.

It started light.

Nia dared John to do a shot off Claire’s stomach. He blushed, but did it. Claire laughed as he tried to steady his hands.

Claire asked Marcus to share the dirtiest thing he’s ever done. He described something involving a mirror, a party, and a girl with no underwear.

Nia dared Claire to show her favorite sex position using one of the couch cushions.

Claire didn’t hesitate. She got on her knees, leaned over the cushion, and arched her back—slow and precise.

John’s throat went dry.

Marcus didn’t look away.

Neither did Nia.

By the fourth round, the air was thick.

Everyone was flushed. A little too warm. A little too loose.

Then came the dare that changed the tone completely.

Nia turned to Claire, eyes gleaming. “I dare you to sit on Marcus’s lap for one minute. Face him. Hands on his chest. Eye contact with your man the whole time.”

John’s stomach dropped.

Claire raised a brow. “That’s bold.”

“It’s the game,” Nia said. “Besides, it’s not like he’s touching you. Just a dare.”

Claire looked at John.

He said nothing.

Then, slowly, she stood up, walked around the table, and straddled Marcus’s lap.

Her hands rested on his chest. His shirt was thin. Her fingers curled just slightly.

She looked across the table.

Right at John.

And didn’t blink.

The room shrank. The music blurred. Time slowed.

Marcus sat perfectly still. A flicker of a smirk played on his lips.

Claire shifted slightly on his lap, settling in.

John felt himself harden.

He crossed his legs under the table, hiding it.

Claire tilted her head. “You okay, babe?”

John nodded once.

“Good,” she said softly.

She didn’t break eye contact for the full minute.

When it was over, she stood up slowly, deliberately. Her shorts rode high on her thighs. She returned to her seat, smiling like nothing had happened.

Nia whistled. “Damn. That was hotter than I expected.”

Marcus just sipped his drink.

John said nothing.

Later, after more drinks, Nia leaned over to Marcus, not bothering to whisper.

“You haven’t hit that yet?” she asked, gesturing at Claire. “Because damn.”

Marcus just smirked. “Not yet.”

John heard it.

Claire heard it too.

She didn’t react.

The game continued.