The game begins

You were still standing in the center of the lounge, shoulders squared, pretending not to feel the weight of every single gaze fixed on you.

The air was thick with anticipation, the kind that made your skin prickle.

Vanessa had barely finished explaining the rules when Jade moved.

Not in front of you—behind.

You barely had time to react before she settled onto the floor directly behind you, legs folding beneath her in one smooth, deliberate motion.

Then, before you could turn, before you could even tense—her lips brushed your ear.

Her breath sent an immediate jolt down your spine.

"You do know how this is going to end, don’t you?"

You clenched your jaw. "I know you’re trying to make me react."

Jade chuckled softly. "Oh, John." The way she said your name—like she was savoring it, like she was already enjoying herself—made something tighten in your chest.

Her fingers ghosted over your shoulders, so light they barely existed. A presence, not a touch.

"You’re going to lose everything," she murmured. "Piece by piece. We’re going to strip you down, keep you naked, and you’re going to stand there, completely exposed, while we look at every inch of you."

Your stomach dropped.

She was so close. Her voice was practically a purr, dark and velvety, each word dragging out like she had all the time in the world.

"You’re trying to be strong," she whispered. "Trying to pretend it won’t happen. But it will."

Your fingers curled into fists.

"Do you know the best part?" Her lips nearly brushed your ear. "It won’t just be us. You won’t just be naked for us."

Your pulse pounded.

Jade exhaled softly, like she was savoring every moment. "The cameras won’t cut away. The audience will see everything. Every woman watching from home is going to see exactly what you look like when you lose."

Heat crawled up your neck.

"Speaking of which…" Jade tilted her head, her voice still unbearably soft. "Did Vanessa mention what happens when the pizza gets here?"

Your stomach tightened. You hadn’t thought about it. The delivery had seemed like an afterthought, a joke—

Jade let the silence stretch before answering for you.

"You’ll be the one answering the door."

You inhaled sharply.

Jade smiled. "You’ll step right up, face her, and hand her the money. You’ll be polite. You’ll give her a very nice tip. You wouldn’t want to be rude, would you?"

A quiet chuckle came from the couch—Sophia, watching you carefully.

Jade’s fingers traced just barely down your arm, slow enough to drag heat with them.

"She’s going to take one look at you and know exactly what’s happening," she whispered. "She’ll know why you’re standing there, barely dressed. Why you look so flustered. And you won’t be able to do a thing about it."

You swallowed.

Your body betrayed you.

You felt it—the slow, unbearable strain against your pants.

Jade noticed.

Her breath hitched slightly, just enough to let you know she saw everything.

Her smirk curled against your ear. "Oh."

You **** yourself to stay still. To fight it. To ignore the way your pulse thundered in your throat.

Jade let the silence stretch, savoring it.

"I think that twitch might count as a loss already," she whispered.

Your heart pounded.

"But don’t worry." Her breath brushed your skin as she shifted slightly. "I won’t tell."

Your shoulders tensed, but you couldn’t speak.

Jade chuckled softly. "Not yet, anyway."

Then, as if she was letting you off the hook, she pulled back—only to tilt her head the other way, letting her lips hover beside your other ear.

"But we should talk about this little… issue of yours," she murmured.

Your stomach dropped.

"You know what I think?" she whispered. "I think you like this. I think you like being watched."

Heat surged up your face. Your cock twitched—noticeably.

Jade’s smirk widened.

"That’s two."

Then she sat back, settling into the couch like she was completely satisfied.

"Mm." Vanessa’s voice rang out, amused, knowing. "That’s one piece of clothing gone."

Laughter rippled through the women.

You exhaled slowly, forcing your expression blank. Fine. Fine. You could handle one loss.

You reached down, ready to kick off your shoes.

Vanessa held up a hand. "Oh, actually…"

You froze.

Vanessa’s smirk deepened. "Looks like we have a little audience interruption."

Your stomach dropped.

The words sent a ripple of excitement through the women. Cassie clapped her hands together, barely containing her amusement.

"Oh, I love these," Brooke drawled.

You frowned. "Audience interruption?"

Vanessa tilted her head. "Did I forget to mention that? If the viewers vote in high enough numbers, they can add new conditions to any challenge."

Your pulse kicked up. "What kind of conditions?"

Vanessa gave you a mock-sympathetic look. "Well, in this case, they just thought it would be more fun if you lost a little extra."

A cold weight settled in your stomach.

Vanessa smiled. "So instead of just your shoes… we’ll have to start with your pants. Then your shirt. But don’t worry—you can do your boxers last."

Laughter erupted.

You clenched your jaw, heat rushing up your neck.

Sophia sighed. "How generous. They’re even letting him keep his boxers for last."

Cassie giggled. "Aww. They’re being nice."

Your heart pounded.

Vanessa flicked a hand. "Well? You heard them, John. Off with them."

Jade leaned back comfortably, eyes still on you.

The couch creaked as the other women adjusted their seats, settling in.

Watching.

Waiting.

The cameras were still rolling.

Your fingers hovered at your waistband.

You weren’t even through one round.

And already, you were losing.