Nte was already halfway sober, the alcohol haze lifting as she nced anxiously at Isadora, whose face had gone a shade paler.


    She''d yed this game enough times to know the score.


    Her original n was to give these scummy guys and two-faced girls a taste of their own medicine. She hadn''t expected Isadora, the one with zero game skills, to lose first.


    Nte shot a look at the man sprawled on the opposite couch. Magnus was smirking, a glint of smug satisfaction tugging at his lips.


    Damn it, was she just handing Isadora over to Magnus on a silver tter?


    Was Isadora about to fall right back into the arms of that jerk because of a single kiss?


    Nte''s mind was spinning.


    "I''ll take Isadora''s punishment instead," she blurted out.


    After all, men were all the same-kissing one with your eyes closed was just acting.


    Elise''s hands clenched nervously together the moment Isadora asked for someone to do the kissing punishment in her ce.


    She''de tonight for one reason: to keep Magnus and Isadora as far apart as possible.


    But Isadora really was cunning.


    Losing on purpose? Using a silly game just to get close to Magnus?


    Just as Elise''s anxiety was reaching its peak, she heard Nte chime in.


    Putting aside personal grudges, Elise jumped at the chance. "Well, if Nte''s volunteering, it''s all about having fun, right? Why not let someone else do the punishment?"


    Scales, ever the shameless flirt, grinned wickedly and shoved the leggy beauty beside him aside. "Fine by me! Guess I''ll have to take one for the team and kiss you myself."


    Nte shot him a look of pure disdain.


    Of all the people in the room, he''d be herst choice.


    At that moment, Magnus spoke up, his voice low andced with mockery. "Is this how you all y games-no rules, just chaos?"


    Everyone fell silent.


    What, were they supposed to treat a party game like a boardroom negotiation?


    Sammy raised an eyebrow at Magnus. His intentions were painfully obvious-he wanted Isadora to kiss him.


    The host, about to announce a change in punishment, swallowed their words and pressed on, "Alright, them''s the rules. Miss Vaughan, please choose someone here for your kiss."


    Isadora shot a re at Magnus, whose stony face wore an arrogant tilt.


    You want me to pick you? Not a chance.


    She shed a dazzling smile. "A bet''s a bet. Fine."


    Nte, seated beside her, felt her heart leap into her throat, shaking her head in protest. No, anything but this—she''d rather quit the game.


    But the next moment, Isadora turned, cupped Nte''s face, and pressed a quick kiss to her lips.


    Nte''s eyes flew wide-never in a million years had she thought she''d share her first kiss with her best friend.


    Isadora pulled back, her smile radiant. "That''s done, right?"


    The entire room was stunned.


    "Wait, wait, wait, that''s cheating!"


    God, her girl was clever.


    Nte jumped to her feet, hands on her hips. "You said ''pick someone to kiss.'' Don''t tell me I don''t count as a person! Isadora''s done the punishment. If you don''t like it, then next time one of you guys loses, you won''t mind kissing each other, right?"


    The men in the room nched at the thought-some of them looked like they''d be sick.


    Magnus''s expression darkened as he tossed back a shot of whiskey.


    Elise finally let herself breathe. As long as Isadora wasn''t kissing Magnus, she didn''t care if she kissed a dog.


    "Alright, let''s keep going," Nte said, emboldened by victory.


    She nced at her cards and, spotting her chance, grinned wickedly at Elise across the table. "Elise, looks like it''s finally your turn to lose."


    Elise''s scalp prickled at Nte''s words. She quickly shot Magnus a look-big eyes wide with false innocence. "Can I choose someone to kiss instead?"


    Nte snorted. "Nice try! That''s not a punishment, that''s a reward. Take something off!"


    Elise still remembered how Penelope Dawson had humiliated herst time. She knew if Magnus ever left her, she''d have nothing.


    That''s why she''d dressed to kill tonight-a strappy,ce-trimmed minidress, nothing like her usual innocent look. Maybe, just maybe, if Magnus had enough to drink and saw how sexy she was, he might lose control.


    And if she could get him into bed and end up pregnant... Well, Mrs. Wainwright would be hers, no questions asked.