HALF A DECK

The penthouse smelled like lemon oil and warm vanilla, the scent clinging to the air as Riley pulled the deck of cards from the drawer with a flourish. “Ladies, we are *not* doing charades again. I refuse to watch Aubrey attempt to mime ‘orgasm’ for the third time.”

Maya rolled her eyes from her perch on the arm of the couch, her short blond hair tousled from where Riley had been running her fingers through it all evening. “You say that like it wasn’t the highlight of last month.” Aubrey, long legs stretched out on the ottoman, smirked. “I *nailed* it. Topanga still gets flustered thinking about it.”

Topanga, swirling her whiskey, shot Aubrey a look that could curdle cream. “I was *laughing*, you insufferable flirt.” Riley grinned, shuffling the deck. The cards felt oddly thick in her hands, the edges uneven. She didn’t think much of it—until she fanned them out and realized half the deck was missing. The remaining cards were a chaotic mix of suits, some torn at the edges, others smudged with what looked suspiciously like lipstick. “Uh. We have a problem.”

Maya leaned in, plucking a card from the deck. The ace of spades was bent at the corner, the ink smudged. “What the hell did you *do* to these?” “I didn’t do anything!” Riley protested, though the guilty flush creeping up her neck told a different story. Aubrey snatched the deck, flipping through the mangled remains. “These are *destroyed*. There’s no way we can play blackjack with this.”

Maya’s blue eyes glinted with mischief. “Strip poker, then.” Riley’s pulse jumped. She *loved* when Maya got that look—the one that promised trouble, the one that said she was already three steps ahead. “With *this* deck? It’s half-gone.” “So we improvise.” Maya’s grin turned wicked. “Missing suits mean creative forfeits.”

Topanga’s brow arched. “Oh, this is going to be *good*.” Aubrey stretched like a cat, her green eyes alight with anticipation. “I’m in. But if I’m stripping, someone better be taking notes.” Riley swallowed hard. The deck was a mess, but the idea of playing—of *losing*—with these three was intoxicating. “Fine. But I’m dealing.”

Maya leaned back, spreading her thighs just enough to tease. “Deal, then. Unless you’re scared.” Riley’s fingers twitched. She was *never* scared. Not when it came to games, and especially not when it came to Maya. She dealt the first round, the cards sticking together slightly as she passed them out.

Aubrey was the first to peek at her hand. Her laugh was rich, throaty. “I fold.” Topanga didn’t even glance at her cards. “I’m in.” Maya’s gaze locked onto Riley’s, her tongue darting out to wet her lower lip. “Raise.”

Riley’s stomach flipped. She matched the bet, the tension in the room thickening like syrup. The next card she dealt was the queen of hearts—*her* queen of hearts, the one she’d scribbled a tiny, drunken love note on the back of during a particularly wild night. She hadn’t even realized it was missing.

Maya’s eyes flicked to the card, then back to Riley, her smirk turning knowing. “You *do* have a tell.” Riley’s face burned. “Shut up.” Topanga finally looked at her hand, then groaned. “I fold. But only because I want to see how this plays out.”

Aubrey wiggled her fingers. “Forfeit time. What’s the rule for missing suits?” Maya tapped her chin, feigning thought. “Hmm. For every missing suit in your hand, you owe the table a kiss.” Aubrey’s hand had two missing suits. She didn’t hesitate, crawling across the coffee table to press her lips to Riley’s in a quick, hot kiss. Riley’s breath hitched as Aubrey pulled back, her green eyes gleaming. “Tastes like whiskey.”

Topanga had one missing suit. She leaned over, capturing Maya’s mouth in a slow, lingering kiss that had Riley’s thighs pressing together. Maya moaned softly into it, her fingers curling into Topanga’s shirt. Then it was Riley’s turn. She’d been so distracted she hadn’t even counted her missing suits. Three. *Three* missing suits.

Maya’s grin was downright predatory. “That’s three kisses, love. One for each of us.” Riley’s heart pounded. She could do this. She *wanted* to do this. She started with Aubrey, kissing her deeply, their tongues tangling as Aubrey’s hands slid into Riley’s hair. Then Topanga, whose kiss was slower, more possessive, her teeth nipping at Riley’s lower lip before she pulled away.

And then Maya. Riley straddled her lap, her hands bracketing Maya’s face as she kissed her like she was starving. Maya’s fingers dug into Riley’s hips, pulling her flush against her, the heat between them unbearable. When they finally broke apart, Riley’s lips were swollen, her body thrumming. Maya’s voice was rough. “Your turn to deal, *dealer*.”

Riley’s hands shook as she dealt the next round. The game devolved quickly. Aubrey lost again, this time forfeiting by stripping off her blouse, her breasts spilling free as she tossed it aside. Topanga lost next, her slacks pooling at her ankles as she stepped out of them, her dark eyes never leaving Riley’s.

Then it was Maya’s turn to lose. She had two missing suits. She didn’t strip. Instead, she grabbed the can of whipped cream from the dessert tray and sprayed a dollop onto Riley’s collarbone. “Blindfolded taste test,” she declared, tying a silk scarf over Riley’s eyes before pressing her mouth to Riley’s skin. Riley gasped as Maya’s tongue dragged through the cream, cool and sweet, her teeth grazing her skin as she lapped at the mess. “Fuck, Maya.”

Maya chuckled against her skin. “Not yet. But soon.” The game continued, the forfeits growing bolder. Aubrey fed Riley a strawberry, her fingers lingering against Riley’s lips. Topanga traced a line of whipped cream down Riley’s arm, her tongue following the path with agonizing slowness. Riley was a trembling, aching mess, her skin slick with cream and desire, her panties soaked through.

Then Maya lost again. This time, she didn’t reach for the whipped cream. She stood, her shorts sliding down her legs, leaving her in nothing but a tiny black thong. “Your move, Riley.” Riley’s mouth went dry. She dealt the next hand, her fingers slipping on the cards. She was so distracted that she didn’t even realize she’d lost until Maya plucked the cards from her hand.

“Four missing suits,” Maya purred. “That’s a *lot* of forfeits.” Riley’s breath hitched. “What’s the rule?” Maya’s grin was wicked. “We each get to touch you. Anywhere. For as long as we want.” Aubrey was the first to move, her long fingers sliding up Riley’s thigh, pushing her skirt higher until it bunched at her waist. Riley’s skin prickled under her touch, her body arching into the contact. Topanga’s hands found Riley’s breasts, squeezing through the thin fabric of her top, her thumbs circling Riley’s nipples until they hardened into tight peaks.

And then Maya. She dropped to her knees in front of Riley, her hands sliding up Riley’s legs, her breath hot against the damp fabric of Riley’s panties. “You’re *dripping*,” Maya murmured, her fingers hooking into the waistband and tugging them down. Riley’s panties hit the floor. She was bare, exposed, her pussy already glistening with need. Maya didn’t waste a second. Her tongue dragged through Riley’s folds, slow and deliberate, and Riley’s knees nearly buckled.

Aubrey’s fingers tangled in Riley’s hair, pulling her head back as she claimed Riley’s mouth in a searing kiss. Topanga’s hands were rough, possessive, pinching Riley’s nipples through her top as Maya’s tongue worked her clit in tight, relentless circles. Riley moaned into Aubrey’s mouth, her hips rolling against Maya’s face. The sensations were overwhelming—Maya’s tongue, Aubrey’s kiss, Topanga’s fingers twisting her nipples just hard enough to make her gasp. She was going to come. She was *going* to come, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

Maya pulled back just enough to growl against Riley’s skin. “Not yet. You don’t get to come until we say so.” Riley whimpered. “Maya, *please*.” Maya’s laugh was dark, triumphant. “Beg.” Riley didn’t hesitate. “Please, *please*, let me come. I need it. I need *you*.” Maya’s fingers joined her tongue, sliding inside Riley with a slow, deliberate thrust. “Since you asked so nicely.”

That was all it took. Riley’s orgasm crashed over her like a wave, her body convulsing as pleasure ripped through her. She cried out, her nails digging into Aubrey’s shoulders as Maya lapped at her through the aftershocks, drawing out every last tremor. Topanga’s teeth grazed Riley’s neck, her voice a low murmur. “Fuck, you’re *beautiful* when you come.”

Riley collapsed back against the couch, her chest heaving, her body still thrumming. The blindfold was still over her eyes, the world reduced to touch, taste, sensation. Maya’s fingers traced lazy patterns up Riley’s thighs. “We’re not done with you yet.”

Aubrey’s voice was a purr. “Far from it.” Topanga’s hands slid under Riley’s top, pushing it up to expose her breasts. Riley arched into the touch, her nipples already hard again. Maya’s mouth replaced her fingers, her tongue swirling around Riley’s clit as Aubrey’s lips wrapped around one nipple, her teeth scraping gently against the sensitive flesh.

Riley’s mind short-circuited. She was being touched everywhere, *owned* everywhere. Maya’s fingers slid inside her again, her thumb pressing against Riley’s clit as she fucked her with slow, deep strokes. Aubrey’s mouth moved to Riley’s other breast, her tongue flicking over the stiff peak. Topanga’s hands were on Riley’s hips, her voice a dark command. “Touch her. Make her come again.”

Riley’s hands flew to Maya’s head, her fingers tangling in her short blond hair as she ground against Maya’s face. The pleasure was building again, faster this time, more desperate. She was so close, so *fucking* close—Maya pulled back suddenly, leaving Riley gasping, her body trembling on the edge. “Not yet.”

Riley groaned, her hips jerking uselessly. “Maya, *fuck*.” Maya’s laugh was a low, sultry thing. “Patience, love.” Aubrey’s fingers joined Maya’s, sliding inside Riley, stretching her, filling her. Topanga’s mouth replaced Aubrey’s on Riley’s breast, her tongue swirling around Riley’s nipple as Aubrey’s thumb found her clit, rubbing in tight, insistent circles. Riley’s back arched off the couch, her body straining toward the touch. She was so full, so *needy*, her skin slick with sweat and cream. Maya’s voice was a dark purr. “Now. *Now* you can come.”

Riley shattered. Her second orgasm was even more intense than the first, her body convulsing as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over her. She screamed, her voice raw, her nails digging into the couch cushions as Aubrey and Maya worked her through it, drawing out every last tremor. When she finally collapsed back against the couch, her body spent, her mind blissfully blank, Maya pulled the blindfold off. The room was a blur of skin and desire, the air thick with the scent of sex and sweat.

Aubrey was kissing Topanga, their bodies pressed together as they shared a slow, deep kiss. Maya’s lips were shiny with Riley’s arousal, her grin satisfied. Riley’s voice was hoarse. “What the *hell* was that?” Maya wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, her grin unrepentant. “That, my love, was you losing *spectacularly*.”

Topanga’s laugh was rich, amused. “And the best part? The deck’s *still* half-destroyed.”
Riley groaned, her body still thrumming with aftershocks. “Remind me why we’re using this deck again?” Maya’s fingers traced lazy patterns on Riley’s inner thigh. “Because you *insisted*. And because,” she added, her voice dropping to a purr, “it led to this.”

Riley couldn’t argue with that. She was a boneless, satisfied mess, her skin still tingling from their touches. But there was one thing nagging at her. “Why *is* the deck half-destroyed?” Maya’s grin turned wicked. “You *really* want to know?” Riley nodded, her curiosity piqued.

Maya leaned in, her breath hot against Riley’s ear. “Last girls’ night. You got *very* competitive. And *very* drunk.” Riley’s memory was hazy, but the pieces were starting to come together. The missing queen of hearts. The lipstick smudges. The way the cards had stuck together. “Oh, *fuck*.” Aubrey’s laugh was a dark chuckle. “You should’ve seen yourself. You were *determined* to win that round of strip poker.”

Topanga’s smirk was evil. “You lost. *Badly*. And then you got *very* creative with the forfeits.” Riley groaned, covering her face with her hands. “I *ripped* the deck?” Maya’s fingers pried Riley’s hands away from her face. “You *ripped* the deck. And then you *licked* half of them. And then you *cried* when we wouldn’t let you burn the rest.”
Riley’s face burned. “I did *not* cry.”

Aubrey’s grin was unrepentant. “You *definitely* cried.” Riley groaned again, but she couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up. “Well. Fuck. At least it was a good time.” Maya’s fingers slid up Riley’s body, cupping her breast, her thumb circling Riley’s nipple. “It was *always* a good time with you.”

Riley’s breath hitched as Maya’s touch sent a fresh wave of desire through her. She was spent, but her body was already responding again, her skin prickling with anticipation. “So. What’s next?” Maya’s grin turned predatory. “Oh, love. We’re *just* getting started.”

And as the night stretched on, the penthouse echoed with their moans, their laughter, their pleasure, until the only thing left was the memory of how perfectly they fit together—and the promise of many, *many* more games to come.