Chapter 50
Orion didn’t respond to her; he simply strode over to the pool table and with a smooth. stroke scattered the racked balls. Skillfully, he pocketed each one, his movements fluid and precise, playing so beautifully it was almost ridiculous. This prompted Sebastian to jump around, clapping enthusiastically.
“Amazing! Uncle Orion, you’re incredible!”
“Xan, are you convinced yet? Want to just give up?”
Xanthea watched him intently, a frown knitting her brows.
Ethan and Samuel were right; Orion was an enigma. Just when she thought he was a shy, blushing guy, he turned into a charming rogue after a few drinks. And just when she assumed he was a gentleman, he’d go and show off his superior pool skills, embarrassing her in front of the kid.
What kind of man was he, really?
As the last ball dropped into the pocket, Orion slowly put down his cue stick and looked at her. For a moment, Xanthea thought she saw a gleam of desire for praise in his eyes.
Could it be an illusion?
“Good enough?”
His voice snapped her out of her thoughts, confirming it was no illusion. This was his of getting back at her. Was proving himself so important to him?
way
way
“Absolutely, more than good enough! Truly, Great Orion, I’ve never seen anyone play pool quite like that. I’m genuinely impressed!”
She praised him sincerely, though Orion could detect a hint of exaggeration and prete in her sparkling eyes.
Sebastian chimed in, “I told you Uncle Orion is a pool wizard, and you didn’t believe me
“Alright, alright. Now it’s your turn.”
Xanthea lifted Sebastian onto a bench. He grabbed a cue, and though his shots weren’t as polished as Orion’s, he did quite well, his chin tilting up proudly. “See that, Xan? You’re definitely losing!”
“It seems so, huh?”
Xanthea rubbed her chin thoughtfully, eyeing both him and Orion. “Since you’re both so confident, how about we raise the stakes? The winner gets to pick a punishment for the loser, who will have to accept their fate gracefully.”
Her eyes were calm, but a storm was brewing beneath the surface, a sign that the sly fox was about to show her tail. Orion agreed without hesitation. “Sure.”
1/2
14:59
“Xan, are you crazy? You’re definitely going to be the one punished. Are you setting. yourself up?”
“Stop talking. Do you dare take the bet?”
“Of course!” Sebastian was as excited as if he’d caught a falling pie from the sky. “I’ve already thought of how to punish you. I’ll use that feather to tickle your feet!”
Xanthea shuddered at the thought; this kid was even more ruthless than his uncle.
She walked to the pool table, turned slightly, and tossed her lightweight wooden cue into the air. It twirled several times before she caught it deftly.
As Sebastian gaped, Xanthea swiftly bent down, her hair cascading beautifully. The cuel stick, like an arrow shot from the sky, struck the central ball with a loud ‘thunk, sending all sixteen balls rolling smoothly into the pockets.
The room fell silent, punctuated only by the faint sound of the balls. Sebastian’s mouth hung open wide enough to fit a quail’s egg, his wide blue eyes blinking in disbelief at the spectacle before him.