Lady Jaye stood facing the table and began to undress.
She started with her tank top, peeling it off an inch at a time. She held it by her side for a moment, then dropped it casually on the floor in front of her. The bra she was wearing matched her underwear: pink silk with a bit of lace at the edges. It hooked in front.
She brought her hands up to the clasp deliberately, taking her time. There was utter silence in the room. Separating the two pieces in front, Lady Jaye shrugged her shoulders to slide the straps off, and the bra fell to the ground. Cover Girl put her hands over her eyes again.
"Mwa—" Shipwreck made a strangled noise and left his mouth hanging open.
Ace felt a grin slide over his features. He rested his elbows on the table and put his chin in his hands.
Flint was too entranced to move. He could only stare hungrily. She caught his eyes briefly, and the corner of her mouth twitched as she looked away. Then she met his eyes again and held his gaze. A distant part of his brain registered that she didn't seem to have a tan line.
Finally she moved her fingers to the silky waistband of her underwear. She ran her hands over her stomach and put a finger under the elastic. She tugged the top down on one side, revealing a shadowed hip and a brief glimpse of dark curls. Then she turned in profile and bent to pull the silky material down past her knees. She lifted each leg separately, slowly, and stepped out of the panties. She straightened and turned back to her audience.
Shipwreck began to clap, and was soon echoed by Flint and Ace. With an embarrassed shrug, Cover Girl joined in.
"Well, if I have to sit like this for the rest of the game, at least I know that a single winning hand from Cover Girl will see one of you guys joining me," Lady Jaye commented.
The men all looked at each other, then at Cover Girl. "Uh, I think we're prepared to call it a night if you are, Cover Girl," Shipwreck stated.
The model glanced at Lady Jaye. "Well…This wasn't exactly my idea. Fine by me."
"What!" Lady Jaye yelled. "Oh, that's just… just…Go gcreime cúnna ifrinn do bhall fearga!"
"Do we even want to know what that means?" Cover Girl laughed. "We're in trouble if she's cursing in Gaelic."
"Technically she's out of the game, so she doesn't have a say in the matter," Ace replied.
"Oh, am I ever going to get you for this…" She glared at him.
"Don't mess with the man. They don't just call me Ace for my flying skills, you know."
Lady Jaye gave a mock pout. "Hmph. So I have bared all for nothing? Life is cruel. I can't believe you're all backing out." She shook her head. "I guess at least I can get dressed again." The men's eyes followed her as she reached down for her discarded clothing. She picked up her underwear and hesitated just a moment before tossing them to the table.
Ace deftly blocked Shipwreck's attempted grab and plucked them from the air himself. Flint had the other end, though, and was not above elbowing Ace in the gut to make him let go. Rubbing his stomach, Ace decided not to argue with the man. By the time they all looked up again, Lady Jaye had her pants and tank top on.
She regarded the three men a moment. "You can get up and get dressed, too, you know." She smiled at them knowingly.
They all shifted uncomfortably, glad for the table's concealing presence. "We'll just…wait for you to go, I think," Ace replied.
"Cowards. Let's go finish our movie elsewhere, Cover Girl."
As they walked out of the room, Cover Girl asked her friend, "What was that you said, anyway?"
Their voices faded down the hallway, but they could just make out her reply. "May the hounds of Hell gnaw at you private parts. It's a particular favorite of mine."
After the women had left, the three guys shared grins. "Wow," Flint remarked. "I can't believe that just happened."
"Ace," Shipwreck asked, "That last hand… Did you…" He waggled his fingers at the cards.
"That is something I will never tell," he replied. "I value all of my body parts."
"Man, if she ever finds out…" Shipwreck started.
"If she finds out she'll kill all three of us," Flint commented. He looked down at the panties still clutched in his hand. "But it was worth it."
They all looked at each other and nodded in agreement.
Breaker stared at Ace, amazed. "I can't believe you never told us that story! We're your poker buddies, man!"
"I was kinda embarrassed about it," Ace explained. "I mean, she beat me at poker!"
"I can't believe Lady Jaye actually went through with it. Oh, to have seen that!" Alpine put in.
"That's not even the best part," Ace told him. He paused dramatically. "Snake Eyes pulled me aside later and told me he got it all on tape!"
The men pondered this revelation.
"Do you have it?" Torpedo asked him eagerly.
"If you have been holding out on us…" Gung-Ho threatened.
"No." Ace shook his head sadly. "He told me he was going to keep it. Said it might come in handy one day. I'm not sure what he meant, but there was a wicked gleam in his eye."
"We've got to get that tape!" Alpine decided.
"You mean break into a ninja's room and rifle through his belongings?" Gung-Ho laughed. "You get the tape if you want; I'd rather retain the use of my arms and legs."
"I wonder what Snake Eyes is going to do with it?" Breaker asked.
"Who knows what goes through his head?" Ace replied, gathering the cards. "If we're lucky, maybe we'll find out someday." He sighed, and handed the deck to Alpine. "Your deal…"
The End…?
