APHROXIS: GAME OF DESIRE

[Raven's POV] I needed to fantasize having sex with my Ex to enjoy sex with my husband. You wouldn't blame me. I couldn't force myself to enjoy it when he didn’t care — when I couldn’t orgasm — and I was just lying there, letting him keep humping and moaning like I was some sex doll. We were used to it, and honestly, it was part of the deal. This marriage deal. Leo and I had been married for a year now. He proposed the day after I kissed him. Not because we were madly in love, but because we needed each other — literally. Leo and I go way back, as two of the most popular gamers in the industry. Even though we both had partners, everyone secretly shipped us together. I had a bad breakup. Leo had financial issues and needed to climb the social ladder. We sucked it up and gave the people what they wanted: The perfect gaming couple. “You don’t really have to fuck me if you don’t enjoy it, Leo,” I sighed as he kept humping and humping in and out of my coochie. He didn’t stop. Stil

[Raven’s POV]“Are you really sure about this?” I asked Leo for the tenth time since we finished packing.Everything was set. Our bags were ready. Yet suddenly, I had cold feet—typical me.“Raven, for the last time, we have to,” Leo snapped. “There’s no turning back now. Join me in the car if you want, but just know I’m not losing that prize money because of your fears.”I rolled my eyes. “What are you going to do—clone me to join you for the games?”He sighed and dropped my luggage. “Honestly, Raven, if I had the option, I would’ve chosen that.”I brushed past him toward the car. Of course, I didn’t get in immediately. I stood by and waited for him to load our luggage and open the door for me. It was the least he could do after all that big talk.“Let’s go,” he told the driver, and the car zoomed off.The drive to the location was painfully long. I lost count of how many times I slept and woke up, only to find we were still on the same endless road, heading toward that damn place.Af

Week One, Monday Morning[Raven’s POV]A mechanical sound chimed, awakening me from my slumber.[SYSTEM ACTIVATED]All participants are to appear in the game room within the next ten minutes for the first game of the week.Find a box containing your required weekly costumes outside your room door.(Repeat)I stirred in bed, still half asleep. Leo, however, was wide awake, sitting on the arm of the chair.He stood abruptly and walked to the door to retrieve the box. I sat up, sleep clearing from my eyes as my mind fully slipped into game mode.This game might be sabotaged. My ex, Zade, could show up at any moment. But right now, I didn’t care. I wasn’t backing down because of Leo’s insecurity or some ex who never truly cared about me.Leo placed the box in front of us and opened it. The first costume was a short net gown paired with a black, body-fitting pants-trouser. For the men, it was a net singlet and short black pants.We got dressed immediately. Just as we were about to head out

[RAVEN'S POV]For a second, I had forgotten how to breathe. I stood there between Zade’s solid arms and his heaving chest, slightly revealed beneath his shirt.It was as though the entire room had blurred out.Then suddenly, my wristwatch started beeping.[SYSTEM]PLAYER DETECTED: RAVEN HARTSPIKE LEVEL: 110%WARNING: EMOTIONS OVERHEATINGI flew out of Zade’s arms immediately, pressing the watch in embarrassment and whatever more embarrassment, name it. My cheeks turned red.I caught Zade smirking, and I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole.He was enjoying this.That was why he came anyway—to see if his charms still worked on me.“What are you doing?”Leo’s voice sliced through, unmistakably furious, as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.I jerked as the watch suddenly stopped beeping, my heart slamming against my ribs. My fingers scrambled to smooth the wrinkled silk of my dress while I tried—and failed—to swallow the lump of shame lodged in my throat.Heat crawle