“You really should stayaway from gambling.” I laugh when Hayes loses for the tenth time in a row.
“I should stay away from a lot of things, but what’s the fun in that?” He winks, and my belly does a somersault.
Good lord, this man is dangerous, and far too good-looking. Sharp green eyes that see straight through me. Dark-blond hair that is thick and a little messy. He smiles, and his gaze is as seductive as it is lethal.
When I searched out a random stranger at the bar to shake the guys following me, I didn’t plan on Hayes. But the second his stare met mine, it was like the universe wrapped a rope around my heart and pulled me straight toward him.
He’s a biker and trouble—that much is clear.
I don’t know what the patches on his leather vest mean, other than that he’s a bad idea head to toe. But damn if I don’t still feel weak in the knees from his kiss. Hecradled me in his arms like he was going to own me, destroy me, and protect me all at the same time.
It was mind-altering.
Granted, I don’t have much experience. With how I was raised, I didn’t get the chance. What little experience I do have, I got by sneaking around, and it never got very far. Hayes is clearly my opposite. There’s no denying he knows his way around a woman. His touch is gentle but purposeful. His eyes consume.
He’s this door to a world I’ve never known. A breath of fresh air. A flash of excitement.
Which is why I handed him one quarter after another, looking for an excuse to keep him around me a little while longer.
Unfortunately, his confidence didn’t quite pan out with the slot machine.
“That was my last quarter.” I look up at him, hoping my cheeks aren’t as red as they feel when I smile. “Guess you’re out of luck.”
“Am I?” he challenges, and my belly does a little flutter.
If I were smart, I’d walk away. End the night here, chasing this high Hayes has given me. I’d disappear back into what is inevitable and accept there’s no avoiding what will happen tomorrow. But glancing around, I still don’t see anyone tailing me, ready to drag me back to my uncle’s golden tower. They either haven’t noticed I disappeared or haven’t found me yet.
“Something wrong?” Hayes steps closer, pulling my attention back to him.
“It’s crowded in here,” I lie. “Want to getsome air?”
“My room has a pretty nice view if you’re into that sort of thing.”
“You have a room here?” My eyebrow hitches, glancing at the patch that tells me he’s from Las Vegas, so he’s not traveling from out of town. “Someone came prepared in case he got lucky.”
“It’s New Year’s. I’m drinking. Figured it was better to plan accordingly.” He winks, and I roll my eyes.
“How safe of you.”
“I’m anything but safe, freckles.”
“Freckles?”
His gaze falls to my cheeks as he takes another step closer. He lifts a hand, his fingertips brushing the apple of one, grazing so gently over my freckles that it sends a shiver through my whole body.
Growing up, I was self-conscious about my freckles. Kids in school would point them out and laugh. But Hayes traces them with such focus. Like he’s appreciating a work of art.
His smile climbs higher.
“What?”
“They darken when you blush.”
“It’s embarrassing.”
“No, it’s beautiful,” he corrects me, dropping his hand and stepping back. “So, about that view…”
I cross my arms over my chest, surprised that he doesn’t take the opportunity to stare at it. “How do I know this isn’t just some ploy for you to try and sleep with me? If I go to your room, are you going to try something?”
