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Chapter Seven
AlessandratoldSailoraboutBeau’s idea, who thought the tournament was a great idea. It had taken a lot of last-minute work to get everything organized, but both women knew it was going to be worth it.
They were now looking around the room at the players who were chatting with each other, getting ready to play. “There’s no way we could have done this ourselves. Poker players are fickle and always looking for a new challenge. But playing with Beau Brooks…? They’re going to come for that game. Every damn time. What game will they be playing?” Sailor asked.
“Standard no-limit hold-em. Beau thought of doing a mixed game, but he knew he’d get more players if it was hold-em. Thirty-minute rounds, $50,000 buy-in, plus one re-buy in the first round. Winner takes all, unless of course, the final few decide to split the prize.” Alessandra added, “And we both know they won’t. This bunch is too competitive.”“So, $50,000 times forty players makes a nice two million payday, I’d say. Are we adding anything to the prize pool?” They both knew they had to keep expenditures to a minimum if they were going to hit their profit target.
“I figured we had to add something, but I pushed the expenditure to next year by offering a luxury week at the hotel next year, along with $10,000 in free play. It’s not much compared to the two million prize money, but we’re providing the dealers and not taking anything for that.”
“Who cares about the poker tournament, anyway? I want them to play the other games while they’re here. The Gartners are going to play in the tournament, too. It will give me some time to connect with some of the other players. I’ve brought in Jeffrey to help, too. Maybe we’ll get some long-term customers out of this as well.”
Alessandra nodded. “Let’s just work on making it through this year so I can keep my job. Then we’ll worry about new customers.”
“Yes. But be optimistic; we’re doing everything we can.”
Two hours into the tournament, the field had been cut down by half. Those that were already out, as predicted, began playing the games which were far more profitable to the casino—and at limits high enough to help Alessandra and Sailor have confidence they might hit their profit target.
Beau was still in the tournament. Occasionally Alessandra could feel his eyes on her, watching as she chatted with the players. Alessandra was good at making small talk—one of the reasons is that she genuinely enjoyed meeting new customers. It was always interesting getting to know them. She was adept at asking them questions while keeping the more personal details of her life to herself.
Beau was the only high-roller she’d slept with since twenty years ago. After him, she’d never trusted their intentions. Even though he was the best lover she’d ever had—and the hottest sex she’d ever had—she still felt conflicted about him.
He still had a confidence about him, though some thought it might be arrogance. However, she’d been able to see his kind and warm side, and those traits together were sexy as hell. She knew he wanted more from her. He’d made good on his bet, so she owed him dinner tomorrow night. What she was unsure of was what exactly he expected. He’d be leaving in two days, staying through New Year’s Eve, but leaving on New Year’s Day.
Alessandra assumed they would then go their separate ways again. It was for the best. For all the reasons she’d told herself over the past week, rekindling a relationship with him wouldn’t work. And she was fairly sure he wasn’t the type to want anything permanent, either. She doubted he’d ever want to be monogamous with just one woman.
As she was finishing her drink, the player she’d been chatting with, Zach Price, returned with a refill of her martini. While Beau’s complexion was dark, Zach’s was the opposite. His blond hair reflected off his blue eyes, and he looked like he could be a younger brother to Matthew McConaughey.
Zach was also a professional gambler. He was the son of a very wealthy Las Vegas liquor distributor. Although he said he helped run the business with his father, he mostly just gambled. Rumors were that he also loved bedding a variety of women, despite the fact that he was married.
“I’ll have to slow down on the martinis,” Alessandra said, laughing. She had been enjoying her conversation with Zach, but she had no intention of becoming one of his conquests. They were talking about how fast the whole city grew in the boom years. “I remember hearing that every time a new casino was built, the school district had to plan for two more high schools, six more middle schools, and ten more elementary schools just to accommodate the 8,000 new families in the area.”
“I remember that, too,” Alessandra said. “It’s about when my mom and dad decided I should go to private school.”
“Me too. Suddenly, I was an instant Catholic, taking communion and going to confession. And believe me, I had a lot to confess about. Probably still do.” Zach winked at her.
“That’s exactly what I’ve heard about you.” She laughed. She thought about Beau’s smiling face at the concert and his brooding sexiness as she undressed in front of him while he was in the shower. And she wondered, if Beau were married, would this be him some day at a poker tournament? Flirting with another woman?
“Tell you what. How about you have dinner with me tomorrow night, and we can confess our sins to each other all night long. I promise, mine will be extraordinarily interesting.”
“She’s busy tomorrow night, Zach,” Beau said. He was smiling, but there was a clear warning in his voice. “And let’s just say, I don’t think she’s your type.” The tournament apparently was on a break. Beau’s surprise arrival dampened Zach’s flirtatious tone.
“So sorry, Beau. I didn’t know that she was your—”
“I’m not,” Alessandra said. “I’m not his anything. We’re just friends.”
Beau looked at Alessandra, even though he was talking to Zach. “But who wouldn’t want to be more than a friend to this beautiful woman, right, Zach? I’m guessing she prefers men who aren’t married, though.”
Understanding the strong hint, Zach said, “I’m going to go over and play a little blackjack. Good luck in the rest of the tournament, Beau.” Then, he left.
“I can handle myself, you know,” Alessandra said, piqued that Beau had intervened. “Besides, he’s a great customer, always has been.”
Beau’s irritation flared.Here we go again. “You’ll let a married guy hit on you just to keep him gambling in your casino?”
Alessandra pursed her lips. “First off, he was not hitting on me, and second—”
“Asking you to dinner isn’t hitting on you? I don’t think you’re that naïve.”
“Listen, I’ve had dinner plenty of times with Zach, and, if you must know, always with his host or someone else. He wouldn’t be hitting on me now, because he knows I’m not going there. Not that it’s any of your business.”
