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“Well, my folks and Sam’s folks help a lot. I have a massive family with three sisters and one brother. Everyone is always willing to help me out.”
“And that’s been how long, if you don’t mind me asking?”
She shakes her head as she finishes off a potato skin. “I don’t mind. It’s been over five years.”
I blink, thinking about what she said. She doesn’t do one-night stands. And she doesn’t date much. There really hasn’t been anyone since her husband died.
“Are you telling me you haven’t had any…dates… since he died?”
Her smile fades. “I’ve been busy.”
“Hey, you don’t have to explain anything to me.” And she doesn’t, but I get a sense from some things she has said that people judge her work ethic. Being from a small town, I understand. Everyone is in everyone’s business.
“Well, at least you’ll stop the hard sell.”
The one thing that gives me hope here is that she sounds depressed by that fact. This woman actually thinks that would deter me.
“I wasn’t even trying the hard sell. And just so you know, it also makes me want you even more.”
I can’t remember the last time a woman intrigued me the way she does. Hard as nails on the outside, but there’s a softness she hides from the world. I’ve gotten a few peeks inside, and I want more.
I want it all.
I push that thought to the back of my mind.
“You can’t mean that.”
“I do. You’re a puzzle. Definitely a stunner, in need of a good hard night of lovin’, but so buttoned up, you’re afraid to give it a go.”
I sip my drink as she digests my words. I give her a moment to mull that over, then I go in for the kill.
“Besides, what better way to let loose than with someone you’ll never see again? If you embarrass yourself, no one will know.”
“And that doesn’t bother you?”
“Not seeing you again?” She nods. “A little. I mean, I have an idea we’ll be amazing together so more than one night would suit me, but the truth is, this is more about you than it is about me. I want to make sure you know that giving you a night of pleasure would be one of the greatest honors anyone has ever given me.”
Again, Liv stares at me, and I do nothing but let her. I can almost see the gears shifting in her brain. I act on instinct, just like my decision to come back down to the casino. I have a feeling Liv acts on a carefully crafted plan for everything.
I know I was not part of that plan.
The waitress interrupts us, asking if we need anything.
“No. We’re fine,” I say. At the same time, Liv says, “Could you bring us the check.”
Disappointment hits me hard. I thought for sure I had her almost convinced to give me a chance. There is something about her that speaks to me on some level that I don’t really understand.
But once the waitress leaves, Liv says, “I’m sharing a room with three very noisy women, so we have to go to your room.”
And just like that, everything feels right in my world.
ChapterFive
LIV
What on earth am I doing?
I sneak a peek at my companion as we stand at the back of the elevator. My stomach muscles clench as I take his rugged profile. He looks cool as a cucumber, as if nothing different is happening. Probably not for him. Mason’s a smooth talker, a man who finds it easy to get any woman into bed with him. This is probably a daily occurrence for him. Meanwhile, my nipples are so hard that even the delicate fabric of my bra irritates them.
