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There was a first for everything.
I shuddered as I thought about the menacing asshole who’d followed me the night before. Thank God I’d dodged him, my knowledge of the city the only reason. Then I’d kept the lights off, a knife in my hand, waiting for the son of a bitch to kick in the door. Maybe that’s what had prompted me into doing something so damn risky.
Breathe. Think. You can do this.
I did what I could to act nonchalant as the table began to fill. Surprise, surprise. There were no other women who’d dared to join me, only lecherous men hoping to get lucky. As the waiter brought the crystal flute, I gave him a naughty smile as well as two twenties. “Keep the change.” Now I would do my best to nurse it until the game started.
As I sat back in my seat, crossing my legs diagonally away from the table, I realized there wasn’t a single man seated at the table who wasn’t watching me intently. That had been my goal, but if one bad apple paid too much attention, my ruse would be discovered. I drummed my fingers on the table, trying my best not to pay any attention to the other players.
I also didn’t bother glancing over my shoulder as the last player took his or her seat. As the dealer approached, I casually took a sip of champagne, doing my best to act bored when in fact my heart was thudding to the point I heard echoes.
I’d played dozens of games, lying about my age in order to get into facilities when I was barely twenty. The money had helped pay my way through college.
Not that my degree had gotten me anywhere at this point. Accountants were a dime a dozen, especially in Miami.
As the dealer began to position the cards, I casually glanced at every man in the game. I’d learned a lot over the years by observing traits others wouldn’t think of. While both facial expression and body language could be dead giveaways as to the level of stress a player was under, I paid more attention to the drinks they ordered and by how many times they brought the glass to their lips.
When I shifted my attention to the last man who’d joined in the festivities, I took a deep breath. The man was hot. Not just the ordinary good-looking in a suit kind of sexiness, but the kind of man who could walk into any room and garner attention without uttering a single word. His dark hair was wavy, tipping the edge of his jacket collar, just begging me to tangle my fingers in the thick curls. His jaw was carved, as if he’d modeled for a famous romantic statue, covered in a beard and mustache that only accentuated the seductive air about him. Everything about the man was breathtaking, including his exotic fragrance.
He seemed to sense I was studying him, lifting his head and gazing at me through tinted glasses, his eyes reflecting no emotion. However, the shades were unable to hide the flecks of deep violet surrounding his irises, which offered a sense of passion and darkness. For a few seconds, I was lost in a crazy fantasy. If he was amused by the slight attention that I was paying him, he didn’t acknowledge nor did he reciprocate it.
It was almost impossible to take my eyes off him, but as soon as I managed to do so, a nagging sensation formed in the back of my mind. Had I seen him before? That wasn’t possible. I’d remember someone that insanely gorgeous. I ran my finger down the flute, dragging my attention away from him. I had to concentrate, not act like a high school girl hoping for a prom date.
Of course, his close proximity made me nervous, which was the worst thing that could happen. As goosebumps drifted along my arms, I lost the first round badly. Shit. What the hell was wrong with me. I was a professional.
At being a card shark. There was something to add to my resume. I even finished off my glass of champagne, attempting to calm my nerves. Very few men had ever made me nervous just because of their stunning good looks and the fact he did bothered me a great deal.
He said nothing as the second game began, offered no sign of being nervous whatsoever. No man should be allowed to look so cool under pressure or so well-coiffed. I was drawn to his ring, curious as to why the embedded design was a serpent. Perhaps he was a dangerous man. As my thoughts drifted away from his attractiveness, it allowed me to fall into the level of concentration I needed to up my game.
And I did just that, shocked that in less than an hour, I’d managed to win over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It was insane. Even the limit had been lifted, allowing the game to get almost out of control.
As one man after another folded and walked away, I decided to order a second glass of champagne. I deserved it. There was a chance I could put a hundred thousand in the bank for myself. The thought made me giddy.
Now it was down to the sexy man and myself. He’d been cautious in his actions, which had allowed him to make good decisions.
I glanced at my cards, offering him the first smile of the night. “Twenty thousand.” I slid the chips closer, slowly looking at my opponent.
He rubbed his chin, which was the first time he’d reacted to a single hand of cards. The slight gesture told me he was nervous. It also reminded me how sexy he was.
“I’ll call and raise… one hundred thousand dollars.” He lifted his sultry gaze, daring me to accept the bet. As a slight smile curled on the corner of his lip, I realized I’d dragged my tongue across mine, savoring the intoxicating moment.
I shouldn’t, of course. I should simply fold and walk away, successful in my endeavor. But again, I was a rule breaker. “I’ll call.” The little voice inside of my head was screaming I was a fool, but I had a very good feeling about my hand, especially since I knew exactly what he held.
As I pushed the chips to the center of the table, I noticed several people had crowded around us in a circle. The moment the cards were laid down, the crowd gasped, several of them clapping.
I’d won the hand, of course. A tickling feeling of butterflies pooled in my stomach. This was my best score ever and I was going to savor every moment.
The sexy man gave me a respectful nod as he rose to his feet. Then he leaned over the second I lifted my head, our lips dangerously close. I could almost swear he was going to kiss me.
“It would seem the lady knows what she’s doing,” he breathed.
“I was just lucky.”
“Hmmm…” he whispered, his heated breath trickling against my skin. Another wave of goosebumps danced down my arms, my nipples fully aroused. There was no doubt he could tell how attracted I was to him. “There’s no luck involved with the game. Only skill perfected with time and effort.”
“Maybe so, but not today. I’m sorry for your loss.” I wasn’t sorry at all. He was obviously a successful man, as so many were who entered the casino. He could afford to lose a hundred thousand plus dollars without thinking about it. Maybe I was being too callous in my thoughts, but I couldn’t allow myself to care.
“It’s not often I’m beaten in business by a woman so beautiful.” He dared to brush the tips of his fingers down my arm, and I was forced to hold my breath for fear of moaning. The light touch was white-hot, sizzling every nerve ending. He seemed to sense our intense connection, his breathing more ragged than before. I struggled to find my voice, refusing to fall into his charms.
