“You might be surprised. Talk to my father.”
“Hmmm… I’d be happy to, only I’d explain the finer points of why his son was perfect for his role as a judge.” Leaning overthe table, I tried to concentrate. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d played pool, but I used to lose doing so when I lived in Brooklyn. “Red ball in the top, right pocket, orange in the left-hand side.”
“Not to doubt you, but I’d be shocked if you made the shot.”
“As I said, I do so love a challenge.” When the balls started scattering across the felt, I held my breath. I’d called the shots just for fun, never expecting them to drop in the correct spots as if I was an expert player. A little squeal escaped my lips.
“Lucky shot.”
“Oh, yeah?” I said, my tone a little huffier than before. “I don’t think so.” I merely pointed to the yellow ball and moved around to the side. When I made the shot, I could tell he was floored.
“Let me guess. You’re a card shark too.”
“Only if we’re playing Go Fish. I think you’re safe with poker. Gambling isn’t in my budget. Let’s see. We’ll do the green ball next.” This time, I scratched the shot and I was rewarded with a flash of his eyes. Only then did he move toward the rack, selecting his own cue.
“Move aside and see how the expert handles it.”
I stood back yet close enough to the table he constantly glanced at me, even shifting from one side of the table to the other in trying to decide on the shot. “Is something wrong?”
“You’re a distraction.”
“Then I’m doing something right.”
He tried his best to concentrate, taking a deep breath before making the shot.
Yet he scratched.
Hanging his head, the guttural sounds were very masculine. “Remind me never to get into another game of pool with you.”
“See, here’s the thing,” I said as I chalked the tip again. “I didn’t ask you to play with me.”
“My house. My rules.”
“Why do I have a feeling you say that to all your guests?”
His snort was followed by a roll of his eyes. “Because I do. It’s not fair for you to read me so well. I’m supposed to be the one doing that. That’s part of my job.”
“Maybe you can’t read me. Most people get the wrong impression. The purple ball there and… What am I missing?” I laughed and took the shot, both balls going in as I’d stated.
I honestly couldn’t believe my good fortune. Maybe fate had stepped in to help me find comfort in the metaphorical arms of a stranger.
He crowded the table as I’d done, even daring to lean over to try to keep my attention fragmented. I barely gave him the time of day, somehow managing to concentrate on what I was doing.
When I took the last shot, sinking the eight ball, he threw his head back along with dragging the cue over his head. For a few seconds, I had a feeling he was going to snap it in two.
As soon as he lowered his head, I rubbed my knuckles across my shirt and blew on my fingers. Being able to walk away from the realization that my life was in danger allowed me to breathe a little easier. I was being silly and I knew morning would come soon enough, but being able to laugh felt good.
Which was what I did as soon as he dropped his head and I was able to see his scrunched-up features. And for some reason, I couldn’t stop. The release was strange.
“That’s not funny. You’ll ruin my reputation,” he gritted out.
I laughed even harder. “I tell you what, Your Honor. I’ll keep it a little secret just between us.” I sashayed closer, swaying my hips on purpose. Adding gasoline to the fire that could manage to get out of control very easily.
He lowered his head, his chest heaving. Then he did something completely unexpected.
He wrapped his hand around the pool cue in my hands, yanking me against him.
And in the next few seconds, everything changed.
