And once I was satisfied with what I’d earned, I headed back across the country to New Jersey to visit my large extended family for a while.
The conversation shifted to talk of other casinos, other poker rooms across the strip. And, eventually, devolved into discussions of strip clubs and escorts.
While I often wasn’t the only woman in a poker room, it was still a hobby dominated by men. And, well, this kind of thing was all too familiar. I comforted myself with the knowledge that all the sex workers in town were cleaning up from these men’s wallets and laughing about the clients who thought they were somehow getting one up on the women.
“Let’s see ‘em,” the dealer demanded.
I had Four of a Kind. All eights.
So did Harrison. All tens.
“Four tens wins,” the dealer said, looking at Harrison’s cards.
“Nice,” I said, nodding. I reached for my coffee, finishing it off.
It wasn’t my first loss of the night.
“Beginner’s luck,” he said, stacking his coins.
“Well, I’m out. Enjoy your heater, Harrison,” I said, scooping the chip bag provided by the casino. “Gentlemen,” I said, nodding to the table. “Take that grand baby of yours out to thearcade,” I said, tossing a chip toward the dealer, then making my way out.
Did I maybe put a little more swish in my walk as I exited the room? Sure. And all I could hope was that Harrison was watching.
I was only halfway down the hallway when I heard the soft footfalls on the carpet behind me.
It could have been anyone.
But the swooping in my belly told me exactly who it was.
I didn’t slow my pace, even as heat pooled and my heart fluttered.
I rounded the corner of the hallway toward the elevator bank. Still hearing the footfalls approaching, I stabbed my finger into the call button and listened as it immediately slid up.
My silent prayer was answered when the doors dinged open into an empty car.
I slipped inside and turned just in time to see a hand slip between the doors, making them slide back open.
Then there he was.
Eyes molten.
Pupils blown wide.
A deep intensity on his face.
My stomach somersaulted.
Then he was in the car with me, the doors sliding closed behind him.
His hand rose as he got close, grabbing the back of my neck and hauling my chest against his as his lips crashed down on mine.
Everything about him was as untamed as I hoped.
There was nothing tentative about it—he claimed my mouth like it was his to own.
And in that moment, it was.
I moaned against his lips as desire sizzled down my spine.
