“To luck,” he says, still smirking.
“To those who need luck,” I respond with a taunt, even though my good-luck crystal sits heavy in my purse.
But as I tip the drink into my mouth, I realize I’m the one. I’m the one who needs luck. The alcohol burns its way down my throat. It tastes disgusting and burns like hell, not stopping even after it reaches my stomach.
“Good?” he asks with a disbelieving look.
“Yup, perfect,” I lie, making him chuckle. He orders a glass of water, and I chug it down. The taste still lingers.
“My turn,” he says, pulling a wallet out of his jacket. “What’s your poison?”
“Can I get a cranberry vodka?”
He lets out a low chuckle, the worried wrinkles etched into his face slightly relaxing. The server brings me my drink, sliding another disgusting shot in front of my companion.
“So, do you make it a habit of draining money from poor, unsuspecting men?”
I take a sip, savoring the taste, and smack my lips before answering, “I don’t know; do you make it a habit of getting drained?”
His laugh is deep and manly, and it buzzes through me in a way that screams danger. “I wasn’t talking about me, sweetheart. I knew what you were up to since I sat down.”
It’s true. He did. It was obvious from the glare in his gaze and the sneer on his lips. “Don’t act like you’re above it. You acted like you had no idea what you’re doing when you first sat down.”
“At least I wasn’t using my good looks.”
“That’s because you don’t have any good looks,” I blurt out, and he pushes his tongue into his cheek.
“I don’t?” He stands up taller, seeing right through me.
He knows how hot he is; he’d be stupid not to. The longer the silence stretches, my eyes forced to notice him, the more my cheeks heat. “Whatever,” I blurt out, rolling my eyes.
He shoots me an arrogant smirk. “Tell me, then… why does a girl who plays as well as you go around acting like she doesn’t know what she’s doing? You could probably play somewhere for real.”
His words hit a little too close to home, so I respond with a taunt again. “I’m hardly a girl.”
His gaze sweeps over me hungrily, and I wish the fabric of this dress was thick enough to withstand my nipples. “You’re right. I guess you’re all woman.” His words spill like warm whiskey, brushing against the bare skin of my shoulders. I’m scared to lookdown, but I could bet all the chips I’ve won tonight the hardened nubs are showing. “Answer the question, sweetheart.”
Because I need to fly under the radar,slips out of my mind, but my tongue is luckily slow enough to stop it. “Because I want the money, what else?” I shrug, feigning nonchalance.
“You could get money in torn sweats and a baggy shirt.” He’s still staring right through me. Like he can see through my lies and straight to the ugly truth. The thought makes my eyes water.
The best defense is offense, right?“It’s more fun this way, isn’t it?” I paste on a smile, trailing the collar of his suit jacket between my fingers.
He sucks in a breath. I guess I have the same effect on him as he does on me.
“And who doesn’t like some fun?” My hand trails lower, to his stomach, but he stops it, grabbing my wrist.
“Careful there.” His voice is so low that it’s barely audible. “Don’t go placing bets you aren’t planning to pay.”
“Don’t worry. I always pay my bets.” My gaze snaps up to his, and breath whooshes out of me.
His eyes are hooded, practically black, and his nostrils flared. There’s a harsh set to his jaw, one that shows self-control. A flicker of fear lights up inside of me, the anticipation of his control snapping drowned out by a wave of lust. It’s a hot flash, really. A scorching surge of heat that travels through me while he pins my body with only his stare. I wonder what his hands could do.
I glance at them, noticing his large fingers and the veins popping out on the back of his hands. My throat swallows. My nipples tighten even more as moisture pools between my thighs.
Maybe a night of fun wouldn’t hurt.
I can go back to looking for Sophie tomorrow.
