“Well, you’re most definitely glowing.” His smile stretched across his face as he gazed at her belly. I bet that charm swept his wife right off her feet.
One of his guys stepped up and whispered in his ear. Quinn nodded and turned to us. “Are we ready to get this show on the road, then?” He clapped and rubbed his hands together.
“Let’s do this.” Roman swiftly nodded, Rhys and Kevin took their position at his side as they walked up beside him. Paisley pressed a light kiss to his cheek, and Gav took his side between us. My camera hung around my neck while Gav silently asked if I needed my stand. My head shook, it was weird how I already knew how to read his silent questions. I shook my arms out and psyched myself up. Before the doors opened, Roman and Quinn asked for a photo while they shook hands. I got in position and clicked away, Alex stepped beside them too and I clicked again. I was in my element and doing the job I absolutely adored.
When the doors were eventually opened, I peeked through the gap and saw people standing behind the rope. They waited to see the Hollywood A-lister in the flesh. And as he stepped out of the exit, he commandeered the crowd like the celebrity he was.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Gavin
The next couple of hours were filled with an interview, niceties, and food. We ate in a posh restaurant with Quinn Stone, his wife, Phoebe and his brother. But honestly, I just couldn’t wait to get back in the casino. I’d not done too badly the last couple of weeks. I stayed away from the casinos and even from gambling, the urge was always there, but I fought it. I guess I’d had something else to occupy my mind. Karen was a damn good distraction, too. Although things still seemed to be in the air with me and Nikki. Right now, we couldn’t even seem to be friendly, but that said, I enjoyed that I had something to look forward to that was more than just a casual fuck. I knew there would never be anything sexual between Nikki and I again because Karen saw me as more. I didn’t know what she saw, and I was constantly waiting for her to walk away from me for my dickhead ways, even though in my dark heart, I hoped that wouldn’t happen. But still, one minor detail hung over me: my addiction. We still had to have that conversation and I wasn't feeling it at all.
Once the casino was open, I left Roman with the others in the VIP area and went downstairs to the main room to look around. My hand trailed along the edge of the craps table. I spun the roulette wheel as I reached it, and I stroked the green felt of the poker table. My free hand fisted as the sweat beaded in my palm. The heat that crept from beneath my collar made my face flush and my heart beat that little faster.
“You a gambler?” I turned my head to the side and glanced over my shoulder at the voice behind me. My chin lifted slightly as I acknowledged Alex.
“Used to be.” I answered, my tone low, edgy even, my gaze was drawn back to the table, like a magnet to metal. My palms were clammy as I rubbed the underside of my fingers against them. I wiped my hands down my trousers and turned away from the very thing that was causing me stress.
“Used to? And you’re okay being here?” Alex asked innocently, but my teeth clamped together as my jaw tightened with the tension that ran taut through my body.Owning a casino, he must see all kinds.
“I can handle it.” I bare-face lied. I couldn't handle it, and I was finally starting to see that. I swallowed hard as I tried to ignore the edgy feeling in my stomach, I felt sicker by the passing second. Someone once told me if you could see the problem yourself, it was the first step to being cured - I wasn’t so sure.
Alex inched towards me, “Gavin, right?” I nodded, “I’ve been in this business a while now, Quinn started the one back home almost ten years ago. He brought me in when I was still some fresh faced, wet behind the ears kid who thought he was all that. I know an addict when I see one. And right now, he’s looking right back at me.”
“I’m not stupid, Alex, but I can handle it.” I lied again as I walked back to the roulette wheel. As I spun it, I hoped my poker face was working. “It’s not the first time I’ve been back ina casino.” I gave it another spin, faster though, “The first time I stepped foot back in a casino I didn’t even place a bet. The second time, just a short few weeks ago, I was up.” I shrugged.
“How did that feel?” Alex asked as he leaned his back against the poker table.
“Fucking fantastic.” I smiled, “It’s been a long time since I’ve won.” I glanced up and studied Alex, and just with those few words I knew I sounded like a gambler. I shook them off and lifted my chin higher, “I can handle it.” I repeated in a firm tone, I wanted to reassure him, I didn’t know why, but I needed him to believe me.I wanted to believe me.
“Okay,” he nodded but went on, I knew it was to lecture me, “but if I think things are getting out of hand, I will cut you off.” His face was stern as I stared into his eyes. I saw the businessman in him, the powers that be. He could give me everything I wanted and could take it away just as quickly.
Just as I was accepting his deal, Karen appeared from behind Alex, “Damn, this place is spectacular.” She smiled wide as she rounded him, “Why have I never been in one of these before?”
Alex sidestepped until he was next to her and flung his arm around her shoulders. That little action had my teeth grinding a little more. “Sweetheart, these places are bad your health, especially for an innocent little thing like you,” she tipped her head back slightly and smirked. “Ain’t they, Gav?” He winked with a smirk before he smiled back down at Karen.
“Who said I’m so innocent?” her head leaned back. He glanced from her to me.
“You must just give off that vibe.”
I’d never felt jealousy before, but a churning sensation began deep in my gut. Was that what that feeling was, jealousy? Because right now, I wanted to peel his hands from her, then chop off his fingers for touching her. I pushed my temper down and remained calm.
“It’s not so bad in small doses.” I threw back at him and brought us back to the conversation before he started flirting with my girlfriend, or whatever she was. I narrowed my gaze at him, “and let’s face it, some people live in a lap of luxury from feeding a gamblers habit? Don’t they, Alex?” I fired back at him. Two could play his game.
A booming laugh burst from him, as he nodded through his amusement. “Touché.” He laughed again and took his arm from around Karen, “Please, enjoy yourself. And of course, you have a full year’s membership now, you can come back here whenever you want to.” Karen smiled, as she thanked him and he stepped up to me, cupping my shoulder lightly, “I’ll be watching.”
“Shall we have a walk around?” I asked, moving towards Karen,
“Eeek, yeah,” she eagerly hooked her arm through my mine as I led her round the room, pointing out the different games. “Have you ever won?” Her question was so innocent, just like Alex said, how did I even start to explain the devil’s dealings to someone that hadn’t a clue what they were?
“Oh, you are precious.” I felt my mouth lift at the one side with my sarcasm.
“Hey!” Her eyes met mine as she tipped her head up with a pout. “The rules on drinking and gambling are different here to those in England.” She bobbed out her tongue, amused as I lifted my eyebrow.
“Watch that I don’t find a good use for that tongue, screw whoever’s watching.” Her eyes widened as she peered around. As her face came back to mine, a devious smile appeared on her pretty features. We were totally on the same page, and I loved that. My arm draped around her shoulders as we carried on our stroll.
While we circled the room, the croupiers had already set up at the tables, the itch was getting harder to contain, but I triedmy hardest, for her. “Do you want to get a drink first?”Karen nodded and I led her over to the bar. Roman and Paisley were in the VIP area, which I expected, but I was surprised I hadn’t seen Nikki yet, just to keep her beady eye on me so she could run back and snitch to Roman. Although she was probably up there with them drinking champagne. Not that I cared, but I didn’t want her questions, not tonight. I had enough to deal with.
