“That’s generous, thank you very much,” I replied to the man.
Hold on. IthoughtI thanked him, but when I looked up, the pit boss was nowhere to be found, and then I discovered the key card was in my hand even though I had no recollection of how it got there.
What the hell?
The lights strobed, and the music was so loud that it pounded into my temples.
It was time to go.
The brief interruption in my focus—or not so brief, I still wasn’t sure—was enough to cool the temperature at the table. It soon became clear to me that we needed to pack it up or lose everything we’d won. Nina seemed to be sensing it as well, because I caught her staring off into space while someone else rolled.
“Let’s go,” I whispered in her ear.
Her answer was an adorable, sleepy little noise that made me want to sweep her into my arms and carry her over a threshold somewhere.
Nina tripped as we headed for the elevators. “Which way? I’m confused.”
“Same,” I managed, because she was now gripping my bicep and leaning on my arm, and it was hard to focus on anything that wasn’t her. Her giddy smile. Her lush scent. Her breasts bumping against me. With all of that right there, drawing every bit of my attention, how the hell was I supposed to navigate?
We were walking in circles, and while I could’ve asked someone how to get to the penthouse, I sort of liked being lost with her.
“I think we took a wrong turn,” she giggled, pointing down the hallway. “Look.”
I glanced in the direction she was pointing and spotted a wedding chapel.
A waitress carrying a tray of drinks materialized out of nowhere. “Looking for some liquid courage before you take the leap?”
“Yes!” Nina answered, right as I said, “No.”
“Shot, shot, shots, shots!” Nina chanted, pumping her fist in the air again.
The waitress grinned and handed each of us a small glass of clear liquid. “Ouaca. Enjoy!”
I smelled it, and my heart sank at just how familiar it was. I’d already had a couple of mixed drinks that I now realized were full of the potent alcohol.
Ifthatwas what I’d been drinking all night, I wasn’t just tipsy, I was wasted.
“Bottoms up, bossman!” Nina cheered, poured the shot in her mouth, then gestured for me to do the same.
Well, a gentleman never lets a lady drink alone, and I couldn’t resist her enthusiasm. This version of Nina Reyes was delightful, and I didn’t hesitate to lift the shot glass to my lips and drink—ignoring the voice in my head shouting at me that we’d already had too much.
We finally figured out how to backtrack to find the elevators. Nina laughed and skipped along the deserted corridor, but the stilettoes plus alcohol finally got the best of her, and she fell to her knees.
“Whoops,” she giggled, looking up at me. She reached out both of her hands and flapped her fingers. “Save me, Prince Charming!”
I laughed as I took both of her hands in mine and pulled her up into my arms. She crashed into me, then slid down my body so that we were belly to belly, staring at each other.
Her chest was rising and falling like she had just finished a sprint, but she didn’t move away. I let my hands circle her waist.
Her pink lips parted, and she tilted her head up.
It didn’t matter how many drinks I’d downed, I knew an invitation when I saw one. I pulled her closer, slow and deliberate. She came easily, wanting this as much as I did.
Then I leaned down and planted a kiss on her mouth that took her breath away—and mine too.
9
NINA
