“Sure.” With a smile, she continued on.
He watched the cards as Beatrice dealt them. “I’m sure he’s going apeshit, as you humans like to say, because I’m here, but that’s what makes it fun. I mean, what’s the point in going to work if you don’t have fun?”
Both Beatrice and the male weren’t paying much attention to him.
No matter.
“It’s your turn, buddy.” The male nodded toward his cards.
“Hit me, Beatrice.”
She smiled, dealt another card, the sum of the four coming to twenty-one.
“How many is that now?” Perfidious asked. “Oh, right. All of them.”
His gaze was snagged by a caramel-haired beauty as she moved toward him. The small name tag on her dress was what prompted his smile. Then again, her bountiful cleavage deserved some added wattage. She was quite lovely.
“Excuse me,” he said, keeping his tone polite as he shifted in his seat to face her.
She paused, her gaze slamming into his. “I’m sorry. I don’t work this section. I can get Vivian for you, though.”
“Oh, no need,” Perfidious told her, visually caressing her face. “She’s already getting my drink.”
Those honey-gold eyes remained locked on his.
“I was wondering if I could borrow a lighter,” he lied.
She took the one sitting on her tray, passed it over. Perfidious used it to light the cigar he magically conjured inside his jacket pocket.
“Are you new here?” he asked in an attempt to make conversation.
“No.” Her eyes shifted to Beatrice briefly, then back to him.
“Hmm. A shame I haven’t seen you before now.”
Her eyes dropped to the lighter, as though that was the only thing she was waiting for. When she held out her palm for it, Perfidious ensured his fingers brushed her skin. Those beautiful gold eyes swung back to his face, even as she jerked her hand back.
“I’m sorry. I have to get back to work.”
As she walked away, he admired the gentle sway of her hips, the way the tips of her golden hair brushed the luscious upper curve of her ass. He could definitely see what the angels were all up in arms about. Although he was a tad curious how a behemoth like Obsidian had ended up with such a tiny little thing. Seemed to him things could get a bit awkward.
Perfidious reclaimed his position at the table, addressed Beatrice. “She’s lovely, don’t you think? And the sparkle in her eye.” He grinned. “Feisty one, I’m sure.”
They played several more hands before the thrill faded for him.
“Looks like I’m going to call it a night, Beatrice. Cash me out?”
She took the pile he’d amassed, called out her intention to the pit boss, then traded smaller chips for larger ones before passing them over.
Perfidious shifted a one-hundred-dollar chip back in her direction. “Thanks for listening, Beatrice.”
Her smile was wide and approving.
With cigar in hand, Perfidious got to his feet, glanced around.
“Sir? Your Jack and Coke.”
He spun around to see the bottle-blond waitress smiling brightly, lifting a glass from her tray.
