“Well, the dealer can see what I’ve got,” she hissed. How was that fair?
“Trust me.”
Emma tipped her head to look into his eyes. Trust him? Was he kidding? He’d made it clear last night- somewhere between gross revenue and capital depreciation-that he was looking out for his own interests. In fact, he’d strongly advised her to do the same.
Of course, in this case, it was his money. Who cared if she lost?
“Emma?”
“Hmmm?”
He nodded at the table. “Look at your hand.”
She glanced down. A queen and an ace.
“You won,” he said as the dealer pushed a couple of chips into her square.
“Hit me,” said Katie next to her.
Even though it was just luck, a warm glow of pride grew in Emma’s chest. She’d won. Her very first time gambling, and she’d won. Whatever happened from here on in, at least she had that.
“Bust,” sighed Katie, while David shook his head.
The dealer cleared the cards.
“Bet more this time,” said Alex.
Emma stacked another chip in her square.
“It’s going to be a long night at this rate,” Alex breathed.
“Why don’t you do it then?”
He leaned in closer, his hand sliding up to her bare shoulder. “Because we want the world to see
She turned so that her nose almost contacted his cheek. His spicy scent surrounded her, and his broad palm moved ever so slightly against her shoulder. It would be so easy to sink into this fantasy.
She reached for her wine. “How about if you bet my money instead?”
He chuckled. “Doesn’t work that way. Now bet.”
“You’re such a chauvinist.”
“Yeah, I am. Get used to it.” He straightened, ending the conversation.
Fine. He wanted to bankroll her? Emma moved an entire stack of chips into the white square.
“That a girl,” he said.
“Holy crap, Emma,” said Katie.
Emma turned to her sister.
“That’s ten thousand dollars.”
The first card landed in front of her.
“Those are five-hundred-dollar chips,” Katie pointed out.
Emma’s stomach contracted. She quickly reached for the stack of chips, but Alex stopped her by putting his hand over hers.
“Too late,” he warned.
She turned to stare at him, her eyes wide in horror. She couldn’t bet ten thousand dollars on a hand of cards. That was nuts.
“Play the game,” he calmly advised.
“Why didn’t you
“Tell you what?”
“Alex.”
“Play the game.”
“No way.” She started to rise, but her hand was trapped by his.
“You won,” he said.
“What?”
He nodded to her cards. “You won again. You really should gamble more often.”
Emma slowly looked down at her hand, a ten and an ace. She gave in to her wobbly knees and sat back down on the stool.
“Bust,” said Katie.
David shifted behind her.
“How much did you lose?” Emma asked her sister. David didn’t look too happy about this.
“Five hundred dollars.”
Emma cringed. “Ouch.”
Katie tossed two more chips in her square.
“I think we should move to roulette,” David suggested.
“This is fun,” said Katie. “We’re having fun. Aren’t we, Emma?”
“I’m having fun,” said Alex, a definite edge of laughter to his voice.
David’s nostrils flared as he drew in a deep breath.
The dealer passed out the cards.
“You know you just let fifteen thousand dollars ride?” asked Katie.
Emma’s gaze flew to her chips. Good God. Why hadn’t Alex stopped her?
After a long, tense minute, she won with a three-card nineteen. She immediately swiveled her chair sideways. “I can’t take this anymore.”
Alex trapped the chair with one knee to keep it from recoiling. “You’re winning.”
Their legs touched, and the warmth of his body seeped into her thigh. “I’m having a heart attack,” she told him. And it was definitely on more than one front.
She started to climb off the high stool, and he quickly offered a hand to steady her. “You don’t walk away from a hot streak.”
“Watch me.”
She shifted. Whoops. She hadn’t counted on being all but trapped in his arms. A half step forward and she’d be pressed up against him. If she tipped her head, they could kiss. Or she could bury her face in his neck and flick out her tongue to see if he tasted as good as he smelled.
Of course she didn’t. But the desire was strong. So was the image.
He watched her with those smoky eyes for a long moment. “Okay.” He finally said. “Ever played craps?”
“No.”
“Good.” Then he gestured toward the hallway, putting an end to the intimate moment. “Craps tables are in the Chestnut Room.”
She turned to Katie. “Are you coming?”
“Not for craps,” said David.
Katie peered at her boyfriend’s expression. “We’ll catch up,” she told them.
Emma nodded. Then she began walking with Alex. “Can we at least switch to ten-dollar chips?”
“No.”
“I can’t bet five hundred dollars at a time.”
Alex might be comfortable with a high-rolling, high-stakes lifestyle. But she sure wasn’t.
“You’re already up several thousand,” he said.
That was true. She felt a little better. She could lose all this, and he’d still be even.
“If you don’t start losing soon,” Alex continued. “The Teddybear Trust will be bankrupt.”
Emma stopped, and her mouth formed a spontaneous O. She’d forgotten all about the Teddybear Trust. “I’m doing this all wrong, aren’t I?”
Alex chuckled, his hand going to her back to get her going again. “I’ll say.”
She gave a sigh of frustration.
Then, unexpectedly, his lips brushed her temple. “You’re delightful, you know that?”
Her chest contracted around the compliment.
But then Edwina and Fredrick Waddington materialized next to Alex, and she realized the compliment was part