I’m sure my mouth drops open in shock. “I…I think I would love to do that. I suppose I should talk to Jackson about it.”
“I understand. Cecelia traveled with me and managed it fine from the road, so I think you could live anywhere. You’ve met most of our contributors, and I’d be looking for more contributions and ways to spend them. Let me know, and we can talk about it when you return to San Francisco.”
I nod. “Absolutely.” Suddenly, what has seemed impossible to manage for so long is all falling into place. A sense of peace washes over me, and I’m so grateful for everything I have.
As the sun sets, people come and go, watching the game. After over five hours of play, there are still four players. Landon is high in the chip count and goes all-in. Mason debates. He keeps looking at Landon and trying to figure out if he has something good or is bluffing. Finally, he pushes his chips in. Mia doesn’t hesitate and puts the ranch in Montana in the pot, along with her remaining chips: all-in. Jackson looks at me and smiles as he pushes all of his chips into the middle. I know he has a good hand.
The last card turns. Mason has nothing. Mia has three aces. Jackson has a royal flush, minus the ace from Mia’s hand, so he’s out, and Landon has three kings and two eights. A full house takes the pot. The crowd erupts.
Landon just took Mia’s ranch and won the game. Nate and Jackson high five, and he shoots me a dazzling smile.
“Next time, Landon Walsh, the game is at the ranch in Montana,” Nate says.
Sleight of Hand
Tech Billionaires book 3
A Preview
by:
Ainsley St Claire
Chapter 1
Tinsley
“Look at that man who just walked in the door, Tinsley. Holy guacamole, he’s sex on a stick and hot, hot, hot.”
I turn to look at my best friend, Chrissy Matthews, and follow her line of sight. The man she’s looking at is a sight to behold: dark, messy hair with dark, brooding eyes, and his body... I fan myself. His T-shirt is stretched over his arms and chest and his jeans are showing off…well, his massive package.
I lean over to Chrissy. “How much you want to bet he stuffed a sock in his pants?”
She looks him over. “No way is he that big.”
He looks over at us and smiles. When he makes eye contact with me, I smile back.
It seems to encourage him, and he makes his way over to us. “Hello, ladies.”
“Hi,” Chrissy offers.
“What are we celebrating?”
I look over at Chrissy and give her a careful shake so hopefully, she understands to not go there.
“We’re celebrating a Tuesday night,” she says.
“I like that. May I celebrate with you?”
He looks at me, and how can I refuse?
I have to say, Chrissy and I look fantastic tonight. Not club-ready, but I have on a dark blue strapless sundress that is fitted in the bodice, and a pair of peep-toe stilettos. Chrissy is in a pair of jeans and a wrap sweater that shows a tremendous amount of cleavage.
He pulls up a stool between the two of us.
Chrissy picks up her almost-empty glass of wine and takes a big swig. “My name is Madeline, and this is Amanda.”
I chuckle that she uses our fake bar names. She’s out to tease this poor guy. I almost feel sorry for him. Maybe.
“Nice to meet you both. My name is Peter Landon.” He leans toward my ear and whispers, “It’s not a sock. Care to feel for yourself?”
I’m shocked that he heard me in a crowded bar on a busy weeknight. “Thanks,” I manage. “But I don’t typically feel men up until I’ve had at least a few drinks.”
I’m out with my best friend, celebrating the sale of the company I started to a larger startup, which officially happens tomorrow morning. I sold to Disruptive Technologies in the hopes that together we can do something truly amazing.
He motions to the bartender. “Can we get a sloe comfortable screw, a sex on the beach, and a blowjob, please?”
Chrissy and I exchange looks. We may have met our match.
He takes out a black American Express card and hands it to the bartender. “Please open a tab for these beautiful women.”
I roll my eyes. “Laying it on a little thick, don’t you think?”
“Trust me, nothing is little, and you did say it would take a few drinks for you to verify that I don’t stuff my pants with socks.”
I shake my head and smile. My panties have officially melted. He puts his arm around me, and his hand rests on my back. I feel the electric charge shoot right down to my core. The only thing that’s been keeping me company lately is Bob—my battery-operated boyfriend, and while Peter’s forwardness should have me throwing what’s left of my drink in his face, instead it has me turned on.
“So what do you both do for work?” he asks.
This is where Chrissy shines. Watching her spin a web of deceit is really quite fun. “I teach fourth grade at St. Anthony Catholic School, and Amanda is a nurse.”
“So, it’s either hot for teacher or naughty nurse?”
Damn, he’s good. That’s our joke. I might actually like this guy.
Chrissy swears that men don’t like smart women, so we downplay our smarts. She has an MBA from Harvard and runs marketing for a major bank, and I went to Stanford and have a degree in electrical engineering and software development.
“Which is your preference?” I ask.
He gives me a salacious grin. “They all sound good to me.”
The bartender places our drinks in front
