“Ready for your first game.” I nod as I stand. The warm touch of his thumb against my palm as he slips his hand into mine has my knees trembling. “What do you want to play first?”
I glance around the room. “Blackjack.” It’s the one card game I know how to play. Within twenty minutes, I lost fifty dollars and won thirty of it back. I glower at Alex with a smile. “It’s your fault I’m losing.”
The soft caress of his fingers on my shoulder stills as he looks at me. The arch of his eyebrow not innocent. “How do you work that out?”
“How am I supposed to concentrate if you keep touching me.”
“You’re a sexy woman, Mia. How am I supposed to not touch you?”
My stomach flutters as my knees wobble, which has little to do with the motion of the river beneath the riverboat. To distract myself from Alex’s flirting, I lift my beer bottle and shake it at him. “It’s empty. I could do with another.”
His lips brush across my cheek, and I remind myself. Tonight is not about sex. “Find another game and I’ll come hunt you down.”
I nod as he turns away. My gaze lingering on his ass as he saunters to the bar and I lick my lips. My equilibrium is out of sync and I breathe in deep.
“They are lethal. Aren’t they?”
I turn to find Firebird standing behind me. The gleam in her eyes would shame the devil.
“Who are?”
“Alex, Leon, Oyster.”
Unable to disagree, I nod. “Day, Bastian, Kit, even TJ. Do you miss the library?”
Firebird shakes her head. “I thought I would. But there’s a buzz which gets in your blood and I love it.” She leans forward and pecks me on the cheek. The sparkle from her eyes has disappeared. “Take care, Mia. Alex is a bad boy. I wouldn’t want you to get your heart broke.”
Before I answer, a hand caresses my hip, and a shiver slides down my spine. “What are you ladies talking about?”
I turn to Alex and accept the beer. “My first time.” Alex chokes on his beer. “In the casino.”
His hand slips further around my waist and strokes my stomach. “Come on, I’m getting you away from Firebird.”
The hours slip by, my feet ache, and I scan the room for a seat and find a couch at the rear of the room. “I’m going to sit down.” Alex follows and I sink into the soft cushions and slip my shoes off, curling and stretching my toes. I smoother a yawn behind my hand. I messaged Poppy earlier, letting her know I was going to be late back. I know in the morning she’ll be full of questions. Hands shake me and I blink as I look up at Alex.
“We’ve docked.”
I blink again as I straighten. The casino is emptying. “Shit, did I fall asleep.”
“No-one noticed. And I didn’t mind the way you curled your body into me.” His laugh is light, teasing, “everyone probably thought we were making out.”
Straightening my back, I scan the near empty room. “As long as they didn’t think I was drunk.”
Alex’s chuckle follows me as we stroll to the SUV and I look up at the sky. The clouds are breaking, and the morning sun turns the sky into a blaze of crimson.
“I’m glad you don’t mind if people think we’re making out,” Alex said.
As he opens the door to the SUV, I turn to him. He is closer than I expected and our bodies brush and as I slip into the seat, my pussy throbs. “Thank you.”
My flesh burns when Alex caresses my thigh as he buckles me in. When he turns his face to me, his lips are near mine. “You can thank me probably in a bit.” We drive back to the house in silence. Occasionally, I would sense Alex’s gaze on me, but I keep my eyes on the side of the road, watching the trees as they pass in a pale blur. “Mia.”
“Yeah.”
“We’re at the house.”
I blink, look up at Bastian’s home then turn to Alex. “I meant it. No sex until the paperwork comes through.”
Alex nods as he slides over the seat. The heat of his body seeping into mine and I hold my breath as he frees the seatbelt. “I can wait until then, Mia.” His fingers glide over my thigh, slipping under the hem of the dress and I clamp my thighs as they dampen with my cream. “But there’s no harm in a kiss.” His lips are on mine and I answer his kiss with a hunger deep within me. His tongue thrusts into my mouth and we dance and parry. His fingers move further up my thigh and when his hand slips between my clasped thighs, my legs fall open, giving him the access, he needs. His touch against the sensitive skin of my cunt has me gasping into his mouth. My clit throbs as I thrust against the finger teasing the swollen bud. With each twist of his tongue, Alex teases my pussy and I clench against his touch, trapping his hand. I grip his shoulders at the tension building in me. Then I shudder against him as my climax overtakes me. My body continues to trembles,and I bury my head into Alex’s neck as I catch my breath. When I can breathe easily, I pull away.
“Told you SUVs have their uses.” Alex leans over, his lips brushing against mine as he straightens my dress. “I’ll take you for a ride on the bike. Then you can compare.”
Chapter 11
Alex: Demon’s Lair Noir Valley
The urge to tap my fingers against my knee overcomes me as I glance at my watch. Spending what free time
