“Well, you certainly succeeded.” He battled a grin as she huffed. She was so easy to tease, and he leaned over to kiss her pout.
The room grew noisier as more people came in, so their conversation was light as they both stuffed themselves. Walking around to the dessert selections, he watched as she performed her same selection process. She scoped out all the desserts, then walked around with a plate and selected tiny portions of lots of different ones. He was getting ready to choose a large piece of cake when it dawned on him that her process had merit. Selecting a smaller piece of cake, he made room for a wedge of pie, and a scoop of ice cream.
As they sat back down at the table, her gaze dropped to his plate and her lips curved. Soon their meal was complete, and they left the buffet. They fell naturally into step with each other, his arm resting on her shoulder and hers around his waist.
“Ready to hit the casino?”
“Yeah, but I don’t know that I want to sit at one of the gaming machines and press a button all night.”
“Then let’s walk around and check things out. Who knows, you might become the blackjack queen.”
They moved through the crowd, and he kept his hand resting on the small of her back, his other arm out slightly to make sure no one bumped into her. Her head was bobbing around as she tried to take in everything she could, not always watching where she was going. He was so used to scanning an area for threats, he found his training to come in handy to make sure she was safe.
The roulette table snagged her attention, and they stopped to watch the betting. She stood with her back against his front, his arms on either side. She tucked under his chin, and it struck him once again how perfectly they fit together.
She twisted her neck and looked up, whispering, “I thought this would be easy from what I’ve seen on TV. Isn’t everybody supposed to put their chip on just a number? It looks like people are putting their chips all over the place!”
Bending slightly, he placed his lips close to her ear. “The table has a lot of different places where you can place a bet. There are outside bets where you can bet on a column, even numbers, odd numbers, reds, or blacks. Since you have a better chance of winning those, the payouts are less. You can also put your chip on a line that would cover six numbers, a corner bet that covers four numbers and to split the corners into two. They have different levels of payouts also. And, of course, the straight-up is the highest payout and that’s when you put it on just one number.”
The roulette wheel spun again, and she watched with rapt attention. The dealer’s hands were a blur as he cleared the board and began counting out the winnings.
She twisted her head and looked up at him again, her eyes wide. “Damn, I can count fast, but that’s amazing! I swear I’d get so confused if I had money going everywhere!”
Laughing, he gave her a squeeze. “’Fraid you wouldn’t have a job here very long. But that’s okay, babe, you just keep doing what you do.”
After a few more minutes, they moved on to the blackjack table. There was a crowd around, and she was unable to see. Eventually, several people in front of them moved on, and she was able to step closer. “I understand this game a little more because Nancy and I used to play blackjack. I know you’re trying to get twenty-one without going over.”
“That’s right. You play against the house, which means the dealer. Do you want to play?”
Giving her head a quick shake, she leaned back against him. “No, I’d be too nervous. But you can if you want.”
He grinned and shifted to an open spot, making sure she stayed right with him. He played several hands, winning a few and losing a few, eventually coming out fifty dollars ahead. Giving up his place, he linked fingers with her and guided her along several other tables.
“Nolan! You won fifty dollars! That is so cool,” she enthused, her eyes bright. “What do you want to do next?”
He barked out a laugh and pulled her tightly to his side. “I think you’ve got the gambling bug.”
Shaking her head, she replied, “Nah, I just got excited seeing you win.”
A server came by and they grabbed a couple of drinks. Deciding to go back to the gaming machines so that she could finish out her casino card, he showed her how to change her bets. Several drinks later, she had won numerous times but eventually spent all of the money on her card. She slid from her chair and he felt her hands on his shoulders as she moved in close. The feel of her pressed next to him sent tingles throughout his body, more distracting than the blinking lights and noise of the casino. He twisted his body, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her to his side. Her grin was wide, and he bent and kissed her, hard and fast. “You about ready to get outta here?”
Her expression was dreamy as she nodded. “Maybe hit the ladies' room first. I’m about to pop from all those drinks! If you want to stay here, I’ll be right back.”
“Tell you what, I’ll go to the coffee bar right over there and wait for you.” He watched as she walked away, weaving and dodging between people. Smiling, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed himself so much. Abandoning his seat, he walked over to the coffee station where he could keep an eye on the hall leading to the restrooms, anxious to have her in his arms again.
16
Lynn knew it was dangerous to
