“Because I don’t know how to do ‘the morning after,’” she whispered.
Jack chuckled to himself even though he knew that wasn’t the entire truth. That spark, whatever it was between them, she had felt it, too. And now they had the rest of the weekend to see if that spark could be fanned into a flame. Her eyes narrowed as he coughed back the rest of his laughter. She looked so cute, like an angry Cabbage Patch doll.
“Stop laughing at me.”
Crap. Pissing her off was the last thing he wanted. “I’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing because I don’t know how to do ‘the morning after’ thing either.”
Ben and the agent lady walked in at that very moment. Of course they did. Sonofabitch. As soon as Ben laid eyes on Kamaria in the chair, his expression transformed from his normal easygoing manner to hardened, badass cop mode. Jack watched as Ben let the door handle slide from his fingers, causing the door to slam shut. Kamaria damn near bolted out of her chair. “I’m sure Mr. Alderisi has been very accommodating in my absence…”
“Ben, wait,” Jack started, but Ben held up a hand, not even sparing him a glance. Ben lived to play the bad cop role. What’s worse, the agent had come up with this bullshit plan to frighten her and threaten her out of gambling.
“Well, playtime is over,” Ben continued.
Ben swept in and spun Kamaria’s chair so she was forced to look at him. Ben had done this routine dozens of times, the silent staring, admit-what-you-did-you-scumbag routine. Only this wasn’t some common thief, or some asshat picking wallets while tourists were too entranced by all the shiny lights. This was an innocent woman—well, the things she’d done with her tongue last night hadn’t been exactly innocent—but Kamaria wasn’t a suspect here.
They might not be much more than strangers that had burned a couple of hours between the sheets, but knowing her story, he wasn’t about to see her bullied for something she so obviously regretted. “Knock it off, Ben. It’s not that serious…”
As far as Jack knew, treating her like a criminal wasn’t part of the plan. Pulling her off the casino floor—that seemed to shake her up enough already. But now that they were in private, he was not cool with where this whole fake interrogation was heading.
But as it turned out, Kamaria didn’t need his help. From the pile of chips he’d seen when he collected her at the table, he’d surmised she was good at cards. From her unflinching stare-down with Ben—no small feat, hardened felons withered under his stare—he realized she had the poker face to earn those winning hands. Damn, if it wasn’t impressive. For once, someone was putting Ben’s arrogant little ass in its place, and Jack was loving every minute of it.
And then, she released a gut-bucket chortle right into Ben’s smug face. “Are you for real?” she asked. “Is this some good cop, bad cop foolishness you saw on some horrible incarnation of CSI?” Kamaria flicked her head to glance at her agent. “Who is this guy?”
Jack finally spoke up. “This guy is the head of security.”
For the first time, a flicker of fear flashed across her face. From what he had seen so far, Kamaria had a shell so thick that only a hatchet could splinter it. She had no idea that a backdoor scheme had already been worked out for her benefit.
“Chastity, don’t let them kick me out.” A big fat tear slid down her cheek. Oh no, she was crying. Jack hated when a woman cried. He never had any idea what to do. Kamaria sniffed while shamelessly wiping away the tear. “I wasn’t cheating. I wouldn’t cheat. The only reason I’m here is for this conference. Tell them, Chastity.”
Jack handed her a tissue. That was the not asshole-y thing to do, right?
“I’ll find a way to stay out of the casino,” Kamaria said. “I promise. Please don’t ban me.”
Jack gave her an awkward pat on the back. This ruse had gone far enough. “No one is kicking you out of anywhere. We’ve already decided that I will be your escort for the rest of your stay.”
Her big, beautiful eyes lost some of their sparkle. “A babysitter, Chastity? I told you I wanted to handle this on my own.”
“And I told you I would always have your back. I admire that you’ve come this far on your own. But, face it, hon, this time, you need help.” The energy in the room shifted.
He hated watching her shoulders slump like a foundation about to crumble. There was a determination in her that his old man never had. He wanted to shore it up with his own hands if that’s what it took to get her through this weekend.
The agent lady cleared her throat. “Gentlemen, I need a moment alone with my client.”
Ben waited until both he and Jack exited the office and the door had closed behind them. “I thought you were against this idea.”
“I changed my mind when you started acting like an asshole.” Jack hardened his features to let Ben know he didn’t want to discuss it further. His buddy no longer had any say in Operation Save Kamaria. Ben got the hint.
“You playing babysitter is the perfect solution.” Ben slapped him on the back. Ben’s condescending tone made him bristle. “I’ll double your normal rate for the trouble.”
“No.” Jack shook his head. It didn’t feel right taking money to be by her side day and night. Not for what he had in mind. “This one’s on me.”
Ben’s eyes widened. “I’ve never known you to pass up a dime. I guess your construction business really is back in the black.”
“Yes, my business is back on track. Which you already knew because I told you yesterday not to call me for any more shifts. But that’s not it.”
“Oh, I get it. You like her.” Ben nodded toward the door and licked his lips. “Yeah, that one has some fire. Her agent does too.”
He squeezed his hand into a fist. He saved your life. He saved your life. He uncurled his hand. Still, he didn’t like where Ben was taking this conversation. “She and I have unfinished business. Leave it at that.”
Ben stepped back and held up his palms in defense. “Whatever, dude. I’m just happy you’re willing to help me out. Besides, it’s only three days. She’s a little ol’ thing. How much trouble could she be?”
Jack’s mouth fell into a tight line. Unfortunately, he already knew just how much trouble Miss Kamaria Wilson was going to be.
“Jack is him?” Chastity gestured toward the door. “As in last night him?”
Jack. The name suited him. Strong. To the point. No fluff. And it sounded totally sexy when she’d screamed it while she came.
The office door opened before Kamaria could get out another word. Her eyes connected with Jack’s. His eyes were on her as intently as they had been last night. Their one encounter clearly had not been enough for him either. She looked at the floor. This man was trouble for all the right reasons. “Follow me, ladies.”
She felt safe again. She would gladly follow him anywhere. Preferably back to his bed. That was the problem. Shouldn’t she be mad at him for appointing himself her savior without consulting her first? The last thing she needed, on top of everything else, was some self-appointed, alpha-male knight-in-shining-armor. “Actually…”
Chastity pulled her through the doorway. “Mari, don’t say another word. You’re over-thinking things again. Look at him. My gut says this guy is your real life hero.”
In that moment, she was glad Chastity had badgered her into becoming her agent.
She watched him scratch the back of his head as he walked. The movement emphasized how snug of a fit he had inside his suit jacket. Dear Lord, the man had a set of guns on him, and not the kind that shoot. Maybe going along with this cuckoo plan wouldn’t be so bad…
But there was one problem. Chastity was liable to let anything fall out of her mouth. When it came to a good tidbit of gossip, she would never let it die.
Ever.
She grabbed Chastity’s arm and started to rush past Jack and Ben. “Let’s just go,” she mumbled.
She took a quick glance back in Jack’s direction and her stomach flip-flopped. He mouthed the words “I got
you.” Damn. He was a decent guy. Another shoulda-woulda-coulda. She turned back toward Chastity who, from the rueful smile on her face, had observed the entire moment that had passed between them.
“No, I’ll lead you out.” Jack walked purposely ahead of them, brushing Kamaria in the process. “Navigating these hallways can be tricky.”
Correction, a decent guy who was also a gentleman.
“My word, he has a nice ass.” Chastity’s filter had left the building. Great.
Jack almost stumbled as he turned around. He gave them both a funny look before his long legs carried him ahead of them.
She groaned. “I don’t know why I bother telling you anything. The word ‘discreet’ doesn’t exist in your vocabulary.”
“What’s the problem?” Chastity pried her fingers from her arm. “There’s enough sexual tension simmering between you two to totally justify another roll in the sheets. Am I right?”
Like she would admit to fantasizing about re-enacting the closet scene from Scandal in that tiny security office? She watched his deliciously round, firm ass continue to stride ahead of them. How could she resist not one, but now two major temptations this weekend?
“Have you asked him for some more yet?” Chastity taunted.
She swore she saw the tips of Jack’s ears perk at Chastity’s declaration. “Can you be any louder?”
“Girlfriend, I didn’t get you on the New York Times bestseller list by keeping quiet.” Chastity’s grin spelled trouble. “This might be the best thing for you.”
Kamaria shook her head and slowed her steps. She tugged on her hoodie strings and studied the tile patterns on the floor. On one hand, she appreciated Chastity’s distracting comments. And she knew her agent well enough to know that the loud, suggestive remarks were meant to lighten the mood, but, the truth was, she had failed herself. She was back at day one. No, more like hour one. There was no way to get back those prior 1223 days of sobriety. Tears stung her eyes. Why would a nice guy like Jack want anything to do with a loser like her?
In all honesty, he probably saw her as worse than a loser because she needed a 24/7 guard at her side to keep her out of the casino. How pathetic was that?
While her lapse proved she couldn’t do this on her own, maybe the best thing was to ignore whatever she was starting to feel for Jack. If they wound up back in bed together, it needed to be strictly physical. No emotions allowed. Between the pull of the casino and her overdue book, she already had enough on her plate. No sense in setting herself up for even more failure.
“Lightning has struck twice, Mari.” Chastity stopped just before following Jack back into the hotel lobby. “I’ve worked my magic. Now, it’s time for you to work yours.”
“She’s all yours now.”
Jack willed his face to be stone still. This agent lady was a piece of work.
“Is that clear?” she pressed. “I expect you to be on Kamaria night and day.”
Maybe he could’ve overlooked the first innuendo, but there was no mistaking the sexual overtones of that last one. The woman even added one of those suggestive eyebrow wiggles. Jesus. He began praying to every known religious deity and all of his Nonna’s Catholic saints for this woman to stop talking. He felt feverish he was blushing so badly.
“But from what I’ve seen so far,” the agent went on, “my gut tells me you can handle her and that you’re the right man for the job. My gut is never wrong.” She leveled her gaze on him in a way that definitely let him know that no pun had been intended. This time. Kamaria, on the other hand, was busy studying the popcorn plastering on the ceiling. Her normally tan cheeks had a faint pink flush to them. Maybe what she really needed was to be saved from her agent.
“Mr. Alderisi will escort you back to your room, Ms. Wilson,” Ben said. “This will be the last time you are permitted on the casino floor. Understand?” That had been the sassy agent’s decree. So at least on some level, it seemed she was honestly interested in helping Kamaria. Ben was still running with the scheme. Did the hotel give two shits about a gambling addict—uh, no. The billion-dollar empire was dependent on people like Kamaria. Jack held the door open for the ladies, allowing them to file into the main lobby.
“You know you’re an asshole, right?” Jack flicked his wrist so the door would slam shut behind him.
But Ben managed to slip his foot in the door before it shut. “You’re not fooling anybody, Poker Face. You like her.” Then, the bastard had the nerve to laugh. “And she likes you.”
Jack cursed under his breath and hurried to catch up to the women.
Unfortunately, that got him within earshot in time to hear the crazy lady ask Kamaria, “How soon do you think it’ll be before you’re in bed with him again? I’d give anything to have someone that gorgeous fall in my lap. And now, you’re lucky enough to have his face in your lap twice.”
“Chastity, I need you to grasp the concept of volume control.” The faint pink tinge on Kamaria’s cheeks darkened. She was embarrassed, huh? Good. Now they were even.
“What are you talking about? I’m not being loud.” Chastity’s voice bounced off the walls of the lobby, turning heads.
“You’re loud and your comments are lewd.” She lowered her voice and he lengthened his stride to hear Kamaria whisper, “As for being with Jack again. That is none of your business.” He caught that ever so subtle hitch in her voice. She was totally lying. Maybe there was a chance for them after all.
If he were a gambling man, now would be a good time to up the ante. The odds favored another pair of torn panties by nightfall.
Chapter Three
Chastity accompanied them into the elevator as far up as the sixth floor. Kamaria shoved the paperwork for her winnings into Chastity’s hands. She’d handed over several thousand dollars. She should’ve been proud of her winnings, but she didn’t want any access to that money. She didn’t want to even look at it.
“I’ll take care of this for you, my dear. Now, you kiddies enjoy yourselves. Tah tah!” Her fingers fluttered behind her as she exited the car.
“Jeez, how much did you tell that woman?” Jack mashed the button again for the tenth floor.
“Tell her about what?”
“About last night. Us.”
“Oh yeah, that. Not much.”
“‘Oh yeah, that’? Seriously?” Out of the corner of her eye, Kamaria watched his jaw tighten. His deliciously broad shoulders got even broader. Then he leaned down and brushed her locks to the side. His lips mere inches from her neck. His breath tickled that spot on her skin, making her throb in all the right places. Was elevator sex legal in Nevada? “I distinctly remember you mumbling something about ‘best orgasm ever.’” He breathed the words against her neck. She closed her eyes. Do not shiver. Do not shiver.
She turned her head. Now their lips were almost touching. “And wiping a tear from your eye,” he continued. He swiped away an imaginary tear and then smirked.
God, he was entirely too gorgeous when he smirked like that. His dimples cut into his cheeks like deep lickable crevices. He was total hero material. Maybe she could convince him to pose for her next book cover. All big and bold and chivalrous. Everything she wanted her own fantasy man to be.
No, she had to resist his spell. For heaven’s sake, she wrote romantic fiction, she wasn’t supposed to be living it. She crossed her arms. “I had something in my eye.”
“In addition to that best orgasm ever, I helped you out in a tough situation downstairs. You could start with ‘thank you.’ Or, how about, ‘I’m sorry for banging your brains out and then leaving’? Had I known you had any kind of gambling problem, I would have never…” He paused and gently brushed her arm. She stiffened. Just as she suspected. A guy like him would never want to get mixed up with someone as messed up as her.
“…I would have never let you out of my arms. I woke up wanting to cook you breakfast. Make you scream my name. Again.”
Her breath hitched. Why couldn’t she come up with dialogue li
ke that? This man wasn’t just nice. He was perfect.
“So what do you say to a do-over, Kamaria?”
She shoved her hands into the pockets of her hoodie, determined to ignore his all too tempting offer. She liked the way he said her name. Said it correctly, too. She tried to force back a smile. He was making it harder and harder for her to think of him as just a fling. “Call me Mari. Everyone says it’s easier.”
Jack shrugged and moved his hand to the wall beside her head. “If I liked easy, I wouldn’t be here. I prefer Kamaria. It feels better on my tongue.” He licked his lips.
She shivered.
Dammit. She liked him even more. She had to figure out how to keep her feelings at bay around him.
The elevator pinged and the doors opened. Kamaria slipped through them as she marched toward her suite. Jack’s long strides caught up to her in a few steps. “Wait, that came out wrong. I wasn’t trying to get fresh with you. I really like the sound of your full name.”
He didn’t want to butcher her name? She could have swooned. “I…I know. Thanks.”
She turned before he could see how his consideration affected her. She fumbled for the keycard in her back pocket. This guy has to have some kind of flaw.
Kamaria finally pulled out the keycard. “Back to your original question. The answer is not much.”
“Not much what?”
“Chastity, my agent.” She gestured back toward the elevator bay. “What I told her about us. I told her the gist of our night together when I got back to the hotel. And then when you found me in the casino, well, I had to tell her you couldn’t escort me because you were the guy. All the other stuff was her taking that basic information and running with it. I swear that woman has a more vivid imagination than I do. You would think she was the creative one in our working relationship.”
Jack caged her in with his arms against the door. “So you told her you like the way my ass looks?”
“No. She decided she likes the way your ass looks.” I, on the other hand, like the way you work it. She wasn’t going to tell him that, though. That would encourage him. She didn’t need any more temptation. “Can I unlock the door to my suite now?”
Calling Her Bluff (What Happens in Vegas) Page 3
