The Big Blind (Nadia Wolf)

by Pierce, Nicolette

  Jessica burst through the crowd. “It’s about time you arrived. It’s time for your Q and A.”

  “We just got here. Can’t it wait a few minutes?” Caleb asked.

  “I’ll stall for fifteen minutes but not a minute more.”

  “Deal,” Caleb said. “Do you remember Nadia?”

  “Uh, are you the new model?” She asked confused. “I thought you were going to bring the girl poker player. I have to say I’m happy you chose to listen and go with the model. We need to keep your image intact.”

  I gritted my teeth.

  Caleb ran his finger playfully down my back making me jump in surprise. “Nadia is the girl from the table. She’s the poker player.”

  Jessica eyes widened giving me a second glance. “Go mingle.”

  My eyes followed her as she stalked off.

  “She likes you,” Caleb said.

  “I’d hate to think what she’d be like if she didn’t like me.”

  We weaved through the party. Champagne flutes were pressed into our hands.

  “Oh, it’s the guy from that show.” I racked my brain to figure out what show it was. “Is it Everybody Loves Raymond? He’s in that other show now, right?”

  “Yes, he’s an accomplished poker player. Be careful if you’re tabled with him.”

  “What do you mean? I’m not playing in the tournament, you are.”

  “You’re playing. I had Jessica sign you up today.”

  “But the tournament is by invitation only. You can’t just sign someone up.”

  “Jessica made it happen.”

  “Have you ever thought you should ask me first?”

  “Why? It’s a chance to get televised, and you’ll be great. We need more women in poker. Playing against women is a challenge. Men’s psychology I understand, but women can make my head work overtime.”

  I doubt that. From what I’ve seen, he has women already figured out and mastered.

  “What if I have plans?”

  “Do you?”

  “No, but that’s not the point.” I sighed. “I give up. I don’t want to fight.”

  “Too bad. I was enjoying it.”

  An unintentional smile slipped onto my lips, and I had a difficult time removing it.

  “Caleb,” a man called from the crowd. I couldn’t see who it was until the crowd shifted, and then my eyes beheld him.

  Greyson Miller eased his way over to us. He was cologne-model handsome in his Armani suite and Italian shoes. His dark hair was perfectly cut to bring out his handsome facial features. He was seductively gorgeous and had a predatory edge in his steel-gray eyes.

  A shorter blond man stood behind Greyson. He was dressed professionally in a suit. He was generally a good looking man also, but he couldn’t possibly outshine Greyson. It was difficult to focus on him with Greyson nearby.

  A woman stood further back, nearly out of their circle. She was mid-thirties and pretty, but the gobs of makeup plastered on her face made her less attractive. Her hair was bleach blonde with frizzy ends but neatly groomed.

  “I’m glad you made it,” Greyson said, shaking Caleb’s hand. “Let me introduce you to Jason Biggs. He’s the Assistant Director of Operations here. And this is my Executive Assistant Steffi Marshall.”

  They all shook hands and talked while I watched in the background. I sighed. I was to play the ditsy model, so I guess this was my punishment. I didn’t want to talk to Greyson Miller anyways. He was amazingly successful and drop-to-your-knees-and-kiss-his-feet handsome. Way out of my league . . . and comfort level. Plus, I was here on assignment with Caleb.

  Greyson turned to me and caught me off guard. He gave me an appreciative glance that instantly made me forgive Frankie for manhandling me earlier.

  “I don’t think we’ve been introduced,” Greyson said.

  “This is Nadia Wolf,” Caleb said. “She’s one of the poker players in the tournament.”

  Recognition registered in Greyson’s eyes. I weakened under his gaze. There was something in his gray eyes that made me drink in every word he said.

  “It’s wonderful to see you again but not with champagne in your hands.”

  Caleb blinked in confusion.

  “I’m sorry about that.” My palms clammed with sweat threatening to dislodge the champagne flute. “I didn’t mean to spill my drink on you.”

  “I know.” He smiled. A tribal drum beat rhythm through my core. “You explained and apologized profusely before, but it’s fun to tease. Actually, it sealed the deal with my new Japanese partner. He thought it was hysterical. He said that any one who keeps calm while they’re dripping with sangria is a real business man. He signed the papers immediately. Granted they were a little wet, but it’s still legal. I actually owe you for aiding me. He was going to be a hard sell.” Greyson eyed me. “What do you want? A new car? Name it; it’s yours.”

  “Uh. . .” Anything I wanted? The world was offered up to me, and the only thing I could think of was Greyson under the sheets with me. I shook the image out of my head. I couldn’t ask him for that, but I had been pondering reserving a private table for Mya to practice. Many poker players don’t appreciate the novice at the table. They tend to slow down the game and make donkey moves.

  “I’m serious. Take me up on my offer,” he urged.

  “Normally I wouldn’t want any thing. I don’t like to cash in on my own clumsiness, but I do have a favor.”

  “Any thing,” he said.

  As my gaze fixed on his eyes, I wanted to believe there was an underlying meaning.

  “Can I request a private table with a dealer tomorrow? I’ll need it for an hour.”

  “I offer you any present in the world and you choose a table for an hour?”

  “Yes.”

  Caleb smiled with amusement.

  Greyson’s eyes softened. His lips formed a smile driving my hormones into a swirling tornado. I needed to flee far away. With a single look from his eye, I had the impression he could make me do unspeakable things. I bet it would be great.

  With one brief glance to Steffi, she nodded and made a note in the tablet she was carrying. Greyson drew a business card from his breast pocket and handed it to me. “Steffi will make arrangements. Give her a call tomorrow when she has the calendar in front of her. Is this for Mya?”

  “Yes, how did you know?” Mya did say Greyson knew everything. Surely he couldn’t read my mind.

  “Mya helps with my private parties. She talks my ear off nonstop when she’s setting up the room for the guests. She told me you offered to teach her poker. That’s quite nice and ambitious of you. Do you know what you’re getting into?”

  “I’m hoping for the best, but I’ll be okay with so-so.”

  “Are you still in the tournament?”

  “Yeah,” Caleb said, “I can’t seem to knock her out.”

  “Why would you want to?” Greyson smiled. “I need to mingle. It was lovely seeing you both.” He took my hand briefly in his. I withdrew immediately. No sense in stoking the bonfire already frying my toes off just being near him.

  I didn’t see him again for the rest of the party. Caleb and I were able to finish the night with no drinks spilled. With Greyson out of the way, my spotlight on Caleb grew even brighter.

  Caleb parked his Porsche in front of the chapel.

  “Are you going to invite me in?” Caleb asked. His mouth turned to a smirk.

  “No.”

  “I’m disappointed.” He said with a wink.

  “You’ll survive.”

  “Did you at least have a good time?”

  “Yes, it wasn’t as horrible as I thought it’d be.”

  “Do I get a kiss?”

  “You’ll get a kiss when I beat the pants off you at the table tomorrow. I have to warn you; it’ll be a pity kiss.”

  “And what if I beat you?”

  “Nothing happens. The odds are you’ll win. You’re the house favorite.”

  “Where’s your gambler’s spirit?
Are you afraid?”

  I eyed him. I’m a sucker for side bets and he was taunting me with one. “What’s the wager?”

  “If you place further in the tournament than I do, I’ll give you my winnings from the tournament. If I place further, you’ll spend the weekend with me.”

  My stomach dropped to my feet. “What if you’re knocked out before you qualify for a payout?” I can’t believe I just asked him that. I can’t consider a bet like this. What’s the purpose of obtaining more information about a bet I can’t take?

  “Has that ever been a problem?”

  No, I don’t think he’s ever left a tournament with empty pockets.

  He wrapped his finger around my hair waiting for my answer. The heat of his touch surged through my hair and up to my head. I broke out in full body shivers. A weekend with Caleb, or jackpot winnings . . . holy moly!

  “Well?” He asked.

  I needed to stall. “Before I answer, can you give me a hand tomorrow?”

  “With what?”

  “I need an extra player for Mya tomorrow.”

  “Sure, it could be fun. Should I ask why you’re teaching her?”

  “No, don’t ask. Let’s just say it was a moment of weakness.”

  I opened the car door to escape. Caleb grabbed my hand before I could dash off.

  “You didn’t answer me about the wager.”

  “Tomorrow.”

  Chapter 4

  I woke up with the sun. Gus and I enjoy sleeping when the sun peeks through my window but not today. This is the third day of the tournament. If I’m lucky, I’ll make it to the fourth and final day. This could take me to the final table and hefty cash payouts.

  My mind raced with ideas of what I could do with the money. I could buy a car that runs on a daily basis. I could live far away from Frankie, and his schemes of being my manager, in a condo with an expansive floor plan. A vacation would be sensational and overdue too.

  “Stop dreaming,” I said, rolling out of bed.

  There was a knock on my door . . . Frankie. It’s sad when a girl’s life is filled with poker, Gus, and Frankie. Fortunately for me, I’m not seeking more right now.

  I opened the door for Frankie and let him in. “What’s going on?” I asked. “Normally you just walk in.”

  “I didn’t know if Caleb might still be around. You’re due to get lucky one of these years.”

  “Very funny! I’m not due to get lucky, but thank you for keeping track of my ‘lucky calendar’. I’m especially not getting lucky with Caleb.”

  “Chicken.”

  “I’m not chicken. He’s just not the guy for me.”

  Frankie raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh.”

  “I’m not saying he’s not unbelievably sexy or anything. But I don’t like competing for a guy’s attention.”

  “No, you’d rather stick your nose in playing cards and hide behind your stacks of chips.”

  “I’ve never had enough chips to hide behind.”

  Frankie shook his head. “I need you to do me a favor.”

  “Sure, as long as you give it a rest about me sleeping with Caleb.”

  “I don’t have to give it a rest. Your lack of libido gives it all the rest in the world. I bet your libido is more sluggish than Gus’.”

  “This is not how to get a favor from me. My libido is fine. I just need to find the right guy for it.”

  “Caleb is not only the right guy, but the ultimate guy.”

  “Maybe I don’t want the ultimate guy. Maybe I just want cute and reliable.”

  “You wouldn’t say that after Caleb gave you a screaming orgasm.”

  “See, now you’re just dreaming. How would you know if Caleb is good in bed or not?”

  “I can sense these things.”

  I groaned. “Frankie, what’s the favor you want?”

  “I need you to stop at the store for me and pick up an outfit like on the Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

  “Are you serious? That’s like boudoir gone creepy.”

  “Of course I am. Don’t be thinking this was my idea. I mean, I love the idea, but it was actually a request from a couple that reserved a ceremony time. I think they’re coming in character too.”

  “Which character do you need me to buy?”

  “The main drag dude.”

  I arched my eyebrow but nodded. “Alright, I’ll take a trip to the mall before I head to the casino.”

  “No, you need to go to the Naughty Shack.”

  “Frankie, I’ll die of embarrassment if I go to the Naughty Shack.”

  “It’s the only place that will have every thing I need and in my size.”

  “You owe me for this. What size should I buy?”

  Frankie peeked around at my empty apartment before he whispered his size in my ear.

  I left the Naughty Shack with Frankie’s purchase. I was embarrassed to pick it out let alone have the cashier ring it up. I left with a bag filled with a corset, undies, and thigh high stockings with a garter belt. I even bought him a boa and heels to match, but I suspected he already had these things in his closet.

  I peeked at my watch. I had to hurry to the casino to meet Mya. This was going to be our first poker lesson. I really didn’t know if I could teach her anything, but she seems sweet. If I could teach her to play well enough to beat her arrogant boyfriend then it would be worth it.

  I jumped in my car and turned the key. The car groaned.

  “No! Baby, please don’t die on me.” I gave the dashboard a caress. Please be okay. I closed my eyes and turned the key again.

  Groan, sput, clunk, clonk.

  “Stupid car!” I smacked the dash. The car gave a final sputter as it shook and died.

  I dug my cell phone out of my purse. Without a car there was no way I could make in time to the casino. I’ll call Mya and . . . no, I won’t call Mya because I don’t have her phone number. Maybe Steffi could relay a message to Mya. Greyson’s business card was in the little secret pocket in my purse. I didn’t stash it there because I thought I would need to call again. I hid it there so I didn’t have to see it or think about it. I wanted to deter the remembrance of Greyson’s touch from befuddling my mind. Since his brief touch I hadn’t been able to purge him from my thoughts.

  Steffi answered the phone in a very professional manner, yet I could detect a little Vegas attitude behind it.

  “Steffi, its Nadia. I hate to bother you, but can you give Mya a message?”

  “Oh, sure hon. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m supposed to meet Mya for the private table you reserved for us, but my car died. Can you tell her I’ll be late?”

  “How are you going to get here? Do you have a ride?”

  “Uh, I haven’t thought that far ahead. I’ll probably just call a taxi and have a tow truck pick up my car.”

  “Where are you? I’ll have Remy pick you up.”

  “I’m at a store, but you don’t need to go to all the trouble.”

  “It’s no trouble. Remy will be there in ten minutes.”

  “Who’s Remy?”

  “It’s Mr. Miller’s driver.”

  “Oh, no. I couldn’t.”

  “Too late. I’ve already sent Remy the instructions to get on the road. Mr. Miller is in a meeting and won’t be able to use Remy until this afternoon. Believe me, it’s better for every one involved to keep Remy active.”

  I didn’t know what she meant and was afraid to ask.

  “Nadia, where can he pick you up?”

  My stomach churned. “The Naughty Shack,” I whispered.

  “I couldn’t hear you. Where are you?”

  I groaned. “The Naughty Shack.”

  Steffi coughed and cleared her throat. “I’ll text Remy the information.”

  I waited as far away from the Naughty Shack as I could, clutching the bag close. I didn’t want to leave it in the car. For such small items they cost a fortune.

  A black limousine pulled to the curb in front of me. A
tall muscular man with olive skin, shaved head, and dark brooding features stepped out of the limo and was in front of me within a few strides.

  My eyes widened as he towered over me. I involuntarily squeaked.

  Every thing about the man was muscular and edged with hard lines. His biceps stretched at his white button-down shirt, threatening to shred if he flexed once. His neck tie was loose enough to notice his top button was undone since it was too snug to button around his thick neck.

  He was handsome in his own way. Not classically handsome. Secret-operative-on-steroids handsome. He gave off the instant vibe that he was his own island; someone who preferred to be strong, independent, and alone . . . with shore leave every now and again.

  “You’re Nadia?”

  “Yes. You must be Remy.”

  He gave a tight nod. “I’ll take your bag for you.”

  Any one else I would have argued. I didn’t want Frankie’s purchase to fall into prying eyes especially since they would assume it was my outfit. Remy didn’t seem he was going to take no for an answer, and I didn’t want to test him. I quickly handed him the bag as he opened the back door for me. Once I was settled, he closed the door and stowed my bag in the trunk.

  As Remy drove away from the curb, I shifted to the seat in front so I could position myself closer to the privacy window that was closed. Normally, Remy was the type of man I was too chicken to talk to. He was the type of man most people were too chicken to talk to. However, he must know a lot about Greyson, and I was ten steps beyond curious. I knocked on the window. The window rolled down and two eyes narrowed on me through the rearview mirror.

  “Need something?”

  “I’ve never ridden in a limo. It’s kind of lonely back here,” I said.

  I wasn’t truly lonely, nor did I care if I sat in the back all by myself. Greyson’s presence filled the confined space like a seductive dream calling me to make a fool of myself once again.

  “Most people like being left alone,” he said as if it was an unquestionable fact.

  “I guess that’s okay if you’re used to it, but I’d rather not ride in a black box. It feels like I’m going to my own funeral.”

  “I’m on duty today, so no one’s going to a funeral unless they attack this car. Plus, it’s got the flashy lights and a bar back there.”