Hold 'Em: A Gambling Hearts Romance

by Jacquie Biggar

  “Matt?” The sleepy, husky tone of her voice flowed through him like warm rain, heating him from the inside out.

  “Yeah, it’s me,” he answered, tugging the covers under her chin.

  “What time is it?” Her breath sighed over his skin like a kiss.

  “Early. Go back to sleep,” he murmured, brushing the hair away from her brow.

  “Hold me?” she whispered.

  Forever.

  Matt’s heartbeat stalled as he leaned over and did what he’d been dreaming of doing all week; he kissed her sweet, luscious mouth—and lost his soul.

  Their lips touched and hers curved in a soft smile as though welcoming him home. Her slim arms wound around his neck holding him in place. No fear there, he wouldn’t move now if a bomb exploded. She still tasted faintly of the peaches they’d eaten for dinner. Matt groaned deep in his chest. He’d never be able to eat the honeyed fruit again without thinking of her.

  His hands roamed, eager to discover her secrets. To make her ache for him the way he longed for her. Their legs twined, his hands restless, seeking. Matt cursed the hindrance of their clothes and how it stopped him from touching her silky skin. Undeterred, he slid his hand under her shirt and found the soft rise of her breast. She must have hung her bra to dry with her clothes. Her nipples were peaked and so responsive to his touch he had to taste them. He ripped open the snaps on the shirt, smiling at her gasp, and leaned down to sample a little slice of heaven.

  God, she was sweet.He thanked the man above for the rain storm that left them stranded in this cabin.

  Her back bowed as though offering him the gift of her body. One he was eager to accept. “You’re so damn beautiful,” he muttered, lips pressed to warm, female skin.

  “Matt,” she breathed. “Matt, we have to stop.”

  He heard, but her body was telling another story. Her hands glided up and down his back, sending shivers in their wake. And those long legs he’d admired all day in tight-fitting blue jeans were currently wrapped around his hips, holding him a willing captive as she rocked back and forth against his hardness. Soon, there would be no going back. His body was already screaming for release. And so was she, just not in so many words.

  He lifted his head, tried to find her eyes in the dark. “You don’t want me to quit,” he rasped.

  He felt more than saw her shake her head.

  “No,” she said. “I don’t want you to stop. But that’s why we have to.” She pushed at his shoulders in a futile effort to get him to move. “I’m engaged, Matt. I can’t do this.”

  Fuck.

  He threw himself off her, landing with a whoosh on the eiderdown cover, and put a forearm over his eyes, struggling to regain control of his body. She touched his shoulder and he flinched away.

  “Don’t. Just give me a minute, okay?”

  She was silent, then he felt the mattress give as she rolled off the bed.

  “I’ll make some coffee,” she said quietly and shuffled over to the stove to add another log.

  Soon he could feel the warmth from the fire and saw the flickering shadows on the wall. He knew he was acting like a spoiled child who’d had their favorite toy taken away, and to an extent, that’s how he felt. But this was so much more than that. His heart ached with the loss of something special. They were right for each other, dammit. Why couldn’t she see that?

  Frustrated, he sat up and glared at her across the room. Her back was stiff, her hair a tumbled mess, and still he wanted her.

  “Why?” he asked.

  She kept her back turned, pretending to fiddle with the coffee grounds, though he was almost sure she had no idea what she was doing.

  “Why what?” she answered. “Why won’t I betray the man I’m supposed to marry for a one night fling?” She flung the empty scoop onto the counter and gripped the edge of the sink with white hands. Bowing her head, she whispered, “I can’t afford to fall for you.”

  Her words caused a surge of hope. Matt strode to her side. He reached out and grasped her chin, turning her head so he could look into her eyes. She’d been crying. His chest one big ache, he tugged her into his arms.

  “Come here, honey. I’m sorry. Men are dicks.”

  She laughed at that, her shoulders shaking under his grasp.

  “You won’t hear me arguing,” she mumbled. She looked up, tears sparkling like dew on her lashes. “I am sorry, Matt. I didn’t mean to lead you on.”

  He kissed the tip of her red nose. “It was my fault more than yours. But I want you to know this thing between us…” He kissed her again, lingering on the lips this time, and groaned at her response. “It’s not a one night stand.”

  Leaving her to think that one over, he turned away and took over the job of making the coffee.

  25

  Cassandra stared at Matt calmly making their drink as though nothing momentous had just happened. She was tempted to bash him over the head with his darn kettle. Why was he messing up her carefully planned life this way?

  Ever since her mom’s death, she’d strived to be perfect at everything so that her father would be proud of her—and maybe, one day, forgive her. Her career, home, choice of husband, everything was geared toward that one goal.

  Matthew Shaughnessy was a mistake.

  One she needed to get away from before she did something she’d regret—like fall in love with the wrong man.

  If only he hadn’t been so kind when she’d been upset, or funny when they played cards. If his shoulders weren’t so wide, or his arms so strong. If only her pulse wouldn’t race at his nearness and her lips weren’t still tingling from his kisses.

  Another two weeks and she would be a married woman. She could put this entire episode down to pre-wedding jitters. That’s all it was, it had to be. As soon as they returned to the ranch she’d call Jeff and everything would go back to normal.

  If she could just forget about Matt.

  “What made you decide on Vegas?” he asked, turning to face her now that the coffee was back on the stove.

  She looked at him, puzzled for a moment. Was he talking about her dad? It was a gambler’s heaven; small wonder her father loved the city.

  “For your wedding,” he clarified, lifting her hand to show her fake engagement ring.

  She stared, bemused. Why would he care about her wedding plans?

  “Umm, it was Jeff’s idea.” She shrugged, sidetracked by the glint of golden hair curling near the top snap on his now wrinkled shirt. It was soft, she knew from those moments in bed. Her gaze jerked up to the amused quirk of full, way-too-sexy lips. “His, uh, family lives there so it made sense.”

  Those lips firmed, sending a shiver scurrying up her spine. She wouldn’t want to be on the wrong side of this man’s temper.

  “Made sense for who? It’s your wedding, isn’t it?”

  Now she was ticked off. Good, much better than day-dreaming about someone she couldn’t have.

  She turned away and flounced over to the window. The storm had abated and dawn was on the horizon. They’d be able to leave soon. She refused to question why the thought made her sad.

  “It doesn’t matter where we get married. Jeff and I just want to start our life together. Even if his parents wanted the ceremony in Timbuktu, we’d be there.”

  He laughed, but there was no humor. His shadow flickered in the glass thanks to the dancing flames in the stove. They hissed and jumped as though agreeing with his condemnation. “That’s real sweet, Princess, but do you love the guy?”

  Did she?

  Of course she did. Jeff was a sweet, honest, hard-working man. He’d make a terrific husband, and maybe someday, a father.

  She placed a hand on her tummy, picturing towheaded boys and a pigtailed little girl playing in the meadow outside. Except her children would have dark hair like her and Jeff, and they would never know this beautiful valley. They’d never have a father who taught them how to ride a horse or instilled in them love and pride for their heritage. Someone to hold th
em at night when they were scared and slay all their monsters.

  Someone like… Matt.

  “What are you thinking?”

  Startled, she lifted her gaze and stared at their image in the wavy glass. He’d joined her at the window and now stood just over her shoulder, his head tipped waiting on her answer. Cass’s breath hitched, a half-sob caught in her throat she prayed he hadn’t heard. But, of course he picked up on her distress. Brow furrowed, he turned her towards him.

  “Hey, what is it? Talk to me, honey.” He tipped her chin, though she kept her eyes cast downward. “It can’t be that bad. C’mon, two heads are better than one.”

  Not this time.

  If she told Matt she was dreaming about having his children, he’d be gone so fast he’d leave skid marks on the floor.

  She shrugged out of his hold and moved a couple of steps away so she could shore up her composure to come up with a glib answer. One that wouldn’t leave her in an embarrassed puddle on the ground.

  “I’m fine. It’s probably just cabin fever.” She laughed self-consciously.

  He looked at her doubtfully, but gave her some space. “Not much longer. We should be able to head out in an hour or so.”

  Matt glanced out the window, then leaned closer to the glass. “Just in time,” he muttered, straightening to head for the door. “Help has arrived, Princess. You’ll be home before you know it.”

  The wood creaked as he pulled the door open, letting in a cool gust of rain-fresh air. He clomped down the stairs and raised a hand in the air, before turning to grin at her. “Saved by the bell. Looks like my sister found us. You won’t be stuck with just my company now.”

  Cass smiled, while inside it felt like a lead weight had landed on her chest. She followed him into the yard, raising a hand above her eyes to block the rapidly rising sun. She could just make out the form of a horse with—was that two riders?—cresting the hill into the valley.

  It was over. Their adventure had come to an end.

  So why did it hurt so much?

  26

  Matt waited for Sophia to come closer, curious to know why Tony was on the back of her horse. Guess he and Cassandra weren’t the only ones to have problems with their mounts. He was hyper-aware of her standing by his side, body tensed as though she was sorry they were about to be invaded.

  Wishful fantasy on his part, no doubt. She probably couldn’t wait to get back to her perfect life with the man of her dreams. If only she wasn’t going to take a piece of his heart with her. It was just his luck to fall in love with the one woman he couldn’t have. If he was a betting man—which he was—he should’ve folded this hand long before he got hurt.

  “They look good together,” Cass said, her gaze on the couple fast approaching.

  Did they? He glanced at her, surprised, before narrowing his gaze on his sister and the foreman. Sophia looked as though she’d chewed nails for breakfast, her face grimmer than he’d ever seen. And Tony wasn’t much better. His hat was pulled low over his eyes, but Matt could see the tension lining the man’s jaw and the stiffness of his shoulders. At the same time, he had an arm wrapped around Sophia’s waist and she leaned against his chest like she belonged there.

  How had he missed seeing what Cassandra picked up on in an instant?

  Because he wasn’t around as much as he should be.

  He planned on changing that though. He’d made enough in the last few tournaments to give up gambling and focus on the ranch. Give Aaron and Sophia a chance to go and enjoy themselves for a while. It was a big world out there, even if Texans thought they owned the best part.

  Aaron had given up a football scholarship, and Sophia, a chance at a university degree. Matt’s selfishness had tethered them to Abuela and the ranch. The best thing he could do was to give them their freedom.

  He glanced at Cass again. When they arrived back home, he’d sit down and tell his grandmother the truth. She’d be disappointed, but it was the right thing to do.

  Then, he would let Cassandra go.

  “I knew you’d be here,” Sophia called. “Did you forget how to ride while you were away, city boy?” A cheeky grin chased away the shadows.

  Tony drew the sorrel to a halt. The aroma of wet leather and musky animal lingered in the air. “You had us worried, boss. Thought you might be in trouble.” His gaze slid to Cass. “Guess not.”

  Matt stiffened, then forced a careless smile. “I had good company.” He stepped forward to help his sister off the horse. “Did Goliath and Cleo make it home safely?”

  Sophia placed her hands on his shoulders and held on, reminding him of the little girl she’d been not so very long ago. “You should have seen them, Matt. They trotted into the courtyard with arched necks and flowing tails. If not for the empty saddles and trailing reins it would’ve been beautiful.”

  He grinned, aware of her love for the four-legged creatures. Then he heard the rest of what she had said. Shoot, Grandma. “What about…”

  “Don’t worry.” She squeezed his arms before stepping back and smiling at Cassandra. “Consuela will ease her mind.” She nodded at Cass’s clothes. “I like your new fashion sense.”

  Cass glanced down and her fingers fluttered like nervous butterflies down the clasps, before she lifted her head and shrugged, her lips wry. “I’m getting the hang of this western wear thang.”

  Matt didn’t know whether to smirk or groan. With her long bare legs and the hip length shirt she was the least cowboy-looking person he’d ever met, but he appreciated her humor. “Leave her alone, Sis. We were soaked by the time we got here so I offered her one of my old shirts, no big deal.”

  Sophia laughed, the brat.

  Tony dismounted, and the enjoyment died from her face. Whatever was going on between them, it was intense. Maybe he better have a little chat with his foreman. Sophia was headstrong and impulsive. He’d hate to see her get hurt.

  “Where’s your horse?” he asked her.

  She exchanged an indecipherable glance with Tony. “He caught his foot in a gopher hole. We left him on the other side of the pass to rest.”

  Matt stared with growing concern. “When did you leave home?”

  “Yesterday, around noon,” Tony muttered.

  “Yesterday?” Matt snarled. “So you’re telling me you had my sister out in the countryside—alone—overnight?” His fists clenched and he took a step toward the asshole before Sophia stopped him with a tight grip on his arm.

  “Stop it,” she snapped. “You’re being ridiculous. We were looking for you, you big idiot. Tony was a perfect gentleman.”

  Ouch.

  Matt looked down at the snakebite hold she had on his wrist and frowned. “You’re my baby sister. It’s my duty to defend you.”

  She sighed and relaxed her grip. “I’m not a child anymore. You guys need to back off and let me make my own mistakes.”

  No, we don’t.

  In the interests of peace, he didn’t say it aloud, but there was no way he was going to sit back and let some jerk—no offence to Tony—break his sister’s heart. It was a brother’s job to protect. Whether it was appreciated or not.

  “We just made coffee, I bet you could use a cup,” Cassandra said, sending him a back-off-for-now glare.

  Sophia smiled and nodded gratefully. “That sounds like heaven. Lead the way. We’ll leave these two to sort out the travel arrangements.” She tucked her arm through Cass’s and marched into the house without a backward glance.

  Matt stared after them, wondering how he became the bad guy, until Tony laughed.

  “I guess we just got put in our place.” He hesitated, then took his hat off and slapped it against his thigh. “Look, you have no reason to believe me, but I would never do anything to hurt your sister. She means too much to me.”

  The lightbulb flashed crazily, showering Matt with blinking you’re an idiot messages to the brain. His foreman was in love with Sophia. Dammit, she has her whole life in front of her. She didn’t need to get b
ogged down by some cowboy.

  Just like him and Cassandra.

  They weren’t that different, he and Tony. They both wanted women who were too good for them. Difference was, Tony had to be ten years or better Sophia’s senior. There was a whole lot of living he’d probably done in that time. Matt needed that for his sister. He wanted her to do all the things she’d missed by being tied to the ranch. Travel. Dating. Even going back to school, if that’s what she desired. There was plenty of time to settle down and have a family. When she was ready.

  “I hear ya,” he said, leaning over to shake Tony’s hand. “All I’m asking is that you give her room to make her own decisions. Okay?”

  Tony took the outstretched hand and gave a firm shake. “I plan to, boss. I don’t want her to rush into anything she’ll regret. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.”

  He turned and led his horse over to the water trough, leaving Matt to stew on his words.

  27

  The door no sooner had closed than Sophia swung to confront Cassandra. “Did you guys plan to stay in the cabin? That’s just so romantic.”

  Cass gasped. “No, of course not. We barely…” She caught herself just before she spilled the beans and smiled nervously. “No. We would’ve said something if we planned a getaway. And besides,” she fingered the chambray shirt tail, “I would’ve packed some clothes.” Though she had to admit, she was rather fond of Matt’s shirt. Maybe he’d let her keep it when she left—as a memento.

  Sophia danced a few steps away, her arms wrapped around her body in a hug. “I wish I’d thought of something like this. Maybe then that darn man would notice me.”

  Cass followed her gaze to the unmade bed and hurried to straighten the covers before the men came in, her cheeks flaming. The cool air on the back of her thighs reminded her she had no pants either. No wonder Matt’s sister had gotten the wrong idea. Plumping the last pillow, she glanced over her shoulder, saw that Sophia was staring out the window, and quickly hopped into her jeans, inhaling sharply at the clamminess along the seams. Her shirt had fared better, but was splotched with mud so she tied the ends of Matt’s shirt into a knot, straightened the collar, and called it good.