The Millionaire Gambler (Ashley's Choice)
Page 4
At six, she poked her head into Michael's office. “Michael? I'm leaving for the day.”
“OK. I'll see you tomorrow.” He looked her over and noticed that she looked a little uncomfortable. “Are you all right?”
“I'm fine. It's no big deal. Gotta go.”
She took off her apron and walked the short distance to the Pour House. The bar had been there for decades; it had a cozy, well-worn look to it. The same guy had been running the place forever, it seemed. It was a nice, quiet place to have a drink and visit without being overly loud or full of obnoxious drunks.
Ashley found a table. When the waitress came around, she ordered a Vesper, a drink she'd discovered in a James Bond film a couple of years ago. It's not a drink you can get just anywhere, but it's worth the trouble if you can find a bartender who knows how to make one. One of the things that Ashley liked about the Pour House was that the bartenders seemed to know how to mix anything.
Jason arrived a few minutes later. As always, he looked amazing, and Ashley's heart started to beat a bit faster at the sight of him. He took a seat next to Ashley and ordered a Guinness.
“Hi,” she said, nervously.
He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. “Are you all right?” he asked. “You don't seem yourself.”
She squirmed a bit in the chair. “I don't know. I guess you worried me a bit with your text message. I'm afraid you're going to tell me to get lost or something.”
Jason placed his hand on hers in an effort to console her. “No, Ashley. It's nothing like that. I'm sorry that I caused you to worry.”
“So what is it then? You said we needed to talk.” She took a larger than usual gulp of her drink.
“It's a bit of good news, and perhaps some bad news. I'm leaving town for a while.”
“What?” She sat up suddenly, wondering what this was about and what it meant for her and Jason.
“I'm going to Las Vegas for a while. There are some huge poker tournaments coming up there, as well as some very promising private games. Some of the tournaments have waiting lists, and I wasn't sure I'd be getting in. I just got a couple of calls today.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“A couple of months, I imagine. It all depends on how well I do and how well my playing fund holds out. Sometimes these things can drag on for six months or so, depending on how the private games work out. There are a lot of games in Los Angeles, too, and I might be playing some games there.”
Ashley couldn't help but display her disappointment at hearing that Jason would soon be leaving her. She was certain she wouldn't see him again.
“You're leaving town for several months to play in Las Vegas. Was that the good news, or the bad news?”
“That depends. I'd like you to go with me.”
Ashley wasn't sure she heard him correctly. “Could you say that again?”
“I said that I'd like you to go to Las Vegas with me.”
Ashley looked a bit bewildered. She'd thought this conversation might be about a lot of things, but an offer to leave town with Jason had never occurred to her. While she was crazy about him, she had to admit that she didn't know him all that well. She certainly didn't know him well enough to reflexively give “yes” as an answer.
This could be one of the most important decisions of her life, and she didn't have a clue as to what she should do about it. Not only that, but traveling to Las Vegas with a millionaire would probably be a lot of fun.
“When are you leaving?”
“Next Monday. I'd really like you to come along. I think you'd be a good influence on me.”
Ashley stuck her finger in her glass and stirred it absentmindedly.
“I'll have to think about it. It's a big decision. Can I give you an answer tomorrow?”
“Sure. I realize I've given you a lot to think about.” He drained what was left of his beer.
She rose from her seat. “I think I'd like to go now, Jason. I'd like to think about this and talk about it with my roommate.”
Jason walked her out to her car, and gave her a deep, passionate, soul-scorching kiss that left Ashley's knees weak.
“Whew,” she said. “That was quite a kiss.”
“I'm trying to be persuasive, Ashley. I really want you to come along.”
“You are persuasive; I'll grant you that. I'll let you know tomorrow. Promise.” She got into her car and drove to her apartment.
Chapter 5
Erin was in the dining nook eating a slice of takeout pizza when Ashley arrived home. Erin seldom cooked; takeout was more her style. Then again, she was rarely home in the evenings. While she rarely had a steady boyfriend, Erin seemed to have more dates than any woman Ashley had ever known.
“Hey, Ash. Want some pizza?”
“Sure, if there's any left.”
“There's plenty. By the way, I noticed you weren't home last night. Anything interesting going on that you want to tell me about?”
“I spent the night at Jason's.” Ashley smiled as she thought about the previous evening. “It was...memorable.”
“Getting hot and heavy, is it? Dish it, girl.” Erin took a bite of pizza as cheese dripped on her chin.
“It's going well, or at least, I thought it was. Now I'm not so sure. Jason's leaving town.”
Erin put down her slice of pizza. “Leaving town? You just met the guy. He's leaving you already? What a jerk. I hate it when guys do that.”
“No, he's not a jerk. At least, I don't think so. He's going to Las Vegas to play in some poker tournaments and some high stakes private games. He's going to be gone for a few months.”
“And then he's coming back?”
“I don't know. Here's the thing. He wants me to go with him.”
“Wow. Really? That's kind of cool. Are you going to go?”
“I don't know. Jason's a terrific guy. He's handsome, he's obviously got money, and...” She broke off.
“And he's pretty good in bed? Is that what you're saying, Ash?”
Ashley blushed. “Yes. He's really good in bed. I like him. A lot. But I don't know him all that well. Besides, what do I know about poker?”
“He's not expecting you to play, is he?”
“No, of course not. But what am I supposed to do while I'm there? I think I'll just be in his way.”
“There's lots to do in Vegas, Ashley. You could shop 'til you drop. Watch shows. Hang out by the pool. Take a side trip to L.A.”
“Oh, I get that. I'd be spending a lot of time alone, though. At least I think so.”
“So what are you going to do? When is he leaving?”
“He's leaving on Monday. I told him I'd give him my answer tomorrow morning. I really don't know what to do, Erin.”
“That's tough. I'd hate to see you lose him, especially if he's everything you say he is. But you really don't know him well. What if you go with him and he turns out to be a creep?”
“I'm awfully torn about this. I've got to come up with some sort of answer by tomorrow.”
Ashley spent the rest of the night trying to weigh the pros and cons of going with Jason. He was an amazing guy, and he'd made her feel pleasure in ways she never thought was possible. He was so kind and attentive. He was also drop-dead gorgeous.
When Ashley fell asleep that night, she still hadn't made a decision. She knew she had to tell Jason something, but she had no idea what it was going to be.
She didn't sleep well.
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To be continued in the sequel, The Temptress
A Letter from Laura Charles
Thank you so much for taking the time to read The Millionaire Gambler. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
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Thanks again for reading. You have no idea how much it means to me.
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Laura Charles
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Books and Stories by Laura Charles
Erotic Inspiration
Seduction of Steel
Vegas Encounter
Stolen Secrets
Inspiration of Steel - The Complete Series
The Millionaire Gambler - Ashley's Choice Book 1
The Temptress - Ashley's Choice Book 2
The Merchant - Ashley's Choice Book 3
Ashley's Choice - The Complete Collection