I close my locker and sigh with happiness.It has been one week since I started working as a blackjack dealer—and I've loved every second. Sure, there seems to be an inordinate amount of men flocking to my table, but Daniel is forever standing behind me to keep them in check. The big engagement ring on my finger doesn't hurt, either. Daniel proposed to me in a beautiful restaurant overlooking the Strip yesterday and I almost launched myself across the table in an attempt to say yes and throw my arms around him at the same time.A week ago, I thought I knew happiness, but ever since Daniel and I worked out our issue, that feeling has increased tenfold and now I don't walk. I float.Faye sidles up next to me, stowing a bottle of body spray in her locker, before leaning against it to eyeball me. "Someone is glowing," she says, a reluctant smile playing around the edges of her mouth. We got off to a bad start my first day of waitressing, but ever since I came back, we've started to build
When Talia doesn't emerge from the women's lounge at the time we agreed upon, I know something is wrong right away. She's never late. She knows I worry. And there is fire crackling in my bones that I haven't experienced before. It's not just panic, it's the sense that I've missed something important. I've neglected to cover a base.For one full extra minute, I stare at the door waiting for her to walk through with her bright, optimistic smile and that secret look in her eye. The one she only gives me. It says she's counting the hours until she can be in my arms. Until she can be underneath me. Or kneeling in front of me, as she did earlier today, her innocent mouth sucking my cock so eagerly and reacting as if my come was nectar from the Gods. It was so mind-blowing, I got hard again immediately afterward and stayed stiff as nails until now.Until now when she fails to walk out the door.Finally, the entrance swings open, but someone I don't recognize walks out—a waitress, according t
I don't know who the man is in the video, but I have a good guess.Talia's father.He is the T I forgot to cross. He's the base I didn't cover.And now he's taken my angel away from me. Not only that, he pointed a gun at her. He struck her. Knocked her unconscious. I come very close to crashing my SUV into the parking garage wall at the memory of it. Who could cause harm to such a gentle creature? I don't know. But he's going to fucking pay for it.Two turns later, my tires are squealing onto the strip and I'm hitting the gas in the direction of I-70, knowing that if this motherfucker is bringing Talia back to Nebraska, they will have to travel east on the interstate. He has a twenty-seven-minute head start on me, but he probably isn't driving like a bat out of hell. At least, he better not be with such precious cargo in the back seat. Is she hurt? Is she in pain?I slam the steering wheel with my fist and shout an expletive, my foot laying down on the gas even harder. Once I'm on the
Five Years LaterMy husband is not a happy camper.I can see him just over the shoulder of the photographers, pacing and brooding like a big, angry bull, refusing to take his eyes off me, his hands balled into fists.The casino asked me to pose for some pictures for a national advertising campaign. They want me to be, "the face of The Palace." When they proposed the idea to me a few weeks ago, there was an argument between me and Daniel. It ended with his mouth buried between my legs and a fist crammed against my lips to keep from screaming and waking the baby, but still, it was a rare argument between me and the man I love beyond all reason.Obviously, he doesn't want to see my face on a billboard or in a magazine—or rather, he doesn't want anyone else to see it—but he has always been the main provider and I refuse to miss this chance to contribute. Besides, I'm fully clothed in my dealer uniform of a crisp, white shirt and black pants, albeit very tight ones. I'm dealing cards and s
When Julia was thirteen, Ramsy saved her from falling off the cliff outside her home on a steep hill. During that brief moment of being held close, in his arms, a fire like no other surged to life within Julia's chest. But she was thirteen, too young for him, too innocent, too sweet.Now, five years past, that fire has grown into a blazing inferno, tormenting and confusing her. When she comes face-to-face with Ramsey for the first time since she's been away, asking once again to be saved, she's dismayed to discover that the soft, caring man has hardened into something dangerous.A heartless monster.Ramsey is pleased to see that the little sweet girl he saved from falling to her death has matured into a beautiful young lady. When he offers Julia help in exchange for her body, Julia has no choice but to accept. He's her last hope. But when he recognizes that sweet, innocent girl he once pulled to safety — the girl he has now coerced into his bed, handling her roughly, without the gentl
As if it can keep my unruly nature contained, I pull my coat tight, tight, all the way up my chin, hiding as much skin as possible so Mr. Jones can't see that I've become flushed in his presence. Normally the dreadful throbbing between my legs comes from idleness. Being left to my own devices for too long.This is different. His sheer masculinity is causing the ache this time.None of the men in town have inspired this twisting ripple in my belly. Not ever. Not even close. It's only when I look at Mr. Jones do I think inexcusable thoughts. Such as...Would I be able to breathe with him on top of me?What would his hands feel like on my knees, the insides of my thighs, while pushing them open?How much hair does he have on his big chest? Surrounding his sex?God. It's humiliating."How did you get past the walls?" Mr. Jones drawls, though there is an underlying sharpness to his question. "They are built to keep trespassers out."The way he bites off the final word makes me gulp. "Would
There is no way in hell she's going to agree to be my live-in mistress.Not even for a single night.Mainly, I made the proposition because it amuses me to watch her cower inside that coat. A very expensive coat. And that tells me everything I need to know. Julia is probably a former rich girl who got herself pregnant and was cast out on the streets by her disapproving family. I'm surprised she's managed to hang onto the nice coat, considering the lawlessness of Harding these days. It should have been stolen by now.Her innocence certainly was.But not her scruples, apparently.Look at how she clutches at the sides of her jacket, giving me that prim and proper expression? The rich girl still hasn't learned her place, despite her obvious hardships. She might be fucking beautiful, but she's buttoned up. A prude. How any man convinced her to lie with him is beyond me. But...I find I'd like to track the fucker down and choke him for not stepping up and handling his responsibilities.For d
"Yes, girl. There is coffee, but it isn't made. I prefer whiskey in the evenings.""Oh, I'll gladly make it, thank you," she breathes, brightening. Twisting something inside of me. Something like guilt for tearing up her letter.Damn, I wish I'd read it now. It might have given me information about her. I find I'd like to know...everything. But I don't want her to get the wrong impression that I give a shit. When I show compassion, that's when people take advantage. That's when they pounce. When they begin to see an advantage to knowing me, having my sympathies.Not going to happen this time."Is there somewhere I can put Curtis?" she asks."Curtis," I repeat, clearing my throat. "Yes. There is a room beneath the stairs." I jerk my chin in that direction. "It was a nursery when I moved in, though the crib has been replaced by a regular bed. Will that work for him?""Considering he's been sleeping on stacked boxes, I'd say so." She's almost cheerful while imparting that dreadful piece