Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“I raise you ten,” said Titus as he threw his chips on the table. His cabin was filled with the sound of shuffling cards and the clicking of poker chips as he and his friends gathered around the dining table on a Monday night. The game provided a distraction from thoughts of Emelia, sex and his desire to be with her.
Emelia’s interview was tomorrow afternoon, so she begged off seeing him tonight to get ready. He wasn’t sure what getting ready meant, but she claimed she had to clean the bakery kitchen, bake some special pastries, etc. etc.
She also claimed that having him there would be a distraction, that she’d get nothing done since they’d most likely end up in bed.
Titus shrugged. She was right. If he was there, he’d want to get her in bed, horndog that he was. Making love to Emelia was everything he thought it would be and more. She was so responsive to his touch and happy to take and make suggestions. He loved the noises she made when she came. He loved everything about her.
Emelia was perfect. He had to laugh. Perfect yet not drama-free. Someone had warned him that wouldn’t matter if he loved the woman.
Who was it? Colt. He was right.
“Hey. Focus, lover boy,” yelled Zach. “I raise you ten and ten more.” He threw his chips in the pile.
Titus shook his head. “You’re bluffing.”
“That’s what he said as he won the pot,” Zach replied.
The sliding glass doors were open to let in the cool breeze and fresh air. They had whiskey, beer and snacks on the table. Later they would go out on the patio, sit beneath the stars, and smoke cigars. Good cigars—no, that wasn’t true. Cohibas were fantastic cigars.
The guys all chipped in, and Titus ordered a package from his local store. It was a rare treat, considering the nearly $300 package. Titus wondered who had that kind of money to light up expensive cigars daily.
They were Castro’s cigar of choice, although Cuban cigars couldn’t be imported to the U.S. One of these days, he’d take a road trip to Ybor City, near Tampa, where they rolled cigars by hand. Emelia might enjoy going overnight, drinking rich Cuban coffee, and sampling culinary specialties at the famous Columbia Restaurant. Something to think about.
Right now, he had to concentrate on his cards.
He had a three, four, five, six, and a ten. On the table were an ace, queen, six, two, and eight. If someone didn’t grab the two, he’d have a straight flush, which would beat anything else except for a royal flush.
His heart was racing, and he felt his face get hot. Titus hoped no one noticed.
Zach had a tell—if he had a good hand, he jiggled his leg.
Chase had a poker face. Finn and Liam talked too much. But it was all fun.
He’d wait until tomorrow to call Emelia and see how her interview went. Right now, however, he needed to concentrate on the game. It was his turn. He grabbed the two, put down the ten, and called it.
Finn and Liam threw in their cards and groaned. Zach threw up his hands and claimed he could have beaten Titus. Chase folded his, narrowed his eyes, and gave Titus a death stare.
“You don’t scare me, old man,” quipped Titus.
“Fuck you.” Chase smiled. “Good game. Now let’s go smoke those cigars so I can get back to my wife.”
Titus laughed. It was fun getting together with the guys. They didn’t do it often enough. However, he’d much rather be enjoying his time with Emelia. Colt was right. Love changes you.