Chapter 8 Logan #2
We wound up at the noisiest craps table in the entire casino. Nina was ready to throw money down immediately, but I convinced her to stand back for a few rounds to let the table cool down. Interrupting a good run was considered bad luck, plus I wanted to give her a crash course in the game.
“Do you always run headfirst into everything you do?”
She nodded her head so enthusiastically she almost lost her footing while standing still, so I tightened my grip on her to keep her steady.
“Of course. Well. Sometimes. Especially if I’ve had a couple drinks.
” I didn’t point out that she’d had far more than just a couple already.
She snort-laughed, then clapped her hand over her mouth before erupting in a bout of giggles.
When she finally got herself together, she turned, pressing her hand to my chest. “All right, bossman. I’m in your hands. Teach me.”
There were a lot of things I wanted to teach her, but I pushed those thoughts aside and explained what was going on.
“What does that mean?” Nina pointed to the man with his hand flattened over his stack of chips.
“He’s telling the dealer to leave his bet as is. He’s feeling confident.”
Nina went up on her tiptoes to get a better view and wobbled into me.
I noticed that she didn’t move away, instead choosing to keep her back resting against my chest. I continued coaching her, whispering what everything meant into her ear and trying to ignore how damn delicious she smelled, not to mention how soft and perfect her body was against mine.
It didn’t take long for the hot run to freeze out, and quite a few players grumbled and walked away from the table.
“Can we play now?” Nina asked me, as eager and adorable as a puppy.
I nodded. “I think we’re ready.”
And with that, we kicked off a thirty-minute speed run that electrified our group of players.
Nina confidently stepped up to be the shooter, to the delight of every man there.
I noticed one at the far end staring at her chest every time she leaned over to roll the dice, and I glared at him until he noticed me and backed off.
It was an epic run. Not only did Nina master the rules of the complicated game quickly, she also convinced Lady Luck to smile on her.
The stack of chips in front of her grew, along with the drained tumblers and wine glasses.
We kept winning, and we very much kept celebrating, even as our celebrations got sloppier and louder.
It all came down to one last roll. The table went silent as Nina shook the dice with both hands. She turned and held them out to me.
“Kiss them. For luck.”
I wrinkled my nose. I was not about to put my mouth on those filthy things, drunk or not. “I’d rather not.”
Nina giggled. “Come on,” she cooed, singsong. “Don’t be a spoilsport.” She held up her hand again. “Kiss them.”
Well…I wasn’t willing to miss out on the opportunity to put my mouth on her body.
We locked eyes and I took her outstretched hand in mine, flipped it, then lowered my lips to the back of her soft hand in a slow, lingering kiss. She faltered a little, shifting back and forth, until I finally let go.
A few people clapped. Nina kept staring at me like she knew exactly what I was thinking, which was impossible because even I couldn’t make sense of the thoughts racing around my head.
I was overwhelmed by her, and the clamor and chaos in the room, and all of the alcohol I kept gulping down in spite of myself. Nothing about the scenario was normal and, somehow, I didn’t care. Nina finally shifted to face the table and threw the dice.
“Hot shooter!” a voice called out.
I turned to glare at the man, then remembered it was a common craps expression, not a commentary about Nina.
Although she was. So. Very. Hot.
The pile of chips in front of her grew so tall that it attracted the attention of the pit boss, who walked over to me.
“Mr. Ashford, we’re so glad you’re with us tonight. We’d like to offer a complimentary suite to you and Ms. Reyes. She’s had quite a run this evening.”
I was about to explain that we wouldn’t be staying over, but Nina started squealing before I could say anything.
“Oh my God, you’re giving us a suite? I’m a high roller! I’m a whale, you guys!” She punched the air over and over. “Yes! Go me!”
I noticed that she said “us.” Did that mean she was sensing the same undercurrent as me?
She looked so thrilled with herself that I started wondering if maybe we should stay after all.
“Give us the penthouse, bay-bee!” Nina cupped her hand around her mouth and shouted in a booming voice.
I chuckled. The woman was adorable. Who was I to spoil her fun? She’d probably really enjoy the luxury accommodation after living in her cramped employee quarters.
“That’s generous, thank you very much,” I replied to the man.
Hold on. I thought I thanked him, but when I looked up, the pit boss was nowhere to be found, and then I discovered the key card was in my hand even though I had no recollection of how it got there.
What the hell?
The lights strobed, and the music was so loud that it pounded into my temples.
It was time to go.
The brief interruption in my focus—or not so brief, I still wasn’t sure—was enough to cool the temperature at the table.
It soon became clear to me that we needed to pack it up or lose everything we’d won.
Nina seemed to be sensing it as well, because I caught her staring off into space while someone else rolled.
“Let’s go,” I whispered in her ear.
Her answer was an adorable, sleepy little noise that made me want to sweep her into my arms and carry her over a threshold somewhere.
Nina tripped as we headed for the elevators. “Which way? I’m confused.”
“Same,” I managed, because she was now gripping my bicep and leaning on my arm, and it was hard to focus on anything that wasn’t her.
Her giddy smile. Her lush scent. Her breasts bumping against me.
With all of that right there, drawing every bit of my attention, how the hell was I supposed to navigate?
We were walking in circles, and while I could’ve asked someone how to get to the penthouse, I sort of liked being lost with her.
“I think we took a wrong turn,” she giggled, pointing down the hallway. “Look.”
I glanced in the direction she was pointing and spotted a wedding chapel.
A waitress carrying a tray of drinks materialized out of nowhere. “Looking for some liquid courage before you take the leap?”
“Yes!” Nina answered, right as I said, “No.”
“Shot, shot, shots, shots!” Nina chanted, pumping her fist in the air again.
The waitress grinned and handed each of us a small glass of clear liquid. “Ouaca. Enjoy!”
I smelled it, and my heart sank at just how familiar it was. I’d already had a couple of mixed drinks that I now realized were full of the potent alcohol.
If that was what I’d been drinking all night, I wasn’t just tipsy, I was wasted.
“Bottoms up, bossman!” Nina cheered, poured the shot in her mouth, then gestured for me to do the same.
Well, a gentleman never lets a lady drink alone, and I couldn’t resist her enthusiasm. This version of Nina Reyes was delightful, and I didn’t hesitate to lift the shot glass to my lips and drink—ignoring the voice in my head shouting at me that we’d already had too much.
We finally figured out how to backtrack to find the elevators. Nina laughed and skipped along the deserted corridor, but the stilettoes plus alcohol finally got the best of her, and she fell to her knees.
“Whoops,” she giggled, looking up at me. She reached out both of her hands and flapped her fingers. “Save me, Prince Charming!”
I laughed as I took both of her hands in mine and pulled her up into my arms. She crashed into me, then slid down my body so that we were belly to belly, staring at each other.
Her chest was rising and falling like she had just finished a sprint, but she didn’t move away. I let my hands circle her waist.
Her pink lips parted, and she tilted her head up.
It didn’t matter how many drinks I’d downed, I knew an invitation when I saw one. I pulled her closer, slow and deliberate. She came easily, wanting this as much as I did.
Then I leaned down and planted a kiss on her mouth that took her breath away—and mine too.