Chapter 8 #2
“He might have been gone for a week, Ari, but the large group was only here for two days. After that, he was on his own …”
“But …” my mind races to catch up with the bigger picture but I can’t make sense of it all.
“He found a chink in our armor and a partner in crime with one of our croupiers. They exchanged $175,000 of counterfeit money for chips, played, won and walked away with over half a mil in genuine cash. I’ve been trying to find him and piece it all together, but he’s proven to be very elusive.
Then he turned up last week, and you know the rest.”
“I don’t understand …” I murmur.
“What’s not to understand? He’s a con man.”
“No, I don’t understand why he did it. He’s very wealthy. He has hundreds of thousands in the bank …”
“I don’t have an answer for that, Arianna. I’m sorry.”
I nod and let the thoughts running through my mind try and find some sort of order, but without knowing all the facts, it’s impossible.
“When we were … in my office last night, Jack spotted him on the CCTV and came to get me straight away. That’s why I had to leave so urgently.”
“Oh, I had no idea about any of that …”
“We tried to talk to him, give him a chance to put things right, but he caused a scene in the casino and made a break for it. After that … well, you know the rest.”
“I just can’t get my head around any of this. It doesn’t make sense. I don’t—”
“Look, I know it’s hard for you, you’ve had so much upheaval, but trying to make sense of it when you don’t know all the facts isn’t going to help at this time.
I have my men on it. I have feelers going out in all directions and I’m pulling out all of the stops to get this sorted.
Will you trust me to do that and try not to worry?
” He searches my eyes with such compassion and honesty that it’s impossible to argue.
“I’ll tell you the minute I know something. ”
“Okay,” I agree. “But I want to know everything you can find out, even if it’s something I can’t do anything about, okay? I need to know to be able to put it all together.”
“I give you my word.” He leans forward and places a chaste kiss on my lips.
“So,” Denham says, breaking the heavy feeling in the air. “Do you know what you’re going to do long term? Will you stay in Vegas?”
I feel myself relax after letting the heavy stuff out into the open and the change of direction in our conversation is welcome.
“I’m not sure. I just wanted to see my mom and Lottie, they’re all I have, and I don’t relish the thought of having to start over somewhere that I don’t know anybody again. ”
“Then stay here.”
“Yeah, I think that’s where my thoughts are heading. Vegas is pretty cool, but I’m going to need to start looking for a job and someplace permanent to live.”
“That’s what I said. Stay here.”
“Here?”
“Yes.” He nods with a serious expression and a little sparkle in his eye.
“I can’t stay here.” I laugh nervously, not wanting him to say anything impulsive. “We’ve only just met, and I can’t afford to stay in the penthouse suite you’ve put me in. Hell, I can’t even afford the most basic room you have for any longer than a few weeks.”
“Before you start waffling, I have an idea …” He looks at me with raised brows.
“Go on …”
“What if I rent you the penthouse for a very reasonable rate, same rent as an apartment downtown. But not until you’ve found a job that pays enough.
It’s not used for guests. It’s mine for my personal use so I wouldn’t be losing any money and you’d have somewhere to stay.
It’ll be nice to have you up here. This floor gets lonely, you know. ”
I look at him for what feels like long minutes, but in reality it’s probably seconds. It seems like the perfect solution, logical even, so why am I trying to find something wrong with this idea?
Do I want to live in a penthouse suite? Hell, yeah!
Would it make me feel so much safer living here? For sure.
Can I keep the barricade around my heart intact if I’m living across the hall from Denham King? Probably not.
Denham’s excited expression has worn off with the length of time it has taken me to answer him, replaced with a concerned look.
“It’s only an offer. You’re not obliged and I won’t take offense if you say no.
I like the thought of knowing you’re across the hall and that you can call me if you need me.
I want to know you better, Arianna, and whether it’s under this roof or another, I’d still like to spend some time with you. ”
I smile at his soft kind words. Once again he has managed to slow down my panicking heart rate with just a few gentle words.
He’s too good to be true and that’s what worries me.
But I can’t deny him. I know he’s not like the others.
I’d even bet on it. I don’t fear him physically, and for now that’s enough for me to put my trust in him.
He takes his hand away and places it on my knee. “Look, why don’t you go shower. Think about it. Take all weekend if you need to. If you then want to find somewhere else to stay, I’ll help you.”
“I don’t need to think about it.” I smile. “I’d love to rent the penthouse from you, but I want a proper contract and you need to ask a reasonable rent. I’m not accepting charity.”
“Okay. So that’s it? That’s all of your conditions to stay?” He smirks.
“Yes. What can I say? I’m easily pleased … Thank you for being so understanding. You must think I’m crazy.”
“Yes.”
“Yes? You do think I’m crazy?” My eyes widen and I laugh. If anyone else had just heard our conversation, they would think I was crazy too.
“Yes, and funny and beautiful … and sexy.”
I let out a nervous laugh and look into my lap, but his fingers come to rest under my chin and tilt my head up to meet his eyes.
I watch his whole face change as the smile creeps across his cheeks and turns into a full-out grin.
He leans into me ever so slowly, his eyes not leaving mine other than to glance at my lips, and I watch as his lips part slightly before pressing them to mine.
He pushes his hands up into my hair, pulling me closer into him as his tongue moves slowly, tangling with mine.
A groan escapes me as he explores every inch of my mouth.
My hands find their way to his chest and I take full advantage, running them over his hard muscles contained behind smooth, flawless skin, then I pull away, wanting to go further but knowing I need to prove to him my head is on straight.
I know that I have a few things to work through and my mind is working in a lust filled haze right now.
“Arianna …” he says breathlessly between kisses.
“Yes …”
“I was going to tell you not to stop, but we need to stop.”
“I know.” I force myself to leave his lips and rest my forehead on his.
“Can I take you out today?” he asks, giving me a hopeful look.
“Out where?”
“A date.”
I smile. “You want to take me on a date?”
“Yeah, I think we’ve had enough of the serious stuff for today. I told you I want to get to know you and the perfect place to start would be with a date.”
“Okay,” I answer, trying to contain my smile and play it cool.
“Great!” He jumps up off the couch and holds out a hand to pull me up too. “Go and get that sexy ass of yours showered and dressed, and I’ll pick you up in an hour.”
“You wanted me to stay, now you’re practically pushing me out of the door.”
“That’s because the sooner you go, the sooner I can come and pick you up.” He turns me by my shoulders and points me in the direction of the door.
“An hour and a half …” I call over my shoulder.
“An hour. And I’ll let myself in whether you’re ready or not.”
“You’re bossy,” I tell him as I open the door and smile at the look on his face. Kind, relaxed.
He returns my smile with a wink. “I know.”