The Wild Card
Sandra Newgent
One
“The game’s Texas hold ’em. Are you in, little lady?”
Startled, Camille Desmond stared at the grey-haired gentleman seated behind the green felt-covered table. With swift movements, he flipped cards to the group seated. His soft brown eyes fixed on her. “Ante up?”
Cami shook her head. “I . . . ah . . . no thank you. I’m n-not playing.” She’d never played poker before and didn’t want to start now in Atlantic City.
She took a step backwards and bumped into her best friend Gina.
“Oh, come on Cami.” Gina grabbed her shoulders. “Play poker with me. I’ll teach you the ways of the world.” Gina winked at her as she snagged an empty chair.
“I know the ways of the world. Remember? Roger cheating? Leaving me in debt up to my eyeballs? Besides, I’m saving any spare money to open a Warner school.”
“But you should be celebrating your financial freedom. You just paid off Mr Mistake. Try investing a little time in yourself. Find Mr Right-Now, let loose and have some fun.”
Cami’s face burned hotly in the over-air-conditioned casino.
“Gina, I can’t ignore the past. And now I’m ready to go home.
I’m not about to blow the rest of my money on a silly game of cards and a one-night stand.
” Cami softened her tone, not wanting to ruin Gina’s fun.
“You stay. I’m not ready to ‘let loose’.
I’ll window shop or take a walk on the beach. ”
Gina nodded. “OK – for now – but I’m not giving up on you.” She squeezed Cami’s hand. “See ya later.”
Cami left the card pit and wandered through the crowd surrounding the huge array of slot machines. Looking at the spectacular show of flashing lights, this was certainly the place to let loose. The casino of the legendary Caesars Hotel was pulsating with people willing to take any risk.
“Would you care for a complimentary drink?” Cami turned and ran her eyes over the blonde-haired server. The swooping neckline of her skimpy cocktail dress was only outdone by her black fishnet-clad legs and heavily made-up face.
“No thank you.” Cami watched the woman walk away, her voluptuous hips swaying with feline grace. A pang of jealousy tweaked her. The woman was obviously comfortable in her own body and sensuality. Cami peered at her own wavy reflection in the shiny chrome side of a slot machine.
A gawky child of Irish parents, Cami had grown into a tall, willowy redhead.
At twenty-seven, Cami knew she had curves in all the right places.
Instead of teaching elementary school kids, she could have risen from her financial nightmare by working in a bar, nightclub or even a strip joint.
She’d been told she was sexy. Trouble was Cami didn’t feel sexy.
Roger had taken that from her. Nope. She was going to open up a school for underprivileged children; she didn’t need anything else. Certainly not a man.
Cami turned away from her reflection and fought her way to the second floor where the crowd had thinned. She wandered down the quiet, tiled hallway and peeked into several shops.
She stepped into a luxurious bath shop. The exotic aromas of expensive toiletries encircled her. She’d splurge on bubble bath, treating herself to a soak. The thought of sliding into the large roman tub in her room, enveloped by sensual, frothy foam lifted her spirits.
But then Cami came to her senses and bought a less expensive bar of soap and a scented candle that reminded her of sultry tropical breezes. She might not need a man, but tonight she’d have a tiny part of her secret fantasy.
After paying for the items, she glanced at her watch.
Time to retrieve Gina. They’d have to hurry to freshen up and change clothes before dinner and the show.
Cami left the store and moved quickly through the crowds surrounding the check-in desk, slot machines and the bar.
She paused in front of a roulette table to search the cavernous game room.
Not seeing Gina, Cami moved away from the table, but a hand on her arm stopped her.
“Excuse me.” The man’s rich, baritone voice slid over her like a lingering caress.
She turned back.
Elegantly dressed in a simple white shirt and black vest, he stared at her with intense green eyes. His dark hair, long and sinfully thick, framed the hard planes of his face.
“Yes?”
For a moment he said nothing. Cami’s heart did a somersault. Good Lord, the man was gorgeous. Her body warmed under his regard and her pulse flickered and leaped.
He held out his hand, offering her a single, white chip.
“I believe you dropped this.”
“I don’t think so.” Cami pulled away, but didn’t break his contact.
“Take it. Your wildest dreams will come true.”
The heat from his touch seeped into her blood. Cami couldn’t think of a response. She couldn’t think at all with him standing so close. She felt compelled to accept the chip. It would be rude not to. Her arm reached out.
“Say it.” Though the words were softly spoken, there was underlying steel to them.
Cami licked her lips. “My wildest dreams . . . will come true.”
He slowly, seductively placed the chip in her open hand.
Two
Cami’s palm burned as she closed her fingers around the chip. The room wavered and she fought the urge to drop the coloured plastic in her hand. Then her world went dark.
Oh great, I meet a gorgeous man and I faint at his feet. Cami reached for him, but found nothing.
His voice, a low vibration shimmering through her soul whispered, “Take a chance.”
The lights grew brighter. Cami blinked. “Take a what?” The man was gone. “Hey, where are you?”
Cami stood in a darkened corner of a room she didn’t recognize.
The roulette table was gone, as well as everything else that had been there.
In fact, the room was significantly smaller and more opulently decorated than Caesars casino, with a marble fireplace, matching sofa and loveseat, some wingback chairs, even a billiard table.
It looked like the parlour from a Victorian bed and breakfast.
The few round tables scattered throughout the room were occupied by men seated in straight-backed chairs, playing card games. A man in the far corner played a piano, the upbeat tune mixing with the sounds of light conversation and laughter.
Cami blinked again. Nothing changed. What on earth was going on?
She felt as if she’d been dropped on to the set of one of those stupid reality shows.
Modern woman is whisked away to live the life of a caveman.
She must eat woolly mammoth and pee in a cave to experience the true nature of her new world.
By the looks of things, this reality show had a Victorian motif.
And the “guests” were dressed for the part.
Gina had to be behind this charade. It was just the type of “fun” she’d dream up.
Gina must have sent in a sob story about her friend’s sorry life and poof, Cami was dropped into this scene without any warning.
That made sense. Fine, she’d go along, for now.
But, there’d better be lots of money for starting her school at the end of this or Gina would burn.
Mr Gorgeous Green Eyes at the roulette table must have helped transport her to a studio or another casino.
But she didn’t remember travelling anywhere.
Cami looked around again. Where were all the cameras, microphones and spotlights?
She’d call Gina. Cami tapped her empty pocket and remembered she’d left her purse and cell phone in her room.
Walking away from the parlour, Cami found the front desk and an attendant. Behind the man, a sign announced in bold blue lettering: WELCOME TO THE FREMONT HARBOR HOUSE. She’d never heard of this casino.
“Can I please use your phone?”
“Excuse me?”
“Your telephone. I need to call a friend.”
The man looked at her quizzically. “I’m sorry, madam, but we don’t have a telephone yet.”
“What do you mean ‘yet’?” OK, very realistic extras.
Cami put her hands on the counter. “Look, I need to find my friend, so if you’ll—”
She stopped suddenly as the chip she’d been holding tumbled on to the scarred surface. Except it was no longer a chip at all.
Cami picked it up and studied the silver coin, noting the eagle on one side and the profile of Lady Liberty with the date of 1893 on the other. A five-dollar American eagle coin.
How did it get in her hand? She could have sworn the man at the roulette table had given her a gaming chip. Whew. Maybe she did need this reality diversion. She must have blacked out and now couldn’t remember anything.
“Madam, may I summon your travelling companion?”
Cami closed her hand around the coin. “No thank you. I’ll find Gina myself.”
She turned and strode through the old, double front doors, tripping on her way down the steps and stumbling into a group of men. This time, strong hands steadied her; one man’s grip the only thing keeping her upright. What was wrong with her today?
“I’m so sorry, sir.”
He held one of her arms. His other hand rested at her waist. “Are you hurt?”
That smooth voice. Cami looked up. The man’s eyes connected with hers.
Mr Gorgeous Green Eyes. Every hormone in her body sizzled at his touch.
His stare seemed to suck the air out of her lungs.
She hadn’t had sex in three years, but this was ridiculous.
Cami took a slow, deep breath. He didn’t fit into her plan.
She needed information from him, not to jump his bones.
Cami broke away, trembling from the rush of hormones. “No, I’m fine. Thanks for catching me.”
She noticed he’d changed into period garb, his grey pinstriped suit covering broad shoulders. The jacket was open revealing a coordinating vest and tie. Very handsome indeed. So that’s where he’d gone earlier.
The two men flanking his sides looked her up and down, as if she were a tasty morsel to be devoured. Cami shifted away from them, uncomfortable to be their centre of attention.
“Excuse me, gentlemen, but I need a word with . . . him.” Cami pointed to Mr G.