Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“That sucks.”
“Not really.”
Meredith fished in her purse and held out a bottle of sunscreen. “Here, I brought this for you. Cover that pasty white-girl skin of yours.”
I took it without argument, and squeezed out a generous glob in my hand, eyeing her ebony complexion. “You need some?”
“Nah. Already got it on.” She settled back in her seat. “So, let’s get back to forbidden love. You think this guy’s gonna come back in The House?”
I sighed. “I don’t know.”
I’m a man. She’s a beautiful woman. I thought of the way he’d shrugged, as if because he was male, and I was female, that it was done. “He asked about me, said he needed cocktail waitresses.”
She asked where I’d make more money, and I mulled over the question.
“Probably staying where I’m at. Besides, I can’t leave Lance and Rick.”
It was the truth. They were too good to me, and they were like family. The thought of leaving them, of working at one of Capece’s giant supermarket-sized casinos—it was of no interest to me. Especially if it was one he owned. I didn’t need to work for a man like that.
I passed back the bottle. “And, I don’t think it was a legitimate job offer. He was just fishing.” Fishing to find out more about me. The thought shouldn’t have caused a reaction in me, but a spark of excitement still occurred.
Meredith dropped the lotion into her purse. “You’re not changing jobs, your lovefest with professor Hot Pants is ending in five weeks, and you’re basically the most boring person I know. That sum everything up?”
Damn, I loved this girl. From the moment she’d sat down next to me in a freshman orientation session, we had clicked. And friendship—true friendship—was hard to find in this town of users. Which was another reason why I loved Rick and Lance so much.
I smiled and pulled my sunglasses back down, shielding my eyes. “Nailed it.”
Number 8, the shortstop with the great ass, walked up to bat, and we started paying attention to the game.
Five
The man, sitting at the first spot on one of the main tables, looked like a model and reeked of suspicion. I watched him carefully through his first few hands, delivered his drinks and stiffened when he reached out to tap me.
“A cigar, please.” He smiled, and I nodded, stepping away.
He was hot, whatever he was. Clean cut. Pretty eyes. An expensive suit that didn’t quite fit him right, like he’d borrowed it from someone or stole it off their dead body. In this city, either was possible. But a guy betting a thousand bucks a hand ... I eyed his chip count with increased suspicion. His suit should fit.
I took three more orders on the way to the bar and forgot him amid getting drinks, cigars, and a bottle of champagne for the chubby guy at table two. An hour later, I was on my way to the bathroom when the pretty boy stepped in my way, blocking the hall.
“I’m Chris.” He reached out a hand and I shook it. It was the sort of handshake that involved an object, though I couldn’t tell if it was cash or a note. I pocketed the item without looking.
“I haven’t seen you before.” He leaned one hand on the wall and his suit bunched around the shoulder.
I smiled politely. “Well, you haven’t been here before.”
He laughed, and I’m not that funny. I stepped to the left to see if he would move. He didn’t.
“I meant, I haven’t seen you around town.”
My bladder was close to breaking, and I lied through a pained smile. “My boyfriend keeps me busy.”
He winced. “Ouch. I was hoping that maybe … you work outside of here.”
He tucked his hands in his pocket, a casual gesture that didn’t soften the sting of the words. You work outside of here. He was asking if I was an escort. If he flashed five thousand bucks, would I suck his dick? If he promised ten, would I go back to his suite and spread my legs?
I shook my head. “I don’t have any side jobs. Just drink delivery and good luck carrier.” I patted his arm and squeezed around him, making enough of a production about it that he stepped out of the way.
“I’ll pay anything.” He followed me, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a purple chip. A purple chip that could cover my bills for an entire year. Or even better, the remaining mortgage on my parents’ house.
He held it out. “Come on. Just a few hours.”
Just a few hours. It had taken less than one for Johnny and his father to ruin my innocence. This boy with the handsome smile wouldn’t—couldn’t—do anything worse. He’d probably want anal. A blowjob. Me to call him Daddy and let him fuck me against a Vegas window. It didn’t matter.