Bet You're Mine (Slippery Curves Series Book 3) Read online

  “Oh? What part?”

  “Petaluma.”

  “Not too far from San Francisco. That’s where I’m from.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. I loved San Francisco. “It’s a beautiful city. I’ve been thinking about going back eventually.”

  “Oh yeah?” He looked his cards. He was at seventeen now. “I’ll take another, please.”

  “I’m holding,” the other guy replied.

  I dealt Abel another card. A three. He smiled. “Twenty.”

  I turned over my last card. “I’m over. Congratulations, sir.” I handed him a chip for a hundred.

  He smiled and placed the chip in his pile. Leaning back in his chair, he signaled for a waitress; when she approached, he ordered another martini, then turned to his table mate. “Can I get you anything?”

  The man looked at him suspiciously for a moment, frowning. “A beer.”

  “A beer for my friend here, then.” He slipped the waitress a twenty.

  That was definitely a Rolex on his wrist. Wow.

  He put another fifty-dollar chip down. “Let’s go another round!”

  He sounded so cheerful.

  I dealt cards, considering my own hand. I took another card. So did Abel, and the other guy. I won this hand. Abel chuckled, accepting his defeat gracefully.

  We chatted a little. He was in town on business. He had a lot of money and used it to buy struggling businesses and turn them around; it reminded me a little of that Kitchen Nightmares show. He laughed at the comparison, taking a sip of his martini.

  He was interesting, and he seemed to be one of those oddly generous rich people. Maybe a little of it was in the name of showing off, but he continued to buy beers for the other guy at the table.

  After a while, the other guy got up. He shook Abel’s hand and slapped a ten down on the table for me.

  I took it and slipped it into the pouch at my hip.

  Abel noticed and smiled. “So, how much longer are you here?”

  I smiled and leaned forward, peering at his watch. “Ten more minutes. You want to go again?”

  He raised his eyebrows just a little, nodding. “I do. Let’s go.”

  I dealt another hand. Mine was good right off the bat—nineteen. Abel looked at his cards—two sevens—and smiled. “I’ll take another, please.”

  I dealt another. A third seven.

  Twenty-one.

  “Congratulations.” I handed him a chip.

  He added it to his stack and stood. “You’re off in a minute, right?”

  I nodded. “Yeah. I am.”

  “Can I buy you a drink?”

  I hesitated. I’d never gone out drinking with somebody from the casino before, but…wow.

  He was hot, and I wanted to see what happened.

  “Sure. I’d love to. One more hand?”

  “One more.” He leaned against the table, studying his cards. I held my hand; he took another card. “Twenty.”

  “Twenty-one.” I turned my last card over, grinning as I tucked his chip away.

  The pit boss approached with my replacement and a security guard. I smiled at Abel. “Give me a few minutes.”

  “Sure.” He slid a fifty across the table and winked at me. “I’ll be around.”

  He nodded to me, turning and walking away.

  Four

  Abel

  Jodee came out in street clothes. She was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, her brown hair loose.

  She still managed to look like a million bucks.

  She smiled as she approached me. “Sorry, I wanted to change. I hate having to go places in my uniform after work.”

  “I get it.”

  “I don’t have anything nicer, though, so I hope this is okay.”

  I nodded. “I’m not worried. Shall we?” I gestured to the bar across the casino.

  “Oh, sorry, I can’t drink here. Company policy.” She smiled sheepishly. “Is that okay? I know some places close by.”

  “Sure.” I nodded and offered her my arm. “Lead the way.”

  She took my arm and walked with me. The bar she took me to was a small place a few blocks off the strip. It was busy, but not so packed that we couldn’t talk. We took a booth near the back and sat down. After some deliberation, we ordered a bottle of rosé to split.

  “So,” I asked her, pouring wine for her first. “You’re from Petaluma. What brought you out to Las Vegas?”

  “I went to college here,” she replied. “I majored in business management and minored in entrepreneurship.”

  “And you’re working in a casino?” I raised my eyebrows.

  “Yeah, well, I have to save money.” She shrugged. “I want to move back to California and open a bakery.”

  “Ah.” I nodded. “And suckers like me tip well at the casino.”

  Jodee laughed, covering her mouth with one hand as she giggled. It was cute. She was charming, and a hard worker.

  It was very appealing.

  She took a sip of her wine. “It pays well on its own. And then, yeah, the tips are nice. I just wish they’d give me the high rollers every once in a while.”

  I tilted my head. “How long have you been there?”

  “Eight years.”

  “Wow. And I assume you’ve never had any problems?”

  “I had a guy call me a bitch once. I slapped his hand when he grabbed my ass.”

  She did have an ass that I wanted to grab, but I was able to behave like a normal human. Still, the thought of touching her ass was thrilling.

  “I wouldn’t call that a problem.”

  She shrugged. “I dunno. I just want to give it a try, you know? See how I do with the guys who are serious about gambling.”

  I chuckled. “Well. Maybe I’ll ask for you when I head there, then.”

  “Really?” She blinked in surprise, leaning back against the booth. “Well, cool.”

  I chuckled. “Cool, sure. If I may ask, how much do you still need to move back to California?”

  Jodee shifted uneasily. Maybe it was an uncomfortable topic for her. She finally sighed and looked up at me. “Forty-three thousand.”

  I could give her that, right now.

  But I knew she wouldn’t take it.

  I nodded and smiled. “That’s not so much. You’ll get there in no time.”

  We chatted for a while, but Jodee glanced at her phone eventually and sighed. “I gotta think about heading home soon. I flew back just this morning. I’m worn out.”

  “Oh, well, let’s go, then.” I reached for my wallet, but looked up at her. She was too beautiful to pass up. “Can I take you to dinner tomorrow?”

  Her eyes lit up, but then dimmed again. “I have to work. Five to eleven.”

  “Hm…when are you off next?”

  “Not for a few days.” She paused. “We could have a late dinner? It’s not hard to find a restaurant open late around here.”

  I chuckled. That was very true. “Then we’ll do a late dinner.”

  I left cash on the table, covering the wine and a healthy tip, and rose. Jodee stood, too, standing beside me.

  I bent down and kissed her on the cheek.

  She leaned into it, her tits pressing against my chest. I felt my cock twitch with desire. I needed her.

  She suddenly pulled back, her cheeks flushed. The look in her eyes said she wanted me, too.

  I smiled. “Why don’t we get a ride back to the strip, hm? It’s a little late.”

  She nodded.

  I called a Lyft and, when it was close, walked outside with her. Jodee leaned against me as we waited for the car.

  I opened the door for her and she blushed.

  We sat down in the back of the car. She looked up at me, her face still flushed.

  I wrapped one arm around her shoulder.

  She leaned close and wrapped one arm around my neck, pulling me close. Our faces came together and we kissed. She tasted like sweet wine and desire.

  I kissed her until the car came to a
stop outside the Nugget. I looked at her for a moment. “Could I invite you up for a nightcap?”

  Jodee nodded.

  I turned to the Lyft driver. “Sorry--can I extend the ride? Could you take us to the Bellagio, please?”

  “Sure, dude.” The driver shrugged and continued down the strip.

  Five

  Jodee

  I’d never done this before.

  In all the years I’d worked at the casino, I’d never let a guy take me to his hotel room.

  Several guys had offered, but it just wasn’t my style. Ever. I hadn’t even had a wild streak in college. I wasn’t a virgin, but I wasn’t the most experienced.

  And I wanted to change this.

  I wanted to be with Abel.

  He led me through the Bellagio, one of the fanciest hotels in Las Vegas. I’d been inside plenty of times, but had never seen one of the rooms.

  And he was surely in one of the fancy ones.

  We got into an elevator that, to my surprise, was empty. I bit my lip, smiling up at Abel.

  He leaned over me, kissing me hard.

  I sagged back against the wall of the elevator, wrapping my arms around his neck.

  I lost all awareness of time. The elevator went up, but I had no idea for how long; Abel didn’t pull back from me until it chimed, and he looked up at the number.

  We were on the top floor.

  “C’mon. You’ll love the view.” He took my hand, leading me down the hall.

  The room was stunning. The door opened into a living room. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked over the strip.

  I’d never seen Vegas from so high up. It really was a beautiful city. The lights were brilliant from up here, and stretched for miles. I crossed the room, going to lean against the window.

  Behind me, I heard a bottle open, something being poured. Abel approached, offering me a glass of what smelled like rum.

  I took it and had a sip.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” He smiled, running his hand up my back.

  “I’ve never seen it from this angle. It’s amazing.”

  He laughed softly. He took a sip from his own glass, then turned and put it down on the table behind us.

  I took one more drink, then handed him my glass as well.

  He leaned against me, wrapping his arms around me from behind. His lips touched my neck.

  I tilted my hips back toward him, my ass pressing against his hips.

  He was rock hard.

  “Abel,” I murmured. “I want to.”

  “You’re sure?”

  I nodded.

  He put one hand on my shoulder, turning me to face him.

  His kiss tasted like rum this time. I rose up on my toes, arms around his neck, and let him kiss me as hard as he wanted.

  Our clothes came off quickly. I tried to be careful with his suit, but he took the jacket from me and threw it to the floor, not bothered by something so expensive being tossed around.

  My clothes were mostly from Target. It didn’t really matter.

  He leaned back as he dropped my bra, looking at me. I was just in my thong, leaning against the window.

  Abel leaned close. He hooked his thumbs in the waist of my thong and tugged it down.

  I stepped out of it, naked against the glass.

  Abel looked at me for a moment, groaning softly. His hands ran over my breasts, then down to my hips.

  His touch was like fire. I bit my lower lip, shivering from the heat it sent straight to my pussy.

  He let go, turning and grabbing a condom from his pants pocket.

  I bit my lip. “How do we…?”

  “Turn around. Face the window.”

  I did as he said, leaning against the glass. He moved in behind me, easing my legs further apart.

  We’d barely done anything but kiss, and I was already desperate for him. His fingers teased my lips for just a moment before sliding inside.

  I’d done this myself plenty of times, but it had never felt so good.

  “Abel…” I rocked my hips, bouncing just slightly on his fingers.

  “I can’t wait to be inside you.” He leaned over me, kissing along my shoulder, then biting down.

  I wanted it to leave a mark.

  “Please,” I murmured. “Don’t tease me.”

  His fingers slid out of me.

  And then he grabbed hold of my hips, pushing inside me easily.

  I gasped in delight, eyes closing, my forehead pressed against the glass.

  Abel moved easily, each thrust shooting a fresh wave of pleasure through me. I moaned for him each time he filled me.

  “God, Jodee,” he moaned, gripping me tighter. “You feel so good.”

  He felt amazing, but I didn’t think I could form the words right now. I was so close, just from this.

  Abel kissed my neck again. “I want to fuck you all night,” he murmured. His lips closed around a spot low on my neck and he sucked hard.

  I was sure nobody had ever wanted me like this, and it was enough to push me over the edge. I gasped, then moaned, my voice sounding too loud. My legs trembled as the heat inside me broke, giving way to the most incredible orgasm I’d ever had.

  Abel held my hips tighter, thrusting a few more times, then went still. He moaned against my neck, cock throbbing inside me.

  “Fuck,” he murmured. “Jodee…”

  I turned my head and kissed him again.

  * * * * *

  We had sex again in the shower, and a third time in the softest, most comfortable bed I’d ever been in. It was close to two in the morning when we finally fell back against the pillows, panting.

  I’d never had sex like that in my life.

  No man had ever made me feel so good about myself, but how long would it last?

  I looked at Abel. He was already asleep, exhausted from hours of incredible sex. Would he regret this in the morning?

  We’d both had a few drinks, and the alcohol had likely clouded his judgment. When he saw me in the morning, he might feel differently about me.

  I just needed to enjoy this for what it was and not let anything happen that would ruin the memory.

  For a few minutes, I lingered in bed, making sure Abel was deep asleep. When I was sure, I got up and dressed, grabbing my purse. I called a Lyft to take me back to the Nugget.

  I paused in the doorway for a moment, sighing as I looked at Abel. He was the hottest man who’d ever looked at me. It was better this way, I told myself. This was just for fun, and it had been great.

  No sense in ruining a good thing.

  Six

  Abel

  I woke up alone in my bed.

  Jodee wasn’t in the shower, or out in the living room. She was just…gone. The only sign a woman had been in my room at all was the pile of used condoms in the trash.

  And there was no note. No phone number, nothing.

  I snorted and shook my head. Go figure. Meet a great girl, have incredible sex, and she just leaves.

  I couldn’t let her get to me, even if I was furious. I had a lot of meetings today, and had to be at the top of my game.

  But as the day wore on, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. How cute she looked when she laughed, how her moans had sounded when I fucked her. How gorgeous her body was against the window in my room.

  How badly I wanted to know everything about her, and take care of her, and help her open that bakery she wanted.

  She had agreed to have dinner with me, at least, so I knew I’d see her again tonight. She was working at five; I’d just have to be there as close to five as possible so I could figure out what the hell had happened.

  I walked into the Nugget a little past five. Jodee would be here, and probably already on the floor. It took a little walking for me to find her, but I finally did—dealing blackjack at a different table, still on the low limit side of the casino.

  As soon as I saw her, lust flared up in me again. I wanted her, wanted to hold her and touch her. I wanted to help h
er get out of Vegas, move her close enough that we could develop something real.

  But first, I had to get her to talk to me.

  I settled in an empty chair at her table, a martini already in hand. She looked up at me for just a second, then back down. “Good evening, sir. Place your bet?”

  I handed her a fifty-dollar chip. “Is fifty the limit for this table?”

  “Yes, sir. If you’d like, I can direct you to a higher-value table.”

  “No, thanks. This is fine.”

  I won the first hand.

  “So, Jodee.” I took a sip of my martini. “Have a good morning?”

  She bit her lip, collecting cards and shuffling the deck. “Yes, thank you. And…yourself?”

  “It was fine. Business as usual. I closed a few deals, but missed out on talking to someone I really wanted to meet with.”

  Color flooded her cheeks. “Maybe that person had something come up.”

  “Maybe. But it would have been nice if they’d let me know we couldn’t meet.”

  “I—I’m so—I’m sure they’re sorry.” She collected chips and dealt another hand.

  I considered my cards. Not the best.

  “Well,” I said. “Either way, I’m not angry. I was earlier, but not now. I’d still like a chance to talk to them, if they’re interested.”

  I glanced up. A faint smile crossed her face and she gave me a single nod.

  I smiled back. Later. I’d get to talk to her after her shift.

  I stayed at her table. I lost a few hands in a row; it wasn’t hard to do. Jodee was distracting, even when she tried not to be. She chatted easily now, making small talk with me and the other players. I was far more interested in watching her than winning a few hands of blackjack.

  But still, I was itching for more.

  I smiled at Jodee. “I’d like to bet above fifty.”

  She shrugged. “This is the low-limit section. There’s not really anything I can do. I can tell you--”

  I shook my head. “Could you call for the pit boss?”

  She blinked, but nodded.

  A tall, muscular man approached a moment after she placed the call. He came to stand beside Jodee on her side of the table. “How can I help?”

  I smiled. “I’d like to place a higher bet, and wanted to get approval from you.”

  “Well, this is the fifty-dollar limit section. I can walk you to one of the high-dollar tables, if you’d like?”