At His Desire: The Billionaire's Beck and Call, Part 7 Read Free Page B

letting it tangle in my hair. He was staring at the
ceiling, his jaw set. I touched his face, turning his gaze to mine. I leaned up
and kissed him softly, my lips brushing over his.
    “I
love you, too.”
    We
didn’t say another word that night, lying in one another’s arms until sleep
finally claimed us both. We didn’t have to.

 
    ***

 
    The
next day moved at a break-neck pace.
    Mimosas
and morning golf soon segued into horseback riding for the ladies and Scotch
and cigars for the men. Presentations to the well-lubricated and entertained
board members went off without a hitch. Meetings transitioned into massages at
the hotel spa, then h’ors d’oeuvres and cocktails by the pool.
    By
the time evening came, I was exhausted, tipsy, and aching for the weekend to be
over and life to get back to normal, but there was still one more event before
I could crash onto Mr. Drake’s bed and let my exhaustion take over. There was a
high stakes poker game tonight that Mr. Drake said would seal the deal with the
investors.
    Apparently
if there’s one thing rich men love more than drinking, it’s gambling grotesque
amounts of money. All of the most important people would be there, and I was to
be on the boss’ arm, at least for a hand or two. Then, I could make my escape,
and wait for him under the covers.
    Mr.
Drake was already in his tux when I emerged from the bathroom in my short,
black cocktail dress. He gave the lock charm on my choker a gentle tug, and
kissed me.
    “Aren’t
you going to wish me luck?”
    “Do
you need it?” I raised an eyebrow at him, and grinned.
    We
walked arm in arm to a private room in the back of the casino that looked like
something out of a spy movie. Lex Smith sat at the table sharing a laugh with a
pasty older man over some off-color joke. I hesitated, but Mr. Drake urged me
toward the table. I took my seat next to him, but kept my eyes averted. The
last thing I wanted was to do was gain Lex’s attention again.
    Wives
and girlfriends came in, chatting together as the cards were dealt, some hanging
back at the bar, and a couple joining in on the wagering.
    I
was only half paying attention when Mr. Drake slid a small pile of chips
forward.
    “I’ll
raise you to twenty five.”
    Lex
was one of the two who hadn’t folded yet. His eyes bored into Mr. Drake’s as
they stared one another down. Mr. Drake leaned back, and traced his bottom lip
casually with one finger, looking as cool as ice.
    “Do
you call?”
    “Come
on, Lex. You can’t let him beat you in the first hand,” the fat man next to him
said. He laughed, the sound ending with a guttural hack.
    Lex
shot him a dark look before pushing his own chips forward. “Fine. I’ll call.”
    The
other man folded, shaking his head.
    “Show
them,” Lex said, leaning in.
    Mr.
Drake laid down his hand. Three of a kind. Kings. Lex swore under his breath.
He only had a pair of nines.
    While
the dealer shuffled, I leaned over and whispered in Mr. Drake’s ear. “Why was
he so mad about losing twenty five dollars?”
    “Twenty
five thousand, Isa. The ante’s ten thousand per hand.”
    He
grinned wickedly at me as the blood drained out of my face.
    “Oh,”
I said, my voice no more than a squeak.
    Everyone
ante’d up again, and all of a sudden, I felt rather faint. I squeezed Mr.
Drake’s arm and left his side, moving toward the bar with the other women.
After a stiff shot of whiskey, one of the wives put her hand on mine.
    “First
time?”
    I
nodded, giving her a shaky smile.
    “You’ll
get used to it. Henry usually loses, but it’s never too bad. Usually no more
than two hundred thousand. Try not to worry.”
    I
nodded again, lips shut tight, trying not to let my jaw drop to the floor.
    “Besides,
honey,” she said. “Chase usually cleans everyone out, anyway.”

 
    ***

 
    After
a few more hands, I felt like I’d stayed long enough, and worked my way back
around to Mr. Drake’s side. I whispered to him that I was heading