Betting the Moon: Cannon Pack, Book 4 Read Free

the same time. He needed to concentrate on the game, not the woman. There’d be plenty of time for fun later. For now, his primary objective was to beat his main competitor, Willie Holden.
    Nonetheless, a part of his mind couldn’t help but stray back to her. By the sounds of cheers behind him, he guessed she’d already finished her match. Damn, how he wanted to turn around and see the victorious expression on her stunning face!
    Making a move based more on his need to see her than on skill, he took a gamble—after all, that was the name of the game—and went all in, placing everything he had on the line and forcing Willie to do the same. As luck would have it—and he was a very lucky man—the cards fell in his favor. He won and shouts broke out around him.
    Many hands patted him on the back as he slowly shifted in his chair. He lifted his gaze to meet Mari’s, and surprise lit up her eyes. Emerald green assessed him, narrowing for a moment, then widening. Her eyes sparkled as though she was on the verge of tears, but he sensed she wasn’t about to cry. Instead, the surprise he’d first seen swiftly changed into an inquisitive and hungry look. She had a hunger much like his own. A hunger that wanted as much out of life as it could get and would challenge anyone who dared to get in her way.
    Her face, angular without being severe, had an ethereal glow, a loveliness he would’ve thought only an angel could claim. Golden locks streamed over her shoulders, flowing over the ample swell of her breasts—breasts that strained the buttons of her blue blouse. A short skirt led to long legs, while hips showed her to be a woman who was unafraid to display her curves. Her skirt, fitting snugly enough to make men drool but not too tight as to seem slutty, clung to her body, miraculously revealing everything and nothing at the same time.
    Realization struck him dead center. Her physical charms weren’t all she had to offer.
    She had magic.
    Her eyes widened as though she’d heard him. For one delicious moment, he thought she would come to him. Instead, she whirled around and hurried toward the exit. Unable to do anything else, Tucker followed her, his mind reeling, his gut filled with an overpowering yearning to have her.
    If simply looking at her made her bolt, would introducing himself scare her off for good? He nodded, not really hearing the remarks and greetings of those he passed. He was too intent on catching up to her to pay attention to anything except the way her ass moved up and down, shifting her skirt in enticing ways. She glanced back once and her features scrunched into a confused mask. He picked up his pace.
    Following her through the double doors of the ballroom, Tucker checked the open lobby area of the second floor, searching for her. A flash of golden hair caught from the corner of his eye turned him to the right, and a sign pointing the way to the restrooms gave him reassurance that he was headed in the correct direction. Bursting through a set of metal doors, he barreled down the empty corridor and passed by several Employees Only doors.
    Holding on to the edge of the wall for balance, he skidded around the corner just in time to catch a glimpse of her face through the closing gap of the ladies’ restroom door. He slammed to a stop and for the first time wondered what he’d do once he caught up with her. Granted, he wanted her. Hell, he wouldn’t be surprised to find his shaft flying high, ready for action. He checked and was relieved to find no bulging sign of an erection.
    Unsure what to do, he backtracked around the corner and plopped into the only chair in the long, empty corridor leading back to the lobby and the ballroom beyond. If she wanted to continue playing—and of course she did—she’d have to get by him first. No way would a pro like Mari Thornton forfeit a chance at winning. All he had to do was wait for her to reappear.

Chapter Two
    Ante Up
    Mari pulled the door open a crack and