Crossing the Line Read Free Page B

him, he took it as an invitation for him to get under my skirts.”
    Clint shook his head and chuckled. “That one’s a real piece of work.”
    â€œYes, but we did sort of cheat him.”
    â€œI know. That’s why I gave back the money I won from the last couple of hands.”
    She blinked and cocked her head in disbelief. “You did?”
    â€œYep. On my way out.”
    â€œLet me guess. He told you to go to hell.”
    â€œNo,” Clint replied. “He tried to get twice as much out of me as I won during that whole game.”
    â€œHe is a piece of work.”
    Both of them walked down the street. Since he could tell there wasn’t anyone else lurking about or dogging their trail, Clint allowed himself to relax. “So, your name’s Delilah?”
    â€œHow’d you know?”
    â€œSurely you don’t think a woman who looks like you could deal faro around so many men without being noticed.”
    â€œI thought most of their interest ended once they stared at me for a few hours,” she replied.
    â€œThe men at my table knew more than that. Still,” he added, “we all did tend to watch you awfully close when we had the chance.”
    Smiling again, she told him, “That’s all right. Men tend to spend more time at my table when they’ve got a nice view. Also, I kind of enjoy it when some men like what they see.”
    The glint in her eye and the way she moved a bit closer to Clint made it clear that she wasn’t referring to any of the locals. Continuing along without acknowledging the way she brushed against him, Clint asked, “Who’s that man working your table with you?”
    â€œThat’d be Carl. He keeps track of the cash and counts down the hands that are dealt. George doesn’t have much good to say about him either.”
    â€œHe says Carl cheated him.”
    â€œGeorge says that about everyone,” Delilah pointed out. “He only gets it right some of the times. In Carl’s case, he’s dead wrong. I don’t need the headaches that come along with having a cheat working at my table. The odds in faro are stacked in my favor well enough without that.”
    â€œGeorge was ready to tear his head off,” Clint said. “There has to be something behind that.”
    Delilah shrugged and clasped her hands behind her back. That way, she could stroll beside Clint while also arching her back just enough for her chest to swell a bit more beneath her shawl. “Carl has to keep his head down in that place just because of his color. Most folks hardly seem to take notice of him since he’s so quiet, but men like George will take a swing at anyone he thinks won’t swing back.”
    Clint didn’t have any reason to doubt that. The wild look in George’s eyes was more than enough to back up her explanation. “I’d hate to think our little indiscretion would bring any harm to an innocent man. Do you think Carl might need someone watching his back?”
    â€œWhen I left, George was sitting in his chair, bragging about how he ran you out of there. Carl was in his seat and all was right with the world.” She glanced over at him and took a few minutes to study Clint in much the same way that he’d studied her earlier. “You could’ve kept George’s money, you know. God only knows how many poor souls he’s cheated over the years.”
    â€œIs that why you helped me with all those nods and scowls?”
    â€œHe tried fixing my game a few times. Every time I caught him, he threw a bigger fit. Guess I saw the chance for some comeuppance and I took it.”
    â€œNext time, just be sure your accomplice knows what’s going on,” Clint told her.
    Suddenly, Delilah stepped in front of him and stopped Clint by placing a hand flat upon his chest. Staring directly into his eyes, she slowly moved her hand down along his stomach. “If you’ve got a