Double Down Read Free

curiosity.
    He pulled two fifty-dollar bills out of his leather wallet. “I tell you what. This is your tip, no matter what.”
    Her lips parted on a quiet gasp. “That’s thirty percent.”
    “You say the word and I’ll leave it on the table.”
    “Or?”
    He stood. Even in her slingback heels, she only came to his shoulder. Fuckin’ A, he liked that. He’d never been into the macho thing, but there was something about her that brought out his protective streak.
    The fact that she was hot as hell in an apple-pie kind of way didn’t hurt at all.
    “Or,” he echoed, dragging out the word. “You come with me and we’ll turn them into chips up on the Strip. Just to see what kind of trouble we can get into.”

Chapter Two
    Cassandra Whitman did not fall for cheap lines. Or All-American smiles. Or biceps that strained against black cotton.
    Nope. But being sainthood good for longer than she could remember made a girl greedy.
    It didn’t help that she was still boiling mad at Tommy—make that General Manager Thomas Blakely. She deserved medals and commendations for not mouthing off even worse in front of Ryan and his friends. Choice remarks about Tommy’s allergy to foreplay and his Rogaine obsession had remained caged inside her seething brain.
    She grinned at Ryan. “Your friend says you like a challenge. That true?”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Oh, shoot. She went briefly weak in the knees. It wasn’t just the automatic “ma’am”, but how he made it earnest. A real Southern gentleman.
    “Good,” she said. “Then here’s one for you.”
    “I’m listening.”
    He was. Completely. Dark eyes fixed on hers. He’d leaned closer. His intimate posture suggested confidences and sordid secrets. Crossed arms on another man might seem defensive, but Cass could only admire how his black button-down stretched smooth over the caps of his shoulders.
    He took care of himself. She wanted him to take care of her.
    A night out. It was about time.
    “Tommy,” she said. “My manager.”
    “And ex?”
    “Definitely ex.” She matched his intimate posture, just the angle of her hips. “He never liked public displays of affection.”
    “Guys who can’t perform generally don’t. Too many witnesses.” His voice was huskier now, going from good to wet-undies sexy.
    Cass licked her bottom lip and smiled when he noticed. “But I don’t want to get fired. Can you meet me in about ten minutes?” She gestured back to the swinging doors that led to the kitchen. “Through there, take a right, and you’ll find the employee locker room.”
    Something about this guy Ryan had her thinking words beginning with B. Brazen. Bold. Balls. If anyone had the balls to stride into the kitchen and kiss her in front of Tommy, it might be Ryan. If they both managed to go through with it…
    Well, then the night had turned golden.
    “How do I know this isn’t a plot to get rid of me? Ten minutes is a long time. Slip out the back door. I’d never see you again.”
    He made that sound like a tragedy. Cass definitely approved.
    “Consider it a show of faith. Just like I’ll assume you aren’t some weirdo murderer maniac.”
    Oh, he had a great smile. She loved guys who smiled. Tall, built, interested guys who smiled were like big-time Vegas jackpots. You heard about them, but you never imagined seeing one in person.
    Some sex demon took possession of her hand. That studly arm was too tempting. She ran the tip of her finger down the firm curve of muscle. The breath Ryan quietly sucked in was almost as exciting as his body.
    “I’ll be there,” she said. “And I’ll clean up. I hate smelling like I’ve been hauling steak for six hours.”
    Before he could reply, before she lost her nerve, Cass turned and walked toward the kitchen. When she reached the door, she couldn’t help but look back over her shoulder. Ryan stood in the same spot. Arms still crossed. Expression still intense. He was staring at her, but not at a guy’s usual T&A