Page 17 of Casino King

I didn’t expect any of this.

This is why I was afraid to ever meet my mystery man. Over this past month, I’ve formed an illusion of him in my mind of who he could be, what he’d look like, and what he’d be like. And now that I’ve met him, all of those expectations have been thrown out the window.

He’s better than all of my imaginary versions.

He’s so much…more.

Chapter 5

Tessa

Waking up to the morning light, I blink my eyes open, remembering where I am the moment I see the ocean through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

I can’t believe how beautiful it is. I’ve never stayed on the top floor of a hotel or apartment building before, so I never knew views could be so nice. I see why people pay for them now.

Climbing out of bed, I pad across the plush cream-colored carpet. In the dark last night, I hadn’t noticed that there’s a balcony off of the room, and as I slide the glass door open, the thick, warm morning air hits me like a heavy dose of reality.

It’s the dead of summer, and while I love laying out on the beach, I hate the constant muggy stuffiness that hangs heavy in the air most days.

Taking a deep breath, I lean on the railing and scan the city before me.

The beach is already peppered with colorful umbrellas, and the boardwalk has a few joggers and families walking together, ready for a day of rides, games, and food.

The waves crash on the shore in a hypnotic rhythm, and after a few more minutes out here, I start to feel the heat getting to me, so I duck back inside to the cool air conditioning.

Heading into the bathroom, I comb my hair out, saying a silent thank you that it dried straight last night despite sleeping on it while slightly damp. I brush my teeth with a new toothbrush I find in one of the vanity drawers and wash my face, wincing when I touch the area around my eye.

I toss the pajamas I borrowed into the hamper in the corner of the bathroom and dress in my yoga pants and tank top from last night so I don’t have to borrow any more clothes. It wouldn’t feel right to leave here with something that isn’t mine.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I cringe, and dig around in the bathroom drawers until I find concealer. But after applying an ample amount, it doesn’t help in the least. It actually makes it look slightly worse, so I wash it off, deciding to make peace with how I look for now. Alec’s already seen me, so there’s no reason to hide behind makeup.

In the light of day, staying the night doesn’t seem like the best choice on my part. Last night, my emotions were running on high after being attacked and then rescued, and then meeting Alec. But now, I don’t know. I feel awkward and out of place.

I know I can’t hide in here forever, so I take a deep breath and open the door. I make my way down the hall and see Alec straight ahead, sitting at the dining table off of the kitchen reading the newspaper and drinking coffee.

He looks up when I approach, and his eyes immediately scan down my body and back up. His expression doesn’t change, just his eyes. They turn a shade darker as if I were standing before him in lingerie and not fully clothed, and I have to grip the back of the chair in front of me to steady myself.

“Would you like coffee?” Alec asks, his smooth voice both revving me up and calming me down simultaneously.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Take a seat.” He nods, pouring me a cup from a French press. Sliding the cup and saucer towards me, I add a little cream from the white porcelain creamer between us and take a sip, letting the liquid gold slide down my throat, waking me up further.

Mmm, it’s delicious. It’s probably some high end, quality coffee that’s better than anything I could ever find on the local grocery store shelf.

“Breakfast is on its way up.”

“Oh, okay. Thank you.”

“Why are you nervous, Tessa?” he asks, studying me as he takes a drink of coffee. “I thought we would be past that after last night.”

I divert my eyes, studying the coffee in my cup. How could I not be nervous around him? His presence is formidable. And he can’t be serious that I would be less nervous around him after last night. He said he wasn’t going to touch me until I was ready…

What does that even mean? I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for his touch. It’ll ruin me for every other man. I already know that. A man like him doesn’t touch without fire.

“Don’t worry, we’ll have plenty of time for you to get used to me.”

I look back up at him and see that same almost-smile as last night that makes my insides churn and take flight. “I will?”

---