Page 25 of Casino King

Wrapping my arm around her waist, I walk us toward the door, and I slowly start to feel her regain her composure and walk confidently beside me like she knows she belongs there.

Tessa is either going to be my salvation or my full demise. Either way, I know I’m going to love every fucking minute of it.

Chapter 9

Tessa

As the elevator doors close, the air between Alec and I electrifies with the kiss we just shared.

My brain is a pile a mush, my heart has a rapid beat like the wings of a hummingbird, and my core is throbbing like the steady beat of a bass drum needing the song Alec started to hurry to the crescendo and epic finale.

But that will all have to wait.

With his arm around my waist, he rubs his thumb against my hip, burning his touch through this dress and into my skin.

The doors slide open to the casino floor and I’m struck with the ringing of machines, the low lighting, and smokey air filled with both promise and sorrow.

Walking with Alec is something I’ve never experienced before. Where I usually try and blend in in my everyday life, Alec is the complete opposite. He commands the attention of everyone in any room he’s in, and it’s of no exception here.

I know he owns The Aces, but it also seems like something a little more. I see fear in the eyes of grown men while others avoid looking at him entirely, as if they’re hoping he doesn’t see them.

After their eyes skirt over Alec, they land on me, and I feel both the hatred and jealously from the women and the creepy gazes of men as they take me in. All probably wondering what I did to land the attention of a man like Alec.

As if sensing my discomfort, he squeezes my waist, but we keep walking. People move from our path, giving us a wide lane to pass by, and I feel like I’m on the arm on royalty.

Who is Alec Carfano?

We clear the main casino floor and move through to the corridor that circles this half of the building. It’s where the entrances are to various restaurants, intermittent with high-end jewelry and designer stores where those who hit it big can go and spend their winnings before the liquor wears off and they realize what they just wasted their money on.

The other side of the casino has a similar corridor that leads to the theater where my show is, the concert venue, and the conference center.

Alec guides me towards Carfano’s, an Italian restaurant, and I look up at him, surprised.

“You have a restaurant?”

“Yes. Only the best ingredients made the authentic way. Everything from scratch.”

“Oh, that sounds amazing.”

“Good.” He nods, opening the door for me.

“Hello, Mr. Carfano,” the hostess greets with a smile as her eyes practically eat him alive. “You’re usual table?”

“Yes. Thank you, Mia.”

I know I shouldn’t be jealous, but I can’t help the flash of white-hot jealousy that races through me at him being on a first name basis with her.

She’s very attractive, with shoulder length wavy chestnut hair and blue eyes that remind me of the sky on a cloudy day.

Walking us through the restaurant, little Miss Mia sways her hips in her tight pencil skirt, just inviting Alec to look. But when my eyes dart up to his face, I see he’s looking around the dining room rather than her round ass on display, and I can’t help but smile to myself.

“Your server will be right with you,” she tells us.

“Thank you.” I throw her a sweet smile, and the one she’s wearing turns forced as she gives Alec one last long look before going back to her hostess stand.

Alec holds my chair out for me and my smile widens. So, he has a little gentleman in him after all.

A server comes over and hands us each a menu, his hands shaking slightly. Alec orders a bottle of wine, and when the server comes back to open it, I see him take a deep breath before proceeding, forcing himself to relax. Is everyone afraid of Alec?

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