Page 28 of Casino King

“I know you will, too,” he continues, planting a kiss below my ear, heat flaring where his lips touch me. A fire ignites in my blood, spreading wildly, and settling in a steady throbbing between my thighs.

The elevator opens at his penthouse, and Alec wraps his arm around my waist and then lifts me up into his arms, cradling me to his chest as if I weighed nothing at all.

My eyes roam over his neck, jaw, and face. Every plane and angle is sharp, defined, and sexy. I follow the bob of his Adam’s apple when he swallows, and I have the urge to place my lips there to feel the motion.

I want to know everything about him, too. I want to give him everything he needs. I want to please him. I want to be good for him.

Alec’s eyes dart down to mine as he walks me into the spare bedroom and places me on the bed.

Without another word, he leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

Sitting up, I take my heels off and stretch my feet, staring at the closed door like I have the power to manifest him into coming back.

When the minutes tick by with only silence as my companion, I stand up and take my dress off before sliding between the cool sheets.

I know he’s leaving me here alone because I need the time to gather myself again, but I wanted him to stay.

A few more stray tears slide down my cheeks as I push the memory of my brother back down to the place I’ve kept him in for all these years. I’m not ready. Maybe one day.

Chapter 10

Alec

Fixing my tie in the mirror, I add my ace cards cuff links and don my suit jacket.

I’ve always felt more comfortable in a suit than anything else. It’s a sign of power. Respect. My grandfather wore one every day, and my father the same. And both men were the most respected and powerful men I’ve ever known.

When I stayed at my grandfather’s as a child, I would follow him around to see how he did everything because I wanted to be just like him. He taught me how to put on cufflinks. Hell, he taught me what a cufflink even was.

My nonna would pick his tie out every morning and help him put it on. He told me once that he let her choose his tie every day because then whenever he looked down at it, he would think of her. It was their little moment before they headed off to do whatever the day brought them.

Looking down at the deep maroon tie I chose today, I have the image of Tessa walking into my closet in nothing more than a satisfied little smile because I spent the whole night fucking her into oblivion, and she chooses this tie for me. Lifting up her toes as graceful as if she were on stage, she places it around my neck and uses it to pull me down for a kiss that makes me want to fuck her all over again.

“Jesus,” I breathe, my cock straining at my zipper. I need to calm the fuck down with this woman. She’s going to be the death of me if she’s all I can think about. I can’t have her as a distraction.

After leaving Tessa alone last night, I didn’t sleep. Not one minute. All I could think about was her alone in the room next door, in bed, beautiful, and vulnerable.

I know I could have had her. I know she wouldn’t have denied me if I went to her. I see it in her eyes every time she looks at me. She can try and fight it for as long as she likes, but I know it won’t be long now before she’s begging me to touch her. To fill her.

Heading out into the kitchen, I find Vinny, my cousin, at the counter drinking coffee and flipping through some papers.

“Hey, Vin.”

Looking up, he gives me a cocky grin. “Who was that fine piece of ass leaving your place this morning? Where did you find her? I could use a woman like her in my life for a little while.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I demand, my words slicing the air between us like knives.

“Whoa, Alec, relax. I was just kidding if she’s yours.”

Turning on my heel, I stalk back down the hall and all but rip the door handle off as I slam it open, seeing the room empty.

Where the fuck did she go? How did she leave?

A primal, animalistic growl leaves my throat as I take out my phone. “When did you see her?” I ask Vinny sharply, back in the kitchen.

“When I was coming off the elevator an hour ago. I held the door for her. Why?”

“Fuck!” I yell, dialing Enzo. He has to be on her. I can’t let her get away. “Enzo, where are you? Tessa’s gone. Vinny let her leave.” I give him a murderous look and he backs away, pouring himself another cup of coffee.

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