Page 14 of Casino King

A pang in my chest at the thought of James has me rubbing the spot over my heart absentmindedly. It’s been six years, and I still see that day play out in my head as if it were yesterday.

Shoving it back down, not willing to go there tonight, I walk through to the bathroom and my eyes widen. It’s huge, with marble everywhere I look. The floors, tub, shower, countertops. Everything in here screams money and elegance, and I’m way out of my element. But even so, I fully intend on allowing myself to enjoy every minute of tonight because I don’t know when I’ll ever get the chance to take a bath in a marble tub again.

Filling the tub with hot water, I look under the sink and find an assortment of bubble bath powders, soaps, shampoos, and conditioners. I can definitely tell this is a woman’s bathroom, and one with expensive taste.

I find that surprisingly sweet that he lets his sister stay with him when she visits. I wonder where she normally lives and if he has any other siblings.

Sprinkling in lavender powder, I sink into the hot water and sigh, my sore muscles from all the extra practicing I’ve been doing feeling relief on contact.

I may be out of my element with all of this lavishness, but I know I could get used it pretty quickly. Leaning my head back against the edge of the tub, I close my eyes, letting all my worries and unanswered questions dissolve into the hot water.

I don’t know how much time passes, but when the water cools, I reluctantly move to the shower to wash my hair with products that smell like honeysuckle and amber, and I relax all over again.

Wrapping myself in a fluffy robe that’s folded neatly on a shelf by the sink, I look at myself in the mirror for the first time since being hit, and tears immediately pool in my eyes.

Turning the light off in a rush, I quickly walk out of the bathroom and pad across the bedroom carpet to the walk-in closet.

“Oh, wow,” I breathe.

I’m surprised Alec’s sister doesn’t live here full-time with how packed it is of everything – clothes, shoes, coats, bags, accessories.

It feels weird to pick out pajamas from someone else’s closet, but that soon passes when my fingers brush over a pretty pink silk pajama set, loving the way it feels against my skin. Pulling it out, I notice it still has the tags on it, and catching a peek of the price, my eyes bug out. Who spends that much on pajamas?

I hesitate on whether or not I should put them back and choose something else, but the material is unlike anything else I’ve ever worn and so I give in, telling myself that it’s okay for tonight. It’s not like I’ll keep them.

Crawling into bed, I turn and look out the windows. It’s comforting knowing the world continues to move down below.

At this time of night, whoever is still in the casinos are either trying to win back their losses or cash out their day’s winnings. Those who have drank too much are stumbling back to their rooms with whoever they chose to keep their bed warm for the night. Or, if a woman is lucky, she has a steady man by her side, holding her up as she tries to walk in a straight line in her heels without falling on her face.

I love living in a city that never sleeps. Like a mini Las Vegas. Not that I would feel safe walking around at night. Clearly, by what happened tonight. But I like knowing I could, and knowing the other lost souls are awake with me.

We’re alone together.

I wonder if Alec feels the same about living here. And with the thought of him, and the reminder of where I am, my mind starts racing, no longer tired. He said he’s in the next room over, which brings along with it images of him sleeping naked with the sheets tangled around his hips, and suddenly I feel too hot for the coves. Throwing them off, I start pacing the room.

I want to know everything about him. But most of all, I want to know, why me?

Walking into the closet, I put on the matching silk robe I find and then peek my head out the door, needing a glass of water or something to calm my nerves. I don’t see or hear anything, so I tiptoe down the hall towards the kitchen, but practically jump out of my skin when I see Alec sitting in one of the chairs on the library side of the fireplace.

He’s still dressed in his suit pants and white button-down, with a drink in one hand and a stack of papers in the other.

“Oh, um, I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d be out here. I’ll just go back–”

“No,” he says, cutting me off. Looking me up and down, his eyes rake over my body like a slow caress, making me feel as if I were naked by the way his gaze feels against my skin. My body immediately reacts with a heated flush and a pounding pulse that settles between my thighs.

“Do you need something?” His eyes finally meet mine, and I wrap my arms around my waist to keep from melting on the spot.

“I was just going to get some water. I couldn’t sleep.”

“Have a seat.” He nods at the chair beside him. “I’ll get it for you.”

Doing as he says, my thighs come in contact with the cold leather of the chair and a shiver runs through me. Returning, he hands me a cold bottle of water and places a plate of cheese and grapes between us.

“If you’re hungry. I know you didn’t eat.”

“Thank you.” I twist off the cap on the bottle and let the water slide down my throat, cooling my suddenly hot body from being so close to him.

“You couldn’t sleep. Is the bed not comfortable? Would you rather I–”

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