Page 43 of Royal Flush

I was certain it was there. I’d done the math.

The dealer gave me another disapproving look but offered the card. The collective cheer was thrilling.

I nodded toward the dealer then to one of the employees who collected winnings and prepared a check for the winner to sign to present. I’d grown a little bored of being groped and propositioned. Weren’t most of the influential men here with their wives? Ugh.

Something caught my attention and a shot of white-hot electricity rolled through me. As I lifted my gaze, I shouldn’t feel shocked to any degree, yet I was.

I was also tingling all over.

There stood the man I’d escaped from, in the flesh.

And he was none too happy I’d run like a scared deer.

Everything about being in close proximity with him was different from every other man in the world. Celebrity. Rockstar. Billion-dollar mogul. Model. I knew that sounded both corny and ridiculous, giving the arrogant man too much credit, but all time stopped.

It was like in a romance book or a movie where everyone else’s actions shifted into slow motion before stopping, their voices echoing then becoming muted altogether. The only sound I was hearing was the solid thud of my rapidly beating heart.

My mouth was even dry, my legs wobbly and I didn’t think I was moving. Why in God’s name did this jerk of a man, this sexy stud who was good at everything from laughing and to providing the perfect amount of discipline have such a tremendous effect on me when I’d made pretending an art form?

Braxton tilted his head slightly, never blinking but his eyes bore into mine as if he’d already undressed me, removing the sexy gown and replacing it with skimpy crimson lingerie. I could see myself dancing in front of him in a corset and thigh highs, heels and nothing else as he sat back on his throne like a king.

He wasn’t moving, but slowly I noticed his smile increased. The moment he took a single step closer, the muted sound faded, the cheering returning. I was momentarily taken aback, still unable to breathe. However, there was one thing I was determined not to allow to happen.

I refused to fall under his spell.

Again.

It was a conscientious decision given his smirk indicated he was well aware I’d cheated, perhaps prepared to use that against me as he’d done before.

Nope. It wasn’t going to happen.

No spell.

No discipline.

No burning need keeping me awake at night.

And no additional use of the small vibrator I always carried in a special leather case with me. What was a girl to do, especially when she didn’t need to worry about her winnings?

I turned and fled, using the heavy crowd as a backdrop. If he ever found out about my family, I’d be burned in effigy, maybe even tied to a stake. I’d certainly never be able to talk to my parents again.

Poof. Gone would be the trust fund I was sadly counting on to forge a new life in the United States.

I’d made it a point every time I walked into a room where I was playing a scheme to determine the best and safest routes for getting out if necessary. Tonight had been no different.

Except that every time I looked around, I noticed he was still there, gaining on me. Yes, he had long, muscular legs but I was shocked he was able to keep up. I could run like the wind in heels.

Another little action I’d trained myself to do.

I weaved my way through another room, trying to remember where the bathrooms were on the floor. One of the smaller ones popped up in my mind and after a quick look behind me and not seeing him, I rushed down the shorter hallway, slamming my hands against the door and barreling inside.

At some point, he’d think I took the stairs or one of the elevators, able to escape him. I’d just need to stay here for a little while. Ten minutes. Okay, maybe twenty.

I turned to face the mirror, more rattled than I wanted to admit even to myself. But I was surprised how flushed my face was, how sparkly my eyes seemed. I’d been certain I’d never see the guy again. I’d learned as much about him as possible, including that his entire family held court in San Diego thousands of miles away.

What was he doing here?

Hunting me?

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