Page 15 of The Billionaire's Gamble

I glance over at Dean, who parks the car and turns to face me, his expression mirroring my own reluctance. The weekend we spent together at the cabin was perfect. We hiked, danced, talked, and shared moments that felt more intimate than anything I'd ever experienced. Every kiss, every touch, felt like it was etching itself into my memory. It was the best weekend of my life.

“Do you have to go?” Dean's voice breaks through my thoughts, and I look at him. He's pouting, a boyish expression that makes me laugh despite myself.

“I feel bad about not spending time with my friends since we came,” I explain. “Especially since the trip was planned mainly for me, and we'll be leaving in two days.”

“Have dinner with me tonight then,” he says, looking at me in that way that makes my insides melt and the butterflies in my stomach go crazy. The thought of being with him again, even just for dinner, is too tempting to resist.

“Yes,” I say, a smile spreading across my face. “I’ll have dinner with you.”

“Great,” he says, a big smile spreading across his face. “I’ll pick you up at eight.”

Then he leans in, and my heart skips a beat. His lips meet mine in a kiss that starts soft but quickly turns passionate. His hands cradle my face, and I wound my arms around his neck, losing myself in the sensation of his kiss. Every stroke of his tongue, every brush of his lips, sends a wave of wanting through my body. When he finally pulls away, I’m breathless and my cheeks are flushed. Then he turns on that sinful smile that never fails to make my knees go weak.

“I’ll see you tonight,” he says, his voice low and full of promise.

As soon as I step inside our hotel suite, Gabby and Nora pounce on me like prowling wolves. It's like they were standing by the door, just waiting for me to walk in before bombarding me with questions.

"Tell us everything!" Gabby practically demands, dragging me down beside her on the lush gray couch she's sitting on. "From how you met at the casino to how you ended up in a cozy mountain cabin with a freaking billionaire!"

"Don't be so dramatic, Gab," Nora says, rolling her eyes at Gabby. Then she turns to me with a gentle yet curious smile. "How was it really?"

“It was...amazing,” I say simply, clearing my throat awkwardly when Gabby and Nora just keep looking at me with identical expectant expressions, waiting for me to continue.

“Wait, that's all?” Nora asks, blinking at me in shock.

“Yeah, basically,” I mutter with an awkward shrug. “The cabin is serene, and the view is just…”

“Quit the BS, Hannah, did you finally lose your V-card?” Gaby asks bluntly.

Heat bursts across my skin and I barely resist myself from fanning my face with my hands.

“Gabby!” Nora cautions, though I can see the curiosity in her eyes as well.

"Look, she's all red!" Gabby squeals, undeterred. "I can see you did. Oh, that's amazing, Hannah!" Before I can say anything, she continues, "Oh, did you know? Dean upgraded our room to this super luxurious suite and even sent food and spa treats. And he even sent a limo to take us on a tour around Vegas! We had an amazing weekend, girl."

“What?” I ask, genuinely surprised. When they called to inform me that our hotel reservation had been upgraded to a suite, I never thought it had anything to do with Dean. “I didn’t know about that.”

Gabby grins. “Yeah, he really went all out. It was as if he was trying to make up for taking you away.”

I stare at them in shock, trying to wrap my head around their words. I can't believe Dean pulled all of that off when we were practically joined at the hip all weekend and I didn't suspect a thing.

How can one man be so hot, kind, and thoughtful all at once? How can one man be so… perfect?

“He's a good person, Hannah,” Nora says, her gentle voice cutting into my thoughts.

I nod, an unconscious smile tugging at my lips. “I know that. I…” I trail off when I notice Gabby, who's fallen unusually quiet, looking at me with a thoughtful expression. “W-why’re you looking at me like that?”

She shrugs. “I don't know… you just seem different. There's a subtle change around you,” she says, brows furrowed lightly. Then suddenly, she perks up with her signature hyper smile. “In a good way, though!”

“I guess I should thank you for the compliment?” I ask hesitantly, shaking my head at her in amusement.

“What happens after Vegas, though?” Gabby asks seriously, searching my face as if the answer to her question will suddenly appear on my forehead. “Have you thought about it?”

The room falls silent, the weight of her question hanging in the air. I hadn't really thought that far ahead. All I know is how I felt in the moments I spent with Dean. But what comes next? Do we have a future?

“I... I don’t know,” I admit, feeling a knot of uncertainty forming in my stomach.

Gabby and Nora exchange looks, their expressions softening. “Do you think you could have something real with him?” Nora asks gently.

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