Page 6 of The Billionaire's Gamble

Chapter Three

Dean

She stares at me, her gorgeous green eyes opened in shock, her soft, shimmering lips parted slightly in a way that makes my pulse thrum with a burning desire. Every fiber of my being wants to get lost in her again, to feel her warmth and taste her sweetness. But as much as I crave her, something inside me whispers to take it slower, to savor this moment and learn more about this girl who has somehow got me spellbound.

I can sense her thinking about my request for her to stay the night, the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. Gently, I cup her cheek and tilt her face up to mine. “Hannah, nothing will happen unless you want it to. I promise,” I assure her, my voice soft and sincere. Her gaze searches mine, and after a moment, she nods shyly, accepting my invitation.

I'm surprised at the feeling of excitement that washes over me at her acceptance. I take her hand, feeling the warmth and softness of her skin, and lead her to a plush couch near the window.

“Would you like something to drink?” I ask, keeping my tone casual.

“Just water, please,” she replies with a small smile.

I nod and step away to fetch a bottle of water from the bar. When I return, I hand it to her and settle beside her on the couch, close enough to feel the heat radiating from her body, but not touching. I want her to feel comfortable, at ease.

“So, what do you do for fun?” I ask, genuinely curious.

She takes a sip of water, then glances at me with a slight blush. “Dance,” she says with a small shrug. “It’s what I do most of the time. I just love it.”

I smile and nod. “Anything else?”

“It's kind of out of place,” she says, smiling shyly.

“Now I'm more curious. Tell me.”

“I love to go bungee jumping and skydiving,” she says, smiling shyly.

I raise an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. “Really? I wouldn’t have pegged you for an adrenaline junkie.”

She laughs softly, the sound like music to my ears. “I know, right? It's kind of odd isn't it?”

“No,” I reply, shaking my head. “I think it's perfectly fitting.”

There's something about her, a fire that burns just below the surface, underneath that sweet innocence and I find myself getting pulled into its flames. More than my physical attraction to her, I find myself wanting to know things about her that I never cared to know about anyone else before. I want to know three things that make her tick, what gets her excited and her wildest fantasy. I find myself wanting to crack stupid jokes just so I can see her blush adorably, her gorgeous green eyes twinkling with mirth.

What the hell is this feeling?

“What kind of dance do you do?” I ask, genuinely curious.

“Contemporary ballet,” she replies, pausing to glance up at me with a self-conscious smile. “It’s a blend of classical ballet and modern dance. Ballet is structured and rigid, with strict techniques and forms that you have to follow. Modern dance, on the other hand, is more fluid and expressive. I’ve always felt a bit conflicted between the two,” she explains, her eyes reflecting her passion.

I nod, encouraging her to continue. “How so?”

“Well, I grew up with ballet. It was all about discipline and precision, which I respect and appreciate. But emotionally, I always felt restricted by its rigidity. Modern dance allowed me to express myself more freely, to explore emotions and movements that ballet didn’t. Over time, I’ve developed a sort of hybrid, lyrical style that combines the structure of ballet with the freedom of modern dance. It wasn’t intentional; it just happened naturally as I tried to reconcile the two,” she says, her voice filled with a quiet intensity.

“That sounds incredible,” I say, genuinely impressed. “It must take a lot of creativity and skill to blend those two styles.”

We continue chatting, trading information about each other back and forth like little treasures. She tells me she’s in her last semester of school and came to Vegas on spring break with her friends—the brunette and redhead she was dancing with earlier—as a last hoorah. I tell her about everything that I’ve put into opening this place for the last few years. We both realize we’ve spent significant time in Seattle, with her growing up there and me working there for a time; a connection we should’ve made sooner considering we met on a flight from Seattle to New York. As we talk, we grow closer; both physically and emotionally.

“Are you glad you came here?” I ask.

“Of course,” she replies. “Here I am in this luxurious suite with the most amazing view of the city.” She stands up and does a double twirl, laughing excitedly as she runs over to the window again. “Life feels so beautiful right now, don't you think?”

I shake my head, chuckling at her childlike excitement. I stand up and go to join her by the window, turning her around to face me,

“That it does,” I say, smiling into her laughing face. “I want to kiss you so badly right now, Hannah.”

Her eyes widen in surprise, and her laughter fades away, replaced by a soft gasp. She looks up at me, her eyes boring into mine, as if searching for something only she knows. I can see the flutter of her pulse in her neck, and her lips part slightly as if inviting me to take the leap. The air between us is electric, charged with tension and anticipation. I take a step closer, my heart pounding in my chest, and my voice drops to a whisper. "May I?" I ask, my eyes locked on hers, seeking her consent.

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