Page 2 of Alluring

But, his eyes were what held her spellbound. They were a deep, forest-green surrounded by thick, dark lashes. Beautiful. "And you sir?"

"I'll have a water," he drawled, leaning back in his chair and stretching his arms over his head, causing his muscles to pull and flex. He wore a Cowboys football jersey that he seemed to fill out rather well, considering it was a baggy shirt. Alexis forced her eyes back to her pad as she jotted down his order. Then not daring to look at him again, she turned and walked away.

She stopped periodically, taking a few more drink orders on her way to the bar. Andy, a tallish, lanky, dirty-blond, surfer type was the bartender on duty.

"How's it going mi amigo?" He asked, in a really bad accent.

Alexis smiled. "Isn't it supposed to be amiga because I'm feminine?"

A stray lock of hair fell into his eyes as he shrugged. Tilting his head, he said, "There's no doubt that you are one hundred percent feminine."

"Just fill my orders, please," Alexis said, putting a stop to his banter. You would think after two years, she would be used to the flirting but she wasn't. She always felt slightly uncomfortable around the opposite sex but when they flirted or started coming-on to her, she got down right nervous. She blamed her awkwardness on never having a boyfriend while growing up. Going to school, working, and tending a fatally ill parent didn't leave much room for socializing.

And now, she still didn't have time to socialize. Having to pay her mother's medical bills and her sister's college tuition, she needed to work two jobs. She didn't have time to go out on dates or have a boyfriend so as pathetic as it sounds, she was still a virgin at the age of twenty-three. A couple of times, she thought about taking one of the guys who hit on her home, to get rid of her virginity once and for all, but in the end she couldn't do it. As corny as it sounded, she wanted her first time to be special and with someone she cared about. An impossible feat, she knew, if she never dated.

She circled her way around her section, dropping off drinks until she arrived back at the poker table. Mike and Sam joked and laughed about a famous actress that was recently in the headlines. As she set their beers down, she took a quick peek at New Guy. He had a slight smile as if he found Mike and Sam amusing, but he didn't participate in their revelry.

She set his water down by his elbow. He looked up and gave her a charming smile. "Thank you."

Between the smile and his voice, butterflies set flight in her stomach. What was wrong with her? He was simply another pretty face. She never reacted like this. She gave him a small nod of acknowledgment before turning her back on him to deliver Hank's drink. She had to get out of there fast. She was losing her grip on reality. A reality where, she didn't get flutters in her stomach or tingles down her spine from the smile of a gorgeous guy.

She was two hours into her shift when it happened. Heat seared her back, and a hand clamped down on her shoulder. She stiffened her spine when tingles raced through her body as a voice whispered in her ear, "You're so exceedingly beautiful, I can't seem to keep my eyes off you. Say you'll come home with me, so I can watch you all night."

Alexis took a step sideways, dislodging the hand from her shoulder and turned. Standing before her was New Guy. She felt a momentary ping of disappointment when she realized all he wanted was a one-night stand. If she were being truly honest with herself, she probably would have said yes if he had asked her out on a date. Her attraction to him was that strong. He'd put on a baseball cap, so his face was partially shadowed, but she remembered every captivating feature. He had to be more than six feet tall because even in her heels, she barely reached his chin.

"I'm sorry, but I don't go home with strange men."

"I can promise you," he took his finger and trailed it up her arm, "I'm not strange."

Alexis felt goose bumps sprout along her arm where his finger touched. She took a tiny step back to break contact. Getting flustered, she stuttered, "Wh ... what I meant was, I don't do that sort of thing."

"Well that's a shame becausethat'sthe only thing I do."

"Then it appears our association is at an impasse. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to work."

She was proud of herself for walking away. However strong the attraction, no good would come from a night with Mr. Gorgeous.

* * * * *

Jackson Cole watched the stunningly beautiful woman walk away. The bare, slope of her back was the single most sexy thing he had ever seen. That she turned his proposition down, was for the best. He knew better than to get involved with employees, but he felt drawn to her. He couldn't seem to stop himself from approaching her. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and he had seen his fair share of beautiful women. Hell, he probably slept with most of them.

Every so often, he would visit the casino floor. He liked to interact incognito with the patrons and staff to make sure things ran smoothly. So far, he hadn't been disappointed. His guests were happy and the staff was friendly and courteous.

His eyes searched out the bewitching cocktail waitress as he made his way to the elevators. There she was, over by the five-dollar slots, talking with an older woman. He stood transfixed, watching her laugh at something the woman said. Her smile so captivated him, he wanted to keep her smiling forever. He shook his head at the sheer ridiculousness of his thoughts. He sounded like a besotted fool. He turned his back on the dazzling display and promised himself he wouldn't look back. It was a hard promise to keep.

He couldn't stay away. Every night before going upstairs to his penthouse, he would stop by the casino and watch her. He loved to watch her move. The sway of her hips as she walked. The graceful line of her arm as she handed out drinks. The way she tilted her head when she listened to someone speak. She had turned into a bedtime addiction, and he needed his fix before going to sleep.

He wasn't sure how long he had spent pondering but when he looked to the last spot he had seen her, she was gone. His eyes searched the floor, seeking her out.

"Looking for someone?"

Jack turned his head. She stood about five feet from him. Close enough to be heard but far enough to make it obvious, she didn't want to get too close. Her voice was huskier than he remembered. Sultry. So either she had a cold, or he made her nervous. Her nose wasn't red, and her eyes weren't watery, but she was twisting and playing with her fingers. He'd go with nervous. He didn't want her nervous. He gave her a charming smile to put her at ease.

CHAPTER TWO

He was here again. Alexis saw him lounging against a pillar near the entrance to the 100 dollar slot machines as she served an older woman her drink. Saturday nights were busy in the casino, but she didn't have any trouble spotting him.

The last two nights, he had been in a suit, but he dressed causal again tonight in black boots, faded jeans, and a black T-shirt, that even from a distance, she could tell he filled out really well. He had a ball cap pulled low over his face, but she knew it was him, Mr. Gorgeous.

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