Page 12 of The Mark (The Players 2)

“Oh, you’re one of those who thinks a woman isn’t complete without a man.” I nodded, thinking I’d reached some deeprealization.

Kate scrunched up her face. “Hell, no.” She stuck out her tongue for emphasis. “Oh, but if you get a chance at love, you take it, you hold onto it with both hands. Got it? Love transforms.” She sighed happily as she applied the color to my lips. “Done. You look beautiful.” She grabbed my glasses from thecounter.

I studied my reflection in the mirror. Even without the condensation, my image seemed blurry. I should take the glasses, but if I had to wear stripper clothes, I might as well go all the way. “Glasses don’t really go with this outfit,” Ijoked.

“Are you sure?” She frowned. “I can’t have you suing the hotel if you trip and break a bone.” Katewinked.

“I’ll be fine!” I responded more confidently than I actually felt as I grabbed the glasses and stuffed them in my purse. “I know you have places to be. I’m going togohome.”

“Okay, but you’re still welcome, if you change your mind.” She opened the bathroom door for me. “I’m going to collect all this and have it cleaned. See youtomorrow.”

I disappeared out the door with as much grace as I could muster in those heels. As I walked, half stumbling to the elevator, I couldn’t help but notice my dress hiked up as I walked. “This should be fun,” I muttered as the doors opened and I stepped inside. On the ground floor, I wandered through the employee door. My car had been valet parked and I needed toretrieveit.

On the way through the casino, I couldn’t help but feel like people were staring at me. I tried to remain calm, but it made me nervous. I liked to blend in. I was perfectly content being a wallflower. I stumbled on the step up into the lobby and a security guard leered at me as he helped me regain mybalance.

Finally, I made it to the valet. Reaching in my purse, I found the ticket and passed it to him. The kid took it and paused while he looked me over. My hip popped and my brow rose. “Car. Please.” He nodded and disappeared, but I forgot my purse was open and when I moved to slide it up my shoulder, somehow the contents spilled out all over the sidewalk. My face turned many shades of red as I squatted to pick everything up. Of course, this only made things worse, because seconds later I heard the familiar sound of the dress tearing apart at the seams. I squealed as I tried to hold it all together, the dress and my emotions. Both were a wreck. Suddenly there were khaki legs beside me and I looked up to see a ridiculously handsome ginger smilingatme.

“Hi, you looked like you could use some help,” he murmured. He blew out a breath. “So, drop the purse, I’ll throw everything into it. You can fix the dress. Do you need help standing? Those shoes look…dangerous.”

“They’re not mine,” I blurted out. For some reason, how this guy saw me matteredimmensely.

He nodded. “Your feet are sliding in them. I rather suspected they wereborrowed.”

“Dress too!” My hands wereshaking.

He took my hand in his. “You don’t have to explain anything to me. I’m just trying to help.” He stood and made sure I did too. I held one side closed and he held the other side. Then when I was safely covered, he finished picking up all the Tic Tacs, pens, and notepads that had fallen out. When he stood and passed it to me, I stared up at himshyly.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “That was really nice. You didn’t have to do that. Can I repay yousomehow?”

His brow furrowed and he chuckled. “For this? Nah. This isn’t a payment thing. Of course, if you truly feel compelled…” He seemed to be distracted by someonebehindme.

“Can you please go get Drew? He’s not answering his phone. Dinner will be starting in fifteen minutes. I need him to be there.” I immediately recognized Mr. George’s voice and froze, but refused to turnaround.

“Sure thing, Ty.” The ginger reached out to take my hand in both of his. “Just pay it forward.” Then for some reason, he leaned in impulsively and kissed me on the cheek. My skin tingled as teeny tiny shock waves emanated from the spot. When he pulled back, he stiffened. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I did that. Just seemed natural, I guess.” His cheeks were pink as he released my hand. “I better go before I get myself into trouble. Nice meeting you!” he called out on his way throughthedoor.

“But we never even exchanged names,” I muttered. I laid a hand on my cheek as I watched him rush to the elevators. The door to one opened and he disappeared inside. A split second later, another elevator opened and a good-looking, clearly drunk, man stumbled out. I scanned the lobby and saw a couple of guys on the couch. They seemed sketchy. They eyed him and nodded before one stood and movedtowardhim.

Fuck. He was going to get robbed. I bit my lip. My car would be here any minute. And yet, I couldn’t help but think I should take care of this guy, pay it forward, so to speak. As confidently as possible, I strode into the lobby. “Babe, there you are!” I called out, hoping he’d at least turn. From the corner of my eye, I realized the two guys who had made him a mark fell back. The drunk turnedtome.

“Do I know you?” He frowned. “I mean, I’d like to know you. Look at you.” His hand slid to his inside pocket and I guessed he was about to offer memoney.

“I’m Laney Jenner and I’m not that kind of girl,” I gritted out through my fakesmile.

“Are you sure?” He waggled his brows at me. “In my experience, with the right incentive, every girl is that kindofgirl.”

“Wow. You’re a special kind of pig. I’m actually sorry I saved you now.” Isighed.

“You haven’t saved me yet…unless you get me out of this hotel. My best friend has some big announcement, and in my experience, big announcements are bad announcements.” He tugged me toward the door. “Come on.Let’sgo.”

My brow furrowed. “I’m not sure I want to go anywhere with you. Let’s find your friend.” I scanned the lobby hoping to find someone who mightclaimhim.

“Look, Harry hates me right now and Ty merely indulges me on occasion. Let’s go.” He jerked his head towardthedoor.

The moment he said Mr. George’s first name, I closed my eyes. Obviously, I now had to drag him to the private dining room. “I can’t escape her. I swear.” I blew out a breath and opened my eyes. Then pasting on a smile, I looped my arm through his. “I know precisely where totakeyou.”

“I bet you do,” he murmured and then he planted a kiss on mycheek.

I couldn’t help but compare. The first kiss from a strange man made me tingle. This one, who seemed to have alcohol seeping out of his pores, I found mildly revolting. Still, I had to get him back to his friends before something happened to him. “Comewithme.”

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