Page 47 of Forbidden Bond

“Katie, it would be helpful if you didn’t just stare all night. I can feel your eyes on my back. It’s distracting,” Jameson says without looking up from the cards in his hand.

I roll my eyes, fighting to urge to smack the back of his head. I could tell him that he’s not going to win this round. The eyes of the man in front of him brightened as soon as he received his cards. Then he went all in immediately. Everyone else folded, but not my friend. Jameson might think his ace of spades might earn him a victory, but no man bets everything he’s got while wearing a ratty T-shirt and faded jeans. He’s obviously not wealthy, which means he probably can’t afford to lose.

My dumbass friend decked out in Tom Ford can afford to lose. Which is why I leave him to it. Not that I have much of a choice.

“I’m going to go get a drink,” I state.

“Don’t go too far,” he says distractedly.

I get to my feet and head to the bar in the corner. The bartender smiles at me, waiting for my order.

“Sex on the Beach, please,” I tell him.

He starts working on the drink while I look through my phone. There’s one missed call from my dad and texts from my mom asking where I am. I moved back home a few days ago, and I guess I’m just tired. Of fighting with Dad, of pretending I know what I’m doing. If my actions a few days ago are any indication, I don’t know anything. Except how to make mistakes, I seem to be a pro at that. I still can’t believe Topher and I had sex without protection. He pulled out but that was way too close so I went to my doctor to get on the pill the following day.

I reply to my mom’s text telling her I’m out with Jameson and I’ll be home late. By then, my drink has been placed in front of me. I take a sip, looking around the casino and wondering what the hell I’m doing here. A guy moves to my side and smiles brightly. He’s cute, with curly brown hair and a preppy outfit.

“You look like you need some company,” he drawls, taking a seat beside me.

Not really.

“Hello to you too,” I mutter, taking another sip.

He grins before nodding at the bartender. “I’ll have a whiskey on the rocks. And I’ll pay for whatever she’s having.”

“No thanks. I can pay for my own drinks,” I tell him.

“But I want to pay. Come on, it’s not every night I get to pay for a beautiful girl’s drink. On the off chance that she’ll spend the rest of her time talking to me.”

He really is cute. My eyes meet his for a second. Blue, not brown. Even now I’m looking for something that reminds me of Topher. My gaze is pulled back to Jameson’s table. He has gotten to his feet.

“Thanks for the offer and for paying for my drink. But I can’t stay. Goodbye.”

He doesn’t follow as I head over to Jameson, whose eyes are narrowed in a glare at the other man.

“You cheated,” he accuses.

I grit my teeth and look at the other guy, who seems to be growing angrier.

“You rich boys are all the same. What, is your ego bruised because you lost one little game?” he taunts.

Shit, shit. This could escalate at any moment. I step in front of Jameson, looking into his blue eyes.

“Jamie, let it go. It’s not like you need the money. And you don’t know for sure that he cheated. Just let it go.”

He looks at me, a clouded expression on his face.

“Bullshit, Katherine. You weren’t here. I saw him make a signal at the dealer. They’re in on it together.”

I turn around as the other guy rolls his eyes with a smirk on his face. He’s baiting Jameson.

“Okay, okay,” I say desperately. “Then let’s just leave. Don’t make a scene.”

For a second, I think he’s going to listen to me. Then he gently pulls me behind him.

“Stay back, Katie,” Jameson whispers in my ear before stepping forward.

And then all hell breaks loose. Jameson throws the first punch. It hits Faded Jeans in the face and then he’s throwing a punch of his own. The dealer gets involved and I yell frantically for someone to separate them. Most people just stare without moving closer. Then security arrives and once they’re broken apart, I rush toward Jameson. He’s bleeding from his nose and there’s a rapidly forming bruise on the side of his eye. His lips have a cut, as well.

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