Page 34 of The Gambler

He tensed. “What are you saying?”

Didn’t she have some sort of a plan? A reason why she’d left poor Tommie behind in the murky waters of a possible heart-shattering rejection? Yes, she did.

Sadly, she’d never mastered the subtle art of flirting, so honesty was key here. “I want to explore your body.”

His breath caught but he stopped moving. They were standing right in front of the bathroom. If he made a left, they would be going to his room.

“You’re drunk, so I don’t think—”

She put a finger on his lips, effectively hushing him. “I’m just a bit tipsy, but I know what I’m saying, and I definitely know what I want. No more thinking, please. Can’t we just do instead?”

His eyes went to her cleavage that bared half her breasts. “Fuck. You’re never wearing this dress out in public again. I mean, since we’re pretending to be engaged, I can tell you, no way in hell would I be okay with you walking around like that without me by your side.”

“Then maybe you should take it off.” Another curse followed but all she could do was smile. Never before had she felt so empowered. So completely free to say and do anything. He made her feel strong. “And take off your pants as well,” she added. “I want to touch you everywhere.”

The next moment, they crashed on his bed, with him on top of her. All thoughts of her exploring him and giving him the same pleasure as he’d done to her, flew out of the window. He had her dress removed within a second. The piece of fabric landed somewhere on the floor. Her panties and bra followed. Then he spread her legs and dove right between her legs.

“Oh, God.” Her moan could probably be heard through the entire building. She didn’t care. Not as long as his tongue was doing these wicked things to her.

Then, suddenly, there was a cracking sound at the door.

Oh, shit. Her buzz disappeared at lightning speed.

Luca jackknifed out of the bed. He shot to the cabinet and suddenly he was holding a gun in his hand, aimed at the door.

“Don’t move,” he whispered.

Tess quickly pulled the comforter over her body.

The next second, the door burst open and they were surrounded by two men wearing camouflage outfits and holding guns. She immediately recognized the big, bad, menacing looking one with a silver buzz cut. If she wasn’t mistaken, the other one was Silent Joe.

Tess sighed. “Hi, Pops.”

“It’s been over twenty-four hours since your watch died.”

Oh, right. She forgot about their arrangement. Craptastic. Now she had to explain him to Luca. And Luca to Pops. Then her pops would insist on getting her out of here.

“Who the hell are you?”

Her pops looked Luca up and down. At the way he had placed his body in front of her. “Maybe your troubled Dark Knight has a sense of honor left in him after all, T-girl. But, since I’m holding the guns, I’ll be asking the questions, kid. Who the eff are you?”

Luca lifted a brow. “I’m her fiancé.”

Tess couldn’t help herself, she snorted. And okay, maybe she even rolled her eyes a bit. Nope, a lot. Like anyone, least of all her grandfather, would believe that—

Pops lowered his gun and nodded in approval. “Good. About time she got herself a man who knows how to handle a gun.”

“What?” she sputtered. “This is not the time for a plea about the Second Amendment.”

“There’s no plea, sweetie pie, as a hot blooded American, the Constitution gives me the right to—”

“Nope. Not going there. Can you please focus, Pops?” She pointed accusatory fingers at Luca, who hadn’t lowered his gun but was staring in fascination at her grandfather.

“I’m damn focused, Tess. You engaged to this guy means you are no longer with that pansy ass professor.”

Ah, there it was. She should’ve known. “Trevor isn’t a pansy. He’s an achieved scholar who might be opposed to guns, but that doesn’t mean—”

“He’s a loser. A total slacker. That boy couldn’t beat me in a knife fight with two hands tied behind my back.”

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