Blissful Awakenings

by Penny May

  The woman opened her mouth to tell Courtney that she had a handle on it but changed her mind at the last second. “Actually…you’re Courtney Bliss, right?”

  “Yup. That’s me.” Courtney smiled.

  The woman glanced down at her clipboard, then back up at Courtney. “Weird, I just got a request for someone who wants to sit at your table, but there aren’t any seats left. I was told to arrange things by the highest donation and, of course, as I’m sure you know, Bo Ryans made the biggest donation tonight. He’s supposed to be at the front table.”

  Courtney hadn’t known that, but it also didn’t surprise her. Bo didn’t seem to mind giving away his money as long as it was for a good cause. She liked that about him…

  Still mad, she reminded herself.

  “But…” Courtney prompted.

  “But we just got a big donation from a couple, and they asked to be moved to that table.”

  Realization suddenly hit Courtney. “Let me guess, Ace Lockhart just made a big donation and asked to be moved to our table.”

  “How did you know it was him?”

  Courtney couldn’t help but glance back at the crowd of guests milling around the game floor. She wasn’t surprised when she found Kitty Summers staring daggers in her direction. Of course, as soon as Kitty had figured out what table she and Bo were assigned to, she’d gotten Ace to make a big donation so she could sit at their table and ruin Bo and Courtney’s night.

  What a total bitch, Courtney thought, but two can play at that game.

  With a grin she couldn’t keep off her face, she turned back to the woman with the clipboard.

  “You know, Bo doesn’t mind switching tables. He doesn’t really want that kind of recognition for his donation anyways.” Courtney had no idea if that was true but pressed on. “We’d be happy to switch places with them if that helps your seating arrangement.”

  “Really? Are you sure?” The woman seemed to be fighting the need to just take Courtney’s offer.

  “Of course. It’s really no problem. What table should we go to instead?”

  The woman let out a huge sigh of relief. “Table eight. Thank you so much for switching. I really appreciate it. Please thank Mr. Ryans as well.”

  “Of course,” Courtney said again. “Happy to help.”

  With that, she made her way back to Bo who raised an eyebrow at the huge grin of triumph on her face. When she got close enough, he said, “Careful with that smile, or people will think you’re up to something.”

  Courtney laughed. “I am up to something.” More conspiratorially, she leaned in and told him, “We’ll now be dining at table eight.” Her grin grew wider as she couldn’t help but add, “We’re actually switching places with Kitty and Ace.”

  Bo let out a short bellow of laughter before he could reign himself in. “They demanded to move to our table when they heard where we were sitting, didn’t they?”

  Courtney nodded, “And he made a big donation to do it.”

  Looking like a schoolboy who’d just pulled a particularly sneaky prank, Bo hid a grin behind his whiskey glass. “How very kind of him.”

  Their evening went much better after that, and Courtney had to continually remind herself that she was still angry at Bo. He just had that charm that made it difficult to stay mad at him. She found it maddeningly frustrating.

  At dinner, he guided her to their table with a gentle hand on the small of her back and pulled out a chair for her. The smoldering look he gave her when she sat made her want to touch him, and she couldn’t help but brush her fingers lightly against his when he sat before pulling back into her own space again.

  The other guests at their table seemed delighted that Bo and Courtney would be joining them and that, paired with the fact that they now sat at the table beside Hattie’s, made for a more enjoyable night. The older woman continually turned and regaled them and her own table with stories of all the mistakes she’d made when starting up her distillery business.

  At one point, while laughing at one of Hattie’s stories, she found herself putting a hand on Bo’s arm. His response was a questioning look, and when she didn’t immediately pull away, he took her hand and held it in his until the end of the story.

  Dinner wrapped up with a decadent dessert, and then the guests were released for another two hours of gambling if they wished.

  “How about that game of blackjack you mentioned earlier?” Bo asked with true hope in his voice.

  “Okay. I might actually beat you after all the lessons I’ve had.”

  His mouth twisted in mock disbelief. “We’ll see.” Then he smiled again to show he was joking.

  Courtney was at war with herself over liking Bo. She felt like she should still be giving him the cold shoulder for invading her privacy like that, but she couldn’t very well do that while trying to convince a room full of people that they were a real couple in love.

  The other problem was that she simply didn’t want to be mad at Bo anymore.

  As they sat at the blackjack table, she caught Bo giving her a look out of the corner of his eye, then his head snapped over completely to look at someone behind her.

  Courtney’s stomach clenched, knowing exactly who could elicit that kind of response from Bo. She forced a polite smile as she turned.

  Kitty smoothly sat in the chair beside her at the blackjack table. Ace was nowhere to be seen.

  “We missed you at dinner. I guess you decided to skimp a little on the donations this year, huh, Bo?” She leaned across Courtney as if she weren’t there. “You can tell me the truth, you know. Has it been a difficult few years for you now that you have to compete against Ace’s company?”

  As Courtney watched, a muscle began to twitch in Bo’s cheek. For someone who could handle multimillion dollar business transactions, she was a little surprised by how easily he let Kitty get to him.

  Then again, matters of the heart were always a little more difficult than business.

  “Actually,” Courtney said, leaning forward while pretending to adjust the strap on her shoes and using the movement to force Kitty back into her own space, “we decided to give someone else our seats.” She dropped her voice to a whisper, “I guess someone dropped a large donation so they could sit at the front table and make a display of how much money they’d donated. Some people, huh?” She turned her attention back to Bo so she didn’t have to see the other woman’s reaction. “How do we get chips, Bo? I’d like to play.”

  Bo waved one of the staff over, and after a quick discussion, the man left then quickly returned with two trays of chips. Bo thanked him and handed one tray to Courtney.

  “Still feeling lucky from the roulette tables?”

  “I am, actually.” Courtney couldn’t seem to keep the smile off her face when she looked at Bo. And it wasn’t even for the sake of pissing off Kitty, though that was an added benefit. No, she just liked the way he looked at her. The way he listened attentively, how his eyes glittered, and how the corners of his mouth turned up when she made him laugh.

  Kitty’s tinkly voice cut across her thoughts, “Are we going to play, or are you two going to flirt all night?”

  “We’re ready,” Courtney said to the dealer, completely ignoring Kitty.

  The first two rounds, Courtney played it safe and ended up squandering her chips away when Kitty got closer than any of them to twenty-one but didn’t bust. The third round, Bo won. After that, Courtney decided to be a little more daring, but she overshot and ended up busting.

  Though she was losing Bo’s money, it was hard to care very much when she knew all of it was going toward charity. Even with Kitty sitting beside her, Courtney was still enjoying herself—mostly because Bo was there keeping the game fun and interesting.

  “Are you sure you want to do that?” He asked her at one point. She’d asked for another card though she already had a Jack on the table, putting her close to the threshold for busting.

  “I’m trying to live on the edge here,” Courtney sa
id back, flushing a little as she caught his eyes on her lips. She unconsciously licked them and watched as he took in a short breath in reaction. She gave him a wicked grin. “Plus, it’s your money, so I’m not out anything. If anything, I’m like a modern-day Robin Hood. Taking from the sinful rich and giving to charity.”

  “Hmm. This might be a dangerous way to start your gambling experience if it doesn’t have any real stakes for you.”

  Courtney started to respond then hesitated. Did she really want to up the ante and risk a repeat of their moment in the elevator? The hot and heavy part, hell yes. But the part where she got shut down by him when she refused to be exclusive? Not so much.

  Still, he’d been so attentive all night. He was clearly still interested in her. Throughout the evening, her sharp anger at having her privacy violated by him had been worn down to a dull edge. Now she just wanted an explanation. Or a promise that it wouldn’t happen again.

  When it was obvious that she’d hesitated for too long, she finally blurted out, “Let’s make this more interesting, then. How about whichever of us comes closest to 21 without going over in this next hand gets to…” she paused for a moment remembering that they had an audience and were supposed to be happily dating. “Whoever wins gets to decide what we do for the rest of the night.”

  Though it might sound lame to their audience, Courtney had a feeling Bo would understand what she was asking. If she won, she would tell Bo that she wanted to stay with him for the night, no strings attached. She wasn’t sure what he would ask for if he won, but by the terms she’d set, he wouldn’t be able to demand exclusivity if they were only together for one night.

  As she watched him considering the bet, she got the distinct feeling that he understood exactly how she’d backed him into a corner. He only confirmed it by saying, “Aren’t you the negotiator?” His hand went to his chin for a moment in that way that made Courtney want to place her hand over his and lean in for a kiss.

  “Bets?” The dealer said, clearly waiting. Even Kitty hadn’t placed her bet yet, too busy listening to the exchange between Bo and Courtney.

  “I’ll accept that wager,” Bo finally agreed, sending a little thrill through Courtney.

  Suddenly the game was a lot more interesting. They placed actual bets on the table again and waited for their cards.

  Bo got a King and a seven while Courtney was dealt an eight and a ten.

  The dealer ended up with a queen, but it didn’t matter to them. Though they had money on the table, they weren’t trying to beat the dealer. They were really only playing between themselves this time.

  In this game, Courtney would have the advantage since Bo would get his card first and she would know what it was before she had to decide whether to stay or ask for another card.

  They measured each other up somewhat mockingly for their audience while in actuality they were truly trying to determine how the other person would play. Courtney had moved to the edge of her seat and was biting her lip slightly while Bo tapped a single finger on his leg. They noticed each other’s nervous ticks and both broke into a smile.

  A roguish look passed over Bo’s face, and Courtney realized she knew exactly what he was going to say before he opened his mouth.

  “Hit me,” Bo told the dealer then flicked his eyes back to Courtney.

  He was trying to lose. He knew what she would ask for, and he was trying to lose.

  He wanted to spend the night with her just as much as she did. By letting her win, it gave him permission to let go of his expectation for an exclusive relationship for just this one night.

  Her heart beat faster. If she could win this, she could have Bo Ryans all to herself for the night. Somehow, it was a little more thrilling than the idea of an exclusive relationship with him. Though, to be honest, that had a certain allure as well…until she remembered her passionate encounters with Raife.

  At least with their bet, she wouldn’t have to make the decision to give that up just yet regardless of who won.

  The dealer placed Bo’s third card on the table. A Queen of hearts.

  He’d busted.

  Courtney put a hand over her cards and told the dealer, “I’ll stay.”

  Neither of them watched the rest of the game or how Kitty won the hand. To them, the only person who had won was Courtney.

  “Well,” Bo said, his deep voice feeling almost like a caress, “What do you have in mind for the rest of our evening?”

  “I think I’m done with cards for the night. You?”

  “I’m at your command, my lady.” He took her hand and brushed a light kiss over it, sending jolts of electricity through her and making her mouth suddenly very dry.

  A loud, overdramatic groan came from the other side of Courtney.

  When Courtney turned to Kitty, the woman said, “Get a room, will you?” She was clearly trying to make Courtney feel embarrassed.

  Instead, Courtney broke into a smile, knowing it would annoy Kitty. “I think we’ll do just that.” Swiveling back to Bo, who still had a hold of her hand, she said, “Are you ready to go, or do we need to stay awhile longer?”

  “I’m ready.”

  The clear desire in his eyes suggested he was ready for a lot more than just leaving.

  Courtney turned her hand in his so she could squeeze it as she stood. To Kitty, she said, “Great game, Kitty. It was so nice to meet you and Ace.”

  Kitty put on a fake smile causing Courtney to wonder again how Bo hadn’t managed to see right through the woman.

  “And you as well,” Kitty said though her tone suggested otherwise.

  Not my problem, Courtney thought and turned her back on the woman to look up at Bo.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he said. At her nod, they left the table, deposited their chips with a staff member, and left.

  Maybe it was the champagne, but the whole time, Courtney felt like she was walking on air. She wasn’t sure she’d ever been quite so excited to put her hands on a man before. And that included her encounters with Raife.

  Tonight was going to be something. That was for sure.

  Chapter 13

  On the ride back to the Temple, they made out like teenagers. Hot and heavy yet also giggly. Or at least, Courtney was giggly. She was pretty sure Bo would have been completely okay with having sex in the back of the car, but she certainly wasn’t. Not with the driver right there. Even making out with Bo in the back of the SUV was a little embarrassing since she knew they had an audience.

  As usual, the driver dropped them off in the parking garage near the elevator. They separated long enough for Courtney to smooth down her dress and Bo to unmuss his hair, making themselves presentable for the thirty second walk to the elevator door while holding hands. The staff member manning the elevator greeted them and hit the call button while Bo made awkward conversation.

  Or maybe it was only awkward to her because she desperately wanted Bo’s soft yet demanding lips back on hers again.

  After what felt like an eternity, the elevator came. When the doors snicked shut and the car started its trek to the top floor, they were finally alone. Bo squeezed Courtney’s hand and slowly drew her to him, giving her time to pull away if she wanted.

  What she wanted was Bo.

  But…

  She looked up and nearly drowned in those dark eyes of his. Biting her lip for a second, she put a hand to his chest and paused his motion of leaning in to kiss her. Doubt drew a curtain over his eyes and, not liking the way that made her feel, Courtney quickly asked, “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “A bet’s a bet.” His hand, warm against her exposed back, moved up and down slightly as he spoke. She wanted so much to give in. To push him against the elevator wall and have her way with him.

  But…

  “I know I won the bet, but are you sure you’re okay with this?” She freed her hand from his hip for just a moment to gesture at them. “I’m not agreeing to more than just tonight.” She smiled, a little embarrassed b
ut also proud that she was willing to be so open with her desires. “I really, really want this tonight. But if you’re not sure you can handle that—"

  He pulled her against him, making her gasp into his mouth as he kissed her fiercely. His sudden need sent a thrill through her. His hands roved her body, moving from her back, down to squeeze her butt while simultaneously pulling her against him.

  She could feel how hard he was. Her body responded, wanting him to take her like Raife would.

  But this is Bo, she reminded herself. She needed to be ready for a different kind of sex. Her mind flashed on what she remembered from the sex tape of him and Kitty. The idea of being in Kitty’s position thrilled her, but she wasn’t sure how to ask for that from him.

  The doors opened to Bo’s foyer, and he automatically began walking them toward his apartment. It was awkward as hell, but Courtney didn’t care. She didn’t want his hands to leave her body or his lips to leave hers.

  He fumbled for the keycard in his wallet and finally swiped it against the scanner after what felt like a million years. When they’d crossed the threshold, he kicked the door shut behind them. She suddenly wished she’d worn a different dress. Sure, it had a plunging back, but it was really too long and tight around the hips and legs for this kind of thing.

  Damn it! She pulled back from Bo, taking in a big gasp of air and turned her back to him.

  “Unzip me?”

  Rather than quickly complying as she expected, he pulled her butt against him and cupped her breasts, dropping kisses on her exposed neck, then down her back, following the opening of the dress. He had to shift to continue down, pulling his hardness away from her. She missed the pressure, but his ever-moving lips and tongue more than made up for it.

  Oh, my, yes! Was her thought as he straightened back up and leaned her over the back of the couch. He unzipped her dress, making it a little looser, then snaked his hand through the opening and around her front. She’d forgotten she hadn’t worn underwear with the dress and moaned when he rubbed his finger oh-so-gently against her clitoris.