She reached over and touched his hand. ‘This is great, thanks. Do you want to go and sit back outside? We could look at the information they gave us and decide what trips we want to do at the different ports.’
There was that innocence to her voice. A purity that he’d really never encountered before. Most of the women he met were players. They knew exactly what they wanted and when they wanted it. Lara didn’t even have a sniff of that around her. It was refreshing. It was different. And it was clear that he’d been moving in the wrong circles for far too long.
He resisted the urge to say the words hovering on the edge of his tongue. We’ll go wherever you want.
Maybe it was the nature of holidays that played havoc with the senses. Maybe it was the freedom that he was going to be able to ignore his emails and phone for two weeks.
Or maybe it was the Lara effect.
It made him wary. Was a two-week fling really what Lara would want?
Would that really help rebuild her confidence?
He gave his head a shake. Whatever it was, he had two weeks to figure it out. He refilled the glasses. ‘Sure, why not? Let’s watch the rest of the Venice lagoon go by.’
His hand went naturally to the small of her back as they headed to the door and he resisted the temptation to let it slide further down.
This could be a long two weeks.
CHAPTER EIGHT
‘DO YOU WANT to hit the casino?’
‘What?’ She was sitting on the balcony, reading a book and letting the sun warm her shoulders.
Reuben didn’t do relaxation well. He’d been pacing around the cabin for the last hour. He’d already gone for a couple of walks around the ship and flicked through the various channels on the ship’s TV.
‘Do you want to go to the casino? Put on one of those fancy dresses we bought and let’s live a little.’
She lifted her feet down from the table they were resting on and leaned forward, watching Reuben as he paced the room, trying to use up some of his nervous energy. What on earth was wrong with him?
‘I’ve never been to a casino before. What do you actually do in them?’
He looked stunned. ‘You’ve never been to a casino before?’
She shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. ‘The only casinos I’ve seen are the ones James Bond is usually in.’
Reuben walked out and grabbed her hand. ‘Well, the casino on board might be quite small, but it’s a perfect start. Come and get changed.’
She let him pull her to her feet.
‘It’ll be the perfect start for the mother of all casinos, the one in Monte Carlo.’
Her eyes widened. ‘We can’t possibly go there.’
‘Why not? We’re mooring at Monte Carlo overnight. There’s no curfew on the ship. We can be out as long as we like.’
She wasn’t sure if he was conscious of his movements but as he said the words he stepped closer to her. Other people might be intimidated by a guy moving into their personal space but things were getting odd with Reuben.
They weren’t in a relationship. They weren’t actually anything to each other. But from that first stormy meeting every day just seemed to step up a little notch. There was almost expectation now. That waiting...for something. She wasn’t quite sure what.
But every time Reuben took a step into her personal space those expectations rose. The electric buzz had been rising slowly, first to a simmer then to some definite bubbles. Everything was just beneath the surface. All it would take was one move, one look, one connection to make everything erupt.
She just wasn’t sure she was ready for it.
She’d just broken up with Josh. She should be distraught. She should be giving herself some time to heal and collect her thoughts.
But everything about her was jittery. Her stomach was permanently clenched. Reuben hadn’t offered anything. Hadn’t mentioned anything. He was here with her now after inviting himself on her holiday.
He was sharing her cabin—sharing her bed with no discussion of what on earth was going on between them. And she couldn’t ask. Because then she would be admitting there was something.
It was official. Reuben Tyler was the most exasperating man she’d ever met.
She looked up at the brown eyes that were fixed on hers. What would he do right now if she stood up on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him—just like he’d kissed her in the store in London?
Maybe it was time she kept him on his toes too?
But right now she couldn’t. She gave a tiny shake of her head and a little smile. ‘Monte Carlo it is. I can hardly wait.’
* * *
Holidays seemed to do strange things to Reuben. He was talking to complete and utter strangers at dinner every night and actually finding their company enjoyable. He was having conversations about things other than sport and stocks and shares.
Every time someone assumed that Lara was his partner he couldn’t find the words to correct them. And that was definitely a first for him. He actually liked it that people assumed they were together. He’d nearly blown a quiet gasket when he’d seen some guy leer at her at the bar. But Lara was no shrinking violet. She’d accidentally-on-purpose dropped her iced drink in his lap and promptly left.
Now he was drumming his fingers on the sumptuous piano bar, waiting for Lara to appear before their visit to Monte Carlo’s casino tonight. They’d only arrived in port an hour ago and he’d quickly dressed and left her to get ready. He’d been able to tell she was nervous.
Funny thing was he was a little nervous too.
The man next to him made a little strangled noise, choking on his rich Merlot. Reuben spun around to follow his gaze and almost choked himself. Lara was wearing the gold dress, the one that looked completely sheer and was covered with jewels and gold sequins. It gave the illusion of nakedness where there was really none. Just as well he actually knew that—the rest of the men in the bar would continue to keep their eyes entirely on her.
But Reuben couldn’t have dragged his eyes away if he’d tried.
Lara’s skin had only the tiniest hint of colour, her long blonde hair resting in gently cascading curls down her shoulders. Her only jewellery was a thin gold locket around her neck and her long bare legs finished with her jewelled wedges drew almost as much attention as the dress itself.
She was every inch the belle of the Monte Carlo ball.
His feet moved automatically to meet her. It was almost self-preservation. If he wasn’t by her side in an instant some other guy would be. Without even thinking, he slipped an arm around her waist and gave her a kiss on the cheek. ‘You look amazing, Lara.’
There was still a glimmer of uncertainty in her face, the tiniest part of her still lacking in self-confidence. He couldn’t for a second understand why—and he’d bet every person in the room wouldn’t understand either.
But this was Lara. They didn’t know her like he did.
She gave a little nod of her head and sucked in a breath. ‘Thank you,’ she said, running her eyes up and down his formal suit.
This time it was his turn to suck in his breath, even though he didn’t understand why. He pointed towards the bar. ‘Do you want to have a drink before we go?’
She shook her head. ‘No.’ Her gaze meshed with his. ‘I’d rather just get this night started.’
The words sent a buzz through his entire body. If any other woman had said those words he would immediately have assumed something. Something intimate. But with Lara? He just wasn’t sure.
He held out his elbow towards her. ‘Then Monte Carlo here we come.’
She slid her arm into his. ‘I can’t wait.’
* * *
The journey from the ship to the edge of Monte Carlo took only a few minutes. The ship was moored
directly underneath the race track and casino.
There were guards standing at the entrance to the world-famous casino and her stomach gave a little flip-flop as they started up the steps. Trouble was she didn’t know if the flip-flop was for the venue or the handsome man on her arm.
She hadn’t bothered with a jacket but the night air was warm and the lamplight in the street made the jewels and sequins on her dress send scattered lights all around them. She was like her own little kaleidoscope. The kind she’d pressed to her eye as a child. It made her heart flutter in strange little ways. It was like being the star in your own fairy tale.
Reuben’s hand was securely placed at the bottom of her spine and from the second they’d stepped off the ship things had seemed different. As if something had just stepped up a notch.
They entered the Salon Renaissance and had their IDs checked quickly. ‘I can’t believe people from Monaco can’t gamble here,’ she whispered.
‘Neither can I,’ he replied in a low voice. ‘But the law was made over a hundred years ago. They didn’t want to corrupt their own citizens but they’re happy to take money from any visitors.’ He glanced around as a famous racing driver entered the casino. ‘And remember the foreign nationals who reside in Monaco can come here.’
‘So I see,’ she replied, as she watched the racing driver and his model girlfriend, dressed in a slinky red dress, nod to the doorman and walk in like old friends.
The Salon Renaissance was sumptuous. Everything about the place spoke of opulence and money. There was a variety of gaming rooms all around them. Lara had no clue what was going on in any one of them.
Reuben gave a smile of amusement at the look on her face. ‘How about we go and get a cocktail first? Then I’ll get us some chips and we can look through the gaming rooms and decide what you want to play.’
‘I’m not sure about this,’ she murmured, starting to feel a little panicked. Someone like her could easily lose their entire year’s income on the turn of a hand of cards. She was completely out of her depth here.
They walked through to the bar. Like everything else it was elegant and immaculate. Lara poised herself on one of the bar stools. The biggest surprise was how busy the casino was. It was still early evening, but everywhere she looked she could see well-dressed people laughing and chatting as if visiting the casino was an everyday occurrence.
She shifted on her stool. The little jewels and sequins on her dress caught the lights from the chandelier above the bar. Thank goodness for the gold dress. Even if she had retrieved her original wardrobe she would never have had anything suitable to wear in here.
Reuben handed her the cocktail list. It didn’t even have prices listed and for once she decided not to ask. She scanned the list quickly. ‘I’ll have a mango daiquiri,’ she said with a smile. ‘I’d usually have strawberry, but it might be time to try something new.’
She lifted her gaze to meet his just as the breath was sucked out of her body as she realised how that might sound.
Nothing was lost on Reuben—he just had a way of acting way much cooler than she did. There was the tiniest flicker in his eyes. Then a little quirk as the corner of his lips turned upwards. His beer was much more straightforward, but once they had their drinks he raised his glass to hers. ‘To trying something new.’
Her hand trembled. The flirtation was definitely increasing, along the heat between them. Right now they could probably heat up the whole building on their own. She took a sip of the frozen daiquiri and tried not to groan with pleasure at the sharp and sweet cold sensation.
He held his hand towards her. ‘Want to have a look around?’
She nodded. There were doors to different rooms all around them. ‘Do you know where to go?’
He smiled and pointed with one hand. ‘The Hall of the Americas has blackjack, craps, American roulette and baccarat. The White Hall has slot machines. The Salon Europe has English and European roulette, stud poker and thirty forty.’
He might as well have been talking a foreign language. A vaguely familiar-looking woman walked past, glittering with diamonds, her face completely wrinkle-free. Hadn’t she won an acting award a few years ago? It was like being the new girl in school all over again. She didn’t have a clue where to go or who to talk to. Reuben was the only familiar factor in this whole scenario. She turned to face him. ‘Does anywhere play snap or gin rummy?’
He turned to face her, his hand automatically going to her hip. It made her feel a tiny bit more secure. Maybe he would find her lack of knowledge exasperating. Maybe he would get fed up with her and want to go and spend some time at the tables on his own. Her stomach was currently clenching as she watched him.
His fingers moved at her hip, pulling her just a few inches closer. She could almost see something flash in his eyes but it wasn’t the usual amusement or tease. This was something different. Almost a form of endearment. ‘You don’t know how to play any of these games?’
She shook her head and blonde curls cascaded forward over her shoulders. ‘No. But I’m sure I could kiss your dice for luck.’
Her whole body was tingling right now. Maybe she was reading this all wrong. Let’s face it—she’d hardly been astute when it came to Josh.
But this situation and this man felt like a million miles away from her last. Reuben reached up and brushed his finger next to her cheek. Any second now she might actually see stars.
This time she moved. She stepped forward, letting the aroma of him drift through her senses. He leaned forward.
She could smell his shaving gel, the one he’d used as he’d got ready. For some reason she was holding her breath, caught in the gaze of his dark brown eyes. His sexy smile seemed entirely for her only. ‘I think you’re right.’ His voice was low and husky. ‘I think you might be my good-luck charm.’
The effect was instant. Butterfly wings against her skin, beating in tiny frantic movements. All parts of her skin. Even parts that were apparently covered.
This couldn’t be happening. This just wasn’t right.
The hand holding her cocktail glass trembled, even though she tried to steady it.
He was still only inches from her. She could see tiny lines around the corners of his eyes, the hint of shadow around his jaw line and a pair of lips just asking to be kissed.
Her fingers tightened around the stem of her glass. Everything about this was, oh, so wrong. She shouldn’t even be thinking like this. Shouldn’t even let these thoughts enter her head.
But from the second they’d arrived it was almost as if a fanfare was erupting all around them. Back home in England there had been several moments, several flashes that might have made her think about Reuben Tyler a little differently.
But once he’d kissed her, once he’d made her lips sting and toes curl it had been like a tiny seed in her brain that just unfurled into a giant chestnut tree. With acres of room to swing on. Stop it!
She swallowed nervously. It didn’t matter she’d already drunk half her cocktail. Her lips were bone dry. Especially when he was staring at them.
Her automatic response was to lick them. But Reuben’s gaze didn’t move. Normally she would have felt uncomfortable, felt as though she were under the microscope. But everything about this—the grandeur of the surroundings, the volume of people around them, the feel of the expensive dress against her skin, and the way his cologne was weaving its way around her—made her feel a little bold. It was like starring in her own private movie.
She licked her lips again and watched as he straightened his shoulders a little. She matched his move, pressing lightly towards him and letting her breasts almost touch the lapel of his jacket. She bit her lip and kept watch on his dark eyes.
It was the first time she’d ever overtly flirted with a man. Lara was used to speaking her mind, but she wasn’t a girl of action, and she’d never been
a tease.
Maybe she was having an allergic reaction to the mangoes in the daiquiri? They weren’t exactly her normal fruit of choice. It could be that they’d had some strange effect on her body and lowered her inhibitions. Or maybe it was just the giant rush of pheromones emanating from them both and exploding somewhere in the middle.
Whatever it was, the sparkle coming off her dress didn’t even begin to capture what was happening between them.
Reuben shifted on his feet, a little uncomfortable. Was he adjusting himself? She couldn’t help the smile that reached from ear to ear.
‘Come on,’ he said briskly, covering her free hand with his own. ‘Let’s teach you how to play European roulette.’
He crossed the Salon Renaissance in such long strides she almost had to run to catch up. Now she had pulses shooting up her arm too.
He stopped abruptly and turned to face her, not dropping her hand. ‘Did you want to eat first? There are restaurants here.’
She shook her head. Eating was absolutely the last thing she wanted to do right now. Her stomach wouldn’t be able to keep a single thing down.
Reuben walked smartly to a booth and changed some money for chips. He turned and handed them to her. She frowned and stared at the multicoloured pile in her hands. ‘How much are these worth?’
He paused, as if he was hesitating to tell her. ‘They’re in euros. The value is on them. It ranges from twenty-five euros to one hundred, five hundred and a thousand.’
‘A thousand euros? Are you mad?’ She could see heads turn at her rising voice. But she didn’t care. She started riffling through the chips. ‘Which ones are those? I don’t want those. I don’t really want the five hundreds either. Even the hundreds make me feel a bit faint.’
‘Relax.’ He closed both hands over hers, his voice as smooth as silk. ‘What can go wrong? You’re my lucky charm.’
He slid an arm around her waist and directed her to one of the rooms where they were playing roulette. She watched for a few minutes, her eyes wide. She didn’t have a clue what was going on and everyone else looked like they’d been doing this for years.
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