I pushed at his arms and he was looking at me incredulously, his eyebrows slamming together, his mouth unable to form any words.
“Why in the hell would you need to work at the casino again? You’re a trained Federal Marshal.”
“A Federal Marshal who’s home on leave and concerned about friends that I consider family,” he said, reaching for me again, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. “Damn it, Dee, you’re so—”
But something shifted inside me and banged shut, like a loose shutter in a windstorm. I pushed out of his arms and swung my body around him. He grabbed at my hands and tugged me back to his firm chest.
“No need to kiss me to apply for a stupid job,” I said, struggling against him, my ego collapsing to the cold floor. “If you’re that hard up just come in and ask for a damn uniform.”
He shoved me against the railing, the entire length of him pressing upon me now. I could feel how hard everything was—his chest, his arms, his thighs. I nearly moaned out loud from the contact. “You are one obstinate woman—you know that?”
I scoffed. “As if you didn’t already know that about me.”
“What the hell, Dee?” His fingers slid upward from my waist to grip at my face. “I kissed you because for five long fucking years, I’ve imagined doing just that.”
I gasped, trying to control my trembling knees. His words had turned me to instant mush. If he only knew how many times I had fantasized about him doing just that. And here he was in my condo, so close, so damn close, fulfilling that desperate need that has gone unsatisfied for so long.
“Tasting your lips again, feeling your body against mine,” he growled, tightening his stance, sliding his fingers to the hollow of my throat. “My tongue inside that sexy mouth.”
I whimpered against him as his lips ventured close again, trailing along my jawline. “That damn stubborn mouth.”
His fingers now traced my collarbone and my nipples responded by hardening into stiff nubs. “We’ve only had the chance a handful of times, but I will always remember how it felt to be buried deep inside you.”
“Shane . . .” I moaned, squeezing my eyes closed.
“Fuck, angel . . .” he rumbled into my neck.
“You could have reached out,” I said, my voice trembling. “I’ve always been here . . . right here.”
“I’m sorry that it took these circumstances to bring me back here,” he said, running his nose along my earlobe. “I hate that it’s under these conditions. That your family is going through this. But I’m here now.”
I inhaled sharply at the plain truth. Dad was gone but he had always liked Shane, was proud of him. Considered him like a son, even.
“If you think that I’m going to let another year go by and not tell you what I’ve been feeling—what I’ve been thinking—then you’d be wrong.” His groin slid across my hip and I could feel his pulsing erection.
“Shane—”
“I would’ve told you at the wedding but you avoided me.”
“I . . . I didn’t avoid you. Besides, you . . . you left early.”
“You noticed that, did you?” he said, practically growling into my shoulder. “And what about your date?”
Suddenly his eyes took on this faraway look like he was picturing the event all over again. And then as if he remembered something significant. “Your date to the wedding was Ridge, yeah?”
“What if it was?”
He pulled back abruptly and I instantly missed his warmth. “You brought him when you knew I’d be there.”
“What does that matter?” I said, completely baffled by his new train of thought. “That’s what you do for weddings, you bring a date.”
He raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t bring a date.”
“How was I supposed to know whether you were bringing somebody or not?”
“You knew full well,” he grunted out. “All you had to do was ask your best friend, Rachel, how I had RSVP’d on the invitation.”
“Well now you just sound ridiculous,” I said, even though he was right. “I was dating Ridge at the time. Of course I would bring the guy I was seeing to my brother’s wedding. You just sound jealous.”
“Of course I’d be jealous of the guy who had gotten my girl!”
“I was no longer your girl, remember?” I said. “You . . . you stayed gone.”
“Fuck, Dakota,” Shane said and pushed away from me. “These are the things I’m trying to get straight with you. I tried telling you at the casino and I’m going to try again now.”
He began pacing in front of me looking beyond pissed. The exact way he had sounded during our very last phone call years ago.
“Are we really having this conversation?” I said, my hands nudging at his shoulder. Damn, he made me so crazy, so angry. “Now? In the middle of everything going on at the casino? I can’t . . . I don’t have time for this.”
He drew back as if he’d been slapped.
I softened my voice in an attempt to make him understand what I was trying to say. “Everyone’s eyes are on me and my mom, waiting for us to make the wrong move. To do something that will hurt the community.”
“Could’ve, should’ve, would’ve, it’ll never be the right time,” he bit out, stepping into my personal space again. “But I’m here now, telling you how I feel.”
“Yeah, and how long will you stay? How long before you realize you have a job and a life to get back to?”
He moved closer, pressing my back against the brick wall. “Maybe I wonder if my life is supposed to be here, with you. Maybe I feel completely alive again around you.”
My eyes sprang up to meet his. His words stirred something so deeply rooted inside of me that my lips began trembling.
“And maybe all the implications of that are only hitting me right now, standing here in front of you,” he growled. “Goddamn it, Dakota.”
His lips crashed against mine again, his tongue slashing past my lips in a deep and bruising and head-spinning kiss that lasted for several long, blissful moments.
But then he pushed away from the wall and was gone.
Chapter Fifteen
SHANE
I walked with Stuart past the blackjack pit and the rows of Lucky Seven slot machines toward Dakota’s office. I immediately noticed that Grayson had stationed an extra man near the entrance and escalators and how the pit boss seemed to be pacing more than usual today.
“Glad you’re here, son. Now that the rumor has leaked about the possible vote from the Casino Association, tensions are high,” Stuart said, stopping near a group of ladies in front of the bathroom, one with a tiara on her head, obviously a bachelorette party. “Half are nervous about the security of their jobs. The other half are angry and believe the rumor that Mrs. Nakos has other plans for the casino.”
“What kind of plans?” I asked as I scanned the floor behind me. It was true that some of the employees looked off-kilter somehow. Not happy or relaxed, and instead, perfunctory.
“I’ve heard different versions,” he said, lowering his voice. “That she might expand in a different direction. Disregard the needs of the employees and reservation. It’s all gossip and speculation, obviously.”
Dakota was on the phone and nodded as we entered. Her hair was up in a tight bun at the top of her head and she wore a pink blouse with the first three buttons undone. Though I couldn’t see below the desk, I knew she had on a tight skirt with some killer heels. Heels I planned to fuck her in someday.
Her eyes stayed glued to my face as she finished the call. Those lips had been on mine the other day out on her balcony, and I wanted them on me again.
When she hung up, she tipped her chin at me. She always held her emotions close to her vest, but I knew her so well that I could distinguish the relief in her eyes at seeing me. If she hadn’t wanted me to kiss her the other day, let alone touch her, I would have known. But she did, despite her inner turmoil. She wanted me as badly as I wanted her. I knew I’d have to go slow since she was sti
ll hurt by how we ended things and because the current timing was terrible.
“Where do you want me today, boss lady?” I said, smirking and waiting for the response I knew was coming.
“Anywhere Stuart needs assistance on the floor, I guess,” she said, shaking her head, the only sign of our earlier disagreement on the subject.
Her forehead smoothed out and her eyes momentarily closed in reprieve. Those little things that told me she needed me, was glad I was here, even if she felt conflicted.
“We could use the help,” Stuart interjected, and Dakota sank her head back in her chair. “It’ll be nice to have him back.”
Dakota got this strange look in her eyes and nodded. Part nostalgia, part acceptance. Was she remembering what it was like working together years ago?
“Just be cool about it,” I said. “Nobody needs to know my reasons for coming back. I want to be able to get a feel for what the hell is going on around here.”
Stuart nodded and then looked at Dakota. “You still meeting Ridge for lunch?”
“Yes,” she said in a strained voice, obviously unhappy with Stuart for sharing her schedule. “I’m still meeting an old friend for lunch.”
I pretended to be indifferent even though I could feel the blood draining from my face.
“Where are you meeting him?” I asked, keeping my shoulders rigid.
“At the Wine Cellar at noon.” She narrowed her eyes. “Why?”
I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “Maybe I should drive you.”
“Oh no, you don’t,” she said, already shaking her head.
“Dee, it doesn’t matter who you’re meeting, you still have to—”
“I already asked Grayson to drive me.”
“Finally she gets it,” I said, feeling relief that she’d taken my suggestions seriously.
“Mostly because you’re breathing down my neck,” she said, her eyes meeting mine in a challenge. I stared back, calling her bluff.
I would’ve preferred to be the one to drive her, even if it was for selfish reasons. I couldn’t help being curious about this guy, now that I remembered he was her date to Kai’s wedding. I wanted to see his eyes, gauge for myself whether or not he was still hung up on Dakota.
“Why does he want to meet you?” I said, ignoring her comment. “Do you guys regularly get together?”
“Every couple of months, yes,” she said. “But this lunch will include some board and committee members from the Circle of Hope. Our casino is donating a substantial amount to his nonprofit, at an upcoming benefit that I’m attending.”
“Attending with him?” I asked. My voice was so tight that Stuart probably noticed it.
Her eyes flashed at me. “Yes, with him. I usually meet him there. Why am I even explaining this to you?”
“Got me. I just asked a simple question.” I crossed my arms, somehow enjoying seeing her squirm. “Will Flint be at this lunch?”
“Not sure. He’s been a board member for years. I’ve only been to a couple of these planning luncheons, so I’m not sure how often he shows.”
“Are you nervous about seeing him?”
Dakota shrugged, but her jaw also tightened. “I actually hoped to talk to Ridge alone, but it doesn’t seem likely. I wondered if he’d say something about his dad—about why he’s so insistent on fighting for rights to my casino.”
“Does he usually divulge information?”
“When he’s frustrated with him, yeah,” she said. “But he’s usually straight with me. He’s smart and gives good advice. He’s been a decent friend.”
“Got it,” I said. She moved some papers on her desk, effectively shutting down the conversation. I looked at my phone and pretended to have an incoming call. “Be right back, going to take this.”
I stepped outside the office and dialed Alex. “Dakota has a luncheon with Ridge Thornfall and other community members at noon at the Wine Cellar. You on it? We need all of our I’s dotted and T’s crossed for this one. I’ll let Charlie know.”
Dakota didn’t even know the half of what I was up to, but when I found a lead and nailed somebody’s ass to the wall, she’d totally understand.
Stuart stepped out of the office and quietly tugged the door closed.
“Stuart, I . . . I’ll be back after I handle some business.”
“I know you’re up to something,” he said, eyeing me with interest.
I shifted on the balls of my feet as a group of guys at a craps table yelled and high-fived over a good roll. “I . . . I’m looking into some things. Have to, Stuart.”
“Understood,” he said. “You worried about Flint Thornfall?”
“Are you?” I asked, turning his question back on him. His opinion might prove to be invaluable in the long run.
“Maybe.” He shrugged. “He’d like to think he could handle two casinos, but no one can run this one better than the Nakos family.”
“They’re lucky to have you,” I said and patted his shoulder. “And Ridge?”
“He never held boss lady’s attention for long,” he said, strictly for my benefit. I nodded. “His mom was a good lady but she couldn’t get a handle on her habit. Flint didn’t know how to deal with it, so he ignored it, was seen around town with another lady while his wife was dying.”
My eyebrows shot up. Damn, I felt sorry for Ridge now. “Anything else?”
“In some ways, Ridge is more successful than his father. Probably handles his money better. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s had to dig his father out of the hole a couple of times.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Ridge has always held a grudge about his mother, didn’t think his father did right by her,” Stuart said, lowering his voice. “But he probably still feels some responsibility to his dad. Just like Flint probably still feels guilty about how he handled his wife’s death. Families are complicated.”
“Don’t I know it,” I said, clapping him on the back. Stuart’s own wife was deceased, his children grown with families of their own. “You are full of good wisdom, Stuart. Always were.”
He bowed his head. “I’m just glad you’re here to help.”
He strode away without my having denied or agreed to anything. I supposed it was better that way. But I knew Stuart also wanted some answers and had this family’s best interests at heart. So having him in the know might not be such a bad thing after all.
When I stepped back inside, Dakota was primping herself in the small mirror on the closet door behind her desk. She was applying that damn red gloss that made her lips stand out and all I could think was that, despite Stuart’s words, she was still fussing for her lunch with him.
I remembered how tight my chest felt seeing her at that wedding reception with him; it had been difficult to breathe. He was a good-looking dude, from what I remembered since I’d struggled to make direct eye contact, and I had wondered if that was how it was meant to be.
Maybe Dakota should end up with somebody who shared her culture, and who understood this business. I remembered thinking how pretty her children would be and I’d nearly lost my cookies at the reception. I had to get the hell out of there.
“Dee, listen,” I said. I needed her to have faith that I was keeping her family safe and therefore she needed to know what I was up to. “There are probably going to be some key community players at this luncheon, right?”
“Right,” she said, her response registering more like a question because she didn’t understand my meaning.
“Remember how I told you that I’d have eyes on you and your family?”
She nodded, her shoulders hunching up.
“I just wanted you to know that we might have ears at the luncheon today.”
“You mean you’re going to show up at the restaurant?” she said, her hand stilling on her hair.
“No, but someone will be nearby.”
When her eyebrows bunched together, I said, “If Flint shows up, I want to try to figure out what he’s up to. Just trust me, De
e. Please.”
“But I thought you were only checking in on my dad’s case.”
“We are,” I said, not ready yet to tell her my fears that his death might’ve been purposeful. “And now we’re cross-checking. We never want to rule anything out. There may be threats we never anticipated. I’m only doing it to protect your family.”
Her gaze held mine in the mirror. She was putting things together in her head, I could sense it. And if she asked me further about it, I’d tell her straight out. “I trust you.”
“Thanks,” I said, releasing my breath.
When I stepped behind her and reached around her waist, her breath stuttered. I liked that my touch garnered that reaction.
She met my gaze in the mirror. “Shane . . .”
“Did you have feelings for this guy?” I asked, swallowing. We were so close, my breath on her neck. I stared over her shoulder into her eyes, which were a midnight blue.
“I cared about Ridge.” She turned in my grasp. “Now, more as a friend.”
“You think he wants you back?”
Even though she took a backward step, I didn’t remove my hands from her hot skin. I kept them there, pinned to her sides. I didn’t want her to move away. I needed to see her eyes when she answered me.
“Doesn’t matter. Not interested.” My gaze skimmed down to her perfectly round chest, which was now heaving. I remembered her bronzed skin, dark nipples, and how her breasts fit so perfectly in my hands. “You sound . . . jealous again.”
My head slinked toward her jaw and my nose nuzzled her cheek until my lips found her ear. “I’d be jealous of anybody who got to touch you.”
She held back a moan. “You . . . you weren’t here. Of course I’d date other people.”
“Did he make you breakfast every morning?” I asked, kissing the skin just below her ear.
“I don’t see how—what?” Her head fell back as my tongue skimmed her lobe.
“Did he know you had trouble sleeping? That you needed something to distract you?” There were late nights spent on the phone in high school that nobody but the two of us knew about. When she’d call me to talk because she couldn’t sleep. And then when our attraction skyrocketed in college, those nights had turned into something more.
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