Playing to Win

by Sami Lee

  Her pulse pounded, her chest twisting tight as it grew hard to swallow.

  If he only knew. That night had meant everything to her. It was why she wore the damn coin she’d stolen from him on a chain around her neck. It reminded her of the deepest connection she’d ever had with a man. The same man who’d had no qualms about breaking Bridget’s heart.

  She jerked her hand back from his, almost afraid he could read her thoughts. She had no illusions about what she’d done that morning. When she’d stolen his coin, she’d flat out committed a crime. A small one, but a crime nonetheless.

  Being here, on this island with Grant, put everything at risk. Her status as a respected woman in her community. But even more so, her heart.

  “Why did you bring me here, Grant?” She shook her head, her mouth pulled tight. “Because I’ll be real honest, I’m close to catching the first ferry off this island in the morning.”

  He stared at her for a moment, his gaze intense on her face. “All right. You want to know why I brought you here? I’ll tell you. I want it back.”

  The blood drained from her face. Not even trying to convince herself she didn’t know what he meant, she picked up her wine glass with hands she forced to remain steady.

  She might know exactly what he wanted back, but she didn’t have to let him know she knew.

  “I’m sorry? You want what back?”

  “The coin.”

  Confessing she took it was way too dicey. Not to mention she’d grown awfully attached to the necklace.

  She set her glass back down on the table and lifted her gaze to his. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  His nostrils flared. “The hell you don’t, Lanie.”

  The first bit of unease settled in her gut at his unwavering accusation.

  “Why would I take your coin?”

  “That’s what I’d like to know.” His jaw hardened and he shook his head. “The only thing I do know is that I’ve had the worst goddamn luck since my coin disappeared.”

  She blinked. “Bad luck? You think that because you lost your coin you’ve had bad luck?”

  “I did not lose my coin.”

  She dropped her gaze, unable to handle the intensity of his stare. It was clear that he knew she took it. He just had no proof.

  Thank God she’d had the sense to take off the necklace before dinner. She made a mental note to hide the thing in her luggage until she got home.

  “Delanie—”

  She pushed back her chair and stood up from the table. “Look, if this is any indication of how this week is going to go, I’d rather not deal with it.”

  “Wait.” He stood, his mouth tightening. “Please, sit. I’m sorry. The last thing I want to do is have Second Chances suffer because we’re having issues.”

  “There is no we.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  She stared at him for a few seconds, the blood pounding through her veins.

  “I didn’t take it.” It was really amazing how easily the lie fell from her lips.

  At first he didn’t answer, then he just gave a terse jerk of his head towards the chair. “Okay. If you say you didn’t take it, I won’t force the issue.”

  Still she hesitated, torn between the burning guilt of her blatant lie and the unwillingness to sit through what was sure to be an awkward dinner.

  “Please. Roberta probably spent half the day in the kitchen prepping for this dinner.”

  With a brisk nod, she sank back into the chair and picked up her fork. “It’s good. She’s a wonderful cook.”

  But the food, which had looked so appetizing just moments ago, now might as well have been wood chips.

  One thing he said still rang in her mind, puzzling her.

  “So this bad luck,” she began, lifting the shrimp skewer and pulling off a piece. “I’m sure it had nothing to do with the coin.”

  “I thought you didn’t want to talk about it.”

  She bit into the shrimp and chewed it slowly. After swallowing the seasoned bite, she licked her lips. “Okay, well certain points I’d rather not. But you’ve piqued my curiosity. I mean, bad luck for six years? I’m sure it’s just a coincidence—”

  “My cat died the day after the coin disappeared.”

  “Okay.” She grabbed another piece of shrimp, still not convinced. “Was it old? Did it get hit by a car?”

  “No. She ran across the room and jumped into a glass door.”

  Sounded like the result of a stupid cat to her, but she bit her tongue. “I’m sorry.”

  “Then my ice cream truck got stolen while I ran inside a convenience store for some nachos.”

  Delanie tried not to giggle, but it came out anyway. She picked up her wine. “You drove an ice cream truck?”

  “It was a summer job.”

  “Ah. I thought it might have been your chick mobile.”

  “And that’s another thing.” He scowled and picked up his own skewer of shrimp.

  “What is?”

  “Women. I haven’t had a relationship that lasted longer than two weeks since…” He held her gaze, his irritation obvious. “Since the coin disappeared.”

  “You can’t expect me to believe that you haven’t had sex in six years.”

  His gaze jerked back to hers, blue eyes alight with amusement. “I never said anything about sex.”

  “Of course.” She rolled her eyes and turned back to the salmon. “Men never seem to have a problem with that.”

  “And you?”

  “What about me?”

  “I’m assuming you haven’t exactly been abstinent since that night.”

  The salmon in her mouth grew heavy against her tongue. She swallowed quickly and grabbed the wine.

  No, not abstinent. But damn close. The few occasions she’d taken a lover had left her so bitterly disappointed, she’d pretty much given up trying.

  Franklin had been pressuring her to become intimate for months. And, truth be told, she’d been getting close to caving. As it was, she’d just hit the two-year mark without sex.

  “Delanie?”

  Her name sounded husky on his lips. It sent heat through her body, finally coming to rest heavily between her legs.

  She closed her eyes, not wanting to admit to herself that every man who touched her ended up being compared to the man across the table.

  “I’ve had lovers,” she finally admitted.

  When he didn’t respond, she lifted her gaze. Surprise rippled through her. His jaw had hardened, even as his eyes burned a path over her face.

  He couldn’t possibly be jealous, could he? That would be…ridiculous. They’d only had one night together.

  She lowered her gaze, pushing her plate away. Although, when he’d casually stated that he’d had lovers, something had clenched deep in her gut.

  She sighed and glanced out over the view. The sun had only half set, casting a reddish-orange glow over the trees and water.

  As if seeing Grant after six years weren’t enough, now she was sitting across from him at a dinner that, for all intents and purposes, should be considered romantic.

  It brought out all kinds of emotions inside her. Made her want to do stupid things and reflect on the stupider things she’d done in her past. Get out of here before you start a repeat performance.

  “Thank you for the dinner, Grant.” She set her napkin down and pushed back her chair. “Today’s travel has caught up with me and I’m a little tired.”

  “Of course.” He stood up. “Let me walk you back to your room.”

  “Really, there’s no need,” she protested. “I can find my way back.”

  “I’m sure. But I’d rather see you there myself.” He gave a slight smile. “I was raised with good manners.”

  Walking back to her room she had to agree with him. Even with just that one night together, it was the first thing she’d picked up on. He’d held doors, paid for her bill at the bar…made sure she’d come five times before screwing her si
lly.

  She bit back a groan and closed her eyes for a second. When she opened them again, they had arrived outside her room.

  On impulse, she turned around to face him. He was so close, the top of her head almost brushed his chin.

  Her gaze latched onto the few curls that peeked out from the neckline of his buttoned-up shirt. She breathed in deeply and could smell the mix of soap and spicy cologne.

  Six years and it still seemed so fresh in her head. The way his big hands had moved over her body so knowingly. How his thumbs had strummed her nipples until she’d begged him to suck on them. The weight of his body on top of hers as he’d settled himself between her thighs. And finally, that one incredible moment when he’d thrust inside her.

  Heat stirred low in her belly and her breasts ached under her dress. She wanted him to touch her again. The thought should have alarmed her more, and yet it didn’t.

  It was almost a relief to admit it to herself. She needed to feel his mouth on hers. It had been much too long.

  She lifted her head, her tongue running over her lips.

  His gaze darkened and his jaw went rigid. “Delanie…”

  Without giving herself the time to reconsider, she reached up and slid her hand around his neck. Spearing her fingers upward into his soft hair, she tugged his head downward.