by CJ Ellisson
He chuckled, grinding out the cigarette on the gravel before straightening. "I'll live. I've way too much to show you tonight to pass out. We'll take your car."
She nodded and waited for him to move toward the end of the alley where the parking lot was located, just behind her. They walked to the bright area of cars, and she motioned him towards her Pathfinder SUV. The one thing she truly splurged on, the truck was a lease and she loved it. "You want to drive, or should I? Cuz either way, I really need a change of clothes and a shower."
"You drive. We'll go to yours. You'll need to change anyway. Club stripper is not the look we'll be going for on this trip." He smiled over at her, looking for her reaction.
She supposed she should be offended at the comment, but as it was exactly what she was, she didn't take any offense and shrugged. Getting into the driver's seat and peeling out of the lot, she set off down the strip toward her apartment.
Minutes later, they emerged from the car and walked up to the second floor condo where she lived. After she let him into the foyer, she entered behind him and locked the door.
All bells and whistles in her body were going off, telling her to attack him, rip his clothes off, and see if he was as perfectly made as he seemed. It really had been too long for her. Finally she had the man at her place, and she was wet and aching for any kind of contact.
She shook her head to remove the thoughts of the odd demon lifting her and sinking into her heat, and instead of sinking to her knees to beg him to take her, she simply told him to make himself at home. "I'm going to hit the shower," she said and mumbled, "a cold one," just under her breath. "If you're inclined, there's beer in the fridge."
"I'm always inclined. It's a nice apartment" he told her as he moved through the apartment.
She left him as he snooped through her living room. She got in the shower, letting the spray attempt to wash thoughts of her new and mysterious friend from her. She wasn't sure why, but she did trust him. He didn't try to hurt her, and though he’d stolen a kiss, it wasn't like she didn't want it. The man's lips were pure sin, and goddess if he didn't know how to kiss. Her lips still tingled from it, and the memory set her body back into overdrive. All those nights fantasizing about him, all the lurid and fantastic sex they had had in her head, those memories were not helping now. Resisting the urge to satisfy the craving herself, she was certain that anything this guy did would be twenty times better than what she could come up with. He just had that way about him.
Showered and clean, she stepped from the stall and grabbed a towel, wrapped it around herself, and walked into her bedroom.
He was lounging on her bed reading an out-of-date magazine. He'd changed since she last saw him, though how he'd managed it, she didn't know. He was now wearing dark slacks and a pale blue shirt which helped bring out his eyes. There was no tie, but he still managed to look somewhat formal and absolutely edible. Even his hair looked better, less scruffy and more controlled. He looked up at her and smiled.
"You look better when your face isn't caked in makeup." He stood fluidly and motioned to a pile of her clothes, which he'd arranged neatly at the foot of her bed. "We have a dress code to adhere to. I hope you don't mind, I picked out a few things I think you'll look just perfect in."
While the thought of him rummaging through her closet disturbed her a little, she managed to smile. "Not at all." She looked over the selections he had made: a black slinky wrap dress, a red summery kind of frock, and a black and purple Japanese knee-length dress. She smiled. They were some of her favorites from her closet. She turned to him. "I see you didn't pull out lingerie."
"I'm not that much of a pervert." He grinned, making her think that he was maybe lying. "I'll let you accessorize. You have any pets?"
"Pets? Not unless you count the beta in the tank next to my bed. Name's Harvey." She smiled but inwardly pouted, the thought of him rifling through her lingerie drawer spiking her temperature again. Jesus, he hadn't even touched her, and she was going to need another cold shower.
"Good, feed him before we leave. You never know where we'll end up." His gaze met hers, causing her to flush. "I'll let you dress alone. I've leered at you enough the past few months. I'm not sure my control would survive a situation where I could actually touch you and carry out my dirty little fantasies." His tone was light but carried a dark, heavy edge to it. He winked then turned his back, leaving the room without another word.
Chapter Two
Jace was feeling good about tonight. Sydney was in the bedroom changing into something much more suited to her. She was hot, smoking hot, but a chick with her body and grace should never be found in the dive where he'd picked her up. Sure, he didn't have a problem with a woman using her assets to feed and clothe herself, but Sydney had so much potential. She wasn't using it, and that rubbed him the wrong way. He had used every bit of cunning he had, and then some, to get where he was. Hell, he'd sold his soul for the opportunity. Sydney, however, was floundering in that place, and he had appointed himself as the person to show her, her worth.
He knew his motives weren't entirely altruistic. He'd been down on his luck since his last partner had grown tired of the game, but that was her problem. Shade was a royal Demon, and they grew tired of things easily. Not Jace, though, this was Vegas. It called to him, needed him to stay. He needed another partner, and he needed to keep doing what he loved most: playing the cards.
Jace had always loved cards. Being a natural born gambler, he'd been winning and losing money all his life. Mostly winning, he was always proud to boast despite the truth behind it. He'd always known how to work the cards, the crowd, and he'd never been too proud or honest to palm a card or two when it suited his advantage.
Shade, the beautiful demon he bargained his soul to, was a card counter. She had natural talent for watching the cards. It could have had to do with the fact she was a royal Demon, but maybe not. He’d shown her the game, and she'd loved it. They'd made their way around the world, betting big and living the life of the high rollers. Vegas called though, and when she decided to leave, he'd needed to stay.
Sydney wasn't the only thrill junkie around. The high was just too great for him to give up. Vegas was in his blood, and he couldn't leave her. So, he'd stayed and waved adios to his partner. The two of them had accumulated enough money to keep him living in relative comfort while he tried to come up with something to bring back his former glory. He'd never be a card counter, or at least not one as good as Shade.
He'd been barely breaking even on the blackjack tables when he'd found out exactly what he needed to fill the gap that Shade had left. He'd been sitting at the back room of Eddie's playing his monthly game of poker when Eddie began regaling them with his stories. Nobody really paid attention to the tales the overweight old man had to tell, nobody but Jace, who knew only too well that the world wasn't always as it seemed, and even then everything the old man had to say could only really be taken very lightly. This one night, however, he spoke of something that caught Jace's attention. He talked of the other races, most of whom Jace was very familiar with, being half-Demon himself.
Eddie's drunken mumblings had taken a turn to the wish races, of the three that Eddie spoke of, one in particular caught Jace's interest. The first two were all wishes and carpets, interesting on their own but not what Jace was looking for directly. The third was a race of genie called Jenai, primarily women. If this wasn't interesting enough, they were like a walking good luck charm; any man they were with had instant good luck. Every gambler needed good luck, and so everyone needed a Jenai. That night after questioning old Eddie a little more, Jace set out to snag himself a new partner.
Surprisingly, it hadn't been too hard to find the woman in the room next to him. A few calls to different people and he had her name, along with a short list of others. Sydney, being already in Vegas, had been the first one he'd looked at, and boy did he get an eyeful. She was perfect for his needs, hopefully all of his needs, and he knew she'd be receptive to him
. After all, he was offering her the chance of a lifetime.
He grinned, checking himself in the mirror before sitting back down on her couch. He was getting antsy, beginning to sense his nerves like a tight ball in the back of his stomach. He loved that feeling, and it never went away, even after a thousand games of cards. This was living on the edge, and he loved every moment of it.
He pulled a deck of cards out of his pants pocket and expertly shuffled through them. It was an old habit, but he found that it helped calm him and made the wait till he was at the tables pass more quickly.
Sydney walked in wearing the tight sexy Japanese number and a pair of thigh high, smoke grey stockings with the ends of her garters peeking from under the skirt as she moved. Her heels were high, spectator pumps, and she stalked toward him and did a twirl, careful to make sure her hair stayed up in the chopsticks and knots in which she’d arranged it. The dual color of her hair, chestnut brown and wine auburn, suited her, and the outfit gave her a refined look. Her eyes were covered in smudges of kohl and her lips glistened with sheer gloss. She was ready for the evening.
He smiled appraisingly at her, fighting to keep his body under control and his hands off her. This was a business arrangement before it was anything else, and he wasn't letting his cock mess up any of this. "You look stunning." He grinned, slipping the cards into his pocket.
She smiled. "I'm glad you approve. So, what's the deal, Jace?"
"I think it's better if I show you." He stood, moving towards her. "You need to live it, Peaches, not hear it. Information can never beat experience."
"Maybe, but knowing is half the battle, and my trust only goes so far."
"What? You don't trust me?" He mock pouted.
"I just met you, Jace, and this is all very mysterious. I'm as wild as the next girl, but...I need something to go on, dig?"
"And if I say it's a surprise?" He checked his watch. They had plenty of time, but he'd been away from the cards for so long. His initial plan had been to take her to the casino and show her, let her feel the thrill of winning for herself. Even let her pick her own game, something they could score big at together, but he needed her cooperation first and foremost. "You're a big girl and I'm sure you could protect yourself from little ol' me. I've no intention of hurting you or selling you to some slave camp...you're being silly."
She put her hands on her hips. "I suppose you're right. Where to?"
His smile widened. He was sure he'd lost her after his slave camp comment, although where that came from, he had no idea. Old Eddie's stories were beginning to seep into his brain, which could only be a bad thing. "The strip, where else would you want to be?" he told her, unable to keep his excitement out of his voice. "Come on, grab your coat. We'll drive over."
She shrugged and grabbed a fitted black jacket out of the closet and her small purse. "Ah, the strip. And here I thought you were going to be original."
He laughed at her. She'd understand soon enough, then she'd be as hooked as he was. "This is the strip, Peaches, just not as you've ever lived it before. This is the life, the only life worth living." They left the apartment and moved down toward the car. "You wanna drive? I'll direct. It's not hard to get to. Just follow the lights."
She threw the keys at him. "Nope. This is your excursion; I'm just along for the ride." She slipped into the passenger seat and her dress rode up just enough for Jace to see that her garters were silver and black and matched the dress perfectly.
"Fair enough. Make sure you buckle up." He got into the car and started the engine. Adjusting the seat so he could drive and the mirror so he could see the length of her beautiful body, he reversed the car out of its space and squealed away in the direction of the strip.
She leaned back, moving her seat as she did, and the action exposed more of her leg. The tops of the thigh highs were completely out, and her pale flesh was a stark contrast. She stretched, oblivious to it, and closed her eyes.
He slowed the car down, allowing himself time to enjoy her longer. The car in front of him braked hard, and he had to veer into the next lane to avoid hitting it, jolting them both. Ignoring the screech of horns from behind him, he beat angrily at his own.
"Fucking prick wasn't even looking where he was going! Where the hell do they learn to drive anyway?" He shouted, shaking his fist at the guy before passing a few cars and cutting back into his original lane.
Sydney giggled and shook her head. "Wow on the fist shaking! Who taught you that, some dirty old pervert?" She giggled again and watched him drive.
"Ah...no, sorry." He ducked his head down, embarrassed. "I actually came up with it on my own. Spur of the moment thing, I'm afraid." He watched the road intently, the urge to glance in the mirror strong but held in check. They drove for a few moments before reaching their location: The Victoria, or 'home,' as he'd began to call it these past few months. It was in the perfect location and had everything you could ever want. Every luxury that you could think of was already included in the room's price which, he had to admit, was a little steep. But, he could afford it. Or at least, he could afford it come tomorrow. "We're here, Peaches."
He got out the car, threw the car keys to the red-jacketed boy, and took the valet ticket, moving around the side of the car just in time to see Sydney being escorted out of the car. "Welcome to heaven." He grinned at her.
"Heaven? It's a casino. Come on now, Jace, heaven is a lot of other things. It isn't a casino."
"It's a hotel, too." He pointed out as he held his arm out for her.
"Ah, well a hotel, too? Why didn't you say so?" she said sarcastically as she took his arm, making sure she was very close to him. Her body draped against his sweetly, and she smiled. "A casino isn't my idea of a good time."
He laughed. "Well, then you've obviously never been in one. Let me help you out with that." He opened the door and smoothly escorted her inside. "See? Now that's much better, I'm sure. Despite your earlier doubts, you'll soon come to realize that this is indeed a holy place, for inside these very walls you can have anything you want. Rule number one: the casino loves people who spend money."
He guided her over to the cash booth. "Rule number two," he told her as they waited in line, "the more money you spend, the more the casino will love you, especially at first, no matter how much you win. Because they always know they're going win it back. They just have to keep you here long enough, and to do that they have to spend their own money. It's all about odds."
She gave him an incredulous look. "You just described a brothel, Jace. At least there I know I'm getting fucked, and the odds are in my favor."
He shook his head. "You'll see. Have a look around and see if there is anything you wanna give a shot." He moved up to the booth, cashing enough money to last them the night into chips. Taking his tray, he halved the amount onto a tray for her, then turned and handed them to her.
"There you go, that's your front. Now, have you seen anything? Or is there anything you know how to play already?"
Sydney smiled at him. "I have been in a casino before, Jace, but other than slots, I don't know what the fuck I'm doing. So, that's what I stick to."
"A simple no would do, and slots don't count." He slipped his hand around her waist enjoying the feel of her tight body against his. She smelled so good, like lilacs and mint. He led her to the gaming room and stood surveying the tables for a moment. "Choose one. That's blackjack, and over there is craps, roulette." He mentioned several more, pointing to their respective tables. "And the poker rooms are way over there, but we'll have missed the sign up for the games. We'll hit them tomorrow."
"Plan on keeping me here ‘till then, Jace? Well, you lead the way, Mr. Shadow Demon. I don't know the difference."
"You can cut the 'mister' out right there, Peaches. Shadow Demon will do just fine." He smiled, the excitement bubbling within him. He still wasn't one hundred percent sure this was going to work. "Tell me, can you count to twenty-one?"
She gave him a stupefied look. "Um, yeah, and
I can walk and chew gum at the same time too, Jace. I can also fuck upside down. What the hell has counting to do with anything? I mean seriously?"
He laughed. Upside down? Well that was something impressive. "Gotta show me that some time, love. As far as serious goes, I think we'll start at blackjack. All you have to do it make twenty-one or closest. You'll be a natural."
"Yeah, that's what the talent scout said when he tried to get me in porno a few years back. At least I have clothes on this time. Lead the way, Jace...and I'm not showing you anything."
"We'll see. I'm a betting man, Peaches." He chuckled to himself as they made their way over to a free table and sat themselves down. Jace faced the dealer, waiting for the current hand to be played out.
She sat next to him and watched everything, then looked over at him, waiting patiently.
He placed a small bet as the dealer cut a fresh deck and slipped the cards to him and the two other players. He briefly explained to her the rules of the game. She watched him blankly as he did, giving him the impression that she wasn't entirely listening to him. She didn't seem to be as interested in gambling as he'd hoped, not that her lack of enthusiasm worried him. It wouldn't take much to bring her over to his way of thinking. He just had to wait until the cards started hitting.
They'd been dealt a nine and a two, not a bad hand to start with. In fact, it was a great hand. Not the best that they could have gotten, but it meant they couldn't get busted by the next card, and a ten would give them twenty-one. He leaned over and whispered that to Sydney, and she nodded politely. The dealer was showing a four, this was also good, and ideally his next card would be high, hopefully busting him. A bust dealer paid out for all players still in the game, and the good thing about a four was that if the dealer's face down card was a ten, then the dealer couldn't stick. Fourteen was too low a number. He had to have sixteen or higher.
The next card they were dealt was a seven, giving them nineteen. He motioned to stay his hand. He felt confident that they could win with that. Blackjack wasn't the same as poker. It didn't incite the same thrill and rush that the latter did, but it had its good points, and it would be a perfect starting point for Sydney.