by Hart, Lena
“I’ll type this up and send it over to you tonight.” As Judith prepared to leave, a knock came at the door.
“Yeah?” Dave called out.
Carlos Moreno, Royal Courts’ new chief of security, stood at the door. He glanced at Judith then quickly turned back to Dave. “You have a second?”
Dave waved him in. “Yeah. Have a seat.”
Moreno wasn’t the typical security chief one would find managing a casino, particularly not one the size of Royal Courts. He was younger than most, in his mid-thirties, didn’t wear a suit, and looked better fit to be security at a nightclub than a casino. But Moreno was tough, smart, and experienced. The fact that he came highly recommended was also a plus since Dave trusted his source.
Moreno walked in and took the seat across Dave’s desk, but he kept his gaze on Judith. Dave noticed how she purposely kept her eyes averted as she gathered her notes, and he thought that strange.
“Judith, don’t stay too late working on that,” Dave called out as she headed toward the door. “You can get it to me tomorrow.”
She nodded. “Okay. Have a good night, Mr. Carrone.”
“Thanks, you too,” he said absently as he fell into his seat. His night depended on what news Moreno had for him.
Dave noticed the other man’s eyes never left Judith as she walked to the door. “Good night, Judith,” Moreno called out.
She didn’t turn back when she replied, “Good night.”
The door closed quietly behind her and Dave sat studying his chief of security across his wide desk.
“What?” Moreno asked when he didn’t say anything.
Dave cocked an eyebrow. “Is there something going on?”
“No,” Moreno said with strong finality.
If there wasn’t, it obviously wasn’t from Moreno’s lack of trying. A man only looked at a woman like that when he really wanted her. Dave sighed. He didn’t care who Moreno got involved with, so long it didn’t interfere with his work or the business. And Dave didn’t like surprises.
“I trust you’ll let me know when there is.” It wasn’t a question and they both knew it. Moreno said nothing and Dave dropped the subject.
“What’s up?” Dave finally asked.
“Not much really,” Moreno said. “The Acerras are keeping their noses down. They’re not causing any real trouble. Not yet, anyway.”
“Is it still Joey and Duncan?”
“Tonight it was Joey and the other one that looks like he’s always having a bad day.”
Dave nodded, knowing exactly who Moreno was referring to. “Gino.”
“Yeah. They seem to be keeping to their usual schedule. In at seven, head straight to the blackjack table, then out by nine.”
“Okay. Then what is it?”
“Well, usually they play to win just enough to keep off the radar. Then they split. But tonight, they’re betting higher and winning every hand.”
Dave wasn’t surprised. Everything he’d learned about playing and winning at cards, he learned from the eldest Acerra brother, Brandon, and his younger brothers had also been well taught. Dave didn’t even bother asking Moreno if they were cheating because he knew they were. It was just a matter of catching them in the act.
“How much are they up to?”
Moreno told him the number and Dave raised an eyebrow. He contemplated that for a minute. Thirty thousand dollars on a weeknight wasn’t to be ignored.
“We’re looking through the tapes to see what their strategy is, but so far, we can’t find anything.”
And Dave knew they wouldn’t. At least not yet. But the brothers would give a sign eventually and then his team would know what to look for in future.
“You know,” Moreno continued, “we could just have them flagged and they’ll never set foot in here again.”
Dave shook his head. The Acerras didn’t do something for nothing. And his gut told him they were planning something big. Though he wanted nothing more than to block their access into his casino, first he wanted to know what they were up to. And what new cheating strategy they were using. He had told Gabe he would handle the brothers and that’s what he would do. He’d had called up one of the few men he trusted to help sort this out and soon they would know what their game was. For now, Dave would let the Acerras play.
“Just keep the cameras on them,” he told Moreno.
If his security chief wondered at his inaction, he didn’t say. Moreno just gave him a curious look then shrugged. Though any other patron who tried such a stunt would have long ago been shown the door, Dave had his reasons for waiting. And at the end of the day, it was his call.
Dave quickly switched topics and asked about the flash drive that had been left behind in Gabe’s office about a week ago. Amidst the ransacked office, they had found the small drive, which had contained restricted financial information about the casino—and surprisingly some personal info on Gabe’s wife-to-be, Gina Conners. Although the thief hadn’t managed to get away with anything of value, the scare of the close call had made them anxious to find out who it was. Gabe believed his ex-wife had been behind the break-in. Dave was inclined to agree with him, but he wanted to be sure. Which was why he hoped Moreno had managed to pull prints off the small memory stick.
“Not yet, but we should get something back any day now,” Moreno said. “If the person’s prints are in the system that is. If not, we may have to wait until there’s a match.”
Dave grunted. Based on the level of skill the person had used to break into Gabe’s office, they were dealing with a professional. “It’s already been a week. If we don’t get anything, we’ll need to start looking into other options.”
“Already on it,” Moreno said. “I have my cousin looking to see if we can find a trace of the original source on the drive. Any software or programs that can help us trace it back to someone.”
Dave nodded, pleased with Moreno’s idea. “Keep me posted.”
Once alone, Dave walked to the window and stared out at the bright lights of Las Vegas. To his right, the large gold crown emblem above the illuminated Royal Courts Resort & Casino glowed vividly from the center lot. Pride filled him at what he had accomplished with the help of his business partner. Gabe brought in the money from outside investments, and Dave managed the business inside, making sure their young resort and casino thrived.
No one had expected him—the bastard son of crime boss Robert Carrone—to succeed on his own and Dave was more than a little proud that he had proven them wrong. Dave had hustled his way through business school and dabbled in several businesses until he’d gained enough money and experience to bring Royal Courts into existence.
He walked back to his desk and glanced at the time. Nine forty-two. He decided to call it a night. There wasn’t anything else pressing for him to deal with tonight.
He grabbed his computer bag and left the office. As he passed by, he waved goodnight to the guard posted outside their offices. Ever since the break-in, they had added the extra security and even Moreno was working overtime. Though Dave always took his laptop with him at night, he now made sure it never left his sight.
He took the back elevators, the quickest route to his suite in the south tower. Nights like this made having the room handy. But he had to admit, he was beginning to miss the space and privacy of his own condo.
When he neared the door, he pulled out his keycard. He waited for the soft beep before pushing the door open. Walking into the suite, he immediately dropped his computer bag on the small sofa and began removing his suit jacket and belt. The curtains were open enough for ample light to spill into the suite. He unbuttoned his shirt and let it hang open as the cool hotel air washed over his heated chest. It felt good to finally be able to relax. He glanced over to the bed as he walked past then came to an abrupt stop.
What the fu…
With the stream of soft light that fell across the bed, he could make out a dark figure, which lay unmoving. He went to the desk, unlocked the safe, an
d pulled out the small handgun he kept inside. He didn’t like surprises. They annoyed him. Adrenaline made his heart beat heavily in his chest as he inched closer to the bed. He hid the gun behind him and undid the safety.
Then suddenly the shadowed figure sat up and to his surprise, he realized it was a woman—a woman who was all breasts, hips, and legs. She had short hair with bangs long enough to swoop over her eyes, partly shielding them. Despite the low light, he could see she only had on a black bra, a size too small, barely-there panties, and a pair of black thigh-highs.
With her lush curves silhouetted against the sheets, it was hard for him to focus anywhere else. And his shaft immediately responded.
She didn’t move or say anything, just sat there perched on the bed like an erotic dream—or sexy offering. And he would be lying if he pretended he didn’t want to feast.
While he continued to stare down at her in all her lush glory, she grabbed the sheets to cover herself. But he was faster. He jerked them from her hands and tossed them behind him. She swept her bangs aside and he could have sworn irritation flashed across her face. He would have laughed at her audacity if he hadn’t been so intrigued by the situation.
“Stop it.”
He was jarred by the light, husky tone of her voice. It was incredibly sexy. He grew even harder.
“Stop what?”
“Stop staring at me.”
Dave cocked an eyebrow and couldn’t help but smile. She apparently didn’t know where she was. Or who he was.
“Sweetheart, you’re in my bed. I’m gonna do more than just stare.”
Chapter Three
Athena’s heart thudded in her chest. She couldn’t believe she just said that. This was no way to start a seduction.
She would have laughed at herself if her heart weren’t lodged in her throat. Partly from fear. Partly from something far more disturbing.
She watched as he walked over to the desk, placed something inside the safe then made his way back to where she sat perched like a frightened rabbit.
Soft light from the window outlined his broad shoulders. His shirt lay open enough for her to catch a glimpse of his hard, muscled chest. It was a very nice chest. The button and zipper of his slacks were undone and it was hard not to stare at the faint dark hairs that trailed down to his crotch. At that moment, Athena wondered what it would be like to go to bed with Dave Carrone.
She turned away, flushed. She was supposed to be seducing him yet she was the one losing her senses.
He continued to assess her in that way of his that made her feel completely naked. She struggled with the urge to cover herself, especially her breasts, which were fighting to be freed from their tight restraints.
But the growing bulge in his pants gave her a spark of reassurance. He was obviously attracted to her, and she needed to capitalize on that. And salvage what she could from her botched plan of seduction.
“It’s not that I mind finding a beautiful woman in my bed,” he began, casually. “I’m flattered actually. But what the hell are you doing here?”
Athena gathered her courage and rose to her knees on the soft bed. She offered him what she hoped was a seductive smile. “I-I’ve been waiting for you.”
His eyes travelled down the length of her. “Oh yeah?” he said with a smirk. “A second ago, you didn’t even want me looking at you.”
He was right but she couldn’t help that. The way he was watching her was unnerving. His gaze was too intense. It was as if he was trying to see right through her flimsy bra and string panties to glimpse into her soul.
Athena looked down at his hard chest and surprised herself by being honest with him. “I get shy sometimes.”
He was silent for a moment. “With a body like yours? Why?” he asked, incredulous.
Athena shrugged, touched by his emphatic remark. Her body certainly wasn’t modeling material—she had too much breast, hips and ass for that—but he certainly didn’t seem to mind. A surprise since she’d always thought he was more into the willowy thin women that had always seemed to hang on his arm back then.
He glanced down at her semi-nude body again. His words changed something in her and the way he was staring at her now made her breath hitch, but in a good, tantalizing way. For the first time in her life, Athena felt…sexy.
She inched closer to him, slid her hand through his shirt and placed it on his hard chest. Heat and power radiated from his body and his muscles flexed beneath her fingers. She smiled inside. “Something about you makes me nervous,” she whispered.
“Why? You’re beautiful.”
She smiled softly at that. He thought her beautiful? “It’s the way you look at me… It turns me on.” Oh God, did that just come out of my mouth?
But her admission seemed to excite him. She could feel the rapid beating of his heart against her palm.
He placed his hand over hers and tightened his hold. Then he reached out and trailed his hands down the curve of her waist, and she shivered at the light touch. Gripping her hips, he pulled her toward him and she fell against him. The contact of their bodies was electrifying.
“Then we should do something about that,” he murmured huskily.
Her breasts pressed against his hard chest and the sensation left Athena holding her breath. His warm, smoky scent wrapped around her as her heart thudded in her ears from both fear and excitement. Having sex with him hadn’t been part of the plan, but the thought of taking all that power and strength inside her was extremely arousing.
She smiled then whispered, “So what are you waiting for?” Despite the dim lighting, she could see the heat in his eyes. It was too late to take the words back.
She wasn’t sure she wanted to.
Dave leaned down and murmured inches from her lips, “Who are you?”
Athena stared at his lips, eager to feel them against hers. She looped her arms around his neck and pressed her body fully against his. A small, wicked part of her loved the clandestine nature of their hook-up and she was in no rush to change that. And it would be stupid of her to do so.
She tilted her head slightly and lightly brushed her lips across his. “Your destiny,” she whispered against his lips.
He inhaled sharply then slanted his mouth over hers, deepening the kiss. His mouth moved over hers as he gently rubbed his tongue across her lower lip. Athena moaned as she parted her lips. She was lost in the heat and carnal pleasure of his mouth and didn’t realize what was happening until the small clasp of her bra gave way under his deft fingers.
Athena didn’t have time to react. He pushed the bra aside and brought his mouth down to her taut nipple. Liquid heat flowed through her and she drew in a sharp breath.
She ran her fingers through his hair and down his shoulders as he continued sucking at her tender, aching nipple. All thoughts of stealing left her as she concentrated on the man who was building a carnal fire inside her.
She pulled off his shirt and began to work at his pants. He briefly stepped away from her and dragged them off in short time. She got only a glimpse of his magnificent body and the deep V that led to his hard length, before he came back to her and began tugging at her thong. The delicate material snapped under his force and he tossed it aside.
Athena wrapped her hand around his long, hard shaft, excited by the feel of his heated flesh beneath her palm. Satin wrapped around steel. That’s what he felt like.
She squeezed and stroked and he groaned deeply. That increased her confidence. She brought her mouth to his again and kissed him just as deeply and passionately as he had her, still stroking and caressing him.
He growled low in his throat and pushed her down on the bed. The rustling of foil broke through her haze of lust as she watched him sheath himself with one, fast stroke. He moved over her and she parted her legs for him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she was thankful he had remembered protection when she was so far beyond thinking.
He settled heavily between her spread thighs, capturing her lips for another
searing kiss. Her breath hitched from the agonizing pleasure of his hardness pushing against her soft depths. He moved his hand between them and began slowly rubbing her tender spot, wrenching a deep moan from her. She lifted herself against his teasing fingers, wanting more of the sharp currents he sparked within her.
His long, deft finger entered her slowly and she gasped at the piercingly sweet sensation. Deep moans escaped her as he moved his finger in and out of her in slow, lazy strokes. Desire tightened in her belly then pooled around his finger. She clutched at his shoulders, clenching her eyes shut, as he continued to bring her to new heights.
Suddenly he withdrew his finger from inside her. Her eyes opened slightly and she watched in fascination as he sucked on his damp finger. She was surprised by how much that aroused her. He slipped the same finger between her lips and she sucked greedily at it, faintly tasting him and herself. He groaned then brought his mouth down to hers.
He slipped his tongue into her mouth and she licked and teased and stroked, enjoying the erotic play. With a low growl, he grabbed her thighs and lifted them high. She vaguely noticed the black thigh-highs over her longs legs. The contrast of the thin, black material cradling his hips was deliciously exotic.
He held her thighs in a tight grip and she couldn’t even move. Not that she wanted to. She smoothed her hands over his shoulders and down his back as he slowly guided himself into her. Her fingernails dug into his broad shoulders, wincing at the discomfort but not wanting him to stop.
He began to pull out of her but she quickly wrapped her legs around him and he plunged into her deeply. She cried out softly at the sudden, sharp discomfort.
“Okay?” he asked hoarsely.
Athena nodded, trailing light kisses on his damp neck and shoulder, her legs still wrapped tightly around him. It had been a long time for her but she wanted this. She wanted him.
He moved over her gently at first, each stroke sending electric currents through her. Her moans were in rhythm with his harsh groans. Fire coiled in her belly and flowed down to her core. She was lost in the sensation of their heated skin melding together, their bodies joined as one.