by Bex Dane
"Yeah, they were hit hard, but they've rebuilt bigger and better. We're going to give their recovery efforts a little boost."
"Really?"
"Yep. We'll stop and get a car first."
"A car?"
"We're not rollin' up to a high-stakes casino in an RV. We'll arrive in style."
A high-stakes casino and a stylish car? Oh that sounded nice. My worries evaporated thinking about what dress I could wear for our second official date.
"And Soraya?"
"Yeah?" Our gazes locked, his green eyes growing soft and warm.
"This morning? Best I ever had. By a long shot."
Chapter 13
Torrez
The McClaren handled like a dream down the strip in Biloxi, Mississippi. So precise and responsive. Combine the luxurious new leather smell with the perfume coming off Soraya, driving the vehicle was sensory overload and a total turn on.
I wanted to get the graphite gray, but my girl has a thing for red so we ended up with the volcano red 12C Spider. Now that we were cruising in it, I saw her point. The red is superior to the other colors and adds to the driving high. All my life I chose gray, blend in. Time to choose red.
My fingers inched up her thigh, and my pinky tickled her panties under her skirt. Her legs shivered, and she gave me a contented smile. Much better reaction than the last time I touched her there.
"Did I tell you you look breathtaking in that dress?" I did not lie. The stretchy mesh fabric hugged her curves like the Spider hugged a turn. The cranberry red dress had long sleeves and a conservative neckline, but she might as well have been naked. Black leather straps spaced a few inches apart provided the only discretion. The strategic strap over her chest barely covered the nipple. She'd chosen the black heels with a chain buckle above her ankle before our little bondage session. Soraya had it in her the whole time. I just brought it out to play.
"A few times." The three inches of bangles on her arms slid down as she reached for the silver hoops in her ears. The guys called those hooker hoops. Pull her legs up and hook her heels in them as you fuck her. She'd also chosen to wear the diamond collar I'd bought for her. She may not have been aware of it, but that necklace declared her as mine.
"I'll say it one more time. Too damn hot. I shoulda fucked you first to take the edge off."
She chuckled. "That wouldn't work."
She was getting to know me. "Nope. As long as you're wearing that, my dick's never gonna settle." My thumb traced the bumps of the diamonds around her neck.
She turned toward me and waggled her eyebrows, the tip of her tongue peeking out between her lips. "Let's skip the casino then and just get a room." Man, her mix of seductive and goofy totally worked on me.
"Tempting. Very tempting." I liked that I'd broken through to her, and she felt comfortable enough to take the initiative. "But no. Need to blow through some cash first."
"Why are we spending money like water again?"
Telling her this would probably frighten her, but she needed to know the truth if she chose to stay with me. "After we saw him at the restaurant, Greco transferred ten million dollars into my account. It's dirty. Drug money. Blood money. He expects me to give him five mil back clean. I'm done dancing with Greco. I'm going legit and disposing of the evidence. No place better to unload cash than a casino."
She frowned and chewed her lower lip. "He's not going to like you spending his money."
"Nope. That's why we're running."
She looked down, the seriousness of our current reality scaring her again. "What about your kids?"
Good question. "I beefed up security on their place in Texas, but he wants me this time."
That seemed to make her more concerned. "And you don't care if he burns your place down?"
"No."
"Why?"
"My home is with you now." She blushed like she did whenever I gave her the truth direct and unfiltered. "Wherever you are, there I am. Home. Don't need four walls."
My hand slid up into her hair to guide her face to mine for a brief kiss as we turned right into the roundabout outside the Paradise Casino. The valet's eyes lit up like he'd been waiting his entire life to drive a McClaren.
I pulled up to his kiosk and cracked the window. "I'll park it."
His smile froze as the light in his eyes faded. "Oh sure. Sure. Park it right here." He pointed to a spot right in front, but I took one on the end. If we needed to get out fast, we'd be closest to the exit. A twisted urge deep inside me hoped we'd be forced to leave in a hurry so I'd have a valid reason to see what the car could do.
The engine cut out, the doors swung forward and up, and I exited the car like a driver at Daytona. I walked around the back and offered her a hand. Totally caught a glimpse of red underwear as she poked one leg out and let me help her from the low seat. She wobbled in her heels as she smoothed her dress down and peered around the entrance to the casino. A tiny worry wrinkle formed on the bridge of her nose. Cute. She wanted to wear that outfit, but was insecure about it.
"I'm gonna be the proudest man that ever lived, walkin' in there with you on my arm."
She perked up, worry line gone, smile returned. Good girl.
We entered the lobby, both grinning big. The lights and sounds of the slots, her gorgeous body next to me, lush carpet under my new shoes. Felt like the king of the world. "Let me get some chips." We stopped at the cashier. "VIP casino please."
"Ten thousand to enter. Need your ID. Minimum bid to play, two thousand."
I heard a small gasp from Soraya.
"No problem." I handed the cashier twenty grand in hundreds and a fake ID for Ray Charles.
Her eyes widened, but she took it and started counting. Cash made everyone suspicious. Another reason to get out of the biz now.
She handed me two keycards. "The black key opens the elevator to your right and will take you to the VIP casino on the 36th floor. The white key is a complimentary room, Suite 1510."
"Can we get a room on the second floor? Afraid of heights."
"Sure." The cashier messed around with her computer. "Room 208."
My hand slipped into Soraya's like it belonged there and I led her to the elevator. As the doors closed, she asked, "You're afraid of heights?"
"Yeah."
"I thought you were a marine mammal who scaled buildings?"
"It's a very specific fear. Only in hotels in Mississippi."
She snorted as the elevator lifted us. Alone. My chance to get my hands on that dress. I pressed her up against the wall and kissed her. She responded like I wanted, kissing me back and begging for more. The mesh of the dress stretched as my hands caressed the hourglass of her waist. Too soon, the elevator dinged, and we both wiped her lipstick off our lips.
We stepped out into the foyer of a casino much fancier than the one downstairs. No slots. No garish lights. Chandeliers and black velvet. A rich man's den of doom.
A hostess wearing a glimmering silver gown came up and offered us champagne. Soraya took a glass. "Can I get you anything, sir?"
Soraya edged closer to me and pressed her tits to my bicep.
No worries, baby. Everyone here can see I'm with you. She's no threat.
"Caipirinha."
She nodded like she was familiar with the traditional Brazilian cocktail.
Soraya's mouth gaped open as she took in her surroundings. Not what I expected from a princess. "Yegor didn't take you out at all?"
"No. We only attended school and made appearances for his oil associates. The rest of the time we worked long hours at headquarters."
I squeezed her hand and squashed what I wanted to say about Yegor and the way he treated her. "I'll show you then. Let's start with roulette."
The dealer nodded to us as we approached the table. A man with groomed gray hair and old wise eyes. They put their most experienced dealers up here. I glanced up at the security camera. Hopefully no one here would recognize me.
"Kiss for luck." I held two thousand
dollar chips up to Soraya's lips. She gave them a soft kiss, and my eyes lingered there for a moment. Damn she had kissable lips. "Red." I placed the chips on the table.
The ball spun and popped and finally settled. "Red. Winner."
Shit. Wanted to lose here.
"Don't kiss this one," I whispered in her ear and placed ten chips on red.
"Why?" she asked.
I kissed her ear, and she shivered as I spoke low and quiet. "Trying to lose."
She scrunched up her nose at me. "Why? Winnings are yours to keep. Greco's money was spent at the cashier."
"Shh." I pressed a finger to her lips. "You're right. But be quiet. Don't want to draw any attention."
She licked my finger. "Shoot, Torrez, you in that tailored suit and me with my hair all big, you had to know it was going to draw attention."
"I wanted to take you out. Wouldn't change tonight for anything."
"Red. Winner!" The dealer pushed a boatload of chips my way.
Shit. We won twenty-four grand in our first two spins.
The rest of the night went on like that. We lost two rounds of poker but won big again in blackjack. "You are truly my good luck charm."
A short Chinese man in a tuxedo approached us. "Mr. Charles, I am Simon Li, manager of Club Thirty-Six." He offered me his hand and I shook it. "Congratulations on your fortuitous evening. You have won a coveted platinum chip. One hundred thousand dollar chip." He handed me an oversized chip covered in silver and diamonds. "Pose for picture on our high-roller's board?"
"No pictures." But I was too late. The waitress had already snapped a shot of Simon with Soraya and me.
"I'd appreciate if you didn't share that picture."
"Of course. No problem, sir. Please, return to your game."
He acted hospitably, but something in his eyes told me he'd recognized me. He planned to send my picture to every casino in Biloxi. Greco would know where we were within a few hours.
"In fact, we have to leave now." I grabbed my tub of chips and Soraya's hand and headed to the elevator.
"What's the matter?" she asked me as we entered the elevator. "Why're we leaving?"
"He took our picture."
"But he said he wouldn't post it."
"And you believe him? We need to get the hell out of here."
"You really think someone would find us from one picture in a casino?"
"Not taking that chance." I stopped the elevator at the second floor and guided her to Suite 208.
"I thought we had to leave."
"We have time for this."
Inside the door, my hand at the base of her back guided her to stand in the entryway. "Wait here a second." No manual locking mechanism on the interior door. One other exit. Narrow balcony. Twenty feet up. Easy jump to a grass landing. The McClaren just around the corner. We were good here for a while.
Her eyes watched me take my jacket off and place it on the bed. My weapon would be close enough there if I needed it. Now what to do with my girl? She needed to understand if she wore a dress that checked all my boxes, she'd have to complete the survey. My hand in my pocket came in contact with the chip Simon had given us. Yes. The chip. Perfect for this evening.
We smiled at each other as I walked into the bathroom.
"This is a fabulous room," she said as she turned to face me.
The platinum chip turned chilly under the cold water of the bathroom faucet. Small diamonds around the perimeter sparkled in the fluorescent light. With rounded edges, it was a little larger than a regular chip.
"It is." She stepped back when I took a step closer to her. Torrez the bull had his horns out and she looked scared. I found a spot on the wall and nailed her to it with my hips. My hands roamed over the fabric of her dress and grabbed her right breast. Yes, stretchy mesh and leather straps. When our lips met, the fire smoldering between us all night burst into flames.
"This dress is lethal." I hitched the hem up above her hips. Couldn't rip it because she needed clothes in case we had to run and damn if I could figure out how to get that thing off. I dropped to my knees and inhaled her scent from between her legs.
Her thighs trembled and clenched. Her fingers scrubbed over my short hair. I wanted to dive in, and we were in a hurry, but the platinum chip was the ideal temperature to slip into the top of her panties. I made sure it landed on her clit.
She gasped. "Oh my god."
"Cold?"
"Yes."
"Let me warm it up." I opened my mouth and blew a hot breath over the chip. "Better?"
"Yes." Her hands squeezed my head and pulled me closer.
I grabbed one of her ankles and propped her thigh over my shoulder. She wavered, but my hand on her hip held her steady against the wall.
Through the fabric, my tongue played with the chip. Small circles, big circles, hard pressure, gentle pressure.
"Oh, oh, oh." Her fingernails scratched from the base of my neck to the top of my head.
That's it, baby. Man, she was exquisite when she let go like this. When her thighs tensed and her breath became ragged… I stopped.
Gritting her teeth and narrowing her eyes at me, her voice was deep. "Damn you, Torrez. Fucking tease."
I chuckled and kissed up her belly to her lips. "Want my mouth on yours when you come the first time." I slipped my hand inside her panties, swiping the chip down and dipping it in her wet cunt. "Gonna take it, inhale it, swallow it."
When the slippery chip returned to her clit, she came alive, squirming on my fingers. I kissed her and forced our tongues together, tiny whimpers escaping from deep in her throat. Delicious.
She opened her mouth in a noiseless cry as her pussy pulsed on my hand, my mouth and hand prolonging her orgasm as long as possible.
I pulled the dress up over her tits and feasted on them as I unbuckled my pants. Could not get inside her fast enough. My mouth trailed up to her ear. Her ankle pulled me closer.
"You ready?"
"Yes." Her plea was desperate. Placing the chip in my palm, I pulled down her panties and she stepped out of them. The tip of my dick found her sweet spot and worked inside.
"God, babe. So tight. Like a vise." I held the chip to her lips. "Open." She took the chip between her teeth. "Hold it there like that." She nodded. "Good girl."
No time for slow, I slammed into her. She moaned around the chip and clutched my shoulders. My orgasm came up fast. I was almost there just watching her come. My head spun and my balls drew up as I gave her everything I had, transferring all the pressure, the stress, the adoration from my heart into hers. She bit down on the chip, coming again at the same time.
As we came down from our fantastic high, I took the chip from her mouth and kissed her. I wanted to say I love you, but she wasn't ready. It wasn't the right time. "Fucking explosive with you."
"Yes, unbelievable." Her cheeks were flushed, her lips red and puffy, hot breaths hitting my chest where she rested her forehead.
"Could fuck you forever."
"Yes, forever." She was delirious and just repeating my words but someday she'd say forever and mean it.
I carried her to the bed, placed her relaxed body in it gently, and flopped down on top of her, my elbows bracing me over her so I could kiss her again. Maybe we could go one more round.
"Is that a vibrator in your pants?"
"No, it's my phone. But that gives me some ideas."
"Oh no, you are not using your phone as a vibrator on me."
"Why not? You might like it." I laughed and checked my screen.
Falcon: Bounty on your ass. 1 mil alive. 2 mil dead.
Shit. Greco put more money out for my dead body than a live capture? That meant he was done coercing me. He knew I was turning on him. The only way this would end was with one of us dead.
Falcon: You were spotted in Biloxi.
Fuck. Fuck me. Fuck. Goddamn Simon Li taking our picture.
"We're leaving." I buttoned my pants and pulled on my jacket.
I handed
her her undies from the floor. She pulled them up and tugged her dress down. "Now? Why? Did someone see the picture?"
"Yep. Someone who wants me dead. Have you heard of fight or flight?"
"Yes."
I drew my pistol from my jacket. "Time to fly." Her hand shook in mine as she snagged her purse and followed me to the door. "Stay behind me. No matter what."
"Oh my god." She whimpered.
With a glance over my shoulder, I saw her lip trembling. "No crying. Calm down. Just keep it together till we get to the McClaren."
"Mmm-hmm."
Shit. She was panicking.
I cracked the door to see two men headed our way. Helix, a bounty hunter I'd met a few times through my dealings with Greco. The machine. No emotions. Biomechanical tattoos of skin tearing open to gears, clocks, and bombs were his calling card. Helix killed unceremoniously and walked away with the cash, never a moment of human regret. The other guy with him I didn't recognize. "Two thugs in the hallway coming our way."
"How do you know they're here for us?"
"Both carrying handguns." Handguns were less powerful than rifles. They wouldn't be able to shoot through the door, but if they breached it, we were sitting ducks.
"Oh no oh my no my no my god."
Getting her out in her state would slow me down. What could I use to block the door and buy us some time? The shower head in the bathroom popped off with one strike from my fist.
"What are you… oh my god."
"It'll be fine." I punched the pipe till it pointed to the doorway. "Step back." The full-throttle spray from the pipe hit the entry door at chest level. "Perfect. Let's go."
I tugged her to the sliding glass door and out to the narrow balcony. "Get on my back."
"We're going over the balcony? How high is it?" She peered over the edge.
"Woman, get on my back."
"I— "
Helix and his buddy banged on the door. "Lavonte? You in there? Need to have a word."
Two shots hit the door from the outside. They breached the door. "Fuck." I bent and pulled her forearm over one shoulder, hoisting her up in an Army carry to the other.
The water spray hit them hard and threw them off. I had one leg over the balcony when a shot pinged off the glass of the sliding door. Another zinged over our head.