Suave

by C. A. Bell

  “Get rid of the ‘One’.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re not London’s most eligible bachelor.”

  “So?”

  “So I can’t just say that. I’d be lying to my readers.”

  “Isn’t that what mags do all the time anyway?”

  “Do you want to do this for me or not?”

  I rubbed my chin. I could tell she was getting riled, and as ever, it amused me.

  “Put me on the front page and we have a deal.”

  “Fucking hell! Seriously?”

  I contained my laughter. I wasn’t remotely serious. I just loved to wind her up.

  I remained silent, just watching the cogs in her head turning, waiting for her next move.

  “Fine.” She held her hand out.

  My forehead crinkled. Fine? Fine? What the hell had happened to her? I at least expected two or three more bargaining chips.

  “Fine?” I questioned.

  “Just shake my hand before I change my mind, Max.”

  There was no way I was going to leave her delicate little hand out in the cold any longer. My palm met hers and we shook.

  “Okay,” she stood, “when poker games like tomorrow night’s take place, where do they happen? In a private room? In the middle of the venue? Where?”

  “At the Imperial they have a room at the back where pre-organised games take place.”

  “And is it locked during the game? Only the players are allowed in?”

  “No, people are allowed in to watch as long as they don’t approach the table and are quiet.”

  She nodded as she paced the back of her desk, thinking.

  “Okay.” She moved back to her chair. “Here’s the plan.” She sat down. “You go tomorrow night as you usually would and play the game until you see or hear the slightest thing. When you do, call me straight away… You’re allowed to leave the table, right?”

  “After the round has finished, yeah.”

  “Oh, okay. Then ring me ASAP, okay?”

  “Got it. Anything else?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “What happens if… well, if nothing happens?”

  She looked me square in the eyes. “Something will happen.”

  Ah, she was being a deceiving little fucker, was she? I got the hint and nodded.

  “You do realise I’m putting myself in a very vulnerable position here?” I said.

  “How so?”

  “Well, I could be done for slander.”

  “No, you couldn’t, because I’ll have signed the disclaimer that swears me to the utmost secrecy. No one will ever know where the information came from.”

  Fuck, she was good. She had it all in hand.

  “Grand.” I smiled. “Well, Miss Knight, if that is all, may I be on my way?”

  “You may.”

  I stood and straightened my jacket before holding my hand out for hers. She took it.

  “Nice doing business with you, Miss Knight. I’ll be back to talk about my pose for the cover.” I winked.

  She squeezed my hand and gritted her teeth. “Pleasure’s all mine, Mr. Harper.”

  After she’d finished trying to pop my knuckles, she released my hand and I made my way to the door.

  “Oh, Max?”

  I looked over my shoulder to see her sat crossed legged and looking sexy as hell in her big chair.

  “Yeah?”

  “If you see me tomorrow night, you don’t know me, okay?”

  I grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Another Deal

  Max Harper

  I strutted into the foyer of the casino like I owned the joint. I’d always wanted my own gambling quarters. Scantily clad women tending the bar and offering cigarettes, rich blokes with money to burn scattered around, the sound of the roulette wheel spinning—my idea of heaven. The only reason I hadn’t looked into it properly was because I knew I didn’t have the patience to run things. I’d want to be out there on the floor, betting and drinking while I held onto a woman’s tight arse. Yeah, at some point I probably would be able to do that, but in the interim period I wouldn’t be able to, and that was no fun.

  I headed through into the main room, the sound of conversation, music, and dealers raising their voices consuming my ears. I smiled. Daddy was home and about to win big tonight. Not only had I planned on getting what Brooke wanted, but I also planned on taking some money while I did it. I still couldn’t believe I was going to be on the cover of Suave. After Brooke had called again yesterday afternoon asking me to pop down and sign the disclaimer, it had suddenly became very real. The whole of yesterday evening and night I had been so full of excitement and energy that I’d spent hours in my gym pumping my muscles. Hell, if I was going on the cover of one of the country’s leading mags, I had to look buff as fuck. I’d even practised my pose in the mirror in numerous different suits, but I couldn’t decide on which pose and which colour and fit to go for. I just looked too damn good in all of them.

  I made my way to the bar, spotting James chatting up some blonde piece. Although he wasn’t playing, he still insisted on coming along with me—any chance to bag a bit of skirt.

  He didn’t see me heading over, so I left him to his pursuing and ordered a Scotch on the rocks. As I waited, I skimmed my surroundings. Women in cocktail dresses, men in suits, and games filled the place. As I caught sight of a slim brunette, I wondered if Brooke was going to show. She had hinted at the idea, and that made the night seem even more worthwhile. To see her wandering around, strutting her fine arse about, checking I was doing what I’d said, was sexy. Possibly a little distracting, but sexy as.

  “Max.” A hand rested on my shoulder.

  I turned. “Taylor. How are you?”

  “Yeah, not too bad. Looking forward to this game. I hear you’re in?”

  “I am indeed.”

  “Great stuff. So, how have you been?”

  “Same as ever. Top notch.”

  The tender bought my drink over, charged me and left to get the change.

  I sipped my whiskey, the ice resting against my lip as I did, causing a burning sensation.

  “I hear we have mega money sat at the table tonight. Hope you brought your cheque book.” He winked.

  “And the safe.” I joked.

  I knew there was big money at the table tonight, and I knew that at least one of them had more than me. But that wasn’t going to stop me from playing this game. Besides, the more money around the table, the more I’d be taking home.

  I came to the conclusion that if these two guys really were fixing the game, they wouldn’t do it straight away. They’d at least wait until the players had had a few drinks to dull their awareness. I had my game plan set and ready to roll.

  “Ah, James,” Taylor said, as a very pissed off James strolled over.

  He lifted his head. “Taylor. Max.”

  “Alright?” I asked.

  “Peachy.” Sarcasm rolled off of his tongue.

  “How are you?” Taylor asked.

  I could tell he didn’t want to talk. He was still sore after losing all that money to him months back.

  “I’m alright, thanks.”

  Taylor must have sensed the atmosphere because he nodded at me and said, “See you at the table,” before wondering off into the crowd of luck and money.

  “Prick,” James spat, aiming his words towards Taylor’s back.

  “Mate, you gotta let bygones be bygones. It’s not his fault you lost all that money.”

  He ignored me and ordered a drink.

  “What’s the deal with Marilyn?” I gestured with my head towards the woman he’d been chatting to at the end of the bar in an attempt to banish the uncomfortable atmosphere.

  “She’s a colleague.”

  I waited for more info. Nothing came.

  “And?”

  “And?”

  “And have you or are you going to?”

  �
��What?”

  “Hit that?”

  “Oh.” He laughed. “No and no. Don’t mix business and pleasure no matter how hot they are. Gets awkward at work and I can’t be doing with all of that.”

  “You sound like you are speaking from experience.”

  “I am. So, take my advice and never mix the two. Not good.”

  Too late. “Noted.”

  “All ready for tonight’s game then?”

  “James, you know me. I was born ready.”

  He grinned at me. “True. Oh…” His face suddenly lit up. “How is that bet with Miss Suave going? You bag the arse and the cash yet?”

  I tapped my glass. “Biding my time, mate. Biding my time.”

  “Unlike you.”

  It was. But what the hell else was I supposed to do? I’d been to the bar—no sign. I’d been to the store—nothing. I’d rung her business number, the one that she ‘promptly replies to’, and zilch. I was running out of ideas. I’d even tried to track her friend Lesley down by searching all manner of combinations to do with her name and backstage catwalk shows, and I’d come up with absolutely fuck all but some guy called Lesley Matheson with a gold earring and half a shaved head.

  I glanced at the time—seven-thirty.

  “Shall we go and have a scout?”

  James nodded. “Sure.”

  He followed me through the main floor littered with gambling tables, fruit machines and well-dressed bodies until we reached an archway in the far corner. Looking through, I could see numerous people already in there, chatting away in groups of three or more.

  I straightened my posture even more. “Let’s do this.”

  Both James and I headed straight for the bar area situated in the far left of the room. It was a superiority and comfort thing. Walking into a new room and then just standing on the edge was not my style. When I entered a room, I walked straight down the centre, if I could, and straight to the array of liquor. Not only did it show the males in the place that you were an alpha, but it gave the potential night’s shag a chance to get a good look.

  I rested against the bar on an elbow as James stood next to me. We both surveyed the room. My eyes darted around the space from the faces of men to the arses of women. I checked out the rectangular table situated in the middle of the room. The dealer was already there, sat waiting in his black shirt and gold bowtie. I skimmed the room again, looking for my prey. Taylor and Patrick—the guys I knew—were already in here and gassing to one another guy in the corner, but there was no sign of Lennox. As I continued to search the room, a briefcase caught my eye.

  “Crap. Chips,” I said, placing my drink down on the bar. “Back in a mo.”

  I headed off towards the cage to sort out my counters. I wasn’t completely on the ball tonight. This whole spying thing had thrown me off guard a tad.

  I strode towards the desk situated at the front until a woman caused my pace to slow. I stared at her, jaw almost hitting the floor. Never. My luck couldn’t be this good, could it?

  I walked closer to get a better view. It was. It was Jasmine Chambers. I glanced at my watch. I had just over twenty minutes to sort my chips, convince her to stay until I’d finished my game, and get to the table.

  I dashed to the cash cage, gave them my details and retrieved my case full of plastic counters, keeping her beautiful frame in my sight the whole time.

  Case in hand, I headed straight for her. She was alone and seated at a tall table behind a fruit machine.

  “Hey.” I stood in front of her.

  “Oh, hey.” Her cheeks rose to form a beautiful smile. “How are you… Max, right?”

  As if she didn’t remember my name. “Yeah, that’s right. I’m fine. How are you?”

  She nodded. “I’m good.”

  “Here alone?” I needed the deets.

  “I am, actually.”

  My brows rose. I wasn’t expecting that. “You like to gamble?”

  “No. Hate it. Nasty habit.”

  “Oh.” I slipped the briefcase behind my back jokingly.

  She giggled.

  “So, what brings you here alone then?”

  She shuffled nervously in her seat. “Just wanted to get out.”

  My forehead crinkled. Something wasn’t adding up.

  “Really? And you chose here of all the places in London, even though you hate gambling?”

  Her eyes darted around the room. There was something odd going on here.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, fine. I just…” She paused, her eyes moving across the room, following something.

  I turned to see what she was trailing after. Suddenly, it all made sense.

  I grinned as I turned back around to face her.

  “You’re the tip-off.”

  “Huh?” She frowned, looking genuinely bewildered.

  “You tipped Suave off, didn’t you?”

  Her eyes widened. “I don’t know what you are on about.” Her voice sounded anxious.

  “It’s okay. I’m on your side.”

  “Listen…” She stood. “Max, I’m not sure what you are on about. You must have the wrong person or something. But it was nice to see you again.”

  “Hold on a minute.” I stepped in front of her. “Did you go to see Brooke Knight?”

  “What? No.”

  “Jasmine, I am here to get the dirt on this arsehole, so unless you want me to walk right out of here now, you best start talking.”

  She looked around the room. “Fine,” she whispered, “but keep your voice down.”

  We both sat back down. “Yes, it was me. What of it?”

  “And you went to see Brooke?”

  “Yes.”

  I knew nothing had happened between the pair. If it had, I had no doubt that Brooke would have rubbed it in by now.

  “Are you seeing her again? I mean, has she asked you to go back or meet her to discuss the story?”

  She shook her head.

  I smiled. Miss Knight really wasn’t as on the ball as she made out. I scrambled through my mind for some sort of plan. I knew no amount of chat up lines were going to work on her. Then suddenly I had a light bulb moment. It may not have been the best plan, but with the state my mind was in at the moment, it was the best I could come up with.

  I took my phone out of my pocket and looked at the screen as if someone was calling.

  “Excuse me.”

  “Sure.”

  I stayed seated and continued with my charade.

  “Hello?” I waited a few seconds. “Oh, hi, gorgeous. What can I do for you?”

  Again, I paused as if someone really was on the other end of the phone talking to me.

  “Oh, really. Well, I could be persuaded. When?” My eyes widened. “Now? I’m not sure I can. I’ve got something to take care of first.”

  I looked over at her glancing around, pretending not to listen.

  “Well, you’ve twisted my arm. See you in a bit.”

  I tapped down on my screen as if to end the call and slipped my phone back in my pocket.

  “Well, Miss Chambers, it was great to see you, but I must dash.”

  “Wait. Are you leaving?”

  “Afraid so.”

  “But what about Lennox? What about getting the story.”

  “There’ll be ample opportunity in the future, I’m sure.”

  “But—”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll ring Brooke and let her know I’ve had to go as a matter of urgency and we will reschedule our little mission.”

  I stood.

  “It didn’t sound very urgent to me.” She rose from her seat to square up to me. “I’ll have her sack you for this. I know you’re just heading off to see some floozie. I heard the way you were talking.”

  “You’ll have a job. I don’t work for Brooke. I’m merely doing her a favour.”

  Her face dropped. “Please, Max.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Please.”

  My curiosity pique
d. “Why do you want to get at this guy so bad anyway?”

  “Because he is a horrid man. He’s a control freak and a liar.” Her eyes narrowed. “Are you seriously going to just walk out of here just to get some pussy?” she said in a hushed but irate tone.

  “I can’t help it. I’m an addict.” I laughed on the inside so hard.

  “Fuck me, is that the entire male population’s excuse for everything? I’m addicted? I can’t help it? Argh.”

  I shrugged. “I’m only human.” I moved in closer. “And quite frankly, I’d rather spend the night between a pair of sexy legs than playing poker with a bunch of toffs.”

  She grabbed my arm. “Stay and do this for me…” Her breathing shallowed, causing her beautiful perky chest to rise and fall more evidently. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

  My dick pulsed in my pants. I knew it would work. How could she not offer me sex when sex was what I was leaving for.

  “Really?”

  “I know you want me,” she started. “Stay and do this for me and I’ll give you these thighs to lie between.” She looked down at her own legs.

  I snaked my arm around her back after checking no one was watching and squeezed her arse. “How do I know you’ll hold up your end of the bargain?”

  “After the game, when you’ve got the dirt on him, you can take me back to yours and fuck me. And if I don’t, then you simply don’t give the information in to Suave.”

  I nodded, taking it all in, then slapped her bum lightly. “Deal.”

  Full House

  Brooke Knight

  I paced the kitchen floor, arms folded. I hated this. I wanted to be there. I’d planned on going down, but after giving it some consideration, I’d thought better of it. If Lennox saw me, it was bound to spark suspicion, or something worse. I didn’t know if I could trust myself. I didn’t know if I could contain my anger and not stride right over and punch his pretty boy nose in.

  I stopped striding and picked up my gin. I shot it back and nearly choked on the burn as it tickled the back of my throat. What was I going to do? Maybe I could go and stay well out of the way? I’d already checked out the layout of the Imperial on the web. The card room was set back in another section of the casino. I could easily just mingle and blend in with the crowd in the main room.