Silence fell over the office.
Kat swallowed, unwilling and unable to move. Julien’s words had frozen her in place, the smooth phrasing moving her more than any other pitch she’d heard in and out of the boardroom.
Or bedroom.
Her attention went to his hands as he held them in the air, long, slender fingers weaving invisible lines.
She couldn’t take her eyes off of him, her imagination kicking in to wonder what he’d be like in another time and place. A troubadour, a bard spinning tales and wooing women with his powerful tongue.
Cole coughed into his hand.
Julien looked at him and laughed, breaking the spell. He took a step back from Kat and returned to his chair. He grinned as he sat, watching her intently.
“You must forgive me. I’m a bit of a romantic.”
Kat felt as if she’d woken from a dream. She blinked to push away the final clouds in her mind before clearing her throat. “Okay. Let’s start with this. I want a full report from you tomorrow on what you recommend as far as changes go. Give me everything you’ve got, all your dreams on what would bring this hotel and casino back into the black.” She held up a hand, seeing the exuberance in his eyes. “I can’t promise I’ll do everything you suggest, but we’ve got to do something to bring this place back. I’m willing to look your plans over and see what we can manage.”
“Thank you.” Julien stood and gave a short bow. “Until tomorrow.” He went to the door and paused. “Your suite is room 1013. I’ve had housekeeping clean it thoroughly, and it’s ready for you whenever you need it. Your bags are already there and your security team has access.” He dug in his pocket and handed two card keys to Cole. “Your room is attached, as requested. Sleep well.”
Cole said nothing.
“Bon nuit.” Julien nodded and walked out of the room.
Kat slumped in her chair, feeling like she’d run a marathon.
Her stomach growled and she remembered she hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
Cole arched an eyebrow. “You need to eat.”
She paused, weighing the situation. “Good time to check out the room service.” She picked up the phone and looked at him. “I assume you also like to eat.”
“I do.” The low rumble startled her. “Order double of whatever you’re getting and we’ll go back to your room.”
Kat felt the heat on her cheeks rising at his wording.
She ducked and made the call, berating herself for being so open to emotional tweaks and twists.
Ghosts. Lovers.
Men.
Acknowledgments
I’d like to thank my fabulous agents, Rachel Brooks and Louise Fury, for having faith in me and always pushing me to be a better writer. Also, my lovely editor, Eileen Rothschild, who made a good story so much better by knowing just where to poke and prod it.
About the Author
Sheryl Nantus was born in Montreal, Canada, and grew up in Toronto, Canada. A rabid reader almost from birth, she attended Sheridan College in Oakville, graduating in 1984 with a diploma in media arts writing. She met Martin Nantus through the online fanfiction community in 1993 and moved to the United States in 2000 in order to marry.
She loves to play board games and write haiku, although not usually at the same time.
A firm believer in the healing properties of peppermint tea and chai, she continues to search for the perfect cuppa.
She has published multiple books with Samhain Publishing. In 2011 she won two second-place Prism Awards from the Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter of RWA for her steampunk romance, Wild Cards and Iron Horses, and Blaze of Glory, the first volume of her superhero romance trilogy.
For more about Sheryl Nantus you can visit her Web page at http://www.sherylnantus.com, see her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSherylNantus/, or follow her ramblings on Twitter: @SherylNantus. She also blogs at sherylnantus.wordpress.com when the mood takes her.
She loves to get email at [email protected].
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Excerpt: Betting on Both
Chapter One
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright Page
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
GAME ON. Copyright © 2016 by Sheryl Nantus. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
www.stmartins.com
Cover art © Shutterstock
ISBN 978-1-250-09438-4 (e-book)
First Edition: September 2016
Our eBooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, ext. 5442, or by e-mail at [email protected].
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