by Kira Blakely
She released a groan when he made his way to where she stood waiting for the bartender to get her drinks. “Don’t even bother, Pearce. I’m not in the mood for your shit today.”
The bastard chuckled, brushing his honey-blond hair across his forehead. How did I ever find that attractive? But she knew how. She was sick and tired of pretending her battery-operated boyfriend was her super sexy boss, Gage Steele, and Pearce had been the first seemingly nice guy to approach her. His silver-green eyes had raked over her body, clad in the casino’s mandated figure-hugging uniform that did more than hug. That sucker clung to her breasts, which she’d always thought were too big for her height, drawing attention to their movement with every step and her ass, which had always made finding jeans a problem.
Men didn’t seem to mind, but every day, she stepped onto the casino floor and felt like she was completely exposed in her uniform. Uncomfortable. But the tips kept her just this side of the Ramen noodle diet. The Revolution Hotel & Casino stuck to the Revolutionary War theme, requiring cocktail waitresses to wear white booty shorts and a patriot “jacket” that was actually a bustier in the custom red, white and blue.
“Just give me what I want and I’ll be gone,” Pearce wheedled.
Fat chance. She snorted while rearranging the drinks on her tray. “Go back to those skanky girls you had no problem cheating on me with.” She couldn’t stop the bile from rising as she thought of all the things he’d done with two complete strangers. She couldn’t unsee him lying prone with a woman riding his face and another riding his cock like some really bad porn. And his unprotected erection had made sure she would never, ever reconsider their relationship status. The only thing that stopped the situation from being completely humiliating was the she hadn’t yet slept with the unfaithful jackass.
“Come on, babe. Those girls meant nothing to me other than a quick fuck. I can’t get the image of you in that sexy lingerie out of my head.” His gaze crawled down the length of her body before traveling back up as he trailed a finger down her arm in a move she guessed was meant to be sexy.
Instead, she shuddered and stepped away. She wished he’d showed her this side of himself before she’d agreed to that first date. And the second. He’d seemed so nice at the beginning, but now she was starting to see that it had all been an act.
“Then that image is all you’ll ever get from me, Pearce. Back. Off.” She really needed this job because she liked things like a warm bed, electricity and food, but also because it allowed her to pay for her education. She was only one semester into graduate school, and she needed this job to get her through business school. To a new life in a city that wasn’t Las Vegas.
With the drinks settled on the tray, she grabbed it and turned away, a surprised gasp escaping when Pearce grabbed her arm. “Let. Me. Go.” Her voice was low and lethal. Who in the hell did he think he was?
“You think you can walk away from me, bitch? I wonder if you’d be so disagreeable if you no longer had a place to live, or a place in the business program.”
Shawna yanked her arm again, unable to break free of his tight grip. This wasn’t the sometimes arrogant but mostly likeable guy who’d taken her miniature golfing. This guy was… unhinged. “I still wouldn’t want you, and I wonder if you’d be such a tough guy if my hands weren’t full.” Her green eyes shot fire at him, as she wished like hell she could actually incinerate him with her gaze.
He let her go at those words, but her relief was short-lived since he was still leaning against the bar when she returned from the blackjack tables with her empty tray.
“Ready to handle me now?” He slid closer with a greasy smirk, grabbing her arm again, only much tighter. To everyone else, he just looked like another lecherous gambler, but his grip was tight enough that she knew her fair skin would bruise.
Shawna let the tray fall against the bar and used her free hand to grab a handful of his blond hair. “Let. Me. Go.”
“Everything all right over here, honey?”
She knew that deep voice. Knew it well, since it was the voice that urged her to do incredibly naughty things in her dirtiest fantasies. Gage Steele was the tall tanned Viking who owned the casino she worked in, along with who knew how many others around the world. She’d been seriously turned on by him since the moment they’d met, and he’d seemed to reciprocate, immediately flirting and asking her out. But she knew that the sexy billionaire only wanted a one-night stand. And she didn’t want to be just another of his many women.
Slowly, her head swiveled and, yep, sure enough, it was him. Wait, did he just call me honey? “Uh, no, actually, sweetie.”
***
Gage would have laughed at the flash of bewilderment in Shawna’s eyes if he hadn’t also seen her relief at his interruption. For most women, just the sight of him, hotel and casino owner and billionaire playboy would be enough to produce swoons, dilated pupils and offerings of wild kinky sex. When they found out he was also a former underwear model, they couldn’t get on their backs fast enough.
But seeing that heated look in Shawna’s eyes surprised him. About damn time. The woman was as stubborn as she was gorgeous, her pale skin dotted with freckles just begging to be touched and kissed, fiery auburn hair shot through with gold and big almond-shaped green eyes that brought out his protective instinct.
He’d been attracted to her at first glance, and then increasingly intrigued by her when she’d turned him down not just once but on multiple occasions. That never happened.
“What’s going on?” His gaze slid from her to the creep holding her too tight.
She yanked free of the asshole and sidled up close to Gage. “This is the ex I told you about the other night,” she said uncomfortably, drawing a smirk from him, “and he just wanted me to know that he could have me kicked out of my apartment and grad school unless I go back to his cheating ass.”
Gage’s brows rose angrily, and his chest puffed out as he held her tighter, standing protectively in front of her. “Is that so?” It wasn’t really a question, but a threat. “Sick of spending Daddy’s money, Pearce?”
He’d recognize Walter Worthington’s son anywhere. His business rival acted as though his worthless son was his pride and joy, but as far as Gage could tell, Pearce had been getting a degree for years.
Pearce gave a greasy smile and stood a little taller, which wasn’t noticeable next to Gage’s six-three frame. His nostrils flared, and he doubled down on the slimy smile, shaking his hair from his eyes and glancing at Shawna. Real men get haircuts, asshole.
“This is just a lover’s spat, Steele. Shawna’s just being unreasonable; you know how women are.”
She stepped in front of Gage to stare down her ex. “We are over, Pearce. I have no desire to suffer your company or risk STDs, and as you can see, I’ve moved on.”
One of her hands went to Gage’s chest as she reluctantly accepted the lifesaver he was offering. One hand stroked slowly up and down in a hypnotic motion that sent most of his blood rushing straight to his cock. He knew it wasn’t real, that it was all a put on to discourage Pearce, but his body didn’t give a damn.
Pearce snarled at her while also managing to shoot a wary gaze up at Gage. “This isn’t over, Shawna. When he’s done with you, I might be willing to take his sloppy seconds.”
Gage saw the way his gaze heated when his eyes landed on Shawna’s cleavage. The little twerp wanted her more now that she’d walked away from him. Typical spoiled rich prick, just like all the kids Gage had gone to school with. Thought their shit didn’t stink because Daddy was rich. He watched the scrawny bastard slink off to lick his wounds, but a little shit like that wouldn’t take this rejection lightly.
He glanced down at Shawna, who was now trying to extricate her sweet curves from his embrace. She glared up at him when his grip tightened. “You sure know how to pick ‘em, Red.”
“Thanks for your help, Gage, but I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
Her green eyes glitter
ed angrily, but he didn’t miss the flare of desire. “Because you were doing such a good job of it just then?”
She growled low and turned on him. “I was trying to get rid of him and not cause a scene. Not all of us have buckets of money, Mr. Steele. Smacking a man with my tray isn’t the best way to keep good tips rolling in.”
He understood her point, but he would never tell her that. “So, you thought it was best to stand there and let him manhandle you? A bruise is already forming.”
She glanced at her arm, earlier bravado gone as all color drained from her face, which sent his anger boiling and close to spilling over. Was it too late to hunt Pearce down and manhandle him? “He held on so tight. I didn’t even think he had the strength to do that. I am so tired of this. He’s really starting to frighten me.” Her words were quiet and watery like she was trying to hold back tears, but he knew that couldn’t be true because the Shawna he knew was a shit kicker. She’d given him more grief than anyone over the years she’d worked for him and turned down his advances. Just as quickly as it appeared, the vulnerability was gone and balls of steel Shawna was back. “I need this job, so I was handling it the best way I could.”
Gage smiled at the defiant tilt of her head, that cute chin jutting out like she was a tough chick. He’d had tough chicks before and Shawna might be a little rough around the edges, but she was nowhere near tough. Damn, he wanted her bad and the fact that she wouldn’t agree to a date with him only made him want her more. “I think the words you’re looking for are thank you.”
Crossing her arms over the bustier that did lovely things for her already ample tits, she pasted on a smile that was more of a grimace. “Thank you.” Then something remarkable happened; her expression softened and she tried again. “Thanks for your help, Gage, even though I can take care of myself.”
He smiled. “You’re welcome. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
She growled, turned on her stiletto ankle-booties that kept with the Revolutionary War theme, and stomped away, his laughter echoing behind her.
An idea came to life inside of him, and Gage smiled. He’d thought of a way he could help Shawna and help himself at the same time. And if things really came together, he might be able to help himself to Shawna as well.
He had a feeling things were about to get a whole lot more interesting around here.
Chapter Two
The next night, Shawna was halfway through her shift, and Pearce was nowhere to be seen. She smiled for the first time in weeks. Maybe Gage’s heavy-handed interference had actually helped. At least a little, since the bastard had still had three dozen red and white roses delivered to her apartment. Like that would change my mind. She’d happily brought them in to work for the other girls to enjoy.
There were already three hundred bucks in tips in the inside pocket of her shorts. The day was looking up and honestly, she owed Gage an apology for her less-than-friendly gratitude last night. After my shift.
“Hey, Shawna, how’s it going?”
She turned and smiled at Evie, Gage’s executive assistant. The woman was beautiful and looked much younger than her fifty years. Her presence among Gage’s staff led Shawna to believe he was more than just a rich playboy. Not that he would ever allow her, or anyone else, to see that side of him. “Evie, how are you? How was the second honeymoon?”
“Fantastic,” she enthused. “I’ll tell you all about it over lunch one day soon. For now, Gage would like to speak with you.” Her stoic expression was impossible to decode.
But her tone said everything. The boss wasn’t happy, and he wanted to see her now. With a sigh, she gave Evie a half-smile. “At least the tips were good today.” And they were probably the last tips she would receive, because Gage was probably going to fire her. Thanks again, Pearce.
When she made it to Gage’s office on the thirtieth floor, a tall striking brunette in a slinky silver dress walked out and glared at her. Another conquest. She barely suppressed a groan as she remembered exactly who Gage Steele was. Women like Silver Dress and the dozens of cocktail waitresses who had quit after their roll in the hay with him didn’t go where they hoped it would were exactly why she never took his flirtations seriously. The man slept with every woman he met—for one night only—and promptly forgot about them, tossing them aside like yesterday’s garbage. It was as though he was determined to sleep with every woman alive, at least the beautiful ones.
He was the kind of man who made a woman stupid, and after being raised by a woman who was constantly on the prowl for a rich Prince Charming only to find a bunch of rotten toads, she had no plans on being stupid for a man. Ever. Then again, she’d thought Pearce was a decent guy, so what the hell did she know? Shawna sucked in a fortifying breath before she knocked and waited.
“Come in.”
She pushed the door open and glanced around, trying to discern exactly where he might have had Silver Dress on her back. She’d never been in his office before, and he’d probably had women on every surface, so it didn’t really matter. Everything was spotless, so she took the seat in front of his desk. “You wanted to see me?”
“We need to have a chat,” he answered, his voice stern and icy cool. His gaze never wavered, searing through her until her nipples pebbled. Dammit.
“I know we do, and I do owe you an apology. I should have been more grateful for your help, even though I could have handled it myself. But firing me is hasty. I’m your best waitress, and I didn’t do anything wrong. It’s not my fault he turned into a stalker!” She was rambling, and her hands were shaking, but dammit, she needed this job.
A small smile ghosted the corners of his mouth. “Are you finished?”
Damn, but he had a way of making her always feel like an overemotional teenage girl. “Sure, I guess, but it depends.”
“On what?” he asked, hands steepled below his chin and another smirk on his handsome face. No, his stupid handsome face.
She shrugged. “On whether you’re firing me.”
“I’m not firing you.”
Shawna relaxed back in her seat. “Oh, good, then yes, I’m finished.”
“Good, because I have a proposition for you.”
Of course, he would use this opportunity to finally get into my pants, tiny though they may be.
***
Gage couldn’t help but chuckle at the expression on her gorgeous face. “Not that kind of proposition, Shawna. When we go there, and make no mistake about it, we will go there, it will be because you beg me to take you, to fuck you until you can’t remember your own name. And only then will I give you what we both want. Long and hard and slow.” He shrugged. “Or maybe fast and hard, if you prefer.”
Her pupils dilated and the little pulse at the base of her neck pounded furiously, but that was the only indication she was as affected as he was. “Right.” She gave her best disbelieving smile and shook away all traces of desire. “So, this proposition?”
Gage stood and walked around his desk, leaning on it right in front of her. She wouldn’t be able to ignore him now. “I find myself in need of a girlfriend.”
“What?” She uncrossed her legs and moved to the edge of her seat. “Can you be serious for a second, please?”
Leaning forward just enough to make her lean back, Gage sighed. “Oh, I am serious. I want you to move in with me and pretend to be my girlfriend.” He’d thought about it long and hard for the past two days, and it was the perfect solution.
She stood so that they were face to face. “Move in with you? And why would you need a fake girlfriend when I just saw another one of your women leaving? Ask her!”
Gage watched her cheeks flush prettily and bit back a grin. “That was not one of my women, merely a woman looking to get a few benefits by fucking a billionaire. Which is another reason I need you.”
“There is so much wrong with what you just said, I don’t even know where to begin.”
“In return, I will protect you from Pearce.” Gage knew women, and he’d had
dozens try and make their way to his home in nearby Henderson, but he never allowed that. Visits to his home would give them hope, something he never wanted to give. They got one night with him in a penthouse suite and nothing more, unless they attended an event with him, in which case he was happy to shell out a necklace, bracelet or earrings. Never rings, because they could be easily taken the wrong way. Shawna would likely jump at the opportunity. After all, there was only reason she would date a guy like Pearce Worthington.
She scoffed and shot him a disgusted glare. “I hardly need your kind of firepower to protect me from a pouty frat boy.” A look of surprise must have crossed his face because she asked, “What?”
“How long were you with him?”
“Two lousy months, not that it’s any of your business.”
“Why?” He had to know. She obviously had no idea he was rich and connected, so what was the attraction?
“What’s it to you?” she asked, arms crossed in a clear back the hell off signal.
That pulled another laugh from him as he shook his head in amusement. “I’m just curious because you obviously didn’t go out with him for his family money and influence, so why?”
“I can’t even believe you would say that. You know what, I guess I’m not. You only date chicks who want you for your money.” She scoffed and then froze, turning questioning emerald eyes his way. “Wait, his what?”
Unbelievable! “His father is a very wealthy land developer, and he has plenty of juice in this city to make Pearce’s threats to you a reality.” She noticeably deflated at his words, and Gage almost felt bad. Almost. Except this new revelation increased his chances of getting her to do what he wanted.