By the end of the night I felt more relaxed in that room than I ever thought possible. I’d won at least half of the hands, a few with decent size pots, and the pile in front of me was definitely bigger than when I started. Playing instead of watching from the bar was exactly what I’d needed. I felt in control of the situation. The decisions were mine, no one else’s. It made me feel powerful, like I could do anything.
Miller came over after the last hand to check on me.
“You didn’t tell me your girl played like that,” Johnson accused, putting his winnings back into his pocket.
Miller glanced down at the pile of money then back at me. A heat lingered in his eyes as they stayed focused on mine. “I had no idea.”
He took my hand and began guiding me quickly toward the exit. “Good-night,” he called over his shoulder, making it clear that the night was over.
“Miller you left all of your money on the table.” I tried to stop him but like earlier, he was on a mission and there was no stopping him. I couldn’t believe he left it there like it didn’t matter.
“Dean or Charlie will deal with it. They always do.”
“Where are we going?” I tried to match his pace, taking two steps for each one of his, practically running to keep up.
“To my office.”
He didn’t stop, he didn’t slow. I’d have to wait until we got there to find out what was so important.
He flung the door open and slammed it closed behind me. For one brief second, I thought he was pissed that I didn’t win enough. I should have known better. He backed me up against the door, his lips capturing mine.
I was trapped, pinned between Miller and the door. But it wasn’t like there was anywhere else I wanted to be. His tongue darted in and out of my mouth in a rhythm that made my head spin and my knees weak. I wanted more and Miller didn’t disappoint.
His hands slipped under my skirt, hiking it up over my hips.
“Fuck, I need you.” The panties were torn from my body.
It had been the perfect night, and this just made it better. His heat, his passion, his insatiable need—it was all for me. Feelings that I’d kept locked up tight poured through me along with the lust.
Miller pulled my ass up over his shaft and slammed into me, filling me, taking me to new heights. Thrust after thrust, he took me against the door. My heels dug into his back, my nails scratched his shoulders, the noises coming from both of us loud enough to be heard in the hall.
I could feel it happening again: the moment where Miller would show me unparalleled pleasure. It was so amazing that I couldn’t stop the words from pouring from my lips as my released crashed over me.
“I love you.”
His eyes snapped open and he thrust into me one last time, holding steady, his breathing shallow, his gaze burning me. I couldn’t believe I’d said it. Heat flooded my cheeks. I’d held it back for weeks and in the heat of one passion filled moment I ruined everything.
I tried to push him back so I could get down and away.
“Tess?”
I couldn’t look at him; not bearing to see the pity or anger in his eyes. One hand stayed curled under me, while the other came up to guide my face to his. I had no choice but to look at him and what I saw in those chocolate depths stole my breath.
“I love you, too.”
Perfection.
For the first time since I was a child, I believed those words when they left someone’s lips. Miller had shown me time and time again how much he truly loved me. I didn’t have to question it, just let it fill every corner of my heart.
***
The rest of the week was gone in a flurry of baseball playoffs and football games. Miller and I had taken our confessions back to his place and spent the night showing each other exactly how much we loved each other.
The bar was packed every moment. By the time I finished each night, it was all I could do to get home safely before I crashed out. Even though there was no sign of Ray, I got this strange feeling I was being watched. There was nothing I could pinpoint, and I didn’t see anyone actually following me. Call it a notion but it was enough to unsettle me. I knew Ray would never be that stupid after Miller’s warning.
Exhaustion was weighing me down. From studying for my finals the two weeks prior to working and spending time with Miller, I barely had a moment to catch my breath. Summer classes might have been done, but fall classes had already begun and I needed to sleep. Only one year more, I told myself.
I figured my tired mind was imagining all of the crazy stuff going on. At least until the next morning when I walked out of my apartment to head for class.
My car was trashed.
Broken windows, spray paint covering the lights, and the word whore written on the hood. I got closer, rounding the car to see the extent of the damage.