I stepped inside the room and closed the door behind me, then flipped the security lock into place. As I hit the switch, illuminating the room, and moved toward her, Mia licked her lips but her posture was as stiff as a board. I could see the war going on inside that gorgeous head of hers. She wanted me but she wasn’t going to make it easy.
I walked over to the bar and opened the fridge, examining the choice of beverages. “What would the lady like to drink?” I asked her.
“Actually, I feel like a cocktail. A strawberry daiquiri would be great.”
Of course she did. That would take her longer to drink and give her more opportunity to avoid me. I picked up the phone and ordered her the cocktail. I was amazed she chose a cocktail; didn’t they contain a shitload of calories?
I placed my order over the phone and then looked at Mia as an idea struck. “We’re also going to need a deck of cards.” I saw her frown at me from across the room. When I hung up, I said, “You’ve never played poker with me. You’ve watched me play with your brothers many times. So I thought, seeing as we are alone, it would be appropriate to play it together.
“I’m warning you, I’ve been playing poker since I was big enough to walk. My father taught me how to play and growing up with three brothers means I’ve had lots of practice.”
“I know. I’ve seen you play with them. You’re very good, but so am I. What do you say we play a few hands and let’s see who comes out the winner?”
Mia sat down on the sofa. “Bring it on. But you’d better not be a sore loser. I hate sore losers.”
“Ditto, angel,” I said. A knock on the door indicated room service had arrived. After taking the cocktail and cards, I tipped the guy and sat down on the chair next to the sofa. I grabbed myself a beer and handed Mia her cocktail. I had the air conditioning cranking on high; it was so damn hot in Port Douglas. Both of us were silent as we drank. Setting my beer down on the coffee table, I opened the box of cards. As I shuffled, I explained the rules. “Five card stud, nothing wild, how does that sound?”
“Sounds easy enough. Are we playing for money?”
“No, not money. Information.”
“Huh?”
“If I win, you have to tell me three things about yourself. Good things, not like ‘I like the colour red’, understand? If you win, I have to tell you three things about myself. What do you say?”
She grinned. “You’re going to be doing a lot of talking.”
We were both silent as I dealt. I waited for her to look at her hand. When she discarded two, I slid two new cards across the coffee table. She picked them up, but I couldn’t tell if she was happy or not. Damn, she was a little sneak and gave nothing away. I looked at my own cards and discarded one then waited for her to show me her hand. She had two pair, kings and deuces. All I had was a pair of sevens. I placed my own hand face up on the table and watched her expression change from blank to pure wickedness.
“Oh, dear, you better start talking,” she demanded.
Shit, I hated losing. I wanted to find out more about her. Although I had known her for years, I knew nothing about her. The next round is mine.
“Let’s see... I love pickup trucks and motorcycles. I have my own Harley Davidson I keep at my parents’ house. I’ve always loved them. I hate soppy girlie movies, so don’t ever ask me to watch one with you. They’re a complete waste of time to me.”
“Ah, I will have to remember that when you are pissing me off again!” she said, her face mischievous. “I bet I can convert you. Hand over the cards; it’s my turn to deal.” Mia scooped up the cards and started to shuffle. Her skill impressed me. She dealt five cards each, then placed the deck in the centre.
I looked at my hand and had to stifle a grin. “I’ll stay.”
There was no expression from Mia as she picked up her cards, tossed one down and grabbed a new one from the deck. She looked at me, and I laid my cards out face up. “What the hell, you have three aces?” she reluctantly showed her hand of a pair of dismal twos.
“Go for it, baby. Spill the beans.”
“Don’t be shocked, but I love magnets. I collect all sorts and all sizes. Expensive ones, cheap ones. I just love them. What I really love though, are those chick flicks which make you cry. But I suppose you’re not shocked about that one. Cameron Diaz is my favourite actress. Any movie with her in it, I am there. And the third fact is that I hate food that’s orange. Carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, oranges, and mandarins. I detest them all. They make my tongue curl.”
I laughed. “Why do you hate orange food so much? Carrots are good for you.”