“Great. Let me know. I’d be happy to help,” the waitress said, nodding one too many times, reluctant to leave.
“I’ll let you know,” Cam said.
When she left, Cam leaned toward Taylor, his beautiful mouth just inches from her ear. “We’ll resume our…conversation later,” he promised, his voice low and the air suddenly buzzing with electricity and a million other unnamed things that made her heart race unnaturally. “We have all night to discover how long it takes.”
She sucked in a breath through her teeth, wanting to beg him to continue what he started earlier, to hell with their food and the consequences. “Okay,” she said her eyes devouring him even as her face heated with embarrassment from her brazen behavior.
Grinning, Cam picked up his fork and lifted a small bite of his fish to Taylor’s mouth. Without thinking, she opened her mouth letting him feed her. “Mm,” she said as the smooth buttery fish coated her taste buds.
“This is just the beginning,” he said, his finger tracing her lips when she finished chewing. His eyes darkened with so much hunger she thought she was drowning in their depths.
Oh God, she hoped so because she wanted so much more.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Gambling?” Taylor said shaking her head.
“Just play two or three hands of blackjack and if you don’t like it, we can leave,” Cam said pulling a chair out from a table in the middle of the casino.
“No, I don’t gamble.”
“Have you tried it?” Cam asked, massaging her shoulders as he stood behind her at the table.
“Never, and I don’t plan to start tonight. I had other things in mind.”
Cam laughed. Of course she did and so did he, but if he dragged her back to her room right now, the night would be over in ten minutes. He wanted to make this last, and savor every minute with her before they took the next step because once they journeyed into that room together tonight, there would be no turning back. “Well, stay focused in the present because this night isn’t over. We’re not skipping to the end yet.”
She looked over her shoulder. “Was this part of your plan?”
“Yes,” he said bending to kiss the side of her neck. “I wanted to give you the full Vegas experience and that means gambling.”
Cam reached into his wallet and tossed hundred dollar bills onto the table.
“Can’t I just stuff some money into a slot machine and call it a night?”
The dealer placed a stack of chips in front of her.
“No. Slot machines don’t count,” he replied.
“Place your bets,” the dealer said and Taylor slid one chip forward into the circle on the table.
“Do you know how to play?” Cam asked.
“Oh, now you ask?” she replied sarcastically. “Don’t you think it’s a little too late for instruction?” She waved her hand at the cards in front of her on the table.
Cam shrugged. “Just get as close as you can to twenty one without going over.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’ve played a version on my phone and there’s a lot more to the game than that.”
“Show me how’s it’s played,” he said laughing.
Within thirty minutes, she had doubled her money. At first, she was cautious, not betting much money on a hand, just the table minimum, but as time progressed, she became more confident. She clearly had spent plenty of time playing the game on her phone or computer because she knew how to double down and split the pairs. She was actually pretty good.
He was impressed, but he didn’t appreciate the way the guy next to her, Mr. Not-So-Subtle, kept brushing against her shoulder and showering her with praise every time she won a hand. In fact, if he touched her one more time, Cam didn’t know if he’d be able to stop himself from shoving the guy off his chair or worse, and he didn’t like the feeling one bit.
When the guy wrapped his arm around Taylor’s shoulder, he jumped off of his barstool and was behind her before he could second-guess his actions. “It’s time to go,” Cam said shoving the guy’s hands off her shoulder.
“Hey!” the guy yelled standing up from his chair. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Glaring at the guy, Cam grabbed Taylor’s hand pulling her out of her seat. “Tay, we’re leaving. Pick up your chips.”
“I think she’s doing just fine here. Why don’t you mind your own business?” the guy said through clenched teeth, his hands curling into fists along his sides. What a jackass.
“My girlfriend is my business,” Cam said. “Now why don’t you pay attention to your game and find your own fucking woman.”