Page 53 of Luck of the Draw

She almost did. She was gripped with temptation like she’d never felt in her life, and the words nearly spilled out of her throat. But if she told him this…

If she told him this, there was no doubt in her mind that he’d tell the driver to stop the car, and he’d kick her ass right out on the street, and there would be no ride out of town the next day.

Good-hearted as Brennan Riley was—and she knew he was; his over-the-top display of apologetics and self-deprecating admissions proved it; what he’d done for his friends at the expense of his own heart proved it—if he knewthisabout her, he would get as far away from her as humanly possible at lightning speed. And he would do that precisely because he was so good-hearted, because he would instantly see that she wasnot.

Skye was a bad person. She was wrong. She was vile. And she just couldn’t bring herself to shatter his illusions, because—selfish as it made her—nobody had ever seen her asgood, and all she wanted in the world was to begood. She’d never even been given a choice in being bad or good, and she was stuck withbad.

“I can’t, Brennan,” she finally said. His eyes flashed with something that told her this wasn’t the last time he’d bring it up, but she stood her ground. “I’m so sorry, but I just can’t.”

12

HARRAH’S CASINO, NEW ORLEANS

“Hey Mr. Livingston,” Brennan said, leaning forward to pat the old man’s shoulder as he pulled into the drive in front of Harrah’s. “Go ahead and go on home. It’s well after one a.m. We’ll get an Uber later or something.”

Bishop glanced behind him. “You sure? I can go grab a coffee.”

“Yes, sir, we might be here until the wee hours of the morning.”

“Well, you call me if you change your mind.”

Brennan passed him a neatly folded wad of twenties and patted his shoulder again before pushing the door open. “I appreciate that, but I’ve got it. Thanks again. You get home safe now.”

He stepped out of the car and crossed to the other side to open Skye’s door and offer his hand. She stretched one shapely calf out of the door, carefully placing her sexy-as-hell nude stiletto on the concrete. She stood with graceful ease as if she’d been born in a pair of heels, immediately clasping her arms and trilling a high-pitched, “Brrrr!”

Brennan chuckled as he shut the door and then whisked off his jacket to drape it over her shoulders. “You cold, baby doll?”

“I didn’t expect New Orleans to be this brisk.”

“Well you happened to pick one of the few times of year when it gets cold at night.” He slid his hands to hers and rubbed them together between his. “Next time you visit, may I suggest late April.”

A smile played on her full lips. “You may, but I’m not coming back.”

“Really? I haven’t managed to tempt you to become a regular visitor?”

She laughed quietly. “I imagine I wouldn’t have this much fun again unless I came here specifically to see you.” She paused as she looked up at him with an earnest expression. “And that’s not what we’re doing, is it?”

Was that a dare, or was it a warning?

Whatever it was, there was no point in engaging it.

“Nope.” Brennan kissed her knuckles and then placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her inside. “Let’s go have some fun.”

Entering the casino was an explosion of light and sound; an invigorating contrast from the subdued quiet of Canal Street at this late hour. Brennan’s chest expanded with a sensation that was straight up giddy as he slipped into his element.

The tables. The slots. The upbeat music over the speakers that hung in the atmosphere. Groups of people cheering and laughing amidst the games. The melodic chimes and clangs of winners, big and small, from every corner of the vast space. The glitzy lighting. The buzz of activity that never ceased. And of course, the feel of his hand on the waist of the most spectacular woman in the entire building.

Yes, the one thing in the world that felt most natural to Brennan was the old-fashioned glamour of the old casino on Canal, and nothing topped that feeling other than when he brought a beautiful woman here. He strolled through the maze of slots and tables as if he owned the place and was fully aware of every lingering glance of patrons, who likely believed that particular façade.

Skye inclined her face close to his as they continued to stroll. “This place sure is fancy.” She slipped his jacket off her shoulders and handed it to him.

He pulled it on and then tugged her close to his side. “Hell yeah it is. It’s my favorite place in the world.”

“Really? Why?”

They approached a sprawling cluster of tables, and he scanned the room for where they should start. “Well, first of all, poker is my favorite pastime. I don’t think I would have survived the Marine Corps if I hadn’t started playing cards.” He paused as he eyed a table that gave off an aura of luck to him. “Plus, it’s just friggin’ cool. It feels like stepping back in time every time I come here.”

Skye folded her arms across her waist and leaned against a change machine. “Poker kept you alive when you were fighting a war?”

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