Page 52 of Betting Blind
The fist I have supporting us against the wall clenches tight from the sheer ecstasy of it all. I’ll never understand how this woman chose me over every other fucker in our town, but I’m damn sure glad that she did.
A foreign thought settles around my mind before snaking its way toward my heart. I want to protect her from every danger; I want to give her a life she can be proud of. I can’t believe the thoughts that are racing across my mind as I imagine her sprawled out on my bed, naked and waiting, or singing and dancing barefoot through our kitchen as I cook for us. There’s not a life I can imagine for myself without Cassidy in it.
Hushed moans touch my ears as I continue thrusting into her. The slickness rushing between us tells me she’s close, and stars flash behind my eyes when we reach our climax together.
I brace myself against the wall as she whips around to pull my mouth back down to hers. Being silly, she kisses my lips five times quickly before reaching down and righting her pants.
Happiness radiates from her, but guilt swiftly and forcefully touches my mind. I thrust my hand through my hair, fighting the unwelcome sensation.
There’s no benefit to bringing it up.You’re not that guy anymore.
But what would Cassidy think if she knew I was once Diablo’s enforcer? I shake my head, clearing the sludge of memories as we step back out onto the casino floor. Cassidy’s reddened cheeks break into a smile—one I’m proud to have placed on her pretty pink lips—and I offer her one in return as she drags me by the hand back to our friends. She lets go once we’re close enough for her to giddily bound after Juliana.
Leave the past in the past and focus on getting Ben out of trouble, I tell myself, but it’s easier said than done as I watch the girl of my dreams run away with my heart.
Chapter 24
Cassidy
Ting.
The familiar sound of the diner bell chimes above the door, and I turn to see a massive group of people scramble through the entrance. I place six huge plates of food on the table for one of our regular families, smiling at them as I wipe my hands on my apron. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can get you folks.”
I turn to greet the group of three separate families and get them settled on our waitlist, swiping the back of my hand across my sweat-covered brow.
Our trip to Vegas was one I’ll not soon forget, but that desperate need for relief when we arrived back home never came. The way Jack and Derrick huddled together on the plane, discussing plans out of earshot from me and Jules still has nausea turning uneasily in my gut. We’ve been back in town for only one day, but still no Ben.
I pour coffee from the full pot I’m holding into empty, greedy cups as my thoughts run away from me. Bruce has barely spoken to me or Juliana since the beginning of our shift. The most I got out of him was a grunted, “Good morning,” and then he disappeared into his office and hasn’t left since.
The bell chimes again and I shut my eyes tightly, detesting the annoying sound. I’m not sure how much more of this job I can take. It may break Jules’s heart for me to leave, but every day that goes by pushes me closer and closer out the door.
Jack’s large figure shadows the customers sitting around the front entrance of the diner, and I hide a laugh at their audible gasps and scornful glances. He’s fine as hell in a black T-shirt and faded jeans, and I fidget with my apron, remembering exactly what he offers beneath those layers.
A hush has fallen over the room but if Jack notices, he doesn’t let on. He blinds me with a smile when he spots me, gesturing that he’d like to speak with me. I point to the waste bins that are situated in the back of the diner and once I’m able to sneak away, I follow him to the spot.
“Hi.” I smile, wanting to kiss him senseless, and the fact that I can’t only makes me want to do so that much more. His bright blue eyes admire me unabashedly, warming my skin.
The hustle and bustle of the diner picks back up again, though I feel the awkward glances being thrown our way against the back of my neck. “I wanted to give you something,” he says, pulling an envelope-size black bag out of his back pocket.
It reminds me of a bank teller’s bag, and I raise a brow in question. “What is that?”
“Don’t open it here. Wait until you get home tonight, but I wanted to give you a gift.”
I massage the bag curiously, and from the weight, I already know what’s inside of it. “Jack. I cannot… no, Iwillnotaccept this.” I try to shove the bag of cash back toward his chest, but he lightly grasps my hands.
Dropping his voice, he leans closer to me so no one else can hear us. “We had some money left over, and I want you and your mom to have it. I mean it.”
Dammit. Now I really want to kiss the hell out of him.
Pride has me resisting. “What about the expansion?” He took thirty-grand of his own money to bail his brother out, and I fully expected him to keep any extra bit we made.
Jack laughs lightly as his eyes crinkle around the edges, lightly tapping my chin. “Don’t worry about me, stubborn woman.” Reaching for my apron pocket, he tucks the bag in tight.
“If we weren’t in public right now…” I trail off, fingers itching to touch his body. A body I have memorized from head, to chiseled abs, to strong thighs.
He smirks. “Careful, you’re drooling.”
I swat him, and his heated eyes slide away from mine to the diner, looking for a place for us to sneak away. Unlucky for us, the closest place to privacy in here is Bruce’s office, and that’s a no-go.
