Page 7 of Not that Sea-Rious
She pursed her lips and leaned against him.“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
5
Marissa
Withmussy,shortredhair, crystal-blue eyes, and a tight beard close to his face, Beau titillated Marissa.There was something about that smile he offered.A hint of reluctance—maybe mystery.Marissa couldn’t put her finger on it, but she got the sense he didn’t dole these looks out often.However, with the limited information she had, she’d decided she definitelywouldn’tkick him out of bed.
How many daiquiris had she had?
No matter.They were on vacation, far from home, and she’d always had a thing for redheads.She could absolutely have impure thoughts about the fella sitting beside her at the roulette wheel offering her blue chips and smiling.
But wait.He only suggested that because he intended to leave the table.At least, at first.It’d be hard to flirt with him if he fled.Thankfully, he stuck around.
Unfortunately, that meant no blue chips for her.Oh well.The sacrifices she made for Carolyn on this trip wouldn’t end here.She was sure of it.
“What are you drinking?”the bride-to-be asked, grabbing his attention.
“Chocolate martini,” he answered.
The group tossed their chips about the table.
“Is it good?”Joyce asked.
“Like chocolate milk with some zest,” he said with a playful shimmy of his shoulders.
Marissa bit her lips together, stifling her snicker.It’d be rude to laughathim.Not when he seemed genuinely nice.
“We all have to play my wedding date,” Carolyn declared before slapping at his upper arm.“You too.”
His brows rose.“Oh.”
“I’m sorry,” Marissa whispered.
He shrugged as he followed the women and placed a chip on top of the stack on the thirteen.
As the dealer launched the ball to spin around the wheel, one server approached.
“My turn!”Joyce shouted as she fumbled with her wristlet.“The whole table,” she began as she struggled with the zipper.“Everyone gets a chocolate martini.We’re going to switch it up.”
Finally, she produced her card and handed it to the woman responsible for bringing drinks.
“You don’t have to,” their new friend beside Marissa said as he pulled out his own room key.
Joyce held up her hand, preventing him from giving it to the server.“Don’t take it,” she ordered.
Marissa leaned in.Their arms brushed.Damn, he had some firm biceps.She wondered what they looked like beneath that T-shirt.“I fear you missed your window to escape.”
Offering a polite smile, he dipped his chin and tucked his card away.
“Thirty-six,” the dealer announced as he placed the glass marker down on the board.
The women released a collective groan as he swept all the chips toward him.No one hit.Not even a smidge.
Removing the marker, the dealer began sorting.“Place your bets.”
“Okay,” Tina said.“What’s everyone’s favorite number?”
As each person shared, she placed a chip down.After the bridal party went silent, all their eyes landed on the redheaded man beside Marissa.Idly, he fiddled with his chips for a moment, seemingly unaware they waited for him to join in.
