Page 67 of A Lot Like Love
Chapter 17
Chloe wriggled her black dress down lower and checked out her cleavage in the mirror. Thank god she’d already had the dress packed in her car. She might be doing the gambling tonight instead of just being bait to distract the men, but she still wanted to try to put them off their game if she could. Her push-up bra was doing its job, and she squirted a little perfume between her breasts—that was for Ryder’s benefit when he was up close and personal with her later on. Chloe ran her fingers through her hair one last time and applied some more lip gloss before stuffing her things back in her bag.
Her heart was racing, mind and body wired over what she was about to do. She’d tried so hard to leave this life behind, told herself she’d never play again no matter what the stakes, and yet just the thought of what she was about to do was enough to ignite her pulse. All she wanted was a life far removed from gambling, a clean lifestyle where she worked hard and was respected for what she did. Not to mention a husband one day and a family. And yet here she was playing poker again. Chloe laughed. Not all roads led to Oz though, and to get to where she needed to be, she had to use the one skill she knew wouldn’t let her down.
She took one last look at herself in the mirror and headed for the door, entering the bar and making her way toward Ryder. She spotted him straightaway, his big frame perched on a barstool. He was holding a beer bottle to the side of his face.
“How you feeling?” she asked, talking directly into his ear and loving the smile she received in response. He dropped the beer to the counter and turned.
“Holy hell.” Ryder let out a low wolf whistle and took her hand, turning her so she did a twirl on the spot. “Damn, you look good.”
It was the dress she pulled out when she wanted to impress, so she loved that Ryder had noticed. He was so tall she was able to wear four-inch heels and not even come close to meeting his height, and when he stood she looped her arm through his and leaned in close.
“Parker’s not going to know what hit him tonight.”
Ryder retrieved his arm and took hold of her hand instead, nodding to the guy standing outside the room they were about to walk into. It wasn’t like they needed an invite to go in, but someone had obviously made it clear they didn’t want just anyone wandering on in, not with the kind of money they bet in there on any given night.
“Let’s do this,” she muttered as they headed for the table, hating the way all the men ogled her the second they saw her. But she’d dressed this way for a reason and she needed to ignore them, just focus on what she was here to do. The only man she liked checking her out so openly was Ryder.
“Well, if it ain’t pretty boy come back for another hiding.” Parker laughed furiously at his own joke. Chloe glanced at Ryder, knew he’d love nothing more than to punch the guy’s lights out, but she admired the way he kept his cool. They had a plan and she doubted he’d let anything rattle him, not with the stakes she was going to be playing for.
“Settle down fellas, I’m just here to let my girl have a flutter.” Ryder nodded at Parker. “I haven’t forgotten what I owe.”
All the men had a chuckle at that, but one of the older guys stood up and pulled a chair over, making space for her straightaway.
“Come and sit next to me, love. I won’t bite.”
Ryder’s hand was steady against the small of her back, the tiny amount of pressure he was applying telling her he was there for her. But it was all up to her now. Ryder would be in the room, but otherwise she was on her own.
“You supplying the ready cash?” Parker asked. “Don’t take offense, sweetheart, but you ain’t exactly gonna have enough money from tending the bar to play here.”
Chloe forced a giggle and leaned back to press a kiss to Ryder’s jaw, lazily wiping away the lipstick she’d left. “He’s a real darlin’, this one. Said I could bet all I wanted just to learn the game.”
“Hey, so long as he hasn’t forgotten about our last bet, I don’t have no problem taking more of this asshole’s money.”
Chloe watched as Ryder’s jaw tightened, his actions giving away how he really felt about Parker.
“So can she play or not?” Ryder asked.
“You joining us?”
Ryder shrugged and glanced at Chloe. He’d planned on just getting a drink and watching, but he didn’t want to draw attention to himself. “Yeah, why not.”
He pulled up a chair from another table as Chloe made her way around the other side, sitting between two of the other guys. Ryder waved for a couple of drinks.
“Y’all have to go easy on me, boys,” she said with a giggle. “I’ve only played a few times in Vegas.”
“Watch and learn,” Parker said, opening a fresh pack of cards. “I’ll never say no to cleavage like that joining the table.”
Ryder’s temper flared but he just took the drink placed in front of him and enjoyed a long, slow sip. He could pummel the guy’s face in later; tonight was about following Chloe’s plan.
“Any of you fellas keen to tell me how much money we’re playing for?” Chloe asked.
It was almost impossible not to smile at her doe eyes and glinting smile. Chloe was making the perfect impression of a dumb woman wanting a flutter with cards, and he couldn’t wait to sit back and watch. He owed her so much if she won, more than he could ever repay, and he intended on making his appreciation well known as soon as he got the chance.
“You actually played this game before?” Parker asked. “We ain’t got no time to teach you.”
Ryder pulled his chair in closer to the table, looked the other men in the eye. He didn’t need this turning sour before they even got started. “I’m good for whatever she bets. She’s got cash in her purse to get her started and she knows an ace from a queen.”
