Page 45 of Royal Shark
Sara
I’m tempted by Adrian, I really am. And with the jet I could go to Villroy and be back in time for my Tuesday night poker game. Still, my intense fear of getting sucked under by grief has me digging my heels in. I mean, just thinking about my parents makes my chest ache. Half the time I forget to breathe. Actually seeing our cottage or the beach where we spent so much time, I’m afraid I’ll fall apart. The panic attacks will take over. It took so long to put myself back together again. I told him no, and I’m sticking by it.
We’re in the hotel suite I booked for the game now. I can feel him watching me as I set up the table with the card shuffler and chips.
“When’s Gustavo get here?” he asks casually. That’s my dealer.
I glance over at him. “Why?”
He waggles his brows.
I laugh, shaking my head. “We are not doing it here right before the game.”
“There’s a bedroom. Why not?”
I park a hand on my hip. “That’s like your signature phrase, why not?”
“It’s how I live my life. Want to try something? Why not? Go for it.” He gestures toward the bedroom.
I shake my head, smiling. Then it hits me that he’s fearless. He goes for what he wants when he wants it. “You’re lucky to have that attitude. I’m sure being the youngest and a prince gave you a lot of confidence and support. I’ve only had me to lean on.”
He closes the distance and pulls me into his arms. “Now you have me too.” He presses my head to his chest. “Enjoy the lean.”
I laugh, but then I wrap my arms around him and sigh. It’s heaven to be held by Adrian. Warm, spicy, sexy heaven.
“Is it bad that I want you again?” he asks.
I smile up at him. “It’s very flattering. And mutual, but we can’t just be having sex all the time.”
“Why—”
“Not,” I finish for him. “See, I’m catching on.” I pull away. “Because I’ve got things to do.”
He gives my hair a tug. “Like me.”
I laugh. “Incorrigible.”
“Thank you.”
By the time the guys arrive, I’m in a really good mood. Everything looks great, and I feel great, inside and out. That’s Adrian’s doing, I know.
I can feel his eyes on me as I greet my players. I catch his eye, and my breath stalls at the smoldering heat in them. I flush hot, losing my train of thought as I put the buy-in cash away with a smile plastered on my face. Who am I kidding with the casual thing? It’s way too intense to be called casual.
The guys help themselves to the food and drink, taking shot glasses of vodka back with them to the table, where Gustavo is waiting to deal. Adrian takes Sergei’s place at the table like he’s been doing for the past several games. The guys like him. I’ll have to go over my waiting list and find another player for Tuesday’s game once Adrian leaves. My gut churns at the thought. I know it’ll be hard to say goodbye, but I chose to let him close for a couple of weeks, so now I have to deal with the fallout. It’s not goodbye forever, I reassure myself. We’re going to keep in touch.
The guys start in with their usual banter, and I smile to myself, tucking away the lockbox of money and perching on a nearby chair, pretending to be on my phone while I keep my ears tuned to the play. Whenever they call out to me specifically, I’m always right there with a cheerful response. I really need this game to continue doing well. Covering Sergei’s loss cleaned me out. Now I don’t even have the money for Chloe’s January tuition bill. Hopefully tonight someone will get on a roll and bring the pot high. Lately, the guys have been playing small. I’m not sure what’s up. Is it because Sergei didn’t return? Are they mad at me for kicking their friend out of the game? Maybe he’s claiming he paid his debt and I had sour grapes. I can’t get into all that with them. I’m Sunny Sara, the source of fun, not angst.
A few minutes later, Ivan asks Yuri about the Queens project, and play stops dead while the men ask question after question. Shit. I think they all went in on it. I can only hope they didn’t spend all their reserves to go all in the way Sergei did.
It’s only midnight when Ivan folds. “That’s all for me tonight.”
No-o-o!The game usually goes much longer, and the guys play much looser the more it goes on.
“It’s early,” I say. “How about we add some Red Bull to that vodka?” Caffeine and vodka, the drink to keep you wide awake drunk. Except these guys never seem that affected by the vodka, just relaxed. Their tolerance is insane.
“Another time,” Ivan says, rising from the table.
The other guys mutter similarly and, one by one, call it a night. I panic, about to do something crazy like offer to cover higher bets, when Adrian pipes up.
