Page 38 of What Happens In Vegas
It was a good answer, but not enough information for Bonni.‘How did you become a professional gambler?’
‘Not sure, really. I’ve been gambling in some capacity or another for as long as I can remember.’ Quinn undid her laces on and slipped her boots off her feet.
Bonni sensed he was being cautious with his replies. He began to massage her feet again, but she didn’t let the intense pleasure distract her. ‘Even when you were a kid? You gambled then?’
‘You know what it’s like getting shuffled from place to place as a kid. Even in the States, there’s always a different culture, different rules and traditions to learn. But making bets, playing poker – some things are universal. But in fact it started with horse racing.’
She tried to analyze his facial expression, but he seemed focused on her feet, his hands starting to move up her calves. Quinnhad the epitome of a poker face. ‘Horse racing?’
‘Yes, I was around racehorses most of my life. My dad owned a number of them. It was only natural I’d start reading theRacing Formand learning how to handicap.’
‘Anatural progression, I guess.’ Quinn had been right. It had sucked, constantly moving. Still, there were usually other kids on the bases, other kids who knew what it was like to beafraid of a parent getting deployed, of having their lives shuffled around at the directive of some anonymous paper-pusher. She would just wander around until she came across a pick-up basketball game or a skateboard half-pipe. Quinn, though . . . She could tell that Quinn and Landon had come from money. They’d mentioned their mother in passing a few times, but never their father. But gambling?For his entire life? To the point that he made a career of it? It was a giant red flag for her.
‘Well, to each their own. Everyone has their own coping methods, I suppose.’ Bonni cringed inside, realizing that she sounded judgmental, exactly what she’d been trying to avoid.
Quinn turned toward her, and she saw concern in his eyes. She didn’t know what to say to change the course of the conversationand stop it from going down a path that would likely ruin their evening. That’s the last thing she wanted to do. But there was nothing he could say that would make her feel better right now, so she seized on the first topic that came to mind.
‘What time do you have to be there tomorrow?’ she asked.
‘The first game is at nine, but I have to leave at about eight in order to get everything sorted.’He stopped rubbing her legs and instead held them in a firm grip.
‘Maybe I should go back down and stay with the girls for the night then,’ she suggested.
He reached for her waist, pulling her forward until she was forced to straddle him or risk falling off the loveseat. ‘Absolutely not. I want you here with me. There’s no need to feel like you should leave.’ The look in his eyes brooked noargument.
‘You’re sure? I do have my own room, you know. And it’s quite a lovely one, at that. If you need to be rested for the morning, Itotally understand.’ Bonni wasn’t sure whether she wanted Quinn to let her go so that she could have a reprieve to sort out her feelings or if she wanted him to continue to demand that she stay.
‘You’re welcome to leave anytime – I’d never force you to stay– but don’t ever think I’m kicking you out or asking you to leave.’
‘Okay, then. Understood.’ She was glad the conversation had veered slightly. He pressed his lips together and nodded. There was a new tightness at the edge of his mouth and it saddened her to know that she had put it there.
She tried again to read the expression on his features. Was he hiding things now? She hoped not, but then,in reality, everyone had something to hide. Everyone chose their path in life and had to live with the outcomes. Bonni shifted. She could feel his muscular thighs below her. It reminded her that this was supposed to be a vacation fling. She started to lean forward to kiss him, but he pulled back a little, saying, ‘Bonni, I think—’
A knock at the door broke the heaviness of the moment.
‘Savedby the proverbial bell.’ Bonni slid off him, and he stood. She watched him walk to the door. She liked him. A lot. Was it realistic to think past Vegas? She shook her head slightly. No, it wasn’t. Like any vacation fling, it ended with them going their separate ways and carrying on with their lives. But, wow, did that make her heart hurt. She glanced at the door and watched the exchange between Quinnand the room-service waiter. Did his career choice really matter anyway when, realistically, there was no future for them?
‘Nope.’ The server pushed a large table containing covered silver platters and champagne chilling in an ice bucket into the room. She stood to investigate the platters while Quinn dealt with signing the charge slip and the tip. As he closed the door behind the room-servicewaiter, she said, ‘How lovely. Look atthe white linen, and the way the silver and the crystal sparkle in the light.’
‘Only the best for you.’ He placed a kiss on her cheek and a shiver of delight rippled through her. Bonni slid her arms around his waist and was relieved when he hugged her shoulder. Maybe everything would be okay.
He reached out to lift the champagne from the ice bucket. ‘Feellike a glass?’
Bonni had to laugh. ‘This seems to be a champagne trip.’
Quinn released her to pop the champagne and she took a step or two back. Without a word, he took the bottle from the bucket, expertly removed the wire cage and foil wrapper, took a towel and twisted the cork. The result was a muffled pop. He didn’t spill a drop.
‘That was a very civilized way to open a bottle of champagne.Most people have corks flying and champagne everywhere.’
Quinn poured the bubbling liquid into their glasses. ‘It’s the best way to open a bottle and not waste any.’
‘I don’t know much about champagne. And I haven’t really had a lot of it until this trip.’
Bonni took the flute he handed her and they clinked glasses before she took a sip. The fizzy taste danced on her tongue. ‘Fredi isn’t afan of champagne, but the others love it. I’m good either way. Although this is absolutely wonderful.’
‘It should be. It’s Cristal. Where else can you treat yourself but on vacation?’
‘That wasn’t the original plan, but I won a jackpot on the slots yesterday. Champagne has been flowing ever since.’
