Page 47 of What Happens In Vegas
‘That’s the kind of positivity I need. Throw it out there into the universe and it’ll come back to you, right?’
‘If you believe in that stuff.’ Bonni gave him a sideways glance.
‘I guess I believe in whatever is handy at the time.’
‘That can work in your favor—’
An announcement came across a speaker and Quinn held up his hand, tiltinghis head to listen. She wasn’t thrilled to be cut off like that and furrowed her brows. Quinn stood and she followed his lead.
‘I couldn’t understand, is it time for you to go?’
‘Yes. I’m sorry. I’m glad you came, even if we only had a short time together.’
‘Me too.’ Bonni’s heart started to beat faster, knowing there were just a precious few minutes left before he went back to his game andshe to her day. The anticipation of their dinner later was the only calming influence on her otherwise riotous emotions. She’d never been so unglued by a man before and controlling herself was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do.
Bonni followed Quinn as he carved his way through the growing crowd. A number of people stopped him to shake his hand and congratulate him on advancing to the nextround. He was very gracious and polite, while she seethed with frustration. All she wanted to do was drag him out of here. Get him alone, away from all the people, so they could spend timetogether. These unfamiliar emotions were making her crazy, and she gripped his hand a little tighter.
Quinn turned to her. She looked up at him and, to her horror, she felt the hot swell of threatening tears.What is the matter with me?He brushed her hair from her cheek. ‘Shh, it’s okay, Bonni.’
‘I’m sorry, I-I’m . . .’ She shook her head, incredulous at her despair. ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me.’
‘I know. I feel it too. But they’re waiting for me.’ Quinn whispered in her ear. ‘How about a kiss for luck?’
She nodded, unable to form any words.
He pulled her behind one of the room’s pillarsand gathered her in his arms.
‘I’m glad you came. And now, with this kiss, I’m guaranteed to win.’
Bonni’s mood was immediately lifted by the upbeat tone his voice held. She turned her face to his. ‘Talk about pressure. But I can handle it. C’mere.’
His lips took hers and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body to him. She damn well gave him more than just a kiss for luck. Shewanted him to feel her, to remember how their bodies meshed so sweetly. Leave him with the memory of her body next to his, her lips on his, so that he would be burning for her, just as she was for him, with the anticipation for later.
In that perfect moment, she was happy, but the kiss was much too short and, reluctantly, they parted.
‘Tonight. Text me.’
‘It’s a deal.’
Bonni watched him leave,and saw how quickly he immersed himself back into the games. He was assigned a table and took his place. While a number of the other players wore hoodies,Quinn looked much more polished in his polo. She smiled when he put on his baseball cap, glad that he didn’t hide inside a hoodie. He had style and, even in this casual setting, he looked debonair. He cracked his knuckles and placed his palmsdown on the table. Almost like a pre-game ritual.
The emotion that filled Bonni was quite unfamiliar. Leaving him now, and knowing she’d have to do it again tomorrow, and, if things did move beyond Vegas, that he’d be leaving her whenever he went to a poker game, wherever that might be in the world . . . It was like water on the seed of unease.
Yes, he was a special man, and it surprised thehell out of her that she was thinking beyond Vegas where her relationship with Quinn was concerned. But how could they ever make a relationship outside of Vegas work with their two vastly different careers? Their worlds were very different. Perhaps the chasm between was just too great. The only way to know for sure was for them to have a conversation and lay their cards on the table.
Bonni’sphone buzzed in her bag. She knew it would be one of the girls and she was eager to see what they were planning for the rest of the day.
Ceez:Where r u gurrrl? Wanna get the day started.
Bons:Just finished watching Quinn play. He’s moving on to the next round. Did you confirm the Canyon tour?
Ceez:Yaaas! #vegasbaby Weather is fine.
Bons:When do we leave?
Ceez:You got 20 minutes to getur ass back here
Bons:Fab! On my way. #funtimes
Ceez:Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon #helitour #whompwhomp
Bonni looked up at Quinn. He was intensely focused on his game. She was glad she’d come to see him. Every little stolen moment together was all they had. She refused to think aboutthe looming inevitability. Excited to see Quinn later, she was now just as eager to spend time with her girls.
She stood and watched him for a few moments. He looked up and Bonni’s heart swelled. She blew him a kiss and gave a little wave, mouthing the word ‘later’. He didn’t smile, keeping his poker face, but he nodded his head, which was good enough for her. She turned and walked swiftly back to the Gladiators. Pushing her concerns aside, if she didn’t know better, she would have thought she was walkingon air. Bonni hadn’t felt this happy in a long, long time and knowing that she was seeing her man later was the icing on the cake.
