Page 3 of Gin & Jewels
“Great.” I smiled at Seth. Some might think that being friends with a cop would be strange in my line of work, but Seth never asked questions, and I never took money with the mention of sex. I was paid to take a woman out for a good time, and she always paid up front. If things led to the bedroom, or her rental car, or hotel room, or the bathroom at a club, then things led to those places. No money was exchanged for sex because the women were paying for a date and nothing more. Therefore, it wasn’t illegal.
Paul held up his glass. “All right. Drink up, assholes. It’s time to go win some money so Vinny can take Tessa on a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon.”
The guys and I walked into the smoky casino. Being off The Strip meant it should have looser slots, making it a popular location for the locals, though I wasn’t sure anyone truly became rich from gambling. I never won more than a few hundred bucks, but it was still entertainment.
“What do you want to play first?” I squeezed Vinny’s shoulder.
“I’m a blackjack guy.”
“Then blackjack it is.”
There was a table with only one guy sitting at it, so the guys and I tried to join him, but the moment he saw our group, he decided to leave, which freed up a spot for each of us. We all exchanged cash for chips and waited for the dealer to deal the first round.
“So, who’s next?” Vinny asked.
“Next?” Gabe questioned.
Vinny grinned. “To get married.”
“Oh god,” I groaned. We weredropping like flies in our group. Being a male escort was fun and exciting, the money was amazing, and I planned to do it for however long women booked dates with me. I knew for certain that Nick wasn’t looking because he made it a point to tell us all the time when an engagement or wedding was brought up. He had no desire to quit Saddles & Racks, though each ofThe Fallenhad thought that too. I didn’t know Galen’s story, other than he was new to escorting, so that told me he wasn’t looking to be tied down either.
“I say it’s Brad.” Paul chuckled.
“No.” I shook my head. “Maybe it’s Galen.”
We all looked at our two cards the dealer had dealt face up and then went around the table hitting or staying.
“I just started at S&R,” Galen responded. “I’m not quitting for some woman. I’ve been burned in the past when I fell in love. Dating for money works perfectly around my shifts at the firehouse.”
“Cocktails!” a waitress shouted as she walked closer.
Paul raised his hand to flag her down. When she stepped up to the table, Paul said, “Let’s ask”—his gaze lowered to the waitress’s name tag—“Cassiewhat she thinks.”
I furrowed my brows. “You think she can tell just by looking at us?”
“Tell what?” Cassie asked, and I looked at her face for the first time. She was beautiful. Girl-next-door beautiful with blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes that reminded me of the purest of jewels. She came up to my shoulders as I sat in the chair, and I knew that if I were to stand up, she would be the perfect height to drape my arm across her shoulders and bring her to my side as we walked ...
Why are you thinking about walking with her? And to where? A date? A room at the hotel next door?
“Settle a bet for us, will you?” Paul requested.
The guys and I snorted with laughter. Hell, maybe weshouldmake it a bet. When in Vegas …
“I can try,” she replied, and her gaze met mine before she turned away.
“All right.” Paul leaned back in his chair while the dealer dealt another round. Vinny, Gabe, and Seth had beat the dealer the previous round. The rest of us busted. “Out of these three”—he waved a finger at me, Galen, and Nick—“who do you think will settle down next?”
She drew her head back slightly. “How am I supposed to know that?”
Paul shrugged. “Just pick one.”
Her blue eyes moved over each one of us, me last. I didn’t know why, but I winked. I winked as though I was flirting, and Iwantedto be next.
“Tell me your names,” she said.
I grinned and pointed my finger at the guys as I spoke. “This is Nick, Galen, and I’m Brad.”
Cassie thought for a moment. “Well, just by looking at you three, I’d say him.” She pointed at Galen.
