Page 15 of The Gambler

"My Angel nice." He smiled at that. Shit, she's probably the only person in the world who thinks that. Not even his gramps, who he knew loved him, would ever call him nice.

I'll keep you safe always my little Jenna, now and for always. He didn't say the words out loud but kept them in his heart. A promise meant to be kept until he drew his last breath.

He sat there for the hour it took her to finish her meal and then look out the box of chocolates he'd kept hidden under the table. She couldn't seem to choose which ones she wanted to try first.

"Have as many as you want."

She clapped her hands with glee and he picked one up and fed it to her. The look on her face at the first taste was priceless. He didn't know what to do with the reaction from his body when she licked the caramel from her lips.

"Fuck me." The words were a tortured whisper as he felt what was left of his heart lay down at her feet.

After the chocolate debacle he decided they needed some distance between them, but she had other ideas. She sat with him while he worked and got into everything on his desk. She took over his chair and he figured he’d better see about getting her one of her own, and maybe one of those two-seater desks, so she could play on her toy while he worked on the other side. That’s if she let him get any work done.

He found himself, instead of looking after his business as he did each day about this time, playing video games with her, or listening to some story she just had to tell him. He’d missed this; even with all that he’d surrounded himself with, he’d been missing this and hadn’t even been aware. That sweetness that came so naturally to her was a complete contrast to the man he was. How would their lives play out he wondered? After the dust had settled and the smoke had cleared, who would they be?

One of the first things he wanted to do as soon as he nixed the fuckers that were after them, was take her back to The City and let her play with the slots to her heart’s content. He would have to look into getting one in the house if that were possible, and if it wasn’t, then he’d just find a way to make it happen. From now on he would see to her every need.

When evening started to fall, he had another dilemma on his hands. Last night he’d stayed in the room with her for necessity’s sake, but what about tonight? He found it strange that she hadn’t asked for her mom, in fact she acted as if they’d always been together.

There didn’t seem to be any fear of the unknown, which is something he would’ve expected after his experience with Alice. Jenna seemed content enough to be there with him. Then he started to wonder if being left with strangers was a regular occurrence, but the thought pissed him off so much he squelched it. No sense in getting heated until he knew the facts. Which would entail having another talk with the mother.

He ran her a bath; only this time he had the knowledge of what she tasted like on his tongue still clear in his memory. When she stripped down in front of him his body reacted stronger this time than the last, and he felt like a dog for the thoughts running through his head. You will not touch her Stefan you fuck. He swore to himself even as he took his seat in the chair across from the tub.

With his hands clasped between his knees, he listened to her regale him with stories of her day. The same day they’d shared, but had seen through such different eyes. She remembered ducks on the pond and the pretty things he’d bought her. He relived the car chase and taking the lives of two men. If there were any fairness in the world it would always be that way; she would ever remain untouched by the darker side of reality.

He’d have to shape up his business dealings somewhat. Not that he was a master criminal or anything, but certain legs of his business enterprise were less than above board. That was all fine and well when it had been just him, now with his new treasure, there needed to be a change. He didn’t wonder at his readiness, or the easy capitulation, he knew what he’d been given. There was no way in hell he was going to lose it to anyone or anything.

“Angel.”

“Yes baby.” She always seemed to get a kick out of him calling her that and it made him grin. She puckered her lips again like she’d done earlier. He knew it was just something new to her, and that for the next little while at least, until she found something else to latch onto, she’d ask him to repeat it. Or maybe it could be that she enjoyed the experience as much as he did.

He kept the kiss as light as he could. He couldn’t forget that beneath the mountain of bubbles was the body of a siren. Or that she was without doubt the most beautiful creature he’d ever held. Easy Andros. He repeated that mantra to himself as he pulled back, but couldn’t resist a few last nibbles of her lips.

He returned to his seat and decided to distract himself by fiddling with the new iPod he’d bought her. She seemed to like music and one of the things he’d learned from her mom was what she liked to listen to, what calmed her. When her bath was over, he helped her out of the tub, not that she needed him to. She had an independent streak a mile wide as far as he could tell, and was very capable of doing it herself. He just wanted to.

Angel chocolate.”

“Okay baby one more before bedtime.” He was faced once more with the question of their sleeping arrangements. Had he not kissed her would he be even now dealing with this? It was too late for what-ifs and though it was way too early for his bedtime, he knew she’d had a long day and needed to rest.

She chose one of her new girlie nighties to sleep in after plastering herself with the sweet smelling shit the saleslady had suggested. He swallowed a good half a dozen times as she rubbed the lotion over her thighs, totally oblivious to the hell she was putting him through. Innocent as a fucking lamb! Maybe it was a cosmic joke, something to test his mettle. He was pretty sure he was going to fail the test; it was just a matter of time.

She climbed into bed and turned those bright eyes of hers his way and with a frown ordered him to join her. He kicked off his shoes as he approached, cautioning himself once more to stay above the covers. There was no way he was touching her for fuck sake, he’d probably scare her to death.

“I’m only gonna stay with you for a little while until you fall asleep Jenna okay.”

She didn’t seem to catch his meaning, all she cared about was the fact that he did as she asked. When he climbed in and she rolled over to him he almost jumped off the fucking bed. Shit, who the fuck thought it was a good idea to put her in this satiny smooth shit, and what was that scent? I’m gonna kill that fucking saleslady, couldn’t she see that this girl was a…

A what Andros? She ain’t no child and you are royally fucked.

Chapter 9

He spent the first few minutes gritting his teeth, as she got settled against his hard chest. Counting sheep wasn’t working for this shit; he had to come up with something else. He took her hand when she started exploring. “Angel sing.” Well shit, he wouldn’t begin to know how.

She picked her head up and looked down at him when he didn’t comply right away. In the sliver of moonlight coming through the window she looked so fucking beautiful he ached. He couldn’t resist playing his fingers through her hair, and when she closed her eyes and hummed in innocent ecstasy, he felt the first pearl of pre cum at his tip. This was not good. It was way too soon.

Still, he didn’t pull back when she lowered her head for his mouth. He could see the fever brightness in her eyes, she was feeling something he was sure she’d never experienced before. He only hoped that he had the strength to hold himself in check.

Just one kiss Andros, one last taste before the night was over. She rolled over fully on top of him when he held her head in place, with his hand wrapped securely in her hair, and the other around her waist. His eyes flew open when she put her tongue in his mouth. Where the fuck had she learned that? Take it easy there Andros, she’s just repeating what you did.

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