Page 17 of The Gambler

“Angel mean.”

“Oh ho, my little Jennais spoilt.” She didn’t know what the hell he was talking about, as was evident by the blank look she gave him. He tried stealing a kiss to test the waters and she went all-soft under him.

When it started to become a little more than he expected, he pulled back and looked down at her. Maybe he’d take her out on the boat, maybe she’d like that.

He was aware that he was giving into her, and that the experts say that’s not the best way to handle the situation, but what the fuck do they know? Half the shit they spewed came from a textbook. Real life was a whole other ball game.

As far as he was concerned, he’d do whatever the fuck he felt like, as long as it made her happy. Heaven knows living with a dick for a brother and a clueless mother she probably didn’t have much in the way of happy moments.

“My Jenna wanna feed the ducks?”

She lit up and nodded her head enthusiastically. “Then that’s what we’ll do, come.” He realized he was in deep shit here. Not only did he have no defenses against her, she seemed to be the only living being who could get him to back down.

She led him out the door, much as he was afraid she was going to be leading him in lots of ways from now on. It hadn’t taken her long at all to capture his balls, if she had this much sway over him now, he couldn’t imagine what it would be like after he’d had her.

Chapter 10

He took every precaution necessary to ensure her safety as he got the yacht ready. This was just his little thirty footer that he coasted around the Hudson in every once in a while, when he was in the mood to feel the sun on his face and the wind in his hair.

Maybe later he’d take her for a longer sail to the Greek Isles, in his deluxe luxury house on the sea, if she proved to be a good sailor. “Come Jenna, we have to put this stuff on, I don’t want you to burn.” She stood still while he coated her liberally with sunscreen from head to toe.

Gone was the hoyden of just ten minutes ago and now she stood before him quiet as a lamb, her body vibrating with excitement. He’d barked at the men to find him a hat, and once again, Garrett’s wife had come through with a huge straw hat that practically covered her face.

He made sure the men were in position around the boat as he strapped her in her life jacket and gave her a million orders of what not to do while they were onboard.

He could’ve saved his breath, because the first thing she did as soon as he let her go, was head to the controls. He watched her balance to be sure that she would be able to hold her own while he navigated.

“No Jenna here.” He tried getting her to sit in the seat across from the wheel, but she had other ideas. She seemed fascinated with all the gadgets and grabbed hold of the wheel in a way that told him there was no letting go. “Fine you want to drive? I’ll show you.”

He stood behind her and placed his hands over hers as he instructed her. It didn’t take him long to realize that she needed no farther guidance; she was a natural. Either that or she’d done this before.

He stayed as he was behind her, but removed his hands as she took over, her face set in concentration. “Angel look.” She pointed to a flock of birds that took flight above them.

She watched the birds as he watched her. She was so beautiful and carefree in that moment he wished he’d remembered to bring a camera. Then he remembered he didn’t own one.

“Jameson, remind me to pick up a camera tomorrow.”

“Yes boss.”

“Angel, smile?” She turned her face up to him.

“No Jenna smile.” He kissed her lips and cheeks and then pretended to choke from the taste of the sunscreen lotion. She thought that was pretty funny and broke into wild laughter, which only made him do it again, and again.

Midway through, he realized that it was the first time he’d been this relaxed in years. Being with her like this, he almost forgot that life could be cruel and dark. How was it possible that she could be so free and untouched by it? What does that kind of innocence and beauty feel like inside? To never succumb to the wiles of the average human being?

It was something he’d pondered much, as he grew older and learned more about the amazing person that had been his sister, and others like her. If there was one thing he would like, it was to know what beat in her heart. What did she see when she looked at him as she was doing now?

Always, her eyes compelled him to make promises. There wasn’t a time when he looked at her, that his mind wasn’t full of forever and dreams. Things he’d never allowed himself before.

He squeezed her until she squealed and turned back to what she’d been doing. He tried to walk away and take a seat to let her do her thing, but she called him back to her.

She was quite satisfied to have him stand behind her with his chin resting on her shoulder, as she sped through the water. Shit, she was a speed demon just like him.

They stayed on the water until she grew tired and so as to avoid another battle royale, he talked her down before they headed back in. The sun and wind did their job and she was dragging ass when they docked.

He picked her up, inhaling the sticky sweet scent of the lotion mixed with the sun, and her own natural scent. It was automatic for him to hold her closer and kiss her face, as he made his way up from the dock at the back of his house, while the others followed behind.

Upstairs he took her shoes off and put her to bed, since she was almost out. Now he could go take care of business, while she rested for a bit. He left the door slightly ajar so she wouldn’t feel trapped or shut off when she awakened from her nap, before heading downstairs again. Garrett and Jameson were waiting for him in the office. “Well, anything?”

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