Page 32 of Keep Me (Rebel Hearts Heists 2)
“Be right back,” she chimes and I look over to Kaden who I know will make sure that no one tries to intercept her as she goes to get a drink or whatever it is that she has planned. There are a lot of men here and almost all of them are looking at Sloane, so I have no doubt that they will use her walking away from us as an opportunity of some sort.
While she’s gone, I lose two hands not that the money means much to me, if we’re being honest but since we don’t know what the hell we’re doing after this and most of our money stateside is no longer accessible … some extra would be nice. I don’t want Sloane to ever have to stress about something like that, which is such a weird thought process but still, being so protective is kind of unavoidable as much as my constantly growing feelings for her.
When she comes back, her fingers grazing the back of my shoulders lightly, I try not to jump and I nearly curse realizing I’m getting fucking hard from her just touching my shoulder now. I’m losing it, clearly.
Then I win the next three hands, and my eyes widen as I realize that I’ve easily won over two million. Holy shit. My eyes snap up to Sloane as her mouth pops open before smiling at me.
“I lost two rounds before you came back,” I note softly as she takes the now vacant seat next to me.
She sneaks her hand onto my leg underneath the table and smirks. “Sounds like I’m your lucky charm, Royce.” Understatement of the fucking century, sweetheart.
“Sounds about right.” I chuckle.
I plan on pulling out of the game soon but Sloane seems far more relaxed than normal and I don’t want her realizing that our time here is done … meaning she has to go to Van Der Beck’s soon. When I win another million, and Sloane claps enthusiastically, I decide to call it as I pull out of the game. I change my chips for a receipt at the table and look for Sloane finding Van Der Beck standing in front of her, away from everyone else and talking to her in hushed tones making her narrow her eyes. I want to charge over there and interrupt but instead I watch as a waiter brings over a drink for the asshole and he puts it on a table as he leans in to say something to her, looking proud of whatever shit he is spouting. I grin as River offers me a surprised look until he detects Sloane leaning in slightly, using her other hand to drop some eye drops into his drink … before she slides the small vessel back into her pocket. I let out an actual chuckle as she steps back and waves him off walking back toward us, and I watch him chug down his drink looking pissed.
“What happened?” Kaden asks softly.
“Asshole tried to blackmail me with that video again.” She rolls her eyes. “Figured it was a better time than any to try out those eye drops.”
Fuck I love this woman.
Our bastard fiend stills from the corner of my eye as I turn and watch his eyes go wide before he quickly excuses himself. Sloane is shaking with laughter as the others stand up, to go get a drink, finding it nearly as funny and chuckling between themselves on their way to the bar.
I tug Sloane’s hand, dragging her to a corner near the bathrooms as she looks up at me with an adorable smile. I can’t help but lean in and kiss her, instantly her lips parting and her body going soft against me.
“I love you, Sloane,” I admit with a smile as her eyes go wide. “I fucking love you, sweetheart.”
“Royce.” She swallows, her eyes watering slightly. “I love you too.”
That’s all I need to hear to make my fucking night. I deepen the kiss as she lets out a soft sound, her body pressed up against the wall. We pull apart as someone scoffs before hurrying past us, Sloane bursts out laughing as we both realize that it was Van Der Beck. Kissing her temple, I sigh hoping to all that is holy that we can do the same to Kronin tonight so that he’ll end up in the bathroom the entire night away from his ‘muse.’
I consider locking her in the hotel room and cancelling the entire thing … but once this is done then we really could be free. Beggars can’t be choosers in this case, I suppose.
“Let’s go upstairs.” Sloane tugs on my hand and I follow her instantly. I would never say no to alone time with the woman I love.
