Bet On Love (2 page)

I’m sure Taffeta Girl would have enjoyed this more. I hated to be the center of attention. Sure, I could pitch a client to a roomful of executives, but that was business. Right here in this room, I felt like
I
was the business. I buried my nose into the fragrant blossoms of the bouquet in a failed attempt to block everyone out. I should have gone straight to the bar and had another Jack and Coke.

“Shelby?” An oddly familiar voice asked through the deep base of the music. I lifted my face from the flowers. “Shelby Greene. Oh, man, it
is
you! I can’t believe it.”

I stared first at the dangling garter from his fingertips and then up at his bearded face. A face I hadn’t seen in what had to have been fifteen years. A face that had made many appearances in my hottest dreams.

“Cole Martin, what are you doing here?” I started to rise, wanting to give him a hug, but planted myself back in the chair. Word from the rumor mill was he’d gotten married way back when. I was in no mood for a misunderstanding, wherever Mrs. Cole Martin might be.

“Believe it or not, I know Brad from our fraternity days. What about you?”

“Lisa and I roomed in college. I can’t believe I never made the connection that you and Brad would have been frat-buddies.” Not that I would have made a connection about anything Cole-related once we’d went our separate ways. We had a unique friendship back then, among other things, but somewhere along the way it had kind of faded. I had to admit, it was kind of nice seeing him now.

“We gonna do this, or what?” He knelt on one knee and twirled the garter on his finger. The room became alive, and once more I realized I didn’t want to be in this chair. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a thing I could do about it.

“You’ve got one shot, cowboy. Make it fast before I change my mind,” I said, taking a quick glance about the room and tossing him a genuine smile.

The moment Cole’s hand supported my bare calf, everyone else might as well have disappeared. Heat resonated from his palm straight through to the center of my being. Where on earth had that come from? I’d long since thought those feelings were gone, buried deep, never to be resurrected again...until now.

“Wow, your legs are so soft.” He slid his hand along with the garter, up past my knee. The cheers from the crowd became louder. This was getting ridiculous.

“And this is the only time you’re ever going to know that.” The moment he reached mid-thigh, I jumped out of the chair, raised my arms high and took a bow. There! We were done, and I needed a drink. Handing the flowers to the next available stranger, I waved graciously and made my exit. One of the groomsmen cornered Cole, and I was on my way to freedom.

Chapter Two

I perched at the black, lacquered bar, listening to the ping-ping-ping of slot machines and watching the diverse population win and lose their money. Maybe coming to Lisa’s wedding wasn’t such a good idea. Everyone seemed to be a couple, which reminded me I was no longer part of that club.

I had thought I’d known my ex so well. Turns out I didn’t know him at all. Twisting the pear-shaped diamond I’d slipped back on my left hand prior to the wedding, I contemplated taking it off. My emotions choked me like the desert surrounding the strip, so I asked the brawny young bartender for another Jack and Coke.

“Hey, there you are. I wondered where you disappeared to.” Cole took the stool next to mine and held up a twenty dollar bill. “Give me a big draft,” he said, pointing to the row of ornate beer taps.

“Here I am.” The stone pushed against the inside of my finger as I picked up my glass and took a sip. As uncomfortable as it felt, I left the ring face down. I hadn’t seen Cole in forever. I wasn’t about to let him know of my latest relationship blunder, and why I even had a ring in the first place. I’d only put it back on hoping to keep guys from hitting on me.

Bells dinged, and people cheered as the casino came to life. At the blackjack table behind us, a silver-haired devil in a golf shirt with a deep brown tan took a drag from his cigarette. An older woman clutching a Gucci bag loaded with chips sat beside him. Another woman who shared the same prominent nose and taste in handbags sat next to her. I figured they were sisters, although the bag on her lap seemed a bit light. By her sour expression I’d bet they didn’t share the same streak of luck.

“You play?” Cole said in a deep voice, and motioned toward the empty chair.

“Uh, no thanks, I don’t gamble.” I knew firsthand the odds of actually winning at one of these games and intended to keep safe what remaining funds I had left, thanks to Grant.

“Ah, so you’re just here for the wedding?”

“Among other things.”

“Business trip?” He set his tall pilsner on the bar and licked the foam from his mustache. I felt the stirring of something from within that I really didn’t want to deal with and grabbed a fist full of snack mix from the mirror-tiled bowl between us.

“No, not business, which is none of yours.” At his shocked expression I had to chuckle, almost choking on a peanut. Guess I didn’t need to be so abrupt, but the guy could still rattle me. “Anyway, change of subject. So you seriously know Brad from college?”

“I’m not sure if that’s any of
your
business.” He shot me a sexy-as-hell grin, and my wall crumbled just a little.
Damn him.

“Touché,” I said mid-swallow, and saluted him with my glass. For the first time in three weeks, I laughed. Not a lackluster fake laugh, like the kind I gave my friends when they tried to make me feel better about Grant, but a laugh from deep in my gut. It was as real as the man sitting next to me.

He smiled slowly, as if trying to figure me out after all these years. “So what’s your poison these days?” He pointed to my now empty rocks glass.

“JD and Coke.” I waved my hand over the top of my glass like I’d seen the gamblers do to their cards at the table. I needed to slow down, but I was enjoying myself and beginning to forget about my problems. Besides, the night was still young.

“Ahhh, still using those baby additives, I see.” The corners of Cole’s mouth tipped up as though he were enjoying himself just as much.

“I beg your pardon?” I tossed my curls over my shoulder, feeling as fiery as my auburn highlights, and locked eyes with him like an offensive lineman. “I’ve been known to shoot my Jack straight-up on occasion.”

“Maybe I should introduce you to my friend Jose?” Chase flagged the barmaid.

“Listen, I don’t know what you think is going to happen here, but I have no intention of meeting any of your friends unless Jose calls himself Mrs. Martin.” I straightened in my seat and pulled at the hem of my dress, not even sure why I had said that. If his wife was here with him, now would be the perfect time for her to show up. My nasty habit of wearing my heart on my sleeve needed to be taken care of, and the sooner the better, before I said something stupid while under the influence of “Jack.”

“Easy, there, GT. I was talking about Jose Cuervo. Believe me, there is no Mrs. Martin.”

“Oh, sorry.” I felt the heat flood my cheeks. Whether over the use of my old nickname--after Carroll Shelby’s infamous muscle car--or the fact that Cole was no longer married, I wasn’t sure. “Didn’t mean to get personal.” I held my glass up for the glittering toga-clad waitress, more than happy to avoid his eyes.

“JD straight up for the little powerhouse, here, and I’ll have the same.” He handed her his empty pilsner.

“What happened to Jose?” I asked and tilted my head while reaching for more snack mix. I needed to keep it to half a handful or I’d have to pull double Zumba sessions when I got back home.

“I’m headed back tomorrow to face the family from hell. After all the grief I took for coming to this wedding without a date, I’m sure I’m in for more of a lecture.” He gave me a look that said he knew what I’d been thinking, then continued, “I swear, my family--I take that back, my
mother
--will not be happy until I’m committed to a relationship. She’s even got my thirteen-year-old daughter getting in the act.”

“D-Daughter?” I found myself asking. I guess it had been long enough that he should have started a family. So why did that statement send a twinge of disappointment straight to my heart?

“Yeah, Abbey was a trooper through the divorce. Now that it’s been two years, she keeps telling me to get myself back out there.”

“That’s great she’s so supportive. Most teens would still be hoping for a reconciliation.”

“Well, I think she remembers how unhappy Heather and I were for the last three years of our marriage. We are much better now and can actually be nice to each other. Imagine that!” Cole scooped some snack mix.

“Sorry things didn’t work out.” I looked away and thumbed the ring on my finger which now seemed to singe my skin. I hadn’t had a lot of relationships over the years, and with the exception of Grant, the ones I did have never lasted long. Obviously, I’d never found the right guy.

I snuck a glance at Cole, who seemed lost in thought, and I wondered what might have happened if we’d ever seriously hooked up. We’d shared a few stolen kisses and some innocent, intimate moments before leaving for college. Much to my regret, nothing ever came of it. By the time I was brave enough to even suggest a date, he’d started seeing Heather. My loss.

That was back then, and right now he could easily substitute for James Bond. Every woman in the room wanted him, yet he chose me as his Bond-Girl. I would help him recover the stolen diamonds, he’d protect me from gunfire, and at the end of the night--

“Hey, things happen.” Cole’s words pulled me out of my Casino Royale fantasy, and I blinked several times to focus as he continued, “We never should have jumped in at such a young age. Anyway...you know what they say about hindsight.”

“Here, here,” I said, while raising my glass and pushing all crazy thoughts from my head. I’d gotten this far by trusting my gut; therefore, I would stand firm with my decision that Grant was not the right man for me, and Cole was...just Cole.

“What about you?” Cole’s baritone voice was as smooth as the whiskey sliding down my throat. “Is there a ‘Mr.’ somewhere at a poker table nearby I need to worry about?” Cole scanned the room, and I followed his gaze, not quite sure what he was referring to.

“Who?” I scowled, and Cole tapped his empty ring finger. Through my brain fog I had a light bulb moment, thanks to my dear friend, Jack Daniels. “Oh, Grant? I left his gambling, losing, money stealing, cheating, pathetic butt behind two days ago.”

“Well, that explains the little attitude I detected back at the reception.”

“You don’t understand. Throughout my childhood, I sat back watching my father get caught up with gold-digging women. My last step-mother sent him to his grave, and she got most of everything. Now my stupid boyfriend, I mean ex-boy-ex-
fiancé
, lost a great deal of
my
money due to his gambling addiction, all because I made the mistake of believing we had a future and letting him move in with me. Bad, bad,
bad
decision by Shelby Greene, but no more. I’m done.”

“Well, then.” Cole chuckled. “Why don’t you tell me how you really feel?”

Taking a long, slow sip of amber liquid, I let its calming warmth settle in my stomach before I spoke, “I am now what is officially known as a free agent.”

“Here’s to freedom.” Cole raised his glass and clinked it against mine at the same moment bells and sirens from someone’s winning slot machine filled the room.

“Amen.” I downed the entire drink, giggling over his shocked expression. “You’re smart to stay single, no matter what your mother and daughter say. Me? I will
never
get married.”

Chapter Three

With a soft moan I rolled over to peek at the alarm clock, only, the lump of blankets blocked my view. Grunting, I placed a palm to my pounding head and smacked at the lump with my other hand. It was hard and didn’t budge. My eyes sprang open when I thought I heard it grumble. Whipping back the sheets, I let loose an Oscar-worthy scream.

“Oh. My. God! What are you doing here?”

The bare-chested form of Cole Martin sat bolt upright next to me. Looking just as perplexed as I, he shoved a hand through his thick mass of hair then scrubbed his bearded jaw.

“Me? What are
you
doing here?” Those eyes of his seemed to smolder as he scrambled to absorb our current predicament. For the life of me, I couldn’t remember a darn thing. And I had a bizarre feeling I didn’t want to, either.

A flicker of red ribbon caught my eye. Looking over Cole’s shoulder, I shook my finger at the small straw hat hanging off the bedpost. “Why is that here?”

Turning his head, he looked back at me with a devilish grin. “C’mon, GT, don’t you remember the gondola ride? You looked so cute wearing that hat and singing at the top of your lungs.”

My body burned like a flaming torch, and I sank under the covers. “You’re kidding, right?” But I knew he wasn’t, as flashes of a lazy river, bridges, and Cole playing the guitar confirmed his statement in my mind’s eye. I dropped a little lower, too shocked to notice when something crinkled under my hip.

“You wound me.” Cole placed a hand to his chest and feigned pain, falling back against the pillow. I’m glad he could see the humor in this because I was mortified.

I had never jumped into bed for a one-night-stand with anyone, ever. Then again, I didn’t have a boyfriend anymore, and he wasn’t married. I shouldn’t beat myself up for having a good time. Judging by the miscellaneous one-hundred dollar bills scattered about the room, the half-empty magnum of champagne and the gondolier hat...we’d had one hell of a good time.