Fair Play (6 page)

“Why are you asking?”

“Curiosity. I think that beautiful women have been throwing themselves at you for years and still do, so I know your pursuit of me isn’t because you can’t find a date. I also think it’s safe to say you probably have a lot of experience, if the way you kiss is any indication. So I know you’re not sexually frustrated. I just can’t figure out why you think you’re so attracted to me. I don’t have a lot to offer a man like you. I’m not rich, famous, or beautiful, and have very little sexual experience. Why me? Why not some gorgeous woman who would look great on your arm and at the same time give you what you want? Is it because I’m the first woman to ever say no to you?”

He hesitated before answering. “You really don’t know how stunning you are, do you? How can you look like you do and have absolutely no idea that you’re beautiful? Have all the men you’ve dated really been that ignorant and inconsiderate?”

Seeing a different aspect of his charm, Dani smiled. “I’m flattered that you think I’m beautiful, but I’m not. You’re avoiding my question.”

Jace smiled. “I would think my answer would be obvious. I told you before there’s something extraordinary in the chemistry between us. It would be foolish to ignore it.” Picking up his glass, he swirled the champagne, then gazed at her. “Why is it that you have very little sexual experience?”

Dani shook her head. “I should’ve known you wouldn’t forget I said that.” Clasping her hands, she leaned forward. “That actually is an easy one to answer. Sex is not an activity I particularly enjoy.”

“Why not?”

“I find it boring and unsatisfying. I enjoy the kissing but after that it’s kind of so-so. I think a man gets greater enjoyment out of it than a woman.”

“Have you ever considered you might be wrong? If you’re with the right person, there is a lot of pleasure to be found. You obviously haven’t been with the right one. I’d be more than willing to offer my services.” He grinned wolfishly.

She laughed. “How generous of you, but I couldn’t possibly ask you to sacrifice yourself that way.” Shaking her head, she continued. “I think you’d like nothing better than to prove me wrong. In any case, I think you don’t agree with me because you haven’t been with someone like me. I’ve met many women who find sex just as enjoyable as men, but I don’t think I’m physically capable of that. I have to admit, though, I do like kissing you.”

The waiter came over to take their order. Dani was feeling uncomfortable talking about sex with Jace, so when the waiter left, she changed the subject. “So tell me how did you get to be the owner of a casino?”

“I won a lot of money in a lottery and decided to invest it in a casino. It’s proven to be a very lucrative venture. Now, it’s my turn. How did you end up in Vegas applying for a job as a cocktail waitress?”

Her stomach jumped at his question. “I’ve lived in many cities over the past seven years, and on my way to Los Angeles, I stopped over in Vegas. The energy and excitement of the city was so alluring, I decided to stay a while and see if it’s everything I hoped it would be.”

“And has it been?”

“It’s so much more than I could ever have imagined. There’s so much happening all the time, I can blend in and be completely invisible.” Her breath hitched at the slip of her tongue. She quickly asked another question. “Is the excitement why you decided to buy a casino and live here?”

“Yes, it is. I find it an interesting place to live. There’s always something new happening. Are you planning on settling down here?”

Mesmerized by his lips as he spoke, Dani’s thoughts drifted to the way those lips ignited her blood and would make her burn with desire. She became restless and felt her pulse quicken. Not paying attention to what he was saying, and embarrassed by where her thoughts had led, she asked, “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

Jace laughed, embarrassing her further.

“I asked if you were planning on settling here in Vegas.”

“I haven’t decided where I want to settle yet. When I find someplace safe, I’ll make my home there.”

He tilted his head and peered at her. “You sound as if you don’t feel safe anywhere. Why?”

Dani tensed and felt her hands shake. She quickly lowered them to her lap and clasped her fingers together tightly. Hoping to mask her fear, she said nonchalantly, “Why do you ask?”

His brow furrowed. “What are you afraid of?”

She took a calming breath to relax. “Nothing.” She crossed her arms and leaned forward on the table. “So tell me where are you from?”

“I was born in Texas but have lived many places here and overseas. My father was in the military.”

“So you’re a military brat,” she teased, relieved that he didn’t pursue his inquiry.

“Military yes, but I don’t think I’m a brat. Do you think I’m one?” he joked.

Her eyes lit up mischievously as she chuckled. “I can think of a few choice words to describe you, but brat isn’t one of them.”

His eyes twinkled as he grinned at her. “Really, what words would you use to describe me?”

“Stubborn, tenacious, oversexed. But to be fair, I’d have to also say confident, intelligent, and successful.”

Jace laughed. “At least I have some redeeming qualities.”

“I’m not sure you can be redeemed. You might be beyond saving.”

“Maybe I need you to save me?”

The waiter interrupted by clearing the dishes, then Jace continued. “I’m very attracted to you and I know you’re attracted to me. So why do you go out of your way to avoid me? Are you afraid of me?”

Dani hesitated before answering. “I’m not afraid of you. I’ll even admit that I am attracted to you. But you’re my boss and getting involved with a boss is not a good idea. I know you’ve said that you can separate business from pleasure, but I’m not sure I can.” She picked up her glass and took a sip of champagne. “I really like my job, and I’m not willing to jeopardize it in any way. If we slept together, it might affect my job.”

“Our becoming lovers would have nothing to do with work.”

She became annoyed. Sex was not a subject she was ready to discuss with him. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

Jace peered at her. “No, I’m an only child. My mother left with her lover when I was a baby, leaving my father to raise me. He, being in the military, was gone a lot of the time, so I kind of grew up by myself. He was deployed when I was about twelve years old, and never made it back.”

“I’m sorry. That must’ve been hard for you. Where did you live after he died?”

“Here and there. I went from relative to relative until I was old enough to take care of myself.” An awkward silence fell between them as he stared at her. “I took care of your curiosity, now it’s my turn. Where are you from?”

Her stomach quivered at his question. “I was born in Chicago.”

“Since your answer was concise, I guess I’ll have to ask a couple of questions at a time. Do you have any brothers and sisters, and where is your family now?”

“Like you, I’m an only child. I never met my father because he left when he found out my mother was pregnant.” Sadness momentarily engulfed her. “I was raised by my mother, who gave me a wonderful childhood. She died when I was seventeen, and I’ve been on my own ever since.”

“You didn’t live with any relatives until you were old enough to take care of yourself?”

Fear swooped in but she pushed it out quickly with a lie. “I was a week away from my eighteenth birthday when she died, so I was able to live on my own.”

“I’m sorry for your loss. You loved your mother a lot, didn’t you?”

Dani felt the sting of tears behind her eyes. “I loved her more than life itself. She was the most wonderful mother anyone could have. I never missed having a father, because she filled my life with everything I needed. Plenty of love. I miss her very much.” Revealing her feelings made her become self-conscious. “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to bore you with my story.”

“You didn’t bore me in the least.” Jace saw a depth to her he hadn’t seen before, and was surprised he felt the need to take away her sadness. She brought out emotions in him he’d long ago forgotten he possessed.

When dinner was over, he walked her back to her apartment. Dani unlocked the door, then turned back to him. “Thank you. I really enjoyed myself. I didn’t think I would, but I have to admit I had a really nice time.” She gave him her hand to shake.

“We’re way past a handshake.” Jace tugged her into the apartment, shutting the door behind him.

When he captured her in an embrace and crushed his mouth to hers, her passion sparked like the flare a match. Her mouth opened, inviting him to deepen the kiss as her arms locked around his neck. Her senses burst into flames, making her heart pound and her blood race through her veins like liquid fire. Desire surged into every pore, wresting a moan from deep within. Drawn to him like a moth to light, her body pressed closer to his, the need to feel the lean hardness of his body driving her movements.

All thoughts fled as his mouth continued its assault. Deep hunger ravished her body when his lips traveled to her neck, feasting on her throat, making her lose all reason. Her bones melted as her blood roared in her ears like the crashing of waves on the shore. She couldn’t fight this insane obsession anymore and didn’t want to. Her capitulation changed her response to him. Releasing the strictures she had placed on her passion, Dani let it speed through her body, annihilating every cell, every pore that it came into contact with. She raked her nails up Jace’s back, clutching his body, demanding that he end her torment.

Impatient with the need to touch him, she wrenched his jacket off of him dropping it to the floor. She skimmed her hands over his chest, reveling in the hardness, as his muscles jumped under her touch. Craving the feel of his skin on her lips, she kissed his neck, then tore his shirt open. The sharpness of her desire cut through her like the keenness of a blade as she relished the dark male flavor of his skin. She heard his gasp of desire when she felt the hammering of his racing heart with her tongue. A heady exhilaration of power filled her, knowing she could arouse him as much as he aroused her. Never having felt this wild joy with anyone before, her desire soared, drugging her with its potency. With every lick of his skin, she became obsessed with wanting to give him as much pleasure as possible.

Jace knew the moment she surrendered. He reversed their positions and placed her against the door while he turned the lock. Kissing her throat, he felt her pulse race as he tasted the sultry heat of her. The need to make her his grew with every kiss, every touch, every taste. A gnawing hunger raged through his body demanding respite, making him groan with its intensity. He slowed the tempo down as he felt himself losing control. The compulsion to bring her pleasure overrode his own need.

Growling deep in his throat, he removed her dress, impatient to feel her silken skin beneath his hands. His body pulsated with his need as he bent and picked her up, taking her to the bed. He laid her down as he knelt beside her.

“I want to see you,” he said, reaching over and turning on the light. His eyes pierced her as he removed the small silken barrier that veiled her secrets.

Dani covered her nudity with her hands at his penetrating gaze. Grasping her hands, his voice husky with desire, Jace pleaded, “Please don’t hide yourself from me. You’re so beautiful.”

He tormented her with his hands as he molded her flesh and methodically explored every inch of her body. Her breasts were full and firm, making him ache for the taste of her. He ran hot kisses down her neck and over her breasts, causing her to arch toward him, begging him to take more. His mouth caressed her flesh, trailing down her trembling stomach, over the silken skin of her inner thighs.

Dani cried out as she implored, “Please, Jace, make love to me. I can’t take anymore.”

Desire became need, and need became desperation as he ignored her plea. A desperation to taste her, a desperation to devour her, a desperation to possess her body and soul. A madness-like compulsion drove him to bring her higher as he ignored her plea. He continued his assault, making her muscles quiver as he mercilessly nibbled, then soothed, her aching flesh. Her heady taste consumed him as he brought her over the first peak with his hands and mouth. She screamed and bowed off the bed sending his desire rocketing. His forehead beaded with sweat as he restrained his passion.

Her body shuddered and exploded into a million particles as he propelled her over the edge. As she struggled for every ragged breath, he kissed his way back up her body, searing and branding her with his mouth. Her naked flesh trembled as he rekindled her desire and pressed his body down on hers.

Dani strained toward Jace, craving the feel of his hands, the taste of his mouth, and the fire of his passion. He imprisoned her with invisible strands of sensation as he awakened a need that terrified her with its power. He wrenched moans from her as he continued to drive her higher. The need to feel him inside her drove her to desperation as she clung to his body.

When he plunged inside her, she clenched his hips and arched toward him, urging him on. She was insane with need, not knowing if she wanted him to prolong this exquisite agony or bring it to an end. Her blood spiked to a fever pitch, making her heart hammer uncontrollably in her chest.

“Open your eyes,” he demanded. She obeyed, and met his passion-filled gaze.

“Come with me. Let go, Dani. I won’t go without you,” he declared. Her eyes became opaque as she soared up, making his control snap as he launched them over the edge.

Dani was still as her breathing slowly returned to normal. Her hands caressed Jace’s back as she absorbed the various sensations, tiny pulses and contractions, still playing inside her.

He raised himself to his elbows to ease some of his weight off her, and kissed her softly.

She gazed at him with a look of wonder. “I had no idea. You must think I’m an idiot.”

Smiling, Jace teased, “Never, I’m just really good,” he said on a laugh. Moving, he shifted back, drawing her with him.