Sensual curves topped by absolute concentration, the woman’s gaze was fixed on a poker table. Her face was unconventionally beautiful, with high cheekbones and a crooked mouth, the corners of which were curled into a smile that screamed mischief.
Jim unlocked his feet from where they’d frozen to the ground, drifting forward slowly so he could get a closer look at his wonderful discovery.
Her hair was incredible. Long strands of spun reddish-gold, fresh from Rumpelstiltskin’s wheel, the shimmering mass brushed past her shoulders. The tiny diamond in her earlobe flashed in the lights as she stroked a loose strand behind her ear.
He wanted to see if her locks were as crushably soft yet silkily strong as the strands of copper they reminded him of. The copper he had, in his early years of construction, painstakingly handled, coiling old wire into bundles to be resold.
He’d made part of his millions touching copper, and right now all he wanted was to touch copper again.
A pleasant anticipation shot through his limbs, and his bear rumbled awake.
She was short, petite even. The size of woman he could scoop up with one arm and not even notice her weight, especially if she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Of course, that would lead to her putting her legs around his hips, and suddenly the images flashing into his brain were far more intriguing than the idea of hanging with Damon, even with the lovely ladies at the bar.
His mysterious woman licked her lips, and his groin tightened further. He stared at the moisture left behind on the plump surface as driving lust hit. He needed to taste her. Her lips, the curve of her neck. The sweet swell of her breasts.
His cock pressed rock hard against the front of his dress pants, and he damn well planned to do something about that. Very soon.
A brief, blinding concern struck—everything about her wide-eyed innocence called to the protective side of him. He didn’t want to simply fuck her a few times. He wanted to wrap his arms around her, bending low to protect her from the sight of everyone else as he took the first taste of her rose-tinted pout. But no way would another woman come between him and winning this challenge.
Which led to a conversation between his lust and his ambition. Jim never understood why other people talked about having angels and devils on their shoulders to work out moral dilemmas.
All he had was one raunchy bastard and one filthy fucker, and it was scary how fast they got to the point.
It’s only Monday. You have until Friday.
This is just about getting her into bed.
Of course. And in the shower. And up against the wall.
Go get her…
He took another top-to-bottom perusal, his amusement rising after spotting the neon-green shoes on her feet. Pale grey pants clung to her legs, rounding over the flair of her hips. Her top was white with what looked like teeny polka dots scattered on the material, a hoodie in the back. The cut of the front was modest, but he’d easily fix that by slipping a couple buttons loose to better appreciate her full breasts. For someone who would barely come up to his chin, she was built just how he liked.
Now all he had to do was convince her to time with him.
Damon insisted he relax? He knew exactly how, and with whom, he planned to relax with.
4
In the thirty minutes since she’d slipped into the casino, Lillie had been rubbernecking like crazy, unable to decide where to look first. She’d seen pictures of Vegas online, and watched the live-camera panoramas, but the reality was far more exciting than a flat-screen image, even a multi-screen HD setup like she’d done her research on.
It had taken some wrangling to get to this point, but now that she was finally here, she was going to enjoy herself to the fullest.
Hopefully without freaking out in the process.
Buzzzzz.
She pulled her phone from her pocket, peeking at the incoming text message. Addie. Bloodhound in training—she should have known her best friend wasn’t about to let her off the hook that easy.
You still alive? Been captured by pirates?
Lillie laughed softly as she entered her response. This isn’t Disney, it’s Vegas
Disney has giant mice. You hate mice
Which is why Vegas now has another bear. For a few days, at least. I’m fine—nothing has changed since I texted you from the airport
Lillie tucked herself against the side of a slot machine, glancing around at the increasing number of people in the area. She was getting hungry, and perhaps it was time to take a break from the floor before her inner bear woke and got scared.
Text me if you need anything, hon. Anything. You’re crazy, but you’re my crazy
And that? Was what made Addie so special. Loyal and trustworthy to the end. Awww, thanks. I promise to keep in touch
With her stomach’s growing need in mind, Lillie shoved her phone back in her pocket and lifted her chin, scenting the air for the best direction to head. She’d grab some supper…maybe even take in a show.