Chapter 2

“If I ever thought for a second you and I wouldn’t make a fucking fantastic team, I never would have come clean to you in the first place.” His hand withdrew. “Unless you’re changing your mind. Because if that’s the case, you need to tell me. I’m not going to make you do anything you don’t want to.”

Brandon believed him. And if he was going to back out of the plan, it needed to be now. Before they had the chance to set the wheels in motion. But he didn’t want out of the plan. Ever since Seth had broached the subject, Brandon had been enamored with the whole idea. It sounded exciting. It sounded fun. It sounded a hell of a lot more lucrative than dealing blackjack.

“I’m not changing my mind.” He smiled a little bit. “And we do make a fantastic fucking team.”

“Good.” He leaned back on his seat, just a few inches but enough added distance to make Brandon painfully aware of it. “Because we’re going to practice in about thirty seconds.”

Brandon’s mouth opened to ask why when movement at the corner of his eye caught his attention. He turned in time to see a svelte, petite woman slide into a chair two down from Seth. She was older than both of them, probably nearing forty, but with a flawless honeyed complexion and sultry hazel eyes framed with the thickest, darkest lashes he had ever seen. Her brown hair was cut into a chin-length bob, angled against her elegant jaw and cheekbones, while her strapless red dress drew his attention to the firm swell of her breasts and the long line of her neck.

With a closed-lipped smile, she set a short stack of chips in front of her, circling the topmost with a single fingertip before drawing her hand away. “This isn’t a private game, right?” Her voice was a soft alto, as rich and warm as a glass of whiskey at the end of a long, hard day. “I’d hate to think I’m interrupting something.”

Stunningly beautiful women sat at his table all the time. He didn’t know why this one had him tongue-tied, except for the fact that Seth had pointed her out. Pushing past his nerves, he flashed her the smile that made him one of the most popular dealers. “Not at all, ma’am. Ten dollar minimum.”

She glanced toward Seth. “That’s funny. I would’ve sworn it was more than that.” With a careful grace, she counted out fifty dollars and slid them onto her bet circle. “Let’s hope my judgment isn’t off when it comes to cards, shall we?”

“The cards have been friendly tonight,” Brandon assured her as he dealt. Seth had his face down, ostensibly focusing on his hand, though Brandon knew him well enough to know that he was studying the woman. “Is this your first game of the night?”

“Yes. Though it’s probably not my last.” She tapped a red-tipped nail against the felt, signaling for another card. “My dinner plans were canceled.”

“Somebody canceled dinner with you?” Brandon turned over a nine. “I find that difficult to believe.”

She smiled and showed the two and nine she already had. “So did I. Hence, my rather impolite argument over why it was canceled, and unfortunately, my bad behavior only confirmed I’d be spending the night alone.”

“Whoever you were arguing with sounds like an idiot.” He waited for her to put a hand up, indicating she didn’t want another card. “Not that I’m complaining.”

“You say that now…” She watched as Seth busted, and Brandon held on a seventeen. Her smile widened when he passed over her winnings. “I knew choosing the best looking dealer would be good luck.”

He was supposed to be suave and seductive, but her compliment had the same effect Seth’s words had—his cheeks and the back of his neck warmed. “I’m not the best looking dealer here. Dana is much prettier than I am.”

Her lashes dropped to focus on stacking her new chips into neat, little piles. “You can’t possibly be referring to the little blonde with the breasts bursting out of her shirt. Because then that would mean those adorable glasses of yours don’t work.” She placed another bet with the same care she’d given the first, repeating the stroke along the uppermost chip. “Besides, she is most definitely not my type.”

“Honestly? She’s not really my type, either.” Brandon shot a quick glance over to Seth. He wished they could trade places. Seth was the one who could charm the pants off anybody. Seth was the one who had done this sort of thing before. But Seth couldn’t even help him. Fortunately, his hands knew what they were supposed to be doing, so he could focus on her. “I like my women to be a little smarter.”

“I hope your harem isn’t completely full.” She toyed with her new hand. “Otherwise, I’ll have to settle for just winning your money tonight.”

“Oh, I haven’t…” Brandon looked down, trying to find his place again. From the corner of his eye, he saw Seth smile and toss a twenty into the betting circle. “I haven’t got a harem or anything like that.”

“Really? Well, as wrong as that just seems, it’s all the better for me, then, isn’t it?” She brushed her fingers over her hand to show she was standing. “I don’t mind competing with pretty young things, but it’s better for my ego when I don’t have to suffer comparisons.”

Brandon barely noticed when he flipped over the ten of diamonds, sending him over twenty-one. “Are you kidding?” he blurted. “Any woman in this place would suffer in comparison to you.”

A new gleam in her eyes prickled his skin with heat. “Well, aren’t you the sweetest thing? My name’s Caryn, by the way.”

“Brandon.” He smiled sheepishly and gestured at his nametag. “Though I guess you already knew that. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“I did know, but it’s always nice to be formally introduced. It’s not quite as…presumptuous that way.”

Seth won at twenty, and Brandon paid out the bet, his eyes briefly meeting Seth’s. He wasn’t sure what he expected to find, but he wasn’t surprised by the twinkling amusement he saw there. Seth inclined his head, as if to say go on, you can do this.