Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Milo made his way over to the poker table, choosing the one beside Frank because, I suspected, it gave him the best view of me.
It wasn’t long, though, before the game started to require some of his focus.
As much as I’d been enjoying his hungry eyes on me, I was glad for the chance to observe him when he couldn’t see me.
And I was observing, all right.
I noticed the way his fingers fanned his cards, how his lips puffed cigar rings, how his keen gaze flicked between the other players, how he gave nothing of his hand away as he played.
So the whole table erupted in shock when he bluffed everyone out, laid down a nothing hand, and took the pot.
It was hot.
He was hot.
I, in turn, was hot. And bothered.
So when I started to sing about taking it easy on my curves, a heaping dollop of sensuality slipped into my voice. Enough to make Milo’s gaze finally leave his hand and slide to me.
My stomach tightened.
Then I did something I tried to never do.
I sang to just him.
The world narrowed to just the two of us for three minutes, save for the quick second he called on the game he was playing. But even then, he kept his gaze on me, just flicking coins into the pot without looking.
When the final note ended, our gazes finally broke.
I lost his focus.
But the impact of it lingered, leaving me fluttering and pulsing as I finished my set.
I could hear Archie losing control of his fingers by the last song and was glad it was almost over so he could get a break.
“Monroe, don’t rush off,” Frank said, even as Archie did just that, giving me an apologetic wince.
But it wasn’t like he could defend me anyway if something did happen.
“Come here and say hello,” Frank demanded.
I exhaled hard through my nose and made my way to the table, choosing to stand near Milo, which unfortunately put me right next to Frank as well. But at least I was away from his one ass-grabby friend.
“Monroe, can I get you a drink?” the ass-grabber asked.
“Our Monroe here doesn’t drink.”
That wasn’t true. But I let Frank believe it because I never wanted to consume anything that would let my guard down around him.
“That’s one hell of a voice you have,” one of Frank’s new friends said.
My gut said he wasn’t one of the bad ones. He wasn’t raking his gaze over me. He genuinely seemed a fan of my performance, not my looks.
“Hell of a body too,” one of the others piped in.
If I wasn’t looking, I might have missed the way Milo’s fingers tightened on his glass. It was such a small movement. It might not even have had anything to do with the comment. Or me. But, God, it was hot if it did.
“We’re lucky I persuaded her to perform for us tonight,” Frank said, puffing up as he reached to snake an arm around my hips, grazing my ass in the process.
I forced myself not to stiffen.
I plastered on a smile that ached.
But the new guy, the one who liked my voice, his eyes narrowed.
“Speaking of. Didn’t you do several sets earlier?”
“I did.”
“Shouldn’t you be off resting your voice now?”
It was a question, but it was clearly also an offer of an exit for me. Without my being rude.
“You’re right,” I agreed, pulling away from Frank. “I don’t want my next guests to be disappointed if I’m all raspy. It was a pleasure singing for you all tonight,” I said, pressing a hand to my chest.
“A pleasure,” Mr. Mustache said, holding out a hand.
I had to take it.
Not only because I knew a tip would be passed to me in it. But because Frank was watching.
When he lowered that bristly lip to the top of my hand, though, it took actual work not to recoil as I grabbed the cash with my thumb.
I casually moved around the table as I discreetly shoved each tip down my bodice.
“Monroe,” Milo finally called. And, damn, if my name didn’t sound like it belonged on his lips.
“Mr. Grant,” I said, giving him a genuine smile as he took my hand.
I wished he’d kiss it again. But I didn’t blame him for not wanting to after Mr. Mustache did.
His fingers did linger on mine for a beat longer than necessary, though.
I felt scorched.
I pressed my thumb to the cash, then pressed my palm again to my chest.
“It’s been my pleasure, gentlemen.”
With that, I walked off.
As soon as I was out of sight, I damn near ran to my dressing room.
I wanted to get changed and out of here before Frank excused his guests.
As soon as I was behind a closed door, I kicked off my shoes and then started to put the cash from Milo down on the table. When I noticed something tucked in with the money (a lot of money, too).