Taking a Gamble Milana Howard
www.beautifultroublepublishing.com
Taking a Gamble Milana Howard Copyright © 2011 by Milana Howard All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including but not limited to: printing, photocopying, faxing, recording, electronic transmission, or by any information storage or retrieval system without prior written permission from the authors or holders of the copyright. This book is a work of fiction. References may be made to locations and historical events; however, names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination and/or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), businesses, events or locales is either used fictitiously or coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.
Published by Beautiful Trouble Publishing, LLC PO Box 61 Colfax, NC 27235
www.beautifultroublepublishing.com
Cover Art: Shara Azod Editor: Legacy Editing, http://legacyediting.com/ Proofreader: Novellette Whyte http://authorgurunovellette.blogspot.com/ Formatter: Savannah J. Frierson, http://sjfbooks.com/editing/ E-book Conversion: Jim & Zetta, http://www.jimandzetta.com/ ISBN: (e-book) 978-1-61788-075-9; (print) 978-1-61788118-3
I dedicate this story to all of us that know in our hearts that love and romance are colorblind. To the BTP team: thank you for being so devoted to your craft and for making this story possible!
NOTE ABOUT EBOOKS eBooks are NOT transferable. Re-selling, sharing or giving away eBooks is a copyright infringement. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the author or Beautiful Trouble Publishing.
CAVEAT This work of erotica contains adult language and sexually explicit scenes, which are smoking hot. This book is intended only for adults, as it is defined by the laws of the country in which the purchase is made. Keep this book out of the hands of under-aged readers.
AUTHOR’S NOTE The casinos that are mentioned are fictitious, as are any rules or actions described to take place at the fictional casinos. The characters are not based on real people.
CHAPTER ONE My God! What’s taking so long? Celicia Hunter stood at the back of the coffee shop waiting to be presented with her green tea latte. She had a bus to catch, and if it was running on time, she’d need to make like an Olympic sprinter to catch it. Otherwise, she’d have to make like a cross-country champion to make it to work on time. She tapped her foot impatiently, debating whether or not to just leave and take the six dollar loss. Ironically, her receipt number was called at that moment. In a hurry to grab the drink from the turnstile pick up window, she tripped. Everything after that seemed to happen in slow motion. Her handbag flew up in the air, scattering her personal items. In an attempt to prevent what was sure to be an ungracious fall, she lost her grip on the cup. It hit the tile floor in a sage green splash. She hit the floor with a thud, and immediately tried to get herself together. Shaking her head, Celicia couldn’t help but laugh at herself. While embarrassing, the incident reminded her of the age old lesson
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of “haste makes waste.” Being it was the afternoon lunch rush, there were plenty of people to witness her embarrassment. Celicia knew she’d have to quickly collect herself if she hoped to have even the slightest chance of catching her ride. Haphazardly scooping up her things, she met a startling pair of baby blue eyes. There was something hauntingly familiar about them, but she couldn’t put her finger on why she felt a surge of recognition although she could pinpoint the sudden surge of lust. “Looks like you could use some help,” the blue eyed man said as he handed over her lip gloss that had landed at his feet. While she was glad to have her lip gloss back, she couldn’t help but admire his hands…and imagine what they’d feel like on her body. She was blown away by his courtesy, which was magnified in light of the reactions of every other customer who simply averted their eyes or blatantly ignored her as they shuffled past her to get their own orders. It was nice to know that there was at least one polite person left in the world. “Thanks.”
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“Sure. No problem. Looks like you’re in a rush.” “Yeah, I have to be on the two-seventeen bus or I’ll never make it to work.” “The bus that goes to the Strip?” “Yup.” Celicia met his eyes again, surprised to feel a jolt of electricity. There was a flirtatious twinkle in his eyes that she hadn’t noticed before. “I hate to say this, but I just saw it pass by on my way in here.” He eyed her sympathetically. Her stomach dropped. “Damn it.” What else could possibly go wrong? She racked her brain trying to think if there was a cab company that wouldn’t charge a fortune to get her across town. Of course, by the time the cab arrived, she’d still be late. She might as well wait for the next bus and just accept the write up for tardiness, she thought as she gathered the last of her things from the floor and stood. The handsome man stood with her. Damn, he’s a tall drink of water—water she wanted to sip. “Yeah, can I get a replacement for her order and a double shot of espresso to go,
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please?” he yelled out to the barista as he breezed by her to pay the cashier. The other customers muttered and groaned amongst themselves, but none dared to say anything to the man who had the audacity to verbally jump the waiting line, especially considering his impressive build. He’s definitely not a stranger to the gym, she thought as she admired his athletic physique. Handing her the latte, he held the shop door open for her allowing her to exit before him. “You really didn’t have to buy me another.” “But I wanted to.” Kevin’s baritone was sexy, reminding her of a seductive bedroom voice. “Thank you,” she said. Normally she didn’t like to accept anything from random men as the price was usually more than it was worth. Familiar with the club scene, she thought of the many men who offered to buy a woman a drink, and then spent the entire night stalking them. Kevin didn’t give off that vibe though. Instead of feeling creeped out by his attention, she felt strangely comfortable.
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“Anytime. By the way, I’m Kevin. Kevin Thomas.” *** It couldn’t be her. Kevin’s eyes confirmed what his mind had trouble believing. It was the woman of his nightly fantasies that had been stooped down in front of him, picking up her things. When he’d first entered the café, her profile caught his attention. Just like always, he couldn’t look away. The beautiful, brown goddess had invaded his thoughts. Anytime he allowed his imagination free reign he ended up with a hard dick. Now here she was in front of him. “Nice to meet you, Kevin. I’m Celicia. I’d love to chat, but I’ve gotta wait for the next twoseventeen,” she said as she headed towards the bus stop. He heard the frustration in her voice and wished he could soothe it away. Easily keeping up with her quick pace, he continued their conversation. “Celicia,” he said her name hoping that he’d have a reason to say it much more and in a more intimate setting. “That’s a pretty name.
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I’m sorry that you’re having a rough day. How about some company while you wait?” “Umm…I guess that would be okay.” Her acquiescence was a blessing. Now that he had a chance to talk with her, he was going to take full advantage of it. They took a seat under the bus stop awning. Mercifully, the notorious Vegas sun was shielded behind errant clouds. While the day was warm, it wasn’t unbearably hot. “Why the big hurry?” he asked as he stretched out his long legs. “My shift’s supposed to start in a half hour, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.” She laughed drily. “So, where’s work?” “The Lava Stone casino. I’m a go-go dancer at the poker pit.” Kevin felt somewhat guilty asking Celicia these questions considering that he already knew the answers. The Lava Stone was where he’d first seen her. When he was just beginning to hone his blackjack skills, he preferred to play at a low key casino and the Lava Stone fit the bill perfectly. It was during his first week of playing there that he’d seen Celicia. Seated next to an elderly player that was taking his sweet
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time hemming and hawing over whether to hold or take another hit, he observed the casino floor. Just then, she emerged with a group of women, giggling and talking. All of the women were beautiful, however, she stood out, not simply because she was beautiful but because she carried herself with such grace. She looked like an angel—Victoria’s Secret style. She’d been wearing a white, halter jumper that was an enticing contrast against her smooth brown skin. Her raven hair was styled in an angled bob haircut that showed off her petite bone structure. Her figure teetered a fine line between curvaceous and athletic. When she turned to wave at a dealer who looked to be ending his shift also, their eyes locked. It was only for a moment, but a moment was all he needed. He was fascinated. With his concentration too blown to do more than give the house his money, he rose and caught up with the dealer. Glad he’d always tipped well, he boldly asked him how he knew Celicia. It was then that he found out that she danced in the poker area. The memory made Kevin lose his train of thought. Seeing Celicia peer at him inquisitively
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made him realize that he must’ve been daydreaming for longer than he thought. Oh shit! What were they talking about? Once he remembered, he feigned a curious tone for “discovering” where she worked. “Oh yeah? That’s cool. I’ve been through there a few times. It’s the casino at the end of the Strip.” “Yep, that’s it. It’s been around since gangsters ran Vegas.” “So I’ve heard. Does it still have that cheesy Hawaiian theme?” “Unfortunately, yes. Complete with the tacky black light volcano show.” “So, Kevin, what are you? An undercover superhero or something?” He chuckled. “Not at all. Actually I’m a freelance financial consultant by day and a pro blackjack player by night. Certain nights, anyway. “That’s an odd—but intriguing— combination,” Celicia said. “I know poker gets all the hype, but blackjack is making its way up in the ranks. The game has been pretty good for me. I’ve got a talent for taking calculated risks.”
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She looked at him as if wondering what else he had a talent for. Damn, she hoped he’d get the chance to show her. “So where do you play now?” “The Sondrio. They put me up in a penthouse since I’m here so often.” “Wow. I know casinos don’t do that for just anybody.” “That’s true. You either have to be winning or losing a lot for them to hook you up. I’m happy to be on the up side.” “So where are you from?” “L.A. I grew up in the Laguna Beach area.” “How did you get from the beautiful Cali coastline to playing the tables in Vegas? “I came here on a spring break with some buddies and had a lucky streak. I’ve been coming back ever since.” From his peripheral, Kevin caught sight of the two-seventeen approaching. “So, Kevin…” “So, Celicia…” “I guess this is where we have to say goodbye. It’s been fun.” “Yeah, it most definitely has been fun so why say goodbye now? I’ve got the day free. I
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wouldn’t mind riding with you if you wouldn’t mind having me.” “Sure, why not?” she replied coquettishly as she made her way onto the bus. Smiling, he followed Celicia. Finding a two-seater towards the rear of the bus, they resumed their conversation. “So, you’re a blackjack-playing financial consultant from Cali with a taste for overpriced coffee? Why didn’t you just order room service or something?” she asked. “Ha-ha. As much as I enjoy Vegas, sometimes I just gotta get out of that gambling atmosphere. It can be overwhelming. You have everything from little old ladies playing penny slots to douches that gamble away their family’s house payment at the table games. It’s a cluster fuck.” “I don’t blame you for wanting to get away. It’s easy to get fed up. Believe me, it’s my daily guilt trip to accept a tip from some guy who, for all I know, just lost his kid’s college fund.” “Exactly. It can be crazy. So how did you come to be dancer?” he asked as he looked over at her.
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It was rare to meet a woman that seemed to be on the same wave length. Even more surprising was finding out that the woman of his fantasies would be so down to earth. Celicia certainly didn’t come across as having the superficial personality that one might expect from a dancer. “I studied dance at the Baronova School of the Arts with dreams of becoming a professional ballerina. During my senior year, I suffered an ankle injury that took me off my game. I graduated and all, but the career I wanted so badly was out of reach.” Her wistful mien portrayed just how much her dreams had meant to her. He couldn’t help but be endeared to her…even more than he already was. Where he’d originally thought she was just physically attractive, he was now beginning to feel something more. Kevin knew when he spied her in the coffee shop that it was his lucky day. A more cynical person would’ve attributed it to mere coincidence, but he believed it was fate’s way of putting him and Celicia together. “So you went to the Lava Stone when ballet didn’t work out?”
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“Yeah. Dancing’s in my blood, so I decided to take the go-go gig until I figure out what’s next for me. It allows me to do what I love even if it’s in a different style than I’ve studied. Plus, it keeps me in shape, which is important to me. I got so horribly out of shape after my ankle surgery.” He looked at her skeptically. “You, out of shape? You’re joking right?” “I appreciate the flattery, but really it’s true. I think that maybe in a year or so I’ll be in better condition to go back to a more classical style of dancing, but we’ll see.” They both fell silent, but it wasn’t an awkward silence. Celicia seemed to be lost in thought, which was fine with him as he was lost in her. Not wanting to make it obvious that he was checking her out, he came up with some more getting-to-know-you type questions. “Do they make you wear a uniform?” He already knew that she dressed to slay men’s hearts, but he was running out of small talk. Many times he’d savored memories of her in various skimpy tight costumes, dancing rhythmically for captive audiences. As it was, she had on a loose fitting t-shirt and sweat
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pants that disguised the parts of her that he wanted to see and touch the most. “No, not really. They give us a choice of certain colors to wear and suggest where to buy our outfits, but it’s mostly up to each girl’s preference. I know it’s not as strict as what it would be at the newer places. I’m sure the girls at the Sondrio would put me to shame.” In Kevin’s mind there was no competition. Those tits on stick figures couldn’t hold a candle to her. Aside from the edgy hairstyle, Celicia didn’t seem to be very flashy in her appearance. Her face wasn’t disguised by cement globs of makeup, like many of the women at the casinos. Naturally beautiful, she looked sweet and fresh faced. “I don’t see how that could be possible. All they care about is which celebrity might be passing through. I wouldn’t waste my time on them.” He spoke assertively, already knowing that none of those flaky women were worth his attention. Celicia was the one woman who was constantly on his mind. “But you would get on a bus with a complete stranger and ask probing personal questions? Interesting.” Celicia questioned as if she didn’t know the power of her own allure.
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“Yeah, but you’re different. I could tell that you were just having a bad day. Why not be friendly? There’s no harm in that, right?” When Celicia pulled the handle above her, Kevin was made aware of the fact that the bus ride was coming to an end. He’d have to make a move and quickly. “So maybe I could see you again?” “Maybe,” she smiled mysteriously, and stood as they’d arrived at her stop. Kevin stood and allowed her to pass. With a sway to her hips, Celicia maneuvered her way to the exit doors. And he was right behind her. He did his best to keep his tongue from hitting the floor because Celicia aroused his senses on a whole other level. Sure, he’d enjoyed his fair share of women, but she was unlike any other woman he’d known and his gut told him that she was worth any amount of time and effort.
CHAPTER TWO Celicia entered the employee locker room to get ready for her shift. She kept a few outfits at her job for convenience, which ranged from more modest one pieces to more revealing halter tops and boy cut shorts that showed midriff. Today she was feeling particularly sassy. As she slipped on a pair of thigh high fishnets, she realized that something about Kevin made her feel sexy in her own skin. Celicia replayed their ride together in her mind. She remembered looking down at herself at a certain point, when she suddenly felt the vibe that Kevin was mentally undressing her. Her feminine intuition never failed her and his expression verified that he liked what he pictured. Celicia was more than satisfied by what she saw when she looked at Kevin. His gorgeous baby blues were enough to make panties drop en masse. She couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to gaze into those eyes in bed. In addition to having captivating eyes, Kevin had handsome chiseled features that
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included defined cheekbones and a square jawline. He seemed to be one of those guys that looked good without really trying. His golden blonde hair was tousled, and he had a slightly darker scruff of a goatee. Kevin looked like a laid back, beach going type of guy. After learning that he was from Laguna Beach, she could easily imagine Kevin riding the waves. It wasn’t too hard to picture him in a pair of board shorts, his tanned abs glistening with trickles of sea water. Alright, down girl, back to reality. Celicia zipped up her black leather platform heel boots and headed to the casino floor. *** Back at his penthouse suite, Kevin was devising a plan to see Celicia again. He wanted to go about it in a smooth way. There was no chance that he was going to risk turning her off before seeing where things could go. After seeing her the first time at the Lava Stone, he’d returned quite a few times since to watch her dance. He always sat at the far end of the bar across from the poker area, concealed from her line of vision. It wasn’t that he was
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afraid of approaching her; it was just that he knew sometimes a fantasy was better than the reality. Kevin never thought that he’d encounter Celicia outside of the casino atmosphere. Now fate had given him the chance to see that reality might actually be better than he could ever dream. Though their bus ride had been brief, he’d spent it stifling a painful erection. Wanting to look his best when he saw her, he’d decided a shower and a change of clothes was in order. Stripping off his clothes, he stepped into the luxury shower and took a moment to enjoy the feel of the water pouring over him. Closing his eyes, he conjured up the image of Celicia. His dick immediately sprang to life. He literally ached for her. He wanted her to be in the shower with him. He wanted to caress her brown skin. He wanted to taste her. He wanted to hear her sigh his name when he brought her to climax. Kevin had intended to relax while he washed himself, but the anticipation of seeing Celicia again was too much of a distraction. While imagining the feel of her curvy body, he grabbed his dick and started stroking, trying to relieve the tension. Massaging his rock solid
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erection between his fingers and thumb, he quickly brought himself to a much needed release. His body satisfied for the moment, he finished washing. Celicia had such a power over him that just thinking about her made him lose control. He couldn’t wait to see her lose control with him. Exiting the shower, he prepared to get ready for what he hoped would be a very enjoyable night. *** It was going to be a fast night. Starting her shift in the late afternoon didn’t make for the greatest of tips, but fortunately, the latest casino club card promotions attracted a large crowd of regular patrons. Lost in her own world, she moved to an upbeat song. Despite being an older casino, the management made sure to keep things current with its music selections. They also had a great set up for the go-go girls. She performed on an elevated circular platform that afforded the ability to interact with the people below while at the same time being out of arms reach. She was accustomed to
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the lecherous glances and the invitations she received. While she could take it personally, she didn’t. Most of the men were simply there to have fun, and she considered it a compliment that she could hold anyone’s attention in the midst of the organized chaos of the main floor. The song came to an end. Celicia used the brief pause before the start of the next track to fantasize about her sexy companion. Kevin put her in just the right mood to seduce the crowd with her dancing. A moment before the next song began she swore she saw Kevin looking up at her. For a moment, she thought her eyes were deceiving her until she saw those sexy baby blues. Oh my God! Hello, gorgeous. Her heart skipped a beat. He was dressed in a white, short-sleeved button down and a well-fitting pair of dark wash jeans. It amazed Celicia that he could make something so simple look so sexy. When their eyes met, he flashed the most disarming grin. This was no slimy club snake. This was the guy that you wished would approach you for your number. Celicia inconspicuously glanced at her bracelet style watch. She didn’t have much time before her shift ended. Something in her made
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her want to impress Kevin. With just a few songs left, she wanted to make every move count. It reminded her of the tryouts for her job, where she had to pretend that she was seducing the entertainment manager with her body just to land the gig. Only this time, there was no need to pretend at all. She found herself grooving to each nuance of the music, swaying her hips and gliding her hands over herself. Fantasizing that they were Kevin’s hands instead of her own sent shivers up her spine. Once the song ended, she descended the spiral staircase that led to the platform. She made her way towards Kevin, but he was already up and he met her halfway. “Hey, you.” “Fancy seeing you here. Was the Sondrio that dull and boring that you had to come all the way to my neck of the woods?” She tried to keep her cool, despite her initial shock. “I came to see you. You blew my mind up there.” Just a compliment from Kevin made her feel hotter than a Vegas summer. She executed a little curtsy. “I try my best.”
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How about we grab something to eat? You pick the place.” She was suddenly self-conscious of her scanty midriff exposing black getup and the garishness of her thick kohl eyeliner. “Sounds like a good idea, but I need to shower first and change. If you don’t mind waiting for me I can be out in a few minutes.” “Of course, I don’t mind waiting for you,” Kevin said as he took a seat. His mouth may have said one thing but his look said that he’d wait forever for her. Once inside the locker room, Celicia wasted no time. Stripping out of her costume, she made a mad dash to the shower. She lathered up with her tropical mango body wash. Quickly dressing in a pair of jeans and a lacy black camisole, she fluffed up her hair a bit to give it some life. Surveying herself in the mirror, she couldn’t help but smile. Given that only twenty minutes had passed, she’d done pretty well. Thankfully, she’d never been the kind of woman that took a long time to get ready—especially when she had a man like Kevin waiting for her. Considering they had been strangers only hours ago, Celicia realized things were moving
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kind of fast. Riding with a stranger. Said stranger shows up at your job. She knew she was taking a gamble by spending time with Kevin, but her gut instinct was to roll with it. Somehow, there was just something about Kevin that felt right. Truth be told, she was glad he’d made the move to come find her, she thought as she left the employee locker room. “What are you in the mood for?” Kevin asked as he took her hand in his, as if it were the most natural thing to do. At first she was caught off guard as handholding seemed to be such a fifth-grade sign of affection, but that was before she realized that she’d never before had her hand held like this. She never knew that hand- holding could feel so sensual. Get a grip, girlfriend. “Oh, I’m not picky. I usually try to eat light in the evening.” “How about this? There’s the best gelato place in the Sondrio. Since I’m getting you at the later end of the night, we could do dessert for now and an actual meal some other day.” “Sounds like a plan to me.”
CHAPTER THREE Kevin hailed a cab outside the main entrance of the Lava Stone. Sitting in the back next to Celicia, he was reminded of their natural chemistry. Things felt so free and easy, but there was also an element of excitement. Celicia was refreshing. He genuinely enjoyed her company. No harm in her being easy on the eyes, either. Placing his hand on the small of her back, he guided her from the cab to the bank of elevators. He hoped like hell that they would have some privacy on the way up. It was definitely his lucky day. Selecting the button for the main casino floor, he slipped an arm around her waist. Pressing his nose to the nape of her neck he whispered, “God, you smell good.” “Thank you.” It may have been wishful thinking, but Kevin felt as if Celicia purred those words. Though the rest of their ride was silent, their bodies said a lot more than their mouths could ever say. When the elevator doors opened, he
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found that he was reluctant to leave their private confinement. The Sondrio was the trendiest place to see and be seen on Las Vegas Boulevard. Thus, there was a never-ending stream of foot traffic at all times of the day and night. They passed through the crowded aisles of slot machines and table games on their way to get gelato. “You want to play, don’t you?” Celicia’s question came from out of the blue. Kevin knew that she was referring to his obvious attention towards the tables, but in that moment, it sounded like a naughty invitation for some X-rated fun. He bounced the ball back in her court. “Why? Do you want to see me in action?” She raised an eyebrow, adding mystery to the double entendre of their conversation. “Maybe.” “Alright. I’m game,” he said as he picked a blackjack table and got in on a new deal. Kevin was trying like hell to focus on the game rather than on his attraction to Celicia. When he was at the tables, he’d always been able to filter out everything else, but Celicia was definitely a distraction. The nearness of her
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threw off his senses, especially since her enticing fragrance lingered in the air. Kevin could tell that Celicia wasn’t the type to be blown over by money, but she did seem somewhat impressed when he nearly doubled his original bet. Though he was on a streak, for once he wasn’t interested in the game. How could he be when Cecelia was near smelling like an exotic blend of fruits and looking like a centerfold? After a few more hands he decided to close out of the game and collect his winnings. As always, he left a generous tip to the dealer. “But you were doing so well.” It was a statement, but Kevin could definitely detect the question in Celicia’s voice. “All the more reason to quit while I’m ahead. Besides, you just confirmed something for me.” “What’s that?” “I want you a lot more than I want to win at cards.” He winked. Celicia didn’t answer but she did emit a sultry little sound. He couldn’t help but smile at it and want to make her repeat that sound many more times that night…and every night thereafter.
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“How about that gelato?” he asked, as he steered her in the direction of the gelato stand. The rich confection came in such a variety of flavors, people often found it difficult to make a selection. After sampling a few flavors, Celicia finally settled on the pistachio. Already knowing what he wanted—aside from her—he ordered a bowl of Tiramisu and guided them to a wrought iron table for them to talk as they enjoyed the delicious treat. “So, how did you get started playing?” Celicia asked. “It was something my dad and I did. You know, father and son type bonding. He wasn’t much for fishing or chess, so he gave me lessons on probability and taught me how to count cards. Of course, he taught me a few life lessons while he was at it.” Kevin prayed he appeared attentive when he answered her, because his eyes were glued on Celicia’s mouth. Her lips were incredibly full and had the slick sheen of lip gloss, which he was tempted to lick off. She licked at her cone with such deliberation that he couldn’t help but think that she was intentionally torturing him with sexual innuendo.
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“Can I taste yours?” Celicia leaned forward, assuming that he wouldn’t deny her. You can taste mine twenty four hours, seven days a week. “Anytime,” he said as he loaded up his spoon and fed her. She opened her mouth wide, flicking her tongue to scoop up what he had served her. Hell yeah. She’s most definitely fucking with me. They people watched for a while as they tentatively felt out each other’s physical boundaries. Celicia didn’t protest once or shy away from his touches. There was no way he was going to protest her touching him. “Thanks for dessert, Kevin. I should probably get going,” she said as she pushed out of her chair. “You’re not going anywhere,” his tone was so casual one would think he was discussing the weather. “Excuse me?” “Celicia, I don’t know how other men do it, but there’s no way I’m going to let you end a date with me by waiting at some bus stop, especially after you’ve spent the afternoon working.”
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Celicia looked directly into his eyes with what Kevin perceived as anticipation. Good, because it was. *** The boldness—and sexiness—of his statement caused her to pause. “I could be persuaded to stay out a while longer.” Studying the expression on his face, Celicia knew he wasn’t bullshitting. This was the real deal. While it was getting late, she was nowhere near ready for this night to be over. “So what do you have in mind?” “Now we go up to my place so you can see that there is more to dessert.” Kevin’s penthouse was magnificent—of course most penthouses are. The curtains were drawn back from the floor to ceiling windows allowing one to see the glowing patchwork of Vegas lights. Boasting a sunken living area and contemporary furnishings, the suite looked like it could have been featured in a luxury lifestyle magazine. “Wow, this is beautiful! I bet it’s easy to get used to living like this.”
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Pausing in the act of pouring champagne, Kevin answered. “Yes and no. I mean, sure, being put up here gives one bragging rights, but I miss the ocean. There’s nothing like the sound of the waves crashing when the tide picks up. Speaking of water…take a dip with me, Celicia,” he implored as he gently took her hand and walked her to the far end of the room. Her eyes busy taking in the panoramic view (and a whole lot of him), she hadn’t had time to notice the private terrace with a waterfall style Jacuzzi. It looked like paradise. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”While Kevin sounded innocent as he extended the invitation, there was a note of a seductive undercurrent. “But I don’t have anything to wear.”It wasn’t a sincere protest, but Celicia didn’t want to come off as too eager. “Neither do I.” Kevin’s eyes glittered mischievously as he proceeded to remove every last stitch of clothing that he had on without modesty or shame. Celicia couldn’t stop her smile as she saw the evidence of his arousal. Taking a deep breath, she observed what had to be at least eight inches of hard cock in front of her. Kevin
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had a body to rival Adonis. Like the statues of Greek gods, he could’ve been carved from stone. His strong arms and sturdy legs appeared more than capable of being put to the most strenuous fitness test. While admiring his body, she couldn’t help but wonder how he’d use that body on her. “Your turn,” he whispered. Not one to run from a challenge, she stripped down to her bra and panties. “Allow me to do the rest,” Kevin purred as he came towards her. Allow?! Who in their right mind would turn down such erotic treatment? At this point, she was so far gone, she felt like she’d taken a step into someone else’s life. Here she was standing damn near naked in front of a relative stranger being seduced like she’d only seen in movies and only experienced in her dreams. *** Kevin took in the radiant goddess standing before him, now only shielded by a delicate, lacy black bra and panty set. She was gorgeous. It took a moment to comprehend the
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fact that the woman of his dreams was standing before him in the flesh. Reaching behind her, he flicked open the fastening to her bra. The straps fell down her shoulders and the demi-cups came away from their holding position to reveal the most succulent set of breasts Kevin had ever seen. Celicia’s rich cocoa nipples stood at attention, inviting his caress. Seeing her this way, he just had to touch her. Kevin slid his hands from her breasts to her concave rib cage. He couldn’t help but smile upon hearing her inhale sharply. Hooking his thumbs at both sides of her waist, he slowly slid her panties down her legs. Kneeling, he softly kissed the area around her navel as he finessed the delicate material down her silken legs. While he trailed his moist lips around her taut abdomen, he massaged the sensitive crease behind her knees and around her firm calf muscles. Leaning forward, he nibbled at her thick upper thighs. Once Celicia was completely bare, he stood and pulled her into his embrace. He didn’t think anything could be more erotically intimate than the feel of their aligned bodies. Celicia fit perfectly under his chin. Pressed
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intimately against her womanly curves, his arousal was heightened. Slowly, he glided his hand from the back of her neck to her ass. He slowed his caress upon hearing her moan. Feeling the trail of goose bumps that sprang up every place he touched, he swallowed a moan of his own. Celicia looked him in the eyes before dipping her toes into the Jacuzzi. It crossed his mind that even though she was the one who’d dipped her toes into the Jacuzzi, they were both testing the waters in more ways than one. “How does it feel?” His voice was just a whisper, meant to tear at the last shreds of her composure rather than to elicit information. “Uh…nice. Just the right temperature.” “That’s good to know, but I meant how does it feel when I touch you?” “Can’t you tell?” she purred. Hearing the need in Celicia’s voice amplified his own. When they’d both eased themselves into the steamy water, he was seized with the urge to get a grip on her hair and hungrily pillage her mouth. She kissed him back with equal fervor as he maneuvered her onto his lap and pressed her against his chest. Her slippery wet nipples
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slid across the smooth expanse of his pectoral muscles. With the friction of their skin colliding in the heated water and the cool night air, there were all manner of sensory stimulation at play. He stroked his fingers through her hair, slicking the curled strands away from her face to admire her beauty. The expression on his face changed when he saw a tenderness mirrored in her eyes that confirmed that this could mean more than a one night stand. The sexual tension crackled like fire in the air. Even with the water surrounding them, he could feel Celicia warming to his touch, just as he could feel his own body warming to hers. Reaching between them, he allowed his hands to take a sensual journey from her breasts to her tapered waist. He massaged her fleshy hips and glided two fingers lower to lightly caress the thick lips of her pussy. Celicia’s eyes were closed but he knew without a doubt that she enjoyed his touch. His fingertips skated a winding circular path around her clit to leave her on the precipice of sanity. Patiently, he massaged the smooth folds of her pussy, relishing every moment of pleasing her body.
CHAPTER FOUR Celicia rode up on Kevin’s fingers to give him better access to her body. When she did, she heard Kevin utter a primal growl. Opening her eyes, she found herself focusing on his mouth. Though his lips weren’t as full as hers, they had a sexily pronounced cupid’s bow. After biting down on his bottom lip, Kevin met her eyes intently. “You don’t know what you do to me.” The hoarseness of his voice made it seem as if the words were wrenched from him. A smile played on her lips. Since they had gotten into the water, the hard length of his dick was insistently pushing up for attention. She understood very well what she did to him. “I need more than this. I’ve gotta have you, Celicia.” He looked at her like he was a starving man and she was Thanksgiving dinner. “Are you ready to dry off?” “Yes…I’m ready if you are.” She teased him by propping herself up against the ledge of the Jacuzzi, putting her breasts on display.
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Getting out for towels, Kevin draped one around his waist before lifting her out and drying her off with another. “Better?” he asked as he massaged her body through the cotton of the luxurious towel. “I don’t know if it can get any better than this Kevin. This is just so…unexpected. It doesn’t make any sense, but it feels right.” “Shh. You don’t have to explain. I know how you feel. I feel it too. Let me show you how much.” Kevin said as he literally swept her off her feet, walked to the bedroom and gingerly placed her on the bed. Celicia loved how he took his time with her. Once Kevin had her situated, he moved over her, bracing his weight on his hands. He placed sweet kisses on her forehead, on each eyelid, the tip of her nose, and her soft lips. As if that wasn’t enough to soothe his cravings, he continued kissing his way to her collarbone, to the valley between her breasts, and down to her naval. She felt as if she had already died and gone to heaven when Kevin spread her legs and splayed them open over his shoulders. The look he gave her was, in itself, almost enough to
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bring her to orgasm. Caught up in his gaze, she anticipated the slide of his tongue on her pussy. If she could feel that first tentative lick for the rest of her life, she would never know sadness. From his reaction, he enjoyed her flavor as much as she enjoyed being tasted. As if he couldn’t get enough, he spread her apart with both hands to lap at her pussy. Kevin made her feel like she was a treat to devour. He sucked on her clit like it was the last spoonful of the gelato they’d shared earlier. He annihilated every fiber of her being with his mouth relentlessly consuming her pussy. Taking his time, he proved that he enjoyed pleasuring her. Crawling up her body when she moaned out the last of her pleasure, he hovered above her for a moment and simply looked into her eyes. When he bent to kiss her, he did so like he was a vampire and she was his vampire feeding source. Tasting herself on his lips simply heightened her own arousal. It made her feel wantonly dirty and she wanted to get dirty with this man. Taking her wrists in his hand, he pinned them above her head on the pillow and began nibbling on her neck. Instead of feeling
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vulnerable with her throat exposed, she willingly surrendered to his desires. He gently bit at her skin, before licking his way from the hollow at the base of her throat back up to underneath her chin. Without pausing, he reached into the nightstand drawer to pull out a condom. Once he sheathed himself, he stroked his hard dick suggestively. Celicia swore her heart almost stopped. Kevin was driving her insane. That’s it! She rolled out from under him with feline agility. Reversing their position, she straddled him triumphantly. A smirk lingered on his lips. Maybe this was exactly what he’d had in mind for them. She reached down between them, lined up her pussy with his dick and slowly slid down. A true gentleman, Kevin simply waited while she seated herself before grabbing her hips and thrusting deeply into her. Celicia had braced herself for how good it would feel, but in no way was she prepared for this. Absolute ecstasy ricocheted through her body. The feel of him was a new addiction. Closing her eyes, he rode him as if her life depended on it.
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She gasped, riding the euphoric waves of tension that she knew would eventually be her undoing. But she did not care. She simply rocked back and forth over him. “Look at me, Celicia,” he demanded. Opening her eyes, she looked straight into his and whispered his name. “Kevin.” “Show me how much you want me. Tell me how hard you want me to fuck you.” Celicia smiled realizing she enjoyed being talked to dirty. She’d respond but truthfully, she wasn’t sure she could recall enough of the English language to even bother. When Kevin reversed their positions, she realized that he was definitely in shape. While she felt fatigue creep up on her, Kevin wasn’t even close to being tired. Bending, he took as much of her breasts into his mouth as possible, lapping and suckling at her nipples as he fucked her senseless. Normally not so vocal in bed, she couldn’t help but shout out her pleasure even as she clawed his muscular back with her nails. As much as she would have loved it to last longer, she wanted Kevin’s release as much as her own. She squeezed him as tightly as she could with
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her pussy. On cue, his dick spurted a wealth of cum, pushing them both over the edge. Even with the condom, she could feel Kevin’s cum within her. It was the most surreal sensation imaginable to climax as he came inside her. It illustrated how innately in sync their bodies were. She reveled in the moment, remaining perfectly still until their breathing returned to a more steady rhythm. When Kevin rolled off of her, he held her to him. Depleted from their love making, she took several deep breaths and tried to re-orient herself to the reality that existed outside of their passion. “How was that?” She cracked up with laughter. He had the nerve to ask such a thing? “How do you think it was?” “I think that if you’re happy, I’m happy.” He winked at her before they drifted into a peaceful sleep.
CHAPTER FIVE Sometime in the middle of the night, Kevin awoke to make sure that Celicia was actually still there. Seeing her sleeping beside him, he reached out to stroke his hand along the side of her face. Even while asleep, her beauty was breathtaking. Her long lashes fluttered slightly like butterfly wings against her cheeks. Her raven hair was a silky soft halo around her head on the pillow. Every now and then, much to his distraction, she made the tiniest kitten like sounds. Though they had started quite harmlessly, her little noises were beginning to border on sexual. They reminded him of her sultry sex sounds, and instantly he had a flashback of her riding on top of him. Since he was sure she was sound asleep, he knew the effect was unintentional but effective, nevertheless. Trying to take his mind off of waking her up for a sequel, he wondered what she might be dreaming about…and then he thought about how many nights he’d spent dreaming about her.
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Celicia was his dream come true, and not simply because she’d shared his bed. While he’d always had his pick of women, and Celicia could damn sure have her pick of men, this wasn’t simply a “what happens in Vegas…” moment for him. He wanted this to be the lead up to the “happily-ever-after.” He hoped that Celicia felt the same way. It didn’t matter that he’d only spent one night with her. He’d hungered for her for so much longer and now that he’d tasted her, he wanted her for much longer than the brief time they’d shared. *** When Celicia woke up the next morning, she found herself protectively tucked under Kevin’s muscular arm. So it wasn’t all a dream. She took a moment to appreciate the serene expression on his face…and everything else on the man. Not wanting to disturb him, she carefully scooted out from under the covers, grabbed a robe, and padded to the kitchen to start some coffee. In the daylight, the penthouse looked even more extravagant. The chrome appliances and cabinets gave the impression that a
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gourmet chef resided there. If she wasn’t afraid of burning toast she would’ve attempted to make breakfast. Instead, she grabbed a mug, served herself a cup of black coffee, and sat out on the terrace. It wasn’t long before she saw Kevin coming down the stairs from the loft. He was clad in a pair of black boxer briefs under a white robe that matched hers. Even though he’d just gotten out of bed, he was still dangerously handsome. God, did he always wake up looking like he’d been styled for a photo shoot? “Good morning. I’m glad to see you’re still here.” He yawned before settling onto the chair next to hers. “Why wouldn’t I be?” “I don’t know. Maybe you had a coyote ugly reaction and tore out of here before I woke up.” She would’ve giggled had she not seen the hint of vulnerability in his eyes. Was he for real? He was handsome, courteous, intelligent, and made her toes curl. How could he think that wouldn’t be enough for her? Or any woman for that matter?
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“You’re crazy! After last night, you’ll probably have trouble getting rid of me. I could get used to that kind of treatment.” “I could get used to giving it to you.” He said it so matter-of-factly that she knew he wasn’t playing. “You know something’s been bothering me since the café.” She tucked her feet up under her robe and propped her elbows on her knees. “What’s that?” “I’ve had the strangest sense of déjà vu since we met, like I know you from somewhere.” While she tried to mentally discern why Kevin seemed so familiar, he met her eyes with a cat-that-ate-the-canary grin. “You’re keeping something from me, aren’t you?” “Well…” “Well…what?” She leaned across her armrest and smacked his arm. “Tell me.” “Ouch! Damn, remind me not to mess with you.” He rubbed the spot where she had assaulted him, and then his tone became more serious. “Yesterday in the café wasn’t my first
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time seeing you.” A slight blush crept over his cheeks. “What?” she asked, stunned yet still intrigued to hear what else he had to say. “I’ve scoped you out before…at the Lava Stone, but I didn’t approach you. You were just so beautiful and sexy, and more than a little intimidating. So I stayed in the background. When I happened to run into you at the café, I figured it was a sign that maybe something could happen between us.” While he might admit to being intimidated, neither his gaze nor voice wavered. She was silent for a few moments. Kevin’s explanation left her wondering just who was this devastating man? Looking into Kevin’s hypnotic blue eyes, she knew who he was. Hers. Racking her memory, she realized that she had seen them before! Kevin had looked a bit different then. Stuffed under a baseball cap, his hair was somewhat longer, and he’d sported a grown out beard. Regardless of how he’d looked physically, those eyes had ensnared her. Even without knowing who he was, Kevin had unknowingly aroused her interest. Who would
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have thought that one moment would have led to this? “Why didn’t you say anything sooner? Those baby blues are unforgettable.” “I didn’t know it would be like this. I hoped that it could be, but the truth is I was scared. While I should’ve taken the chance before, after seeing you yesterday, I would’ve been a fool to let you get away without trying.” “Any other man saying that would freak me out, but you’re not any other man. Knowing that I’ve had you as a secret admirer is actually kind of sweet.” The brevity of her time with Kevin left her wanting more. If one night could be that fabulous, what would more time with Kevin bring?“ How could I be disappointed?” she asked as she reached over to touch his hand. He squeezed it and stroked his fingers over hers. “Because a woman like you can have any man she wants,” he said. “But it seems that I want you.” “Glad to hear it, because I’d pull out all the stops to change your mind if you didn’t.” “Good to know that you aim to please.” “Only you, Celicia.” “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
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“Since we see eye to eye on that, I feel I need to let you in on something. Blackjack isn’t the only game I’m good at.” “Should the casinos be scared?” she asked already having seen him in action at the tables. “No, but you should be,” he rose and whispered in her ear. “Why?” “Because I never lose, especially when I want to win so badly,” he said while he traced the curve of her lips, outlining their full shape. “So what game are we playing?” she whispered as she leaned into him. “Strip poker.” She paused a moment, considering the implications. “Sounds like a win-win situation to me. I’m game if you are.” **MH**
MILANA HOWARD Originally from the Jersey Shore, (the very same place that has spawned all those reality show people), Milana Howard now resides in fabulous Las Vegas. She has had a passion for romance stories ever since she learned how to read. Whenever a book left her wanting more, she would write her own personal spin-off story to satisfy her craving for the ending she envisioned. Currently, she is most comfortable writing in the contemporary interracial romance genre. In her spare time she enjoys classic romance films. Intrigued by the glamour of that by-gone era, she finds herself wondering why men can’t walk around in suits and ties and why women can’t dress as if going to a Hollywood premiere on a regular basis. Excited to have her books in a reader’s hands, Milana welcomes feedback!
[email protected] www.milanahoward.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/milanahoward#! www.twitter.com/#!/milanahoward
