She sighed and took a long swallow. “I know you’re right. I just can’t seem to help this case of nerves.”

  Not long after they’d finished their drinks, Alexis heard her initials called. She grabbed his hand and headed for the poker-room desk.

  He grinned as she hauled him along in her wake, jogging to keep up.

  At the desk, she said, “I’m A. S.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” The clerk nodded at a young casino employee. “Number seven.”

  At the table, Alexis asked the dealer for a rack and handed her the voucher from her previous play. The dealer sent the casino employee for the rack and gave Alexis her poker chips.

  The dealer then called the game, Texas Hold ’Em, and Dane noted that the big blind was fifty dollars and the small blind was twenty-five, a huge climb in stakes from the game Alexis had played earlier in the day.

  The dealer dealt the two hole cards, and Alexis lifted them a tiny bit to see what she’d received.

  Dane would give anything to find out what they were. He’d made sure to keep it to himself, but he was nervous too. He couldn’t bear the thought of Alexis losing tonight. Making enough money to pay off her mortgage was critical for her family’s future, and he’d give anything to see her win big.

  The game continued, and he watched each player in turn, trying to pick up on any tells. These players were probably of a higher caliber. They would have to be, at the price of play at this table.

  Alexis folded soon after the game began. Could her cards have been all that bad, or was it nerves? God, he hoped it wasn’t nerves. He said a silent prayer and headed for the bar and another glass of Maker’s Mark. He felt like jumping out of his skin.

  When he returned, a new hand was just beginning. He stood behind Alexis on pins and needles. But he soon relaxed when she raised and then raised again. She won the hand easily with a royal flush.

  Play continued, and her luck improved as the night wore on. His legs got tired from standing, but he didn’t feel like sitting. He continued his vigil from behind her as she kept up her winning streak, seldom folding.

  He smiled and took another sip of his drink. She had surely figured out tells on some of the players.

  When at last she stood, it was past two in the morning. She picked up her rack of chips and thanked the dealer.

  The man nodded and smiled.

  Dane took the rack from her hands. “Ready to cash out?”

  “Oh, hell yeah. I’m exhausted. My neck and shoulders are killing me.” She reached up and rubbed her shoulder, wincing in pain.

  At the cashier’s window, she asked for a check instead of cash.

  Dane called for an Uber while they waited.

  Ten minutes later, Alexis had a check for $44,460. She thanked the cashier and put the check in her wallet. She’d brought a small purse with her to the casino and had kept it on her lap.

  “Are you hungry?” Dane asked. She looked like she was ready to collapse, but it had been a long time since they’d eaten.

  “No, are you?”

  “I’ll grab some fast food since you don’t want anything. I know you’re ready to get back to the hotel and rest.” He put his arm around her. “Come on. The Uber’s just a few minutes out.”

  She leaned tiredly against him while they waited in front of the casino. “Thank you for hanging in there with me tonight, Dane. I know how hard standing all that time must have been for you.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “You’re worth it. Damn, you did good tonight. Did you see that security guy watching you the last part of the evening?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, I think he was trying to figure out if I was counting cards.”

  “You don’t need to count cards. You’re better than that.” He gave her shoulders a squeeze. “You should be proud of yourself, honey. I’m sure proud of you.”

  She glanced up at him. “Thanks, Dane. That means a lot.”

  A car with an Uber sticker in the back window pulled up in front of them. The driver lowered the front window and called out, “Weller?”

  “That’s us,” Dane said and opened the back door. He asked the man to find a good drive-through for a burger and fries. A half hour later, they were back at the Jesse.

  When they arrived at their rooms, he said, “Would you like a shoulder rub before you go to sleep tonight?”

  “Oh, that would be heaven. Give me a little while to clean up and then come on over. Thanks, Rodeo.”

  He smiled. “Welcome. See you in a few.”

  After eating his late dinner, he took a quick shower. He had no funny business in mind with Alexis. The poor woman needed her sleep. When thirty minutes had passed, he knocked on her door.

  She opened it in a pink sleep shirt with a cow on it that said, “I’m Moooody in the Morning!”

  He laughed. “Love the shirt.”

  “Don’t take it to heart. I usually wake up on the right side of the bed.”

  Did she mean that she wanted him to stay the night with her? “That’s good to know, Cowgirl.” He’d brought her a glass of Lagavulin. “Would you like a nightcap?”

  She sighed and sat on the bed. “I’d love one. Thanks.”

  He sat in the only chair and took a sip of his bourbon. “Drink that down, and then I’ll rub your neck, back, and shoulders until you fall asleep. I’ve been told I give a killer massage.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

  He smiled. “Oh yeah.”

  “I’m in for a treat, then.” She chuckled and took a sip of her scotch.

  “Yes, you are, woman, and I’m happy to oblige.”

  When they’d finished their drinks a few moments later, he said, “Crawl up in bed, and I’ll get to work.”

  She smiled. “Yes, sir.” Before she lay down, she asked, “Would it be better if I took my sleep shirt off?”

  “Definitely, if you don’t mind.” He wouldn’t allow himself to get turned on by the sight of her beautiful body. Tonight was all about making her feel better.

  She slipped the shirt over her head and lay down. “Is this okay?”

  “Perfect. Now, just relax and tell me if you want me to do anything differently or better, okay?”

  She exhaled loudly. “Okay, but I’m sure you’ll do fine.”

  He’d brought the hotel lotion from the bathroom in his room and spread some on his hands. He started with her neck, and a low moan escaped her. Smiling, he rubbed gently but firmly, feeling the small, knotted muscles. Soon, he moved to her shoulders.

  “Oh, Dane, that’s wonderful,” she said softly.

  “Try to go to sleep, honey. I won’t stop,” he said.

  She nodded, her head barely moving.

  After her shoulders, he moved to her arms, and a deep sigh escaped her. She’d used them all day long, and he paid special attention to the muscles there. Then he massaged each finger in turn. She moaned again, and he smiled.

  Next, he turned his focus to her back. He massaged her shoulders again, and then moved to the muscles along her spine.

  “Oh God, Dane, that hurts so good.”

  He laughed softly. “I noticed you carry your tension there.”

  “My back hurts so much of the time. It’s hurt for so long I can’t even remember when it started.”

  “Well, it looks like I need to rub you more often, then.” He slid his hands down to her lower back, just above her pelvis, and rubbed in circles. The muscles were knotted in bunches there.

  “Would you do that? I don’t have your skills, but I’d be glad to rub your back too.”

  The thought of her hands all over him did what rubbing her hadn’t done. He felt himself getting hard. Damn. “I’d like that, but only when you’re not this tired. Now it’s time for me to take care of you, sweetheart.”

  “Okay,” she agreed, on a long sigh.

  He smiled. She was getting sleepy now.

  He rubbed and rubbed and heard no more from her. Finally, when her breathing was even and regular, he stopped.

  However, when he rose from the bed to return to his room, she whispered, “Don’t go. Sleep here tonight. Please?”

  Warmth swept through him. There was nothing he’d love more than to hold her in his arms while he fell asleep. “Of course, honey.” He climbed under the covers on the other side of the bed and scooted close to her.

  She turned over and clasped him behind his neck, drawing him close for a sweet, tender kiss.

  His lips tingled as he returned the kiss, breathing her sweet, minty breath. “Goodnight, baby girl. Sleep well.”

  She exhaled quietly. “I will, honey.”

  His heart swelled at that special endearment. She so seldom used it that it was precious to him.

  She snuggled against him, slipping her calf over his and nestling her head against his chest. Her arm slid around his waist, and she pulled him close.

  He held her gently. She felt so small, so fragile tonight. Probably because he knew that she wasn’t feeling well. Sighing deeply, he kissed her temple. This had to be what heaven was like. He couldn’t imagine anything more marvelous.

  Then she kissed his chest, and then kissed it again. Hot damn.

  Chapter Ten

  The following morning, after a relaxing breakfast and a trip to the bank to deposit her winnings, Alexis and Dane headed for the historic town of Virginia City. Its Old West heritage had been carefully preserved, and Alexis was looking forward to a morning of exploration.

  The early part of the day wasn’t a good time to play poker at the casino. She’d wait until the afternoon when there were younger players there, those more likely to really gamble. “Have you been to Virginia City before?” she asked him.

  He shook his head. “I’ve never been to Reno or this area. I’ve heard that it’s a great place to visit, though. My friend Colt’s been here before, and he told me about it.”

  “So what should we do first?”

  “Oh, there are a lot of little shops to see. And there’s a walking tour if you feel up to it. The city has an amazing mining history that might be interesting to find out more about.”

  She could tell by his enthusiasm that he was really looking forward to this excursion. “Let’s play it by ear. I don’t want to tire myself out before I play this afternoon.” He’d taken her hand when they got into the Uber, and she gave his fingers a gentle squeeze.

  He put his arm around her shoulders. “I don’t want that, either. We’ll take our time and see how it goes, okay?” He kissed her temple and returned his attention to the view out the windshield.

  Her mind wandered over her play during the evening before, considering what she could have done differently or better. Then she gusted out a breath and leaned her head against Dane. She was not going to psych herself out again.

  He looked down and met her gaze. “You okay?”

  She traced the bold line of his jaw with her fingertip. “Now I am.”

  He chuckled and caught her hand. “This is a good day, Cowgirl.”

  “It surely is, Rodeo.” And with those words, she relaxed. How could she be nervous with Dane’s strong arm around her? The man was a rock, and if she just remembered that, she’d be on top of her game when they returned.

  Alexis laughed at the punch line of Dane’s cowboy joke. He had a million of them and could always crack her up. They were at the Red Dog Saloon & Pizza Parlor enjoying mugs of cold beer while they waited on their pizza.

  They’d had fun since arriving in Virginia City. The town really did take you back in time to the Old West. It was easy to forget that it was the twenty-first century while walking down the wooden sidewalks and shopping like the pioneers must have.

  They’d seen demonstrations of skills needed back in the day and had enjoyed the ambiance while popping into shops filled with items from a time gone by. While wandering the shops, she’d found perfect gifts for her grandparents.

  Their pizza arrived, and her mouth began to water. It had been baked in a brick oven, and the restaurant made the pizza dough and sauce fresh every day.

  Dane ordered them each another beer and picked up a slice of pizza with a long string of cheese hanging from it. He looped it around his agile tongue, and the sight sent a shiver through her. She remembered just what that tongue could do.

  He took a bite and grinned. “Delicious! Eat up, woman. You’re going to need all your strength when you get to the tables this afternoon.”

  She grabbed a slice. “I sure will. This looks fabulous. I haven’t had Chicago-style pizza in ages. And it goes so well with the tap beer. Glorious.”

  When she couldn’t hold another bite, she settled back in her chair and grinned. “I’m stuffed, Rodeo. Good job on picking this place.”

  “You’re welcome.” He smiled and scrubbed his mouth with a napkin. “Hm-mm. I enjoyed that.” He took a long swallow of beer, emptying his mug. “Ready to go?”

  “You bet. Don’t laugh if I fall asleep on the way back, though.”

  He grinned. “I wouldn’t dare.”

  Their Uber arrived in a few minutes, and they headed back to Reno.

  Dane put his arm around her, and she sighed. “Do you know how much I love it when you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Put your arm around me.”

  He kissed her temple. “I’m glad, because I enjoy holding you.”

  She closed her eyes and nestled her head against his chest. The ride was a little over thirty minutes, and there was a good chance she’d sleep the whole way.

  She wouldn’t let herself think about tomorrow. She’d have to say goodbye to the tender cowboy. And she honestly didn’t know how she was going to do that.

  When he got back to his room, Dane changed into a fresh shirt. But his mind wasn’t on the mundane chore. All he could think about was Alexis and what she’d said to him before falling asleep in his arms. Did it mean that she was softening her stance toward rodeo cowboys—and, more importantly, toward him in particular?

  He wanted to continue seeing her once they returned home. She’d made it pretty clear in the beginning that she was only in this for seven days, but had she changed her mind?

  He buttoned up his shirt as he considered his options. He could ask her, but he didn’t think it was a good idea to put her on the spot at this point. No, the better plan was to continue on as they were and hope that she changed her mind.

  He tucked in his shirt and headed out the door, anxious to be in her company once more. He didn’t want to imagine what his life would be like if she decided not to see him again.

  She answered her door at his knock, and he felt his eyes widen in surprise. She wore an emerald-green dress that matched her eyes and ended about four inches above her knees. It had short sleeves and a scoop neck that hinted at her beautiful breasts but didn’t expose them. He swallowed hard and smiled. “You look amazing. I was expecting to see you in your usual pressed dress shirt and Wranglers.”

  “Well, the other ladies wear dresses or blouses and dress pants, so I thought I might try for a more feminine look tonight.” She looked down at herself. “Is it too much?”

  “No, the casino website says business clothes are recommended in the poker room, and that fits the bill perfectly.” Although the dress wasn’t sexy, she was sexy as hell in it. Lord, every male eye in the room would be on her tonight. Come to think of it, that might work in her favor.

  She had a clutch in her hand. “Let’s go, Rodeo. I have some poker to win.”

  Alexis had told him that around four was the perfect time to start, but she had so much money to make that she was going to begin a couple of hours early. She figured that she could use the warmup time.

  She held his hand in an iron grip on the way to the casino. He returned the favor, giving her his support in the best way he knew how.

  With her original stake, she purchased chips and requested a rack at one of the cashiers’ windows.

  When they arrived at the poker room, she walked slowly around, examining the play at the different tables. She grasped Dane’s hand and nodded at one. Eventually, she signed in at the desk, requesting that particular table. There was an immediate opening at this time of day, and she was escorted over to an empty chair.

  The dealer glanced at her as she sat down, and his mouth crooked in greeting. The hand had just ended, and he called the game and the bets and blinds. This table didn’t have the fifty-dollar stakes she needed, but it would do until later.

  Dane signaled the waitress from his position behind Alexis. The woman wasn’t busy at this hour, and he ordered a drink.

  After she’d won two of the first four rounds, the cards began to run against Alexis. Dane’s heart fell as she folded from one hand after another, winning only occasionally. Two hours later, she stood and thanked the dealer, racking her chips before leaving the table. She glanced at Dane as she walked away. “I need a break to change my luck. Let’s have a drink and reconnoiter.”

  They walked until they found a quiet lounge. The lighting was dim, but he could see her shoulders relax as they sat down in a large booth with plush, comfortable cushions.

  A moment later, she sighed and leaned her head back as the waitress brought over their drinks. “This is nice. I needed a break, even though I haven’t been playing all that long. I just couldn’t seem to catch a break.” She glanced down at the rack of chips beside her. “I didn’t do too badly, though, considering my crap cards.”

  She scooted over against him, and he put his arm around her, kissing her softly on the temple. “Hey, you.”

  She patted his thigh, sending a shiver reverberating through him. “Hey. I’m so glad we’re together.”

  He nuzzled her neck, loving holding her close. “Me too. Do you even know how amazing you are?”

  She chuckled. “Not so amazing this afternoon. But hopefully my luck’ll change.” She took a sip of her scotch. “I’m going to have to play late again tonight.”

  He nodded, his chin resting against her. “I figured.”

  She wove her fingers through his. “Will you sleep with me again tonight?”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17