The suspense is killing me. A lot is riding on what happens now. I hold my breath as the anticipation builds. I start to doubt myself. It was an impulsive decision, one I may seriously regret.
I start to have doubts as I look at the 7 and 3 on the table in front of me.
“Ace – that makes 21 and black jack. Congratulations”
I start at the chips the dealer is placing in front of me. I do a mental calculation in my head. Wow! That’s $5,000!
I release the breath I was holding in. I started at the table a few hours ago with just $200 to my name. I came to have fun and I’m leaving with a lot more than what I came with.
Now that I’m no longer distracted by the cards in front of me, I look across the table at the man sitting in the far seat. He has the most incredible blue eyes I have ever seen. Once I was able to pull away from staring at his eyes, my stare traveled to his mouth. His lips looked so soft and kissable. I wondered what he would taste like.
Our eyes meet again, he’s smiling at me. Impressed perhaps? Happy for my win?
I’m smiling like a fool myself. Whether from the win, the attention he’s been giving me all night or all the mojito’s I’ve consumed while at the Black Jack table. I’ve lost track of the count. There was always a full glass at my elbow. Which is probably why I just took that incredible gamble – but it did pay off in the end.
I watch as his long, slender fingers play with his last two chips. My thoughts turn a little naughty. I imagine what it would be like to nibble on those fingers.
It must be the mojitos, I keep thinking about inviting this man, a complete stranger up to my room.
He taps the table in front of him, indicating to the dealer he wants another card. He pauses as he assesses the situation. A count of 12. Ouch. I don’t envy this decision. He taps again. Bust.
“Well, that’s it for me I guess,” Mr. Hottie looks my way and finishes with, “Maybe my luck will be better somewhere else.”
He’s looking straight at me when he’s saying these words. He tosses his last two chips at the dealer for a tip. Generous, I like that. I stare down at the pile of chips in front of me. I should walk away now anyhow. It would be a shame to lose any of it now.
“I’m going to quit while I’m ahead,” I hear myself say. I scope up my chips and stuff them into my little clutch purse. I can cash them in any time. Right now, I’m on a mission.
Mr. Hottie disappeared in the general direction of the elevator. He must be heading back to his room. I take an alternate route so it doesn’t look like I’m following him but head in the same general direction.
I check my appearance in one of the mirrored pillars as I walk by. I straighten my little red dress, and tuck a stray hair behind my ear. I knew this dress would bring me luck. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it in the store. It wasn’t too revealing but hugged my curves in all the right places.
I keep my eyes on the other side of the slots where Mr. Hottie has disappeared. I think I catch a glimpse of him, looking over his shoulder with a smile on his face. Does he know I’m following him? More importantly, does he want me to follow him?
My heart is beating so quickly. Am I making the right decision? I don’t even know this guy’s name, yet I’m actively pursuing him.
I walk past the last row of slots and there he is. He’s leaning casually against the walk across from the elevator. When he sees me, he walks over to the elevator and pushes the button. I continue on my path towards the elevator and the door opens just as I reach it.
“After you,” Mr. Hottie murmurs in a husky voice and smiles at me.
There’s no turning back now. I take a deep breath and step onto the elevator. I move to the far corner while Mr. Hottie steps in behind me and the doors close. He doesn’t even ask me what floor. He pushes the top floor – he’s in a penthouse. Holy! No wonder he didn’t seem too concerned by the money he lost at the table.
We stand staring at each other for a moment. He takes one step towards me in hesitation. I don’t make a move, I just stare at him through my eye lashes. He closes the distance between us and I lift my head as our lips collide in a searing kiss. My body bursts into flames and desire courses through my veins.
His lips are as soft as they look and they feel incredible. His tongue dives into my mouth, twirling with my tongue, tasting, teasing.
My hands are in his hair, everything about him is soft and he smells so good! The smell of him is intoxicating. He pulls my body closer until we’re molded together, his hips pushing mine into the wall of the elevator. One of his hands caressing my thigh, slowly pushing my dress up higher. My breath catches as his hands start to caress my heated core. He sure is moving quickly, but for some reason I can’t find a good reason to stop him.
He pulls his mouth away, with a ragged breathe he gasps, “Andre, my name is Andre.”
“Linda.”
“Nice to meet you Linda.” He bends in for another peck as the elevator arrives at its designation.
I straighten my dress as the doors slide open, and Andre walks into the hallway. He takes a hotel key out of his back pocket and opens the door for me. I walk into his hotel room and gasp in astonishment at the beauty of the room.
There’s marble everywhere. The living room consists of a large ivory couch and love seat set. A flat screen TV covers most of the far wall and the tables are made of glass. There’s so much to take in. I’m suddenly intimidated and wonder what I’ve gotten myself into.
“Can I interest you in a glass of champagne Linda?” Well, at least he remembered my name. I start to wonder what he saw in me, he can obviously have his pick of women.
I have so many questions, but I don’t want to appear too nosey.
“Nice place you have here Andre. Do you stay here often?” I think of my little room I have many floors down, with a single double bed. I saved up for over a year to take this trip.
“I come to town often for business. The hotel knows what I like when I visit. I leave enough money at the tables, they can surely afford to keep me in comfort when I’m here,” Andre doesn’t say much more than that. He walks over to side buffet table. He opens a door in the side of the storage unit and pulls out a bottle of champagne. There are glasses on top already. Was he expecting company? Does he do this for many women? I decide to ask him.
“So do you entertain many women while you’re in town on business? You don’t have someone waiting for you at home, do you?” I’m suddenly concerned I’m about to become the second woman.
Andre walks over with a filled glass of champagne and hands it to me.
“No darling, I’m not in the habit of bringing women back to my room. Something about you intrigued me. I have to admit I couldn’t take my eyes off you all night,” he responds.
I know, I could feel them.
I take a delicious sip of champagne and thing about my next move. Will he still let me walk out if I want? Do I want to leave? No.
“You took a lot of chances playing Black Jack tonight. You remind me of myself. And now you’re sitting here in front of me now. You didn’t even know my name. You’re a risk taker. Do you like the exhilaration you get from taking risks?” he asks me.
Do I? I certainly never thought of myself as a risk taker. The ladies at the office would laugh at me if I even suggested the idea. Plain old Linda. Taking this trip was one of the craziest things I’ve done my entire life.
“Come, I want to show you something.” Andre grabs my free hand and pulls me towards a pair of glass doors on the other side of the living room. We walk out onto the balcony and gaze out over the city. There are lights in every direction you look. The neon lights eliminate the night sky. It must be shortly after midnight but you can see every detail of the buildings below. It’s absolutely beautiful.
We walk to the railing and stand there sipping champagne and taking in the view. I shiver as the night air starts to seep into my skin. Andre must have felt the tremor as he wraps his arm around me.
“So what brings you here Linda. You don’t seem to be cut from the same cloth as the women who live here.” Is it that obvious?
“I needed a break from life, a little adventure I guess. I’ve been planning this trip for so long. It’s always been a dream of mine to come here.” I suddenly feel comfortable with him and it’s so relaxing standing here in his arms.