Redeeming You (Before You #2)(29)

Grinning, Cam picked up his fork and lifted a small bite of his fish to Taylor’s mouth. Without thinking, she opened her mouth letting him feed her. “Mm,” she said as the smooth buttery fish coated her taste buds.

“This is just the beginning,” he said, his finger tracing her lips when she finished chewing. His eyes darkened with so much hunger she thought she was drowning in their depths.

Oh God, she hoped so because she wanted so much more.





CHAPTER ELEVEN




“Gambling?” Taylor said shaking her head.

“Just play two or three hands of blackjack and if you don’t like it, we can leave,” Cam said pulling a chair out from a table in the middle of the casino.

“No, I don’t gamble.”

“Have you tried it?” Cam asked, massaging her shoulders as he stood behind her at the table.

“Never, and I don’t plan to start tonight. I had other things in mind.”

Cam laughed. Of course she did and so did he, but if he dragged her back to her room right now, the night would be over in ten minutes. He wanted to make this last, and savor every minute with her before they took the next step because once they journeyed into that room together tonight, there would be no turning back. “Well, stay focused in the present because this night isn’t over. We’re not skipping to the end yet.”

She looked over her shoulder. “Was this part of your plan?”

“Yes,” he said bending to kiss the side of her neck. “I wanted to give you the full Vegas experience and that means gambling.”

Cam reached into his wallet and tossed hundred dollar bills onto the table.

“Can’t I just stuff some money into a slot machine and call it a night?”

The dealer placed a stack of chips in front of her.

“No. Slot machines don’t count,” he replied.

“Place your bets,” the dealer said and Taylor slid one chip forward into the circle on the table.

“Do you know how to play?” Cam asked.

“Oh, now you ask?” she replied sarcastically. “Don’t you think it’s a little too late for instruction?” She waved her hand at the cards in front of her on the table.

Cam shrugged. “Just get as close as you can to twenty one without going over.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’ve played a version on my phone and there’s a lot more to the game than that.”

“Show me how’s it’s played,” he said laughing.

Within thirty minutes, she had doubled her money. At first, she was cautious, not betting much money on a hand, just the table minimum, but as time progressed, she became more confident. She clearly had spent plenty of time playing the game on her phone or computer because she knew how to double down and split the pairs. She was actually pretty good.

He was impressed, but he didn’t appreciate the way the guy next to her, Mr. Not-So-Subtle, kept brushing against her shoulder and showering her with praise every time she won a hand. In fact, if he touched her one more time, Cam didn’t know if he’d be able to stop himself from shoving the guy off his chair or worse, and he didn’t like the feeling one bit.

When the guy wrapped his arm around Taylor’s shoulder, he jumped off of his barstool and was behind her before he could second-guess his actions. “It’s time to go,” Cam said shoving the guy’s hands off her shoulder.

“Hey!” the guy yelled standing up from his chair. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Glaring at the guy, Cam grabbed Taylor’s hand pulling her out of her seat. “Tay, we’re leaving. Pick up your chips.”

“I think she’s doing just fine here. Why don’t you mind your own business?” the guy said through clenched teeth, his hands curling into fists along his sides. What a jackass.

“My girlfriend is my business,” Cam said. “Now why don’t you pay attention to your game and find your own f*cking woman.”

“Mr. Donovan, is there a problem?” a floor manager in a stuffy black suit said.

Cam raised his eyebrow taunting the guy at the blackjack table.

“No, we’re good,” the guy mumbled sitting back down, turning his back to Cam and Taylor. Being somebody definitely helped defuse situations like this in his favor.

“If you’d like more privacy, you and your girlfriend are welcome to join one of our private rooms,” the floor manager offered.

“No. We’re done tonight. Maybe next time.” Cam tugged her toward the elevators.

“Stop manhandling me. I don’t like guys telling me what to do. I've had enough of that in my life. I don’t need it from you too.” She twisted her arm trying to get out of his firm clasp.

“Keep walking,” Cam said. When she didn’t move, Cam turned to Taylor, his hand still wrapped around her wrist and she didn’t look happy. In fact, she looked downright pissed.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded, her eyes narrowed in anger.

“No, the question is what were you doing?”

“Playing blackjack like you demanded.” She pulled her hand away from him and folded her arms across her chest.

“Wrong. You were letting that guy drool all over you. Five more minutes and he would have had his hand up your shirt or worse.”