Lucky Streak (Lucky 2)

“Relax,” she said as if reading his mind. “You have two more chances,” Amber said.

He shot her a warning glance. “Quiet.”

She grinned.

He picked up the fourth dart, aimed and tossed. The balloon popped easily and Amber cheered, rewarding him by wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a tight hug followed by a long, lingering kiss. One that gave a steamy hint of what was in store for him once they returned to his room.

“Here you go, buddy.” The guy behind the arcade stand handed him the ring with the large fake diamond.

Amber held out her hand. An eerie sensation—as if his wish for something more with her had magically come true—struck him as he slipped the too-big ring on her delicate hand.

Top heavy, it rolled to the side. “I’ll make it smaller with tape later,” she said, laughing.

“If you ask me, a pretty lady like you deserves a real diamond,” the arcade guy said.

If he and Amber were really involved, the man would be right. “Let’s go,” Mike said to her.

She nodded, a wide smile on her face.

“Wait. Since you seem to be on a lucky streak, take this.” The arcade guy handed him a silver dollar. “You never know what coin will strike it rich in those slots,” he said.

Mike shook his head. “Keep it,” he said to the guy. “I already struck it rich.”

Amber blushed.

He couldn’t wait for them to be alone.

AMBER HELD Mike’s hand as they wove their way through the arcade. They’d worked up a thirst and had stopped to buy drinks. She finished her glass of wine as quickly as he polished off a beer, adding to the light buzz she’d maintained all day. They walked through the casino on the way to the taxi area at the front of the hotel.

She’d enjoyed being with Mike so much, she’d almost forgotten about Marshall and the scene back at the hotel. Even though she’d never completely shaken the feeling that she was being followed, she’d been able to put the unsettling notion out of her mind. Until she saw J.R. in the hallway where they stood inside the hotel, Circus Circus.

Damn, Marshall was persistent. But that’s what her ex-partner did when he considered something—or someone—his. Luckily for Amber, this was one of the easiest hotels to get lost in, with its awkward layout and confusing maze-type locations.

Yet somehow, J.R. still managed to keep track of her.

With his shaved head and broad shoulders, he intimidated her on a good day. Coming off her argument with Marshall, today wasn’t one of those. She didn’t want to deal with a confrontation and she definitely didn’t want Mike to get into a fight with J.R. So she did the only thing she could think of on short notice. She pulled Mike into the nearest alcove and into a hot, distracting kiss.

One she felt from the tips of her toes all the way through her body. With each sweep and swirl of his tongue, her stomach fluttered and everything around her faded as his lips worked magic. He cupped her cheeks in his hands and his body pressed into hers, urging her against the wall for support. She felt his erection swell beneath his jeans and press into her stomach. This man aroused her on so many levels she couldn’t think clearly all.

“We’ve got to get to my room,” he muttered.

She swallowed hard, the reality of her situation returning to her and creating a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t return to plain sight just yet. She glanced around and realized they weren’t in an entryway but a large, floral-lined room.

“Are you ready to go?” Mike asked gruffly.

She stroked her fingers down his razor-stubbled cheek, scrambling for a reason to stall leaving for a few precious minutes. “I am, but—”

“Are you two next?” a male voice asked.

“Next?” Mike asked.

A gray-haired man holding a clipboard glanced at them. “Come come. If you’re going to change your mind about getting hitched, do it out in the hall.”

“Hitched?” Amber’s voice squeaked as she repeated the question.

“What e

lse would you do in a wedding chapel?” the man asked.