Stroke of Luck

“You’re sure there’s nothing wrong? Did something happen while you were out?”

“I’m fine. Really.” She stood up. “As I said, just tired. I think I’ll take a nap before dinner.”

* * *

April sipped her drink, waiting for Quinn and Austin. They’d been out playing golf this afternoon and had arranged to meet her in the lounge overlooking the garden. She wore one of her new dresses, a slinky red strapless that made her feel sexy.

Over the past several days, she’d immersed herself in enjoying her time with them. They were both very attentive, and Quinn had a glow in his eyes whenever he looked at her. She could almost convince herself that he was falling for her all over again, but she knew that was just wishful thinking. He was just relaxed and enjoying the free and easy sexual relationship the three of them were sharing.

Her stomach tightened. A relationship that would be over all too soon. Then she’d be on her own again and have to figure out what she was going to do next. How she would start over again with nothing.

A waitress walked toward her table with a smile. “Ms. Smith, I have a message for you.”

Panic raced through her. “I’m sorry, if it’s from Mr. Dubois, I don’t—”

“No, ma’am. It’s from Mr. Wright. He said you left your cell phone in the suite. He said to tell you the game went late and asked that you meet them in the casino in about ten minutes. He said you’d know which one.”

“Oh, thank you.” Her racing heart slowed.

“Would you like me to let him know you’ll be there?”

“Yes, that would be great. Thanks,” April said.

The waitress placed the bill on the table before she left.

Damn it, just because Maurice had tried to have a message delivered to her, then attempted to contact her a couple of times, was she going to jump every time hotel staff approached her?

She added a tip to the total on the bill and signed, then grabbed her purse and headed to the casino.

* * *

Quinn walked into the living room as he finished knotting his tie. He’d just showered and shaved and was looking forward to the evening.

“That was a great game.” Austin was sitting on the couch tying up his glossy black shoes.

“Better for you than me since you won.” Quinn grinned. “Now we’re going to that poker game tonight where you’ll be the biggest winner at the table, I’m sure.”

Austin chuckled. “You do all right. And you love the rush as much as I do.”

“To tell the truth, what I’m really looking forward to is getting my arms around my wife and enjoying another kind of game. One where I’m sure I’ll be a winner.”

“Hey, she’s my wife, too.”

“I didn’t say you weren’t going to win, too. I think it’s safe to say all three of us have been winners in this particular arrangement.”

Instead of laughing, Austin’s expression grew serious. “I’m not so sure about April.”

Quinn’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean by that?”

“Don’t get me wrong. I know she’s enjoying the sex. It’s just that … haven’t you noticed that she’s been distracted the past few days? Withdrawn. Something’s definitely bothering her.”

Quinn had noticed. He’d felt a growing distance between them and wondered if she was pulling away so she didn’t get too attached.

Although he needed time to get used to these new feelings for her and for her to see that his attitude about her had changed, he wished he could tell her how much he cared about her. He would have loved to buy her flowers or other gifts to show her, but he knew that would make her uncomfortable, so he’d focused on showing her as best he could in bed.

“She’s been through a rough time,” Quinn said, “and I’m sure she’s worried about what’s going to happen at the end of the month.”

“I wish there were some way we could reduce her anxiety,” Austin said.