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Three
After Nate left, Annie finished unpacking and found herself at a loss for what to do. Her day had taken a radical turn since Nate interrupted her game, and she had far too much nervous energy running through her veins. The situation was nerve-racking, but Nate made it even worse. As usual, he’d managed to stir her suppressed arousal and send her libido into overdrive.
She had an hour before dinner, so she opted for a hot shower and some fresh clothes. It had been a long flight from Miami.
By the time she rounded the corner to the entrance of Carolina’s Restaurant, it was eight-thirty on the nose. The dark, romantic steak house was the jewel of the hotel’s restaurants. There was always an extensive waiting list for those wanting to propose or celebrate an anniversary. Nate and Annie had eaten there only once. It was here, among the candlelight and low, sultry music, that the idea of eloping had been conceived.
Nate, ever punctual, was standing there waiting for her. He was preoccupied with his smartphone, typing something with his right thumb while his left hand anxiously jingled the keys and change in his pocket.
Annie lingered, taking a moment to watch him while he was distracted. He typed for a few seconds and then laughed, scrolling with his thumb and shaking his head. This Nate was more like the man she remembered. His cocky, businessman veneer had been in place when he spoke to her earlier today. He’d constructed pretty high walls since she left. Annie didn’t blame him—she’d given him the bricks to build it—but she did miss the thoughtful, charming man she’d fallen for.
She’d never tell him the truth, but she had been completely consumed by her attraction to Nate. Part of her still cared about him. It just didn’t change her decision. It had all been too much, too fast.
Maybe it was her roaming Gypsy blood that kept her from settling down. Maybe it was her fiercely independent streak that wouldn’t stand for a man trying to control her. Annie didn’t know. But the first time Nate had scoffed at the idea of her traveling to a tournament, she could feel the constrictive hold choking her.
Nate slipped the phone into his pocket and looked down at his watch impatiently. She couldn’t run this time if she ever wanted her freedom back. It was time to be man and wife for the crowds. Annie took a deep breath and prepared to begin her performance.
“Hey, there, sexy.” Annie spoke loudly enough for those around them to hear as she strode quickly to him. Before he could react, she snaked a hand around his neck and tugged him down into a hello kiss.
She had every intention of making it a quick peck for show, but once their lips touched, something stronger than she was held her there. Annie remembered the feeling... The sensation from her past that had nearly ruined her. She could feel the live current running through her body, every nerve awakened after years of dormancy.
When the initial shock of her assault wore off, Nate did his part, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against him. His mouth molded to her lips, just as her every curve did to his hard, angular body. They matched perfectly. It was such a natural feeling. It was how she imagined coming home would feel if she had one.
It was only this thought that propelled her to pull away and push gently against the lapels of his dark gray Armani suit. This wasn’t home. This was a ruse. Nothing more.
Nate released her lips but kept her body still and close. “Well, hello,” he whispered low, one eyebrow curiously raised at her.
“Hello,” Annie responded, her voice weak with her own shallow, rapid breathing. She didn’t want him to know she still responded to him like this. Quickly, she searched for the words to convince them both it was only a part of the cover. “Was that convincing enough?”
Nate’s dark eyes searched her face for a moment before he frowned slightly and released his grip on her waist. “Yes, quite. I see you’ve dedicated yourself to your new role.” His voice had returned to the polite and formal.
Annie smiled sweetly and took his arm as he offered it. “I’m absolutely starving,” she said, effectively changing the subject.
“I hope so. I’ve had Leo reserve a very romantic and very—” he leaned in to add the last part quietly “—public table for us.” They bypassed the crowd waiting to be seated and Nate gave a quick wave to Leo, the maître d’.
“Good evening, Mr. Reed. Your table is ready for you and Mrs. Reed.” The tall, thin Asian man grabbed two menus and led them through the restaurant to a candlelit table for two in the center of the room. Leo pulled out Annie’s chair and seated her, placing both their napkins and providing the menu with the night’s selections. “Enjoy your meal and congratulations to you both.”
When Leo disappeared, Annie felt the sudden weight of being alone with Nate in such a romantic setting. The first time they’d eaten there, he’d reserved a cozy table in a dark corner so they wouldn’t be disturbed. Now, although the table was still quite nice, it was out in the open where everyone would see them together. And apparently, the word was out about their marriage. Leo knew. It wouldn’t take long to spread.
Nate reached across the table and took Annie’s hand. She had to remember not to jerk away and instead leaned into him.
“You know, you did a very good job just now. Fooled even me for a moment,” he began, his voice soft as velvet. “Makes me feel better for falling for it last time. Sometimes I forget you’re a professional liar.”
Annie tried to tug away from him, but his iron grasp held her tight. He glanced down at her hand, ignoring her quiet groans of protest. “You really need a manicure.” He murmured the casual insult like a lover’s words in her ear and released her.
She forced a smile, gently untangling her fingers to take a sip of her water. “Well, it’s hard to keep up with the little things when you’re like me, always on the run.”
“Indeed.” His dark eyes pierced her as sharply as his words, although the rest of his face and body language oozed nothing but adoration. She wasn’t the only one that excelled in deception. “I’ll send Julia up to the suite tonight. She works in the hotel salon.”
“That won’t be necessary. I’ll make a point of going to see her instead. The less time I spend in that suite, the better.”
Nate smiled wide. “You’ll have to sleep in that bed eventually, Annie.”
“Not while you’re in it,” she snapped.
Their server interrupted at that exact moment, introducing herself as Renee and ending their argument. She had a basket of warm, crusty bread and herb butter. “Good evening, Mr. Reed. Mrs. Reed,” she said with a grin. Everyone seemed exceedingly pleased about their boss’s big news. It was quite the little family here at the Sapphire.
Renee continued on about the fresh catch of the day, but Annie didn’t pay very much attention. She was focused entirely on Nate. He was still glaring at her under his blond lashes, despite appearing to look down at the menu with interest. In the past, his glance could send shivers of anticipation up her spine. At the moment, it made her skin crawl. He was surveying her the way she would another player at the poker table. Reading weaknesses. Judging their reactions.
She didn’t like it one bit.
“Champagne, I think. We’re celebrating tonight.”
The single word snapped Annie out of her thoughts. Champagne? She watched Renee disappear around the corner. “You know I don’t drink.”
Nate took a deep breath, fighting to maintain the look of adoration on his face. “Smile, sweetheart. You do tonight. We have to celebrate our reconciliation. Normal people would order champagne.”
“I didn’t drink champagne when we married. Why would I do it now?”
“Because you want a divorce.” He spoke softly, leaning in. “Don’t you?”
“More than anything.” Annie smiled.
Renee returned with a bottle of champagne and two crystal flutes. She filled the glasses, leaving the bottle chilling in a bucket beside the table.
Nate raised his glass, holding it out until Annie reluctantly did the same. “To our marriage,” he said, clinking the crystal against hers.
“And its timely dissolution,” Annie mumbled, quickly bringing the glass to her lips. The golden, bubbly liquid filled her mouth, the flavor surprisingly pleasant and sweet on her tongue. It splashed into her empty stomach, creating a warming sensation that started spreading throughout her body. “Mmm...” She sighed, taking another sip.
Nate watched her suspiciously with his full flute held in midair as she drained half her glass and set it down. “Do you like it?”
“I do.” Annie smiled again, the expression coming much easier than it had before. She had been wound so tightly today, but in an instant she was starting to feel languid, like a house cat stretched out in a sunbeam.
Renee returned just then, ready to take their orders. Annie was suddenly ravenously hungry, ordering more than she would normally. Nate actually smirked through a sip of champagne as she ordered the bacon-wrapped filet and shrimp with the garlic mashed potatoes. He didn’t even know she intended to have dessert, as well. The crème brûlée at Carolina’s was not to be missed.
Renee finished writing and took their menus before she offered to refill her empty glass. Annie accepted gratefully. “What kind of champagne is this? It tastes better than I expected it to.”
“French. And expensive.” Nate frowned, as though he were pinching pennies. More likely he was irritated that his power play hadn’t turned out as he’d hoped.
“Good.” She nearly giggled as she sipped the golden bubbles. The champagne had immediately gone to Annie’s head. She’d told Nate once that she didn’t drink because she didn’t like losing control. That was true, but not entirely. The other reason was that she was a lightweight. Add in that she hadn’t eaten since her layover in Dallas, and you had a recipe for disaster.
She considered tearing off a hunk of the warm bread to soak up some of the alcohol, but resisted. For one thing, she didn’t need the extra carbs. Two, she wanted to be drunk. If he insisted she drink, he was going to find out how big a mistake that truly was.
They sat silently for a few minutes after that. Annie ate her salad ferociously, stopping only long enough to drain her second glass of champagne and pour a third.
Annie knew she should stop, but she just didn’t want to. She didn’t want to sit here, pretending to be in love with him. She couldn’t play nice while her heart was aching every time he looked at her. It was too painful. She wasn’t happy about the way things had ended between them, but she couldn’t change it. There was a good reason she’d run and stayed gone for so many years.
And yet she had a responsibility to fulfill, so she slipped off her heel and let her bare foot roam up under the cuff of his pant leg.
Nate jumped in his seat, his knees whacking the bottom of the table and jingling the glassware. Several people turned to look in their direction, but he quickly recovered with a nervous straightening of his tie.
Annie ignored his pointed gaze, tipping a sip of champagne into her mouth. “You said we had to be convincing, darling.” She set the flute back onto the table with a sweet smile and stroked the firm muscles of his calves with her toes. “Besides, we both know I lose all my good sense when I’m around you.”
* * *
Nate looked at the woman who had occupied his thoughts for the past three years. The giggling mess across the table was not exactly as he remembered her. She’d managed to eat every morsel laid in front of her and drink at least four flutes of champagne.
At the moment she was licking the spoon after her last bite of crème brûlée as though she might never eat again.
He had to give her credit, though. She’d kept up her end of the bargain. Through the meal, she’d looked at him adoringly, fed him bites of her food and leaned in to kiss him on more than one occasion. Anyone watching their exchange would think they were blissfully in love.
The truth was that she was blissfully drunk. A quick glance under the table revealed his biggest fear— four-inch stilettos. Did the woman not own any sensible shoes? There was no way she would be able to walk out of this restaurant with any dignity at all.
Nate quickly surveyed the room. Their dinner had run quite late and most people had cleared out for the evening. It was a Thursday, a big night at some places in Vegas for senior bingo, but that wasn’t the crowd he drew at the Sapphire. If she was determined to embarrass him, she’d chosen the wrong day.
He quickly scribbled his information onto the restaurant tab, tipping Renee heavily. Then he turned back to Annie with a heavy sigh. “Are you finished?”
She reluctantly put her spoon back into the empty ramekin. “I guess so. That is, if I can manage to stand up.”
Nate moved quickly, coming around to help her. She stood, probably too fast, and wobbled for a second before gripping his outstretched arm for dear life.
“Why don’t you—?”
“No,” she insisted, her brow drawn in drunken concentration. “I can do this.” She took a few unsteady steps beside him and then seemed to recover nicely. Just as they approached the entrance to the restaurant, her heel turned beneath her and she threw herself onto the maître d’ stand.
“Whoa there,” she said with an uncertain laugh. In one quick motion, she righted herself and plucked off her shoes. “Much better,” she said, wiggling her toes into the plush and wildly colored casino carpeting.
“What are you doing? You can’t just walk through here barefoot.” Nate frowned.
Annie laughed, walking on and answering casually over her shoulder. “I know the owner. He won’t mind.”
Nate was quick to follow. “I mean it isn’t safe. You could step on something. Drunks break glasses in here all the time. We try to get it all up, but you never know. Besides, the floor could be filthy.”
“You are an old ninny, Nathan.” Annie turned to him and planted her hands on her hips. Her heels dangled helplessly at her side as she wrinkled her nose and actually stuck out her tongue at him.
He could barely trust his eyes. No one on the poker circuit would believe this story if he told it later. The Barracuda, drunk and acting like a fool, albeit a beautiful one. It was unheard of. Unprecedented. And hysterical.
The bubble of laughter rose up in his throat. He couldn’t contain it. The pent-up frustration and disappointment and confusion of the last three years all pooled together at once and exploded out of him in a roar of laughter. His whole body shook with the power of it. Nate actually bowed over, his hands braced on his knees as he chuckled until tears started gathering in the corners of his eyes.
He looked up to see the laughter had doubled Annie’s irritation. Her expression only made it harder for him to breathe. Nate stood up, attempting to calm himself and wiping his face with the back of his hand. It was incredibly therapeutic—more so than the glasses of scotch or hours angrily lifting weights in the hotel gym.
“That’s it, I’m leaving!” she announced, turning and marching away from the restricted area, shoes in hand.
“Annie, come back here.” Nate jogged after her, reaching out to grasp her wrist and jerk her to a stop.
“Let go of me,” she whined, her anger doused by the champagne and reducing her to childish behavior.
Nate tightened his grip. “I will not. You’re going the wrong way. The elevator upstairs is over there.” He pointed.
Annie looked around her, confused, and then recognized her mistake. She started walking in the correct direction but was once again tugged to a stop by Nate. “Would you please let go of me?” she asked, exasperated.
Nate shook his head. “Not until you put your shoes back on.”
“Are you going to make me?” Annie taunted, tugging away again.
That was the wrong thing to say. Nate couldn’t take any more of this. If she wanted to make a scene in his casino, so be it, but he wouldn’t be the one everyone whispered about tomorrow. In one quick motion, he bent and scooped Annie up, tossing her over his shoulder like a kicking, screaming sack of potatoes.
“What the...?” she cried in surprise, but it was already too late.
Nate marched through the casino, his arms tightly gripping her legs to his chest to keep her from kicking him. Her free fists were already pounding at his back, but that was easy to ignore.
“Put me down, Nathan Reed! Put me down this instant,” Annie wailed.
Nate chuckled and disregarded her, walking through the casino as though it were his dry cleaning over his shoulder instead of his wife. Eyes were glued to him from every side, but he didn’t care. He nodded politely to the staff as he passed, just as he did every day.
“Nathan!” she howled.
“You’re only drawing more attention to yourself by yelling, Annie.”
The squirming mass on his shoulder quieted at once, although she still attempted a kick every few feet for good measure. Nate looked up at one of the domed ceiling cameras. He had no doubt that Gabe was watching them and laughing hysterically in the security office. He’d have to remember to save this tape for posterity. Or future blackmail.
Nate swiped his badge and ducked through the doorway to the restricted area. Once safely enclosed, Annie began kicking and screaming anew.
“Put me down!”
“Nope.” Nate called his private elevator and ignored the stiletto heels being pummeled against him. Instead, he held her legs more tightly. He enjoyed the feel of her in his arms, even in the less than ideal circumstance. The warm scent of her perfume was instantly familiar, stirring a heat in his veins. He couldn’t resist letting his fingertips softly stroke the smooth skin of her legs. Her skirt was long enough to protect her virtue as he’d walked through the casino, but it still provided him an excellent view of the firm thighs he’d missed all these years.
When the doors opened, he stepped inside the elevator. Now that they were out of the public view, he could put her down, even though he didn’t want to. Nate wrapped one arm behind her legs and another across the small of her back, slowly easing her to the floor. She clung to him, their bodies in full contact as she slid, inch by inch, to the ground. The simple motion caused a delicious friction as he felt her every curve press into him.
When her feet finally touched the ground, Annie looked up at him, her eyes blazing with blue fire. But not from desire. The impact of the powerful moment was overshadowed by his stunt. Either that or it just made her angrier that she reacted to him.
“You jackass,” she screeched as she swung her purse to strike him. Nate reached out and grabbed hold of her wrist before she could make contact. It only fueled her irritation. “How dare you manhandle me like that? I...I am not one of your employees you can shuffle around at will! I—”
Nate interrupted her tirade by capturing her mouth with his. He wasn’t about to let her poisonous words ruin this moment. Annie fought it for only a moment before succumbing to her desires and wrapping her arms around his neck to tug him closer. The kiss was hard and almost desperate as they came together for their first real kiss in three years.
He backed her up until she was pinned against the brass doors of the elevator. With the heavy thud of their bodies against the cold metal, it was as though the floodgates had opened. Nate could feel the intensity of their touches start to build, their hands feverishly dancing over their bodies as their mouths threatened to devour each other. He’d waited three long years to touch her body again and at last, he could.
His palm cupped her breast through the silky fabric of her shirt. She moaned, her body arching to press against him. “Oh, Nate,” she whispered.
The elevator came to a stop. Nate pulled her to him as the doors slid open behind her. He knew that he should let her go. This was not part of his plan, but he just couldn’t make himself do it. It felt right to have Annie in his arms again, even if she’d done nothing but aggravate him all evening.
He let his thumb gently trace the line of her jaw and relished the feel of her soft skin. Her eyes closed and lips parted slightly with a soft intake of breath. Her whole body relaxed into him, her anger a distant memory.
Annie opened her eyes and looked up at him. There was an obvious invitation in her blue gaze. Despite her earlier protests, too much champagne and not enough kissing had changed her mind. It had changed his, too. No matter what happened after they married, the times they’d spent in one another’s arms had always been fantastic. Every nerve in his body urged him to indulge it. If he stepped off this elevator with her, he would have her naked and in his bed in minutes. Exactly what he’d told Gabe he wouldn’t do.
So what the hell was he doing?
Nate straightened up and gently grasped Annie’s shoulders. “Good night, Annie.”
She frowned for a moment before he gave her a firm but gentle push. The movement was enough to send her stumbling backward out of the elevator and into the foyer of his suite. He quickly hit the button, closing the doors and sending him back to the casino, leaving them both aroused and alone.
Four
Annie was awakened the next morning by the sound of the shower running. She pushed herself up in bed, eyeing the pristine blankets on Nate’s side. He must have slept on the couch.
She hoped he had a crick in his neck from it. After he’d wound her up then dropped her like a rock last night, he deserved it. When he’d kissed her so fiercely, she’d thought that perhaps he was as attracted to her as she still was to him. But when she stumbled back onto the landing and watched the cold, impassive expression on his face as the elevator doors closed, she’d known she was wrong.
Nate hated her. Anything and everything he could do to make her miserable—including turning her on and leaving her unsatisfied—was on the table for the next week. He’d lured her back to Las Vegas with this poker tournament just so he could slowly torture her. It was a devious plot, and a part of her knew she deserved it for leaving the way she had, but that didn’t mean she was just going to sit back and take it.
If Nate thought he could use their physical connection to manipulate her, he had another think coming. Two could play at that game. He’d desired her once; she could make him want her again. Silently seducing and manipulating men was at least half of her poker strategy. That’s why her sweaters were so low cut and her skirts were so tight. Poker required concentration, and she’d learned early on that being attractive was one of her biggest advantages in a game dominated by men.
The water turned off and Annie heard the glass door of the shower stall open and close. She quickly smoothed her hands over her hair and wished she was wearing pajamas with more seductive appeal. Her thin cotton shorts didn’t quite fit the bill, so she tugged up the sheets so only her skimpy matching tank top would show.
The door opened a moment later to reveal a wet and steamy Nate. He had a dark blue towel wrapped low on his hips that drew the eye down his hard belly to the line of darkening hair that disappeared beneath the terry cloth. His golden curls were damp, his face freshly shaved. Annie tried to focus on looking alluring, but it was hard when she was face-to-face with a body like his. Every inch was hard-carved muscle.
Nate paused in the doorway. His glance flicked briefly to the snug fit of her top over her breasts and returned to her eyes. “Good, you’re up. You need to get ready. Gabe will be here in about an hour to brief you on our strategy.”
Annie abandoned her attempt at alluring Nate and frowned. “Strategy?”
“For you snitching, as you’ve called it.”
Annie had been so distracted by last night’s events that she’d forgotten about the deal she’d made. She wasn’t just posing as his happy bride in public and feuding with him in private. She was supposed to be spying. Cracking the ring. Earning her freedom. The tournament officially started tomorrow, but everyone would be arriving today for the kickoff, registration and the cocktail party.