Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 37136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
My mama’s words fill my heart, and I feel myself relax. I remember so many things she told me, but some stick out more than others. I step out of the stall and go over to the sink, wash my hands, and touch up my make-up.
I look at myself in the mirror and smile. “Make him treat you like a princess. For all he knows, you are one.”
I walk back to the table with a bit more confidence. If he wants to drop some of his cold hard cash on me, I’ll certainly let him. Whatever hidden agenda he may have, I’m sure I’ll figure it out. But until then, I’m keeping this fun. I’m going to have a good time and enjoy my dinner.
Antonio stands as I approach the table and waits until I’ve taken my seat before he sits down.
“I took the liberty of ordering for you. I hope you don’t mind,” he says as a waiter approaches.
“From what I hear there’s not a bad thing on the menu, so I’ll take the surprise. Thank you.”
The waiter approaches, wheeling over a table with the champagne on it. I can’t help but snort at the presentation. This thing ought to come out served on the feathers of angels’ wings and washed off with unicorn tears.
“Something wrong?” Antonio asks as the waiter opens the champagne dramatically.
“Oh, not a thing, Daddy Warbucks. Just watching this guy pour up a small country into a glass.”
He smiles at my joke, leaning back in his chair and steepling his hands in front of him, just watching me. I absentmindedly lick my lips as the waiter puts the champagne flute in front of me.
“After you, Sweet Cream.”
I laugh at his nickname. It’s just as ridiculous as Peaches, and he knows it. It feels as if on one level we’re playing a game, and on another it feels as if we’re intertwining our souls. How can the two happen at the same time? How can I feel as if I’m falling in love with a total stranger who’s said ten words to me?
I pick up the flute and hold it up in a toast. Antonio does the same, and I lean in a little to whisper. The waiter has since left, but I like the idea of sharing a secret with Antonio.
“I only drink champagne on two occasions. When I’m in love and when I’m not.”
Antonio laughs, and shakes his head. “Wrong Coco Chanel quote, Sweet Cream. You should have used ‘The best things in life are free. The second best things are very, very expensive.’”
He softly clinks his flute to mine, and I can’t help the wicked smile I give him. This man knew my quote and bested me on it. I like a challenge.
I take a sip of the champagne and close my eyes, swallowing and tasting the cold bubbly.
“So? Worth a small country?”
Opening my eyes and looking at him, I set the glass down and sit back in my seat. I raise my eyebrow at him, and he smiles, shaking his head.
“It’s not bad,” I finally admit, having to give in a little. It tastes like good champagne, but I’m not sure I’d want to order another bottle.
“Can I say that I’m a little disappointed that diamonds didn’t pour out of the bottle?”
I can’t help the laugh that tumbles out of me. He’s too adorable, and my cheeks hurt from smiling at him so much.
“Tell me about you, Peaches.”
“How about you tell me why you want me to call you Antonio when everyone calls you Don?” I retort, trying to deflect. Men love to talk about themselves. Just ask the right questions and you never have to say a single word about yourself all night. Most of them don’t even remember your name. It works for someone like me, someone who needs to get what she wants, but also needs to blend in.
“Antonio Cortez is my real name. Everyone calls me Don. You’re not everyone. Now tell me why you’re counting cards around Vegas.”
I’m surprised at how quickly he turns the conversation back to me.
“Do you want me to leave your casino?” I take another sip of my champagne, hoping this isn’t his polite way of kicking me out.
“No. I don’t care if you take the house. I just want you close.”
I nearly choke on the bubbles when I hear his blunt statement. After I swallow, I laugh a little. “You’re okay with me bankrupting the Golden Peacock?”
“Tell me your real name.”
“Don’t change the subject,” I deflect again, not wanting to talk about me.
“I will tell you anything you ever want to know about me, but I want to talk to you as you. Not as someone you pretend to be. I’ve lived long enough and made enough money that it all means nothing. It’s only money. But you, you’re real. And that I would never want to lose.”
His words shock me and make me warm all over. There’s a heat between us that is unexplainable, and his honesty about his feelings are fast and scary. I can feel my heart beating rapidly in my chest, and I lick my lips as I try to find the words to deny him what he wants.
In the end, I can’t do it. “Georgia,” I whisper, wanting to give him everything he asks for.
Feeling his warm fingers on mine, I look down at my hands. He opens his hand, palm down on the table, and I slide mine into his, looking at his tanned skin against my soft white. He has calluses I didn't expect, and I feel them as his big palm wraps around mine, the muscles of his wrist flexing.
It’s completely insane that the feel of his skin on my skin should feel so perfect. That the small touch has my whole body alive with passion I’ve never felt. Looking down at where we’re connected, it’s as if I’ve done this a thousand times, our bodies holding memories we can’t recall.
When I look up into his bright blue eyes, I see the softness there. I want to fall into them and never come out. I want to trust him and let him hold me so that I can finally stop pretending to be something I’m not.