The Big Blind (Nadia Wolf) (12 page)

Remy nodded and ushered me into the back seat.

“I don’t need anything,” I said. “I’m fine.”

Greyson eyed me as he slipped into the limo. “You’re wearing a burnt costume, and your hair is singed. Not to mention, you’ll probably have a nasty headache later.”

“My hair?” My hand flew to inspect my hair. “Is it okay? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Don’t worry about it. I can hire a stylist to come and fix it.”

I contemplated. “Why are you doing this?”

“Do I need a reason?”

“Most people do.”

“How about a vacation from work for twenty-four hours?”

“You wouldn’t actually be taking a vacation since you’re still on property. You’ll have your phone and probably a laptop too.”

“You’re taking the fun out of this.”

“Greyson, please don’t take offense, but you seem like a man who is married to his work. Marriage doesn’t get vacations.”

“That’s not a glowing recommendation for marriage.”

“If you met a woman and fell head-over-heels in love with her, would you marry her?”

He shook his head. “It wouldn’t be fair to marry her. You’re right about me. My job comes first. She would end up being a trophy wife and would have to compete for my attention.”

“So, there’s the end to your vacation.”

He smirked. “We barely know each other and yet you already know me better than I know myself.”

“You might want to work on that.”

“Are you okay? I think your eyes just crossed.”

“I felt a twinge.”

His arm reached around my shoulder, bringing me to lean against him. I settled against him as if it was natural to be near him. I didn’t fight it. My head was already throbbing. His scent drifted to me. It was a clean scent with the slightest hint of expensive cologne making my insides hum.

Remy dropped us off at the front entrance of the casino and drove back to pick up the VIPs. Greyson steered me to the elevator using his keycard to access the top floor where his penthouse resides.

My face sprang into an awestruck gawk as I stepped inside the penthouse. My entire apartment would fit in it four times over. The living room was classy with clean lines, warm tones, and a distinct impression it was designed specifically for a man. Black accents were sprinkled through the room. The kitchen had a steel-gray granite top, stainless steel appliances, and drop down lighting which was more for style than function.

“Will this be okay as your home for the next twenty-four hours?” Greyson asked.

This would be okay as my home for the rest of my life.

I smirked. “I was hoping for something a little more upscale and classy.”

He chuckled and pressed a light kiss on my forehead before going into the kitchen. My fingers touched where his kiss had fallen. Is there something going on here? My thoughts strayed to Caleb, but I shook him out of my head. Caleb and I weren’t going to work, and Greyson wouldn’t be in it for the long haul. I needed to keep them both at bay until I figure it out. But not until my headache disappears.

There was a knock on the door. Greyson opened it to let Mya in. She bounded in like a Labrador puppy but stopped in her tracks when she caught a glimpse of me.

“Nadia, what happened to you?”

“A little incident involving fire.”

“I was told Greyson needed supplies, but I didn’t know they were for you. I was coming to check on what he needed.”

“Nadia is going to stay with me for twenty-four hours,” Greyson said. “Doctor’s orders in case you start getting ideas in your head.”

Mya put her nose up. “I don’t know what you’re referring to.”

“Since I’ve known you, you’ve tried to marry me to at least one woman every month.”

“If you would marry one of them, I wouldn’t have to keep trying.”

His eyes crinkled with a smile. He gave her a kiss on the forehead, sending her with a list of things to bring back to the room. I relaxed after he gave her a kiss on the forehead. It’s probably just something he does. I wonder if he accidentally kisses his employees or business partners. I smiled at the image of him kissing his newest Japanese business partner on the forehead.

“Why don’t you go take a shower? It will make you feel better and then hopefully Mya will have some clothes ready for you. If not, just use one of the robes.”

“We should have stopped at my place. I could have at least changed my clothes.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

I steered myself to his bathroom. I stared in wonder at his standup shower. You could fit a small elephant in it. There were showerheads from every direction all facing the center. I searched for a knob to turn the shower on.

“How do I turn it on?” I shouted.

“Just step in to it,” he shouted from the living room.

I stripped off my singed dress and stepped hesitantly into the shower. The water immediately cascaded down and was the perfect temperature. My muscles wilted with unexpected surrender. A basket full of boutique soaps and shampoos were within reach. I smelled each one trying to figure out which one Greyson used. I couldn’t determine the exact one so I picked the calming lavender.

I stood there longer than I would have in my shower letting the experience and water wash away my headache and the memory of a night I never want to remember. I sighed as I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around myself. I wasn’t ready to leave the place that wrapped me in a cuddly water cocoon, but I didn’t want to keep Greyson waiting. Maybe if I got messy again I could take another shower before my time was up.

I donned a robe and found my way back to the living room. Greyson was immersed in his laptop but caught a glimpse of me and smiled.

“I thought I might need to come in there and drag you out. I was afraid you were trying to sneak in a nap.”

“Your shower is impressive. I think you can reconsider marriage. She wouldn’t really need you. One shower could satisfy a person for a week.”

“It was that good?”

“To die for,” I said, plopping down on the couch. I winced as a zing raced through my brain.

“Are you okay?”

“It could be a headache . . . or my brain was zapped by a lightning bolt.”

“Mya brought some stuff. She was insistent that I should let her stay, but I told her she could harass you later if that’s okay. I think there’s some headache medicine.” He dug through the bag and pulled out a bottle. “There’s also an ice pack and a heating pad. I don’t know which you would need. Do you want them?”

“Just the medicine for now.”

Greyson brought me a bottle of water and two tablets. I shot them in my mouth and took a gulp of water.

“You officially have twenty-three hours to go. Do you want to watch a movie with me?”

“It’s Friday night,” I stated, inspecting him. He was still in a suit and all business.

“Is that a yes for the movie?”

“Why aren’t you on a date? Even Frankie has a date tonight.”

“I don’t plan ahead because I inevitably have to cancel. If I need to find a date, I do so at the last moment.”

“Uh-huh.”

“What does that mean? I can see your wheels turning.”

“Nothing really. I think sometimes I would like to be a man.”

He smiled. “Perhaps in your next life.”

“Perhaps,” I said. “I want to see your secret spy stuff.”

“I don’t have secret spy stuff.”

“Yes, you do. You know everything that happens. You knew about my wager with Caleb as it was happening. You were at the tournament minutes after the lights went out. How is that possible if you don’t have secret spy stuff?”

He laughed. “Would you like a tour of the super secret spy room?”

“Yes.”

“Now aren’t you glad I don’t have a date? Get dressed and we’ll head down.”

I bounded off the couch but had to grab my stomach and my head to steady myself.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” He asked.

“Yes. You’re stuck with me for twenty-three more hours, and I’ll drive you crazy if you don’t show me.” Plus, it would keep us out of the penthouse and far away from treacherous temptation.

I snatched the bag Mya brought and dug around. I pulled out jeans and a stretchy t-shirt. I also pulled out something resembling a bra and panties. But with hardly any fabric, it was questionable. I took my items to the bathroom and dressed. I tied my hair back into a ponytail overlapping my burnt hair with some healthier strands.

Greyson was waiting when I stepped back into the living room. He had changed from his Armani suit into relaxed jeans and a deep blue button-down shirt leaving the bottom untucked. I stopped in my tracks. His shoulders were wide and his body tapered down to narrow hips. I had the sudden urge to unbutton his shirt, button by button, and kiss his chest all the way down . . .

He raised an eyebrow.

I shook the image of his naked body out of my head. I think the conk on my head must have some side effects. If his body was a tenth as delicious as I imagined it, I might have to work harder to keep my hands to myself.

“I just didn’t expect to see you without a suit,” I said to cover my obvious ogling.

“I do have a little bit of a life outside my suit,” he said, scooting me out the door.

I would love to help him out of his suit.
Down girl!

He led me into the elevator where I stood on the opposite side so I didn’t do anything I might regret. We arrived on the main floor where I followed him down a few hallways leading to various parts of the casino. This part was all public space, and as a frequent player at this casino I had seen it all before.

“Greyson,” a woman called out.

I turned around to see Catarina and instantly groaned. Greyson glanced down at me.

“I thought it was you,” she said as she neared him. “I saw you at Lupier’s performance tonight. The main act was great, but I can’t say the same for the opening act.” A slithery smile escaped aimed directly at me.

“What can I do for you, Catarina?”

“Have you been avoiding me lately?”

“No, I’ve been busy.”

“You’re always busy,” she said, casting an evil eye in my direction. “But not so busy as to spend time with her. You know she’s been playing around with Caleb, right?”

My eyes narrowed.

“Catarina, I’ll talk to you later. This isn’t a discussion we need to have now,” he said.

My stomach lurched. Did Catarina already sink her claws into Greyson? Is there a man alive who hasn’t had a Catarina sample platter?

“Alright,” she said, stepping closer. Her finger gently touched his shirt button. “Later tonight?”

“No, I’m busy.”

She flashed her eyes at me. “Don’t bother with her. She’s so plain and boring. Why would you want her when you can have me?”

Greyson sidestepped her slipping his hand into mine. “Goodnight, Cat.”

Catarina glared while Greyson led me away.

When we were far enough away, Greyson peered down at me. “Sorry about Catarina.”

I shrugged. “She dove into every poker player’s bed already. I’m sure she wants to set her next score higher. Maybe that’s why she’s been netting magicians too.”

“Which is why I’ve been avoiding her.”

I stopped in my tracks. My hand slipped out of Greyson’s. “You mean you haven’t already?”

“Slept with her? No.” Greyson’s fingers threaded through mine, resuming our path.

When I didn’t speak, because I was trying to comprehend a man passing up sex, he said, “Are you stunned into silence?”

“I didn’t think the day would come.”

He chuckled. “When a man can resist having sex?”

“Frankly, yes.”

He used his key card to access an employee-only hallway and once more to access a room.

My eyes widened as he opened the door and allowed me in.

“It’s like a spy film,” I said.

The walls of the large room were covered in monitors. Strategic stations with buttons and switches were posted along the monitor walls for security to watch.

A man in a security uniform hurried over to Greyson. “I wasn’t expecting to see you,” the man said.

“I’m giving Nadia a tour. Did Remy notify you she would be in the penthouse for the next twenty-four hours?”

The man’s eyes drifted to me but snapped back to Greyson. “Yes, he said she would be here.”

Greyson asked him a few questions about various business issues as I roamed around the room peering at monitors. They must have hundreds of cameras on property. Some of the monitors had only one camera dedicated to it while others flipped through several camera shots. I halted when I caught a glimpse of the high stakes room. Caleb was still there.

It’s not uncommon for a poker player to work the table for an entire day. So I didn’t think anything about it until I spotted the dealer sweeping chips away from Caleb.

“What the hell?”