Betting It All by Cate Masters

Author:Cate Masters [Masters, Cate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Published: 2013-08-14T04:00:00+00:00

Mac’s fingers danced across the keys, and he gave himself over to the music. Ah, but it felt grand to lose his troubles in a song.

As he ended one of his favorite Beethoven sonatas, his neck hair stood on end. He glanced up to see Norah only a few feet away, staring.

He let his hands fall away from the keys. “Sorry. Couldn’t help myself. If I don’t practice, I get rusty.”

She spoke as if awakened from a sweet dream. “It was beautiful.”

So was she. Her hair, loosely bound in a knot and hanging to one side, made his fingers curl, wanting to explore the silken strands.

He forced himself to look away. “People generally like it.”

Her steps tentative, like testing the thickness of ice, she drew nearer. “Do you know other such songs?”

Had she never heard classical music? “Yes.” His fingers stroked the keys, teasing out another song. A slow melody, pretty enough to the ear, but haunting. He focused on his playing, though fully aware of her movements. Slowly, she approached and settled her elbows atop the piano and rested her head on her arms. Oh, that she might lean on him that way….

After he ended the song, she sighed. “I had no idea.”

He sent her a sidelong look. “Does this mean you’ll let me play for your customers?”

She stepped backward. “I can’t.”

Defeat slumped his shoulders. Such a hard-headed woman. He’d touched her soul with his music, but it wasn’t enough. Nothing was ever enough for her. “Right.” He plucked a sour chord.

“I can’t afford to pay a bartender and a piano player.” The way she said it sounded more like a plea than an argument.

Maybe he still had a chance. “We could always play a hand of poker, and you could pay me with your winnings.”

“What if I don’t win?” She turned away, evading him.

“The odds are in your favor by design, aren’t they?” He let his fingers wander down the keys in a plucky manner.

“What do you mean?”

The alarm in her face told him she knew exactly what he meant, but he explained in a casual tone. “Your methods are good, but not undetectable. I knew what you were doing on the train.”

Her eyes widened. “Why didn’t you turn me in, then?”

“I figured you must need the money.”

She tilted up her chin. “I left that lifestyle behind in Trenton.”

“Or on the train.” Somewhat outside Trenton’s borders.

Her cheeks flushed a rosy hue. She squared her shoulders. “Yes. On the train. I’m making a new life here.”

He rose. “So am I.” Did he really need to remind her?

“I know. Maybe in the future, I can help you.”

He scanned her length. She could help him right now. If he didn’t depend on her for his weekly wage, he’d take three steps to whisk her up in his arms, carry her up to her bed, and unleash the devil on her. Maybe bring out the she-devil in her as well. Yes, he’d love to see that. Feel her slender calf along his waist, her hair tumbling around her shoulders.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.