The Gamble (The Players Book 3) by Emma Nichols

Author:Emma Nichols [Nichols, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-08-27T18:30:00+00:00

9

Drew

When she walked into the bathroom to change, it felt like she’d actually walked out of my life. Talia had been so preoccupied by her brother’s call, she hadn’t even really paid attention to me. While I dressed, I worked to process what I knew. As I added it up, I felt better… and worse.

“You’re not who I thought you were,” I commented as she wandered out of the bathroom.

“I believe you established that earlier. Can you just zip me please?” She turned around and stood patiently, her hair thrown over one shoulder.

I didn’t want to be distracted by her smooth skin, or her gorgeous neck. I tried to ignore all of this as I slowly pulled the black metal slider up her back, closing her off from me a little more. “There,” I murmured when I was done.

Talia faced me and nodded. “Thank you.” Her shoulders slumped as she marched back to the bathroom.

“So, we’re back to being polite again?” I called after her.

She stiffened. Turning partway, she shrugged. “Sure. Why not? It’s better than wasting any energy on being angry.” She frowned. When I didn’t say anything else, she moved into the bathroom to finish getting ready.

This time, the door remained open. I didn’t know if it was meant as an invitation or simply happened by accident, but she didn’t seem to mind when I showed up behind her. I reached around her to the Tiffany’s boxes on the vanity. “Let me help.” Slightly, almost imperceptibly, she nodded. After opening the box and the leather pouch, I let the necklace pour out into my hand.

Her eyes were wide as I reached around and draped the pearls around her neck. Then she touched them ever so lovingly with her fingers. “I’ve never owned anything so beautiful. Thank you, Drew.”

“You’re more than welcome.” As I hooked the clasp in the back, I leaned in and kissed her shoulder. I watched in the mirror as her eyelids fluttered. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were attracted to me,” I commented absently.

“You have no idea.” Talia closed her lips tightly and shook her head.

“Tell me. I want to understand. You share with me, and I’ll share with you.” I spoke as serenely as possible, as if I were trying to tame a savage beast instead of regain the trust of the most attractive woman I’d ever spent time with.

She glanced at the time on her cellphone and showed me the screen. “Not now. The wedding starts in about forty-five minutes. We still have to get down there.”

I could tell she had a string of excuses at the ready. Luckily, I had years of experience with slaying them. I could’ve been a lawyer, the way I’d turned arguing into an art form. “We’d better make time. I need to know where you stand, where we stand, so I can mentally prepare for the big event.”

“The wedding will be beautiful, quiet. You’ll love it.” Talia laid a reassuring hand on my wrist.

The warmth penetrated the cuff and I melted under her touch.

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