Dr. Hot Stuff (Ponderosa Resort Romantic Comedies Book 9) by Tawna Fenske

Author:Tawna Fenske [Fenske, Tawna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-10T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Bradley

I’ve played poker with these guys for a few years, so I know their tells like I know the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

In Jon Bracelyn’s case, they’re similar: A slight flush, a bit of twitchiness. It’s the opposite of his brother, Sean, who slumps in his chair looking deliberately bored when he has a kickass hand he doesn’t want anyone to know about.

“Call.” James Bracelyn tosses a handful of chips into the pot, a master at hiding his thoughts.

I watch Austin study him, using his cop mojo to get a read on the unflappable eldest Bracelyn. My guess is Chief Dugan sees the same thing I do—the faintest furrow in James’s brow, the way he rests his elbows on the table when he’d never normally be so casual.

“I’m in.” Mark is harder to read, with his bushy beard and perpetual scowl. His tell? “Anyone want this last cupcake, or can I have it?”

There it is. I resist the urge to smile, pleased with my ability to gauge the table. Everyone except—

“In.” Dan pushes a pile of chips across the table, his scowl never wavering. For the last hour, I’ve tried to get a read on the guy. Nada. Zip. Nothing.

The only thing I picked up on is the slight bulge at his ankle when he stood to use the restroom. I learned to wear an ankle holster during tactical training, so my money’s on that. From the slight flicker in Chief Dugan’s eyes, he caught the same thing. Does Austin have his service weapon somewhere close?

We go a few more rounds, with Dante winning two more hands and amassing a small fortune in poker chips. James normally dominates the table, but he’s distracted by his phone, scowling down at the screen periodically before typing out hurried responses.

“So, Dan.” Sean leans back in his seat and studies the other man across the table. “What is it you do for a living?”

Dante looks up, his expression unreadable. “I’m in the service industry.”

Austin cocks his head. “What sort of service?”

“Whatever needs doing.”

“Huh.” Sean lays his cards on the table and shakes his head. “I’m out. Anyone want another beer?”

A couple guys nod, but not me. I’m trying to figure out how to steer the conversation back to Dante’s job. Back to whatever the hell brought him here to the resort.

Dante’s watching me, too, and the result is a couple guys weirdly staring at each other instead of their cards.

He’s first to break the silence. “What branch of the military were you in?”

I push aside my discarded cards and work to keep my expression cool. “Army.” I clear my throat. “Izzy mentioned it?”

“Nope.”

He doesn’t say anything else. Just goes back to petting Long Long Peter, one scarred hand stroking the bunny’s soft back. I’m not sure if it’s comfort or terror keeping the creature glued to his lap, but I’m trusting Mark to jump in if his pet seems distressed.

“How about you, Dan?” Austin leans forward and gives Dante his congenial, good-cop stare. “You seem like someone who spent time in the armed forces.

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