Betting the Moon: Cannon Pack, Book 4 Read online

  Following her through the double doors of the ballroom, Tucker checked the open lobby area of the second floor, searching for her. A flash of golden hair caught from the corner of his eye turned him to the right, and a sign pointing the way to the restrooms gave him reassurance that he was headed in the correct direction. Bursting through a set of metal doors, he barreled down the empty corridor and passed by several Employees Only doors.

  Holding on to the edge of the wall for balance, he skidded around the corner just in time to catch a glimpse of her face through the closing gap of the ladies’ restroom door. He slammed to a stop and for the first time wondered what he’d do once he caught up with her. Granted, he wanted her. Hell, he wouldn’t be surprised to find his shaft flying high, ready for action. He checked and was relieved to find no bulging sign of an erection.

  Unsure what to do, he backtracked around the corner and plopped into the only chair in the long, empty corridor leading back to the lobby and the ballroom beyond. If she wanted to continue playing—and of course she did—she’d have to get by him first. No way would a pro like Mari Thornton forfeit a chance at winning. All he had to do was wait for her to reappear.

  Chapter Two

  Ante Up

  Mari pulled the door open a crack and peeked out. Seeing no one lingering in the hall, she let out a pent-up breath and stepped into the hallway.

  Even now she couldn’t understand her reaction to Tucker. Sure, he was hot, but she’d been around handsome men. Plenty of them. None had affected her like Tucker had.

  Although he’d done nothing to her, said nothing to her, she’d still reacted like a trapped victim under the unblinking stare of a predator. Hell, she’d taken off as fast as a frightened bunny. Then he’d rushed after her and rattled her even more.

  She frowned, irritated by the way she’d handled the situation. She’d sensed something different about him, and it had unsettled her, but to respond the way she had? So not cool. She prided herself on keeping her emotions in check during a tournament, and when she’d lost her composure, she’d had no option except to get away from him.

  But why had he chased her? She nibbled at her lower lip, then forced herself to stop, rubbing her lip as though to rid herself of the nervous tell once and for all.

  She paused, needing a couple of deep breaths before she dared to head down the hallway. If she was lucky—and she was always very lucky—he’d given up and gone back to the tables. Mari listened to the quiet, straining her ears to pick up any sound, but heard nothing. The coast was clear, and she was through acting like a silly girl. Taking a steadying breath, she strode forward, her game face firmly in place, determined to be ready the next time she saw him. Smiling with a confidence she didn’t quite command, she turned the corner and ran into a wall of testosterone.

  “Finally.”

  Mari jumped away from Tucker, but recovered quickly and tried to step past him. “Excuse me, but—”

  “Not so fast.” He sidestepped and blocked her path, causing her to bump into him again.

  “Holy hell.” Shaken, Mari shuffled back a foot, lifted her gaze to his mesmerizing blue eyes, then struggled to look away.

  “Hang on a sec, will ya?” He took her by the arms, steadying her, and pulled her closer.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Mari pushed away from him, but he held on to her. An intoxicating scent of aftershave and a unique masculinity drifted to her, sending an unfamiliar but oh-so-wonderful feeling through her entire body. Tingling from her head to her toes, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, for a moment unconcerned that he’d cornered her.

  “I just want to introduce myself.”

  She opened her eyes to find him scrutinizing her. His eyes reminded her of the eyes of a Siberian husky, soft yet mesmerizing. Her breathing grew shallow, her throat constricting.

  Relax. Poker players studied each other all the time, in and out of the game. This was no different. In the same second she’d had the thought, she knew she was fooling herself. The way he studied her was different. Deeper. More intense. Sexual.

  “Okay. Fine. Do it, but let me go.” She cast a pointed look at the hand still clutching her arm.

  “Sorry.” He released her but didn’t step away. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  Did he mean in the ballroom, when he’d chased her down the hallway, or when she’d slammed into him? Probably when she’d slammed into his big, strong, masculine, virile… Stop!

  “You didn’t startle me.”

  The flash in his eyes told her he recognized her lie.

  When the time is right, go all in. Heeding another of Tommy’s lessons, she stuck out her hand. “I’m Mari Thornton.”

  Unlike a lot of the male poker players who often tried to intimidate her with an overly strong handshake, Tucker took her palm in his and gently but firmly squeezed her hand.

  “Hi, darlin’.” He gave her a crooked smile and out came the adorable dimples again. “I’m Tucker Manning.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Tucker.” Damn, why was her voice trembling? “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back.”

  Again he stepped in front of her, but this time he knew better than to grab her. She glanced at his hands, strangely irritated that he hadn’t.

  “So do I, but I need to do something else first.”

  Although she was intrigued, she kept her curiosity hidden. At least she hoped she did. Instead, she arched an eyebrow and adopted an irritated expression. “Fine, then do it. Just let me pass first, then you can do whatever it is you need to do.” Darting to his right, she attempted to hurry past him and once again failed.

  He grabbed her, then crushed his mouth against hers. She gasped, struggled to push him away for a moment, then drew in his breath, her mind reeling. He wrapped his arms around her, tugging her closer until nothing separated their bodies.

  Fight! Scream! Call for help! Kick him in the balls! But, suddenly, kicking was the last thing she wanted to do to his balls.

  Instead, she kissed him back and tugged on his shoulders, needing him, wanting him like an ice-cold drink on a blistering desert day. He moaned, then sucked as she slid her tongue into his mouth. An explosion of desire erupted inside her, blasting outward in spirals of heat. She pushed her breasts against his chest.

  He slid his hand lower to inch the material of her skirt higher. But the fire of desire inside her couldn’t wait. Lifting her leg and wrapping it around his, she hitched her skirt higher. He rubbed against her mons, his shaft hard against her as he fondled her butt.

  Slipping her hands along his wide shoulders, she itched to run her fingers through his hair and hold on, keeping his kiss to her lips. He nibbled at her bottom lip, then slammed her against the wall. He drank from her as much as she did from him. She bit his upper lip in return, and a sexy groan rumbled in his throat.

  “Get higher.” His voice had changed, gone deeper, grittier, almost animal-like in a sexy growl.

  She obeyed his command by jumping and wrapping both legs around his waist. The rough texture of his jeans rubbed her inner thighs as his belt buckle’s cool metal pressed into the curls above her pussy.

  Breaking the kiss, he grazed his teeth down her throat, nipping at her skin to follow a path between her breasts. He mumbled incomprehensible words against her skin and used his body to hold hers against the wall. Fumbling, he tried to unbutton her blouse.

  She giggled, brushed his hands off, then pretended to undo the buttons. He brought his lips to her shoulders, alternating kisses with nibbles as he moved to her ear. Closing her eyes, she let the spell flow through her mind and out her parted lips. The buttons undid themselves and when she opened her eyes, she found Tucker staring hungrily at her cleavage.

  “Is something wrong?” Had he noticed the buttons moving by themselves? Did he sense that she possessed magic?

  He shook his head, then after a quick look asking for permission she didn’t bother to give, he yanked her bra down and pulled
a breast free. She gasped, wondered if he’d torn her bra and found she didn’t care. Instead she arched, meeting him as he found her nipple. He would take what he wanted and she wouldn’t regret giving it to him.

  Mari moaned and reached for his hand. Taking it, she pushed it between their bodies and placed his palm over the vee of her thong. Tucker worked his fingers underneath the lacy material.

  “Oh, God. Yes.” Damn, he knew exactly what to do and how to touch her. She cried out, her clit pulsing with need.

  Tucker ran a finger between her wet folds. Circling the tender button of flesh, he rubbed her, matching the rhythm with his tongue as he tortured her nipple. When he broke free, she cried out. “No. Don’t stop. Keep sucking.”

  “Say my name.” His breath warmed her cheek, his intense gaze on hers. “I want to taste my name as you say it.”

  “Tucker. Tuc—”

  He muffled the sound, his mouth crushed to hers again. She clutched his shoulders, digging her nails into the material. Toned muscles worked under her fingers, and she imagined ripping the shirt from him to feel his granite-like chest under her palms and against her breasts. Another quick spell, this time on the buttons of his shirt, and she pushed aside the denim.

  “Oh, my God.” His chest was a hard rock turned into tanned skin.

  Keeping her to him, he carried her away from the wall and sat her down on the chair, then dropped to his knees in front of her.

  “What if someone sees us? An employee, maybe.”

  He tossed a look down the corridor, then shook his head. “Then they’d better watch or get the hell out because I don’t intend to stop until I damn well want to.” His wicked grin filled her with excitement. “I wouldn’t mind an audience.”

  I need to stop him. Hell, I need to stop me.

  He ran his palms down her legs, then skimmed them along her calves. The simple touch sent spirals of heat rushing through her. She parted her lips, the anticipation of what he might do next wiping away her concerns. She moaned, then reached for him as he pulled away, but he didn’t go far. Pushing her skirt to her waist, he shoved her legs apart, then tore the thong from her. She grasped the arms of the chair, her hands growing white with her grip. She held her breath as he leaned forward.

  Tucker planted kisses over her belly then dipped his tongue inside her belly button. She squirmed, the coolness of the air conditioning on the wet spots he’d left fighting the heat between her legs. He seared her skin with his eyes, adding to the fire burning hotter inside her. Leaning forward, he tracked his tongue over her skin and tickled the crack of her pussy.

  “Oh, wow.” She’d whispered, but the sound echoed in the quiet hallway.

  Placing a finger to his lips to warn her to be silent, he gave her a wicked grin, then brought his head lower again, slipping his arms under her legs and bringing her to him. She held her breath, her heart racing.

  He pulled her folds apart and blew. Her body trembled, not against the chill of the air, but in anticipation. “Please.”

  “Do you want me to eat you?” His eyes flashed with hunger, his mouth parted, the pearly white of long eyeteeth peeking out over his lip.

  A brief wonder at the length of his teeth flitted through her consciousness only to be swept aside by mind-numbing lust. She groaned and tried to force him closer.

  He darted his tongue out to tickle the fleshy part of her. Pinpoints of desire shot out from her core. She inhaled, her body exploding under the sensations his touch gave her.

  “Hmm, you already taste so good, and I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet. I’m not sure I can handle the sweetness of your clit.” His wicked grin turned her already topsy-turvy stomach to mush. “Do you taste as good as I think you will?”

  She cleared her throat, her gaze fixed to his, and scooted lower on the chair. “Find out for yourself. Now stop teasing me and get busy.” She ground out the words, mangling the sounds.

  Yanking her legs up and lifting her bottom higher, he dove in, latching his mouth to her pussy. She yelped, then threw her head back in ecstasy. He sucked, nibbled and tugged at her throbbing clit, keeping her folds open with his thumbs. Mari clutched her breasts and squeezed.

  “Yes, yes!” she cried out, the blackness of orgasmic ecstasy closing in. She tensed and whipped her head to the side. Yet, just as she was about to explode, he stopped the delicious torture.

  “No!” She lurched in the chair, reaching for Tucker as he pulled away from her. Amber mixed with the blue in his eyes. “Why the hell did you stop?”

  Tucker licked his lips, then wiped his mouth. “Did you like that?”

  She gritted her teeth against her frustration, sat up and grabbed a hunk of his hair, but he didn’t seem to mind the roughness. “What do you think?”

  “Hey, don’t get upset, darlin’. I don’t plan on letting you go without for long.” His features hardened, thrilling her with excitement along with a spark of fear. “You’ll be mine soon enough.”

  His?

  For once in her life, she didn’t mind a man getting possessive. Not when the unfulfilled craving still churned inside her. “Tucker…”

  He cocked his head to the side as if to question her. “Time’s getting short. Don’t you think we’d better get back in there?”

  Mari’s mouth dropped open a second before the anger hit her. “You’ve got to be kid—”

  His mouth was on her clit again, tugging, nipping, sucking until she couldn’t think, much less speak. He sucked on her, sliding his tongue around her clit, then down to dive inside her pussy. Sweat broke out along her forehead. She shuddered, readying for another, bigger climax.

  Tucker clutched her breasts and sucked harder. Taking her aching clit between his teeth, he brought her sensitive nub inside his mouth with such force that she couldn’t help but let her cry ride along with the rush of her orgasm. She kicked out, her heels finding purchase on his shoulders.

  Tucker held on to her until her shudders stopped, then broke away from her and sat back on his heels. Wiping the glistening wetness from his mouth, he buttoned his shirt, rose and stared down at her, a cocky expression on his face. “See you at the tables.”

  Two days.

  Mari bit her lower lip, noticed Jimmy Osala watching her and struggled to put on her game face. Not that it mattered now. Jimmy was out of the competition. Still, she didn’t like getting caught in an unguarded moment. She nodded a greeting to him, then walked to the other side of the room closest to the chair where she wanted to sit. Even seating was a strategic move at the championship table.

  People crowded into the room along with hotel personnel and television crewmen to take seats in the spectator section overlooking the large oval table positioned under lights and cameras. Mari stood aside to let the workmen do their jobs. Unlike the elimination games of the previous days, the action during the finals would be broadcast around the world on various sports channels.

  Two damn days.

  Tucker hadn’t spoken to her since he’d left her high and not-so dry in the hallway two days earlier. After that, whenever she glanced his way—and she hated how he’d caught her every time she’d looked—he’d give her a cocky smile, then turn away. Hell, he’d even disappeared when she’d shown up at the hotel bar for a friendly round of drinks with the other players.

  Forget about him.

  She could imagine Tommy glaring at her, his weathered face filled with the wrinkles he’d gained through decades of traveling from one tournament to the next.

  She could kick herself for letting anything happen while she was working. Much less an impromptu sexual romp with a competitor. Although she’d really hadn’t had a choice. Once Tucker touched her, she couldn’t have resisted him any more than she could’ve resisted betting on a royal flush. Worse, now that he’d given her a sample of what sex with him would be like, she couldn’t get him out of her head.

  He didn’t matter. He was just another man.

  How many times had she tried to convince herself
that he was nothing special, only to fail miserably? But he was gone now, apparently beaten during his last game. She wished he would’ve stayed around, but if the last two days of avoiding her were any indication, he wasn’t about to show his face at the final game.

  He doesn’t matter.

  Maybe if she repeated the idea often enough it would stick and drive away all the other—and way sexier—thoughts of him. If she was going to win the championship she couldn’t afford any more stupid mistakes like the ones she’d made since they’d hooked up. She dipped her head, hiding her irritation as she remembered how she’d blown several solid hands because she’d been thinking about him. What was wrong with her? Did she want to lose her chance at the big win? Over a man?

  Oh, but what a man!

  She groaned and ran a hand through her hair. He doesn’t matter.

  She repeated the phrase and vowed not to let a sexual encounter cost her the championship. Not even a sexual encounter with someone as amazing as Tucker.

  Tucker Manning could go screw himself.

  A moment of determination filled her until her next thought swept it away.

  Unless she could screw him first.

  She groaned louder, catching the attention of a nearby cameraman.

  “Are you okay, Ms. Thornton?”

  She thanked him for his concern but waved away his help. Seeing that the game was about to start, she moved to her chair. Closing her eyes, she envisioned herself winning the final hand and thanking the cheering crowd. She could even see herself reaching for the large pile of prize money. She grinned. Nothing did wonders for a girl’s competitive juices like picturing a big fat payday.

  “You must be thinking about me.”

  Mari’s eyes flew open to find Tucker sitting across from her. The wave of desire coursing through her rocked her to her core, and if she hadn’t already been sitting down, she would’ve dropped to the floor. Damn, but the man was fine. The hunter-green shirt he wore worked well with his white hair and flashing eyes. Her focus dropped to the edge of the table as though she could see through the thick wood. Too late she realized what she’d done and jerked her gaze up only to meet his smug smile.