Bending slightly, he placed his lips close to her ear. “The table has a lot of different places where you can place a bet. There are outside bets where you can bet on a column, even numbers, odd numbers, reds, or blacks. Since you have a better chance of winning those, the payouts are less. You can also put your chip on a line that would cover six numbers, a corner bet that covers four numbers and to split the corners into two. They have different levels of payouts also. And, of course, the straight-up is the highest payout and that’s when you put it on just one number.”
The roulette wheel spun again, and she watched with rapt attention. The dealer’s hands were a blur as he cleared the board and began counting out the winnings.
She twisted her head and looked up at him again, her eyes wide. “Damn, I can count fast, but that’s amazing! I swear I’d get so confused if I had money going everywhere!”
Laughing, he gave her a squeeze. “’Fraid you wouldn’t have a job here very long. But that’s okay, babe, you just keep doing what you do.”
After a few more minutes, they moved on to the blackjack table. There was a crowd around, and she was unable to see. Eventually, several people in front of them moved on, and she was able to step closer. “I understand this game a little more because Nancy and I used to play blackjack. I know you’re trying to get twenty-one without going over.”
“That’s right. You play against the house, which means the dealer. Do you want to play?”
Giving her head a quick shake, she leaned back against him. “No, I’d be too nervous. But you can if you want.”
He grinned and shifted to an open spot, making sure she stayed right with him. He played several hands, winning a few and losing a few, eventually coming out fifty dollars ahead. Giving up his place, he linked fingers with her and guided her along several other tables.
“Nolan! You won fifty dollars! That is so cool,” she enthused, her eyes bright. “What do you want to do next?”
He barked out a laugh and pulled her tightly to his side. “I think you’ve got the gambling bug.”
Shaking her head, she replied, “Nah, I just got excited seeing you win.”
A server came by and they grabbed a couple of drinks. Deciding to go back to the gaming machines so that she could finish out her casino card, he showed her how to change her bets. Several drinks later, she had won numerous times but eventually spent all of the money on her card. She slid from her chair and he felt her hands on his shoulders as she moved in close. The feel of her pressed next to him sent tingles throughout his body, more distracting than the blinking lights and noise of the casino. He twisted his body, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her to his side. Her grin was wide, and he bent and kissed her, hard and fast. “You about ready to get outta here?”
Her expression was dreamy as she nodded. “Maybe hit the ladies' room first. I’m about to pop from all those drinks! If you want to stay here, I’ll be right back.”
“Tell you what, I’ll go to the coffee bar right over there and wait for you.” He watched as she walked away, weaving and dodging between people. Smiling, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed himself so much. Abandoning his seat, he walked over to the coffee station where he could keep an eye on the hall leading to the restrooms, anxious to have her in his arms again.
16
Lynn knew it was dangerous to feel such happiness over the last twenty-four hours with Nolan but, even if it was short term, she wondered if down the road there might be a future. Lost in her daydreams, she almost ran into a man as she walked down the hall to the ladies’ room.
“Excuse me!” she said, then realized she was staring at Errol Hightower. “Oh, Mr. Hightower, hello!”
“Mrs. Bell, how nice to see you again.”
Just then the ladies’ room door opened, and a beautiful woman in a black, skin-tight dress stepped out and walked straight to Errol. He linked arms with her and then turned back toward Lynn. Her gaze shot between the two of them, uncertain of how to react.
An almost imperceptible wince crossed his face, but the discomfit was quickly erased. “Mrs. Bell, may I introduce my sister, Carla. Carla, this is one of the couples just married at Cupid’s Chapel.”
“How lovely to meet you,” the other woman said, her voice smooth as silk, belying the bored expression on her face.
Lynn locked her smile firmly in place. With a slight nod, she turned and headed into the ladies’ room, gasping once the door was closed. That was not his sister! Sally had specifically mentioned to Nancy that there were no children or siblings that would be considered beneficiaries if one of them died. Hurrying into the stall, she quickly finished her business and washed her hands. Rushing back out, her mind was in a whirl. She caught a glimpse of them moving through the crowd, Errol’s hand resting low on Carla's back, his fingers drifting over her ass. Sister! Who does he think he’s kidding? Isn’t he afraid of somebody seeing them wondering why his hand is on his sister’s ass?
Torn between getting back to Nolan and following Errol, she decided to follow the couple to see where they were going. She looked toward the direction of the coffee station but was too short to see Nolan. This’ll just take a moment anyway.
Blending into the crowd as she walked, she followed Errol and Carla, stopping at a distance behind them as they accepted drinks from one of the servers. Chatting with another couple, his hand once again rested on Carla’s ass. Having no idea why she thought it might be important, she pulled out her phone and pretended to be texting as she held it up and snapped a picture of them. Maybe Nancy can use this if Sally wants evidence of what else he’s doing besides mishandling the money.
She watched as Carla and the other woman stepped away from the foursome, leaning over one of the gaming tables as they laughed and chatted. Jerking her attention back to Errol, she tried to disappear in the throng of people, hoping to get closer. A wide, tiled column flanked by two potted plants was next to the men and she managed to slip around behind them.
Putting her phone on record, she wondered if they would say anything important.
“… hundred thousand…”
“… made a transfer… account…”
“… came in on time… taken care of…”
With only snippets of their conversation audible it still sounded suspicious, but she knew nothing definitive would come from continuing to sneak around.
Coming out from behind the plant, she looked up in time to see Nolan stalking toward her. His expression was worried until his gaze landed on her and changed to a narrowed eyed glare. “Lynn! Where the hell have you been?”
Not wanting to draw the attention of Errol, she darted through the crowd and rushed over to him. Without giving him an answer, she grabbed his hand and continued toward the exit, attempting to drag him with her. When his feet stayed planted, she jerked back, leaning against his chest. Looking up, she whispered, “Come on! I don’t want him to see me!”
Nolan’s brows lowered and he growled, “What the fuck are you talking about? Don’t want who to see you?”
Still whispering, she pleaded, “Come on. I’ll tell you as soon as we’re out of here.”