Affair of Honor by Stephanie James Read Free Book Online Page B

exactly.
    She clung gracefully to Ryder’s arm as he led her onto the gambling floor. Even if she had not felt like clinging that night, Brenna wasn’t certain she would have been able to free herself. Ryder was ensuring her proximity with a possessive grip that was inordinately pleasing to her senses. Damon never kept her close like this when they went out together. Dr. Fielding didn’t believe in archaic masculine emotions such as possessiveness. Normally, Brenna tried to remind herself, she didn’t believe in such notions, either. But tonight was different. Perhaps because the man involved was different.
    “Do you know how to play any of the card games?” Ryder asked, glancing down at her animated expression with a warm, amused look in his eyes.
    “No, I’ll watch you for a while. I think the slot machines are going to be more my speed.”
    “Stand close behind me and we’ll see just how much good luck you’re capable of bringing me tonight,” he drawled, taking a place at one of the green baize-topped tables. The young and attractive woman dealing the cards turned a very brilliant smile on her latest customer.
    “I think the croupier is trying to make a pass at you,” Brenna warned Ryder in a dramatically low tone.
    “Nonsense.” Ryder grinned cheerfully. “She’s paid to smile like that at everyone. Now keep very quiet while we’re playing and put your hand on my shoulder so I’ll know you’re there.”
    “You think the hand on the shoulder is necessary?”
    “It’s how the luck gets channeled from you to me,” he explained.
    “Oh.”
    And then it was too late to say anything else. The attractive croupier began to deal the cards and Ryder gave the game his full attention. Brenna dutifully kept her crimson nails resting lightly on the pale blue-gray jacket shoulder and watched in fascination. Ryder played with the professionalism with which he did everything else, she thought fleetingly. Fully alert but serenely in control of himself and, apparently, of his luck. He was winning.
    “There you go,” he concluded, pocketing his chips at last and turning away from the table. “What did I tell you? Tonight is my lucky night. Come on, lady, let’s go find another game to play.”
    At the wheel of fortune Brenna took a chance herself, putting an entire dollar onto the number she had chosen. When it came back doubled, she lifted happy, glowing eyes to Ryder, who was standing close, his arm around her waist.
    “This could be an easier way to make a living than teaching philosophy,” she announced.
    He laughed. “Is teaching philosophy so hard?”
    That question brought back unwelcome reminders of the real world waiting for her at the start of the fall semester. “It isn’t the teaching that’s so bad, it’s…never mind. I want to try the slots!”
    He made no attempt to force her back into the unpleasant path the conversation was taking, guiding her instead to the nearest of a bank of quarter slots. There she began to plunk in quarters with an enthusiasm that would have astounded her at another time.
    “Somehow it doesn’t seem like real money here,” she explained apologetically as the machine politely gobbled up quarter after quarter. The apology in her voice was due to the fact that it was Ryder who had financed her go at the slots.
    “Go on trying,” he instructed, unperturbed. “I keep telling you we can’t lose tonight.”
    With the next quarter he was proved correct. Instead of swallowing it and waiting implacably for the next feeding, the machine began to tinkle with the delightful sound of cascading quarters.
    “Ryder, look! We’re rich!”
    “I’ll get a cup to put the loot in,” he said, grinning.
    Brenna stood trying to estimate her winnings as he disappeared momentarily and then returned with a cardboard cup. Laughing with delight, Brenna scooped the coins into it.
    “We’ll never be able to carry all this!”
    “All we have to do is get it as far as the cashier’s