Dealer's Choice by Moxie North Read Free Book Online Page B

into my internal dialogue.
    I looked up to see he was making his move. Taking a deep breath I responded with my prepared speech, “Mr. Savoy, I would hate to have our working relationship ruined if you ever found out I’m not nearly as interesting as you think I am.” I finished this with a wonky self-deprecating smile.
    Quick as a flash his hand reached out and snagged mine from the felt. His hand was warm and strong. My knees threatened to buckle for a moment. I girded myself and resisted pulling my hand out of his grasp. As long as I didn’t respond I probably wouldn’t get in trouble with my boss.
    “Please, have a drink with me at least, after your shift,” he pleaded, squeezing my hand again.
    Against my will my fingertips curled lightly into his hand. It was simple but had tingles flicking through my body. I could feel my nipples tightening, just from the touch of his hand.
    “Mr. Savoy…” I started, flustered but trying to still pretend to be professional.
    “Marco please, my dove, say my name,” he growled.
    I could feel it welling up in me, I wanted to hold it back. I’d been resisting for a year.
    “M-Marco,” I whispered and watched his eyes close for a brief second as his hand tightened. Yup, it came out like a plea and a moan and all the desire I felt for this man coating one simple name.
    When his stunning green eyes opened again I continued, “I have to have this job, I have to pay my bills. This is not a hobby for me. No matter how attractive I find you, I can’t risk my livelihood,” I finished, hoping he’d just let it go. Give me back my hand and we could continue like we always had.
    “Ahh, amore ,” I heard crooned from the other side of the table. Shit, I’d forgotten the quiet man. Jerking my hand back, I realized someone sitting in a security room had caught all of that on tape. Damnit, I couldn’t afford to lose this job.
    Glancing back from the old man to Marco, I see him smiling. What the hell was he smiling about? I’d just turned him down, again. Giving him a confused and slightly exasperated expression he smiled even bigger.
    I cocked my eyebrow up at him, demanding an answer silently.
    “You think I’m attractive, my love,” he said with a chuckle.
    Sputtering at this ridiculous statement, “Of course you’re attractive. You do own a mirror don’t you? I mean do you get dressed in the morning in a blacked out room? Brush your perfectly straight white teeth by feel? You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever met. Which is why I’m happy to be your dealer, when you stay here at The Platinum, but that’s it.” I realized I was rambling, but there was no help for it.
    “Why? Why that’s it?” he inquired, looking honestly confused.
    “What do you mean why? You’re you and I’m me. We are like polar opposites in every way. Rich, poor, hot, not. It’s pretty simple really,” I said with a huff. I hated bringing up my lack of self-esteem to people. Usually I could put on the happy with my body routine. But every big girl knows, the times you dream about being someone else are hard to push aside when they take a battering ram to your body image defenses.
    “Hmm, I see now. I will have to convince you. I can do this my Carmen. It is for your own good,” he stated, nodding his head apparently to himself.
    The elderly man at the end stood and put his hand over his chest and gave a slight bow. Tossing a hundred dollar chip on the table he turned and walked away.
    I quickly grabbed the chip. Just because I had Hotty McHotty Pants making my pussy damp, didn’t mean I still didn’t want my tips.
    “Would you like to continue playing Mr. Savoy?” I turned back to Marco, straightening my shoulders and trying to blank my expression. I was due for a break and boy did I need one.
    “No, my beauty, we are done…for now.” Standing, he placed the thousand dollar chip he usually left me on the table and pushed it towards me. I reached for it without thinking and his