One Night in Vegas (Entangled Lovestruck) (Gambling Hearts) by C. M. Stone Read Free Book Online

living room. The walls were painted in neutral colors and there weren’t any pictures to break things up. Everything about the room felt temporary.
    “Did you just move in?”
    “Not really. I just haven’t put any effort into decorating.” He looked around the room, as if seeing it for the first time. “I suppose you can tell I live alone.”
    His words at dinner came back to her. This way I’m not too attached to it. Just walk away whenever I like. “It’s a little obvious.” She walked past him to consider the couch, which was a mottled gray with an elderly cat sleeping on it. The cushions were well-rumpled, as though Chris lay on it often. It also looked to be around twenty years old.
    “I went straight from work to pick you up, so I haven’t been in to check on the horses since this morning. Why don’t you change while I do that?”
    Eliza raised an eyebrow. “I thought we were riding in the morning.”
    “We are, but I was thinking we could take our fireworks out into the desert and find a hilltop where we can watch the New Year’s lights from the Strip.”
    “The best of both worlds.” She smiled a little at the thought. “I’d like that.”
    He stared at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable, then closed the distance between them and laid his hand on the small of her back. Whether it was meant as just a casual, friendly touch or not didn’t matter when it reignited that need she’d been doing her best to tamp down since the High Roller. Each of his fingers might as well have been made of fire the way they burned through her blouse. Despite the warmth of his house and touch, her nipples contracted into hard points, and a shiver ran down her spine. She wet her lips nervously and his eyes zeroed in on her mouth.
    Outside, another one of those damned peacocks screamed.
    Chris’s hand dropped from the small of her back. “I’ll be back in a minute.” His voice had a husky edge to it that made her think of filthy promises whispered in the dark.
    Left alone in the house, she bit her un-kissed bottom lip. She definitely hated the birds.
    It was a little disappointing to change into the practical clothes after she’d felt so sexy all evening long. He probably wouldn’t be gawking at her nearly as much while she wore a sweater and jeans. She unpinned her chignon and pulled her hair back in a ponytail, remembering how brutal the wind in the desert could get. No good would come of it, but she stared at herself in the bathroom mirror all the same. Frumpy as ever , she thought with a sigh. Rather than wallowing in those thoughts, she refreshed her makeup, refusing to let a bout of insecurity ruin her night.
    When she was done, she stepped out into the hall. “Chris?” She waited, but there was no answer.
    She walked down the hall to peek her head into the other doorways, finding three bedrooms in all, and another bathroom off the master bedroom. His bedroom had a bit more personality than the living room, at least. There still wasn’t anything on the walls, but there were little knickknacks and mementos tucked on top of his bookcase and dresser. There were track and rodeo trophies from when he was in school, a few polished stones, and seashells. The books were more indicative of his passions. Books on horses, desert plants, and natural history. An entire shelf was full of westerns and science fiction novels. Nerdy cowboy , she thought with a smile.
    “Snooping around?” Chris asked from behind her.

Chapter Six
    “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to invade your privacy or anything. I got curious and started looking around.” Her words came tumbling out all at once, as if she had only one breath left to ever speak again.
    Chris leaned against the doorframe. There was something very right about seeing her in his bedroom. He’d always considered himself a breast man and, certainly, that blouse had done her a lot of favors, but seeing the way her ass andlegs filled out those jeans could make