The Billionaire's Bidding by Barbara Dunlop Read Free Book Online

chips in front of Emma. She half turned to Alex. “What do I do now?” she whispered.
    She could almost feel his smile. She inhaled his scent, and the fabric of his suit gently touched her bare back.
    â€œMake a bet,” he whispered back. “Put it in the white square.”
    The man at the far end bet two green chips, and the other bet a black one.
    â€œWhat are the colors?” she asked Alex.
    â€œDon’t worry about it.”
    The dealer placed stacks of black chips in front of Katie.
    Emma pushed two purple ones into the square in front of her, and the dealer gave them each a face-up card.
    She glanced at everyone’s cards, wondering if the man had made a mistake. She leaned back to talk to Alex. “They can see—”
    â€œIt’s okay. You’re only playing the dealer.”
    â€œWell, the dealer can see what I’ve got,” she hissed. How was that fair?
    â€œTrust me.”
    Emma tipped her head to look into his eyes. Trust him? Was he kidding? He’d made it clear last night—somewhere between gross revenue and capital depreciation—that he was looking out for his own interests. In fact, he’d strongly advised her to do the same.
    Of course, in this case, it was his money. Who cared if she lost?
    â€œEmma?”
    â€œHmmm?”
    He nodded at the table. “Look at your hand.”
    She glanced down. A queen and an ace.
    â€œYou won,” he said as the dealer pushed a couple of chips into her square.
    â€œHit me,” said Katie next to her.
    Even though it was just luck, a warm glow of pride grew in Emma’s chest. She’d won. Her very first time gambling, and she’d won. Whatever happened from here on in, at least she had that.
    â€œBust,” sighed Katie, while David shook his head.
    The dealer cleared the cards.
    â€œBet more this time,” said Alex.
    Emma stacked another chip in her square.
    â€œIt’s going to be a long night at this rate,” Alex breathed.
    â€œWhy don’t you do it then?”
    He leaned in closer, his hand sliding up to her bare shoulder. “Because we want the world to see me spending a lot of money on you, remember?”
    She turned so that her nose almost contacted his cheek. His spicy scent surrounded her, and his broad palm moved ever so slightly against her shoulder. It would be so easy to sink into this fantasy.
    She reached for her wine. “How about if you bet my money instead?”
    He chuckled. “Doesn’t work that way. Now bet.”
    â€œYou’re such a chauvinist.”
    â€œYeah, I am. Get used to it.” He straightened, ending the conversation.
    Fine. He wanted to bankroll her? Emma moved an entire stack of chips into the white square. Take that, Alex Garrison.
    â€œThat a girl,” he said.
    â€œHoly crap, Emma,” said Katie.
    Emma turned to her sister.
    â€œThat’s ten thousand dollars.”
    â€œWhat?” Emma nearly swallowed her tongue.
    The first card landed in front of her.
    â€œThose are five-hundred-dollar chips,” Katie pointed out.
    Emma’s stomach contracted. She quickly reached for the stack of chips, but Alex stopped her by putting his hand over hers.
    â€œToo late,” he warned.
    She turned to stare at him, her eyes wide in horror. She couldn’t bet ten thousand dollars on a hand of cards. That was nuts.
    â€œPlay the game,” he calmly advised.
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me?”
    â€œTell you what?”
    â€œAlex.”
    â€œPlay the game.”
    â€œNo way.” She started to rise, but her hand was trapped by his.
    â€œYou won,” he said.
    â€œWhat?”
    He nodded to her cards. “You won again. You really should gamble more often.”
    Emma slowly looked down at her hand, a ten and an ace. She gave in to her wobbly knees and sat back down on the stool.
    â€œBust,” said Katie.
    David shifted behind her.
    â€œHow much did you lose?”