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

Emma asked her sister. David didn’t look too happy about this.
    â€œFive hundred dollars.”
    Emma cringed. “Ouch.”
    Katie tossed two more chips in her square.
    â€œI think we should move to roulette,” David suggested.
    â€œThis is fun,” said Katie. “We’re having fun. Aren’t we, Emma?”
    â€œI’m having fun,” said Alex, a definite edge of laughter to his voice.
    David’s nostrils flared as he drew in a deep breath.
    The dealer passed out the cards.
    â€œYou know you just let fifteen thousand dollars ride?” asked Katie.
    Emma’s gaze flew to her chips. Good God. Why hadn’t Alex stopped her?
    After a long, tense minute, she won with a three-card nineteen. She immediately swiveled her chair sideways. “I can’t take this anymore.”
    Alex trapped the chair with one knee to keep it from recoiling. “You’re winning.”
    Their legs touched, and the warmth of his body seeped into her thigh. “I’m having a heart attack,” she told him. And it was definitely on more than one front.
    She started to climb off the high stool, and he quickly offered a hand to steady her. “You don’t walk away from a hot streak.”
    â€œWatch me.”
    She shifted. Whoops. She hadn’t counted on being all but trapped in his arms. A half step forward and she’d be pressed up against him. If she tipped her head, they could kiss. Or she could bury her face in his neck and flick out her tongue to see if he tasted as good as he smelled.
    Of course she didn’t. But the desire was strong. So was the image.
    He watched her with those smoky eyes for a long moment. “Okay.” He finally said. “Ever played craps?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œGood.” Then he gestured toward the hallway, putting an end to the intimate moment. “Craps tables are in the Chestnut Room.”
    She turned to Katie. “Are you coming?”
    â€œNot for craps,” said David.
    Katie peered at her boyfriend’s expression. “We’ll catch up,” she told them.
    Emma nodded. Then she began walking with Alex. “Can we at least switch to ten-dollar chips?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œI can’t bet five hundred dollars at a time.”
    Alex might be comfortable with a high-rolling, high-stakes lifestyle. But she sure wasn’t.
    â€œYou’re already up several thousand,” he said.
    That was true. She felt a little better. She could lose all this, and he’d still be even.
    â€œIf you don’t start losing soon,” Alex continued. “The Teddybear Trust will be bankrupt.”
    Emma stopped, and her mouth formed a spontaneous O. She’d forgotten all about the Teddybear Trust. “I’m doing this all wrong, aren’t I?”
    Alex chuckled, his hand going to her back to get her going again. “I’ll say.”
    She gave a sigh of frustration.
    Then, unexpectedly, his lips brushed her temple. “You’re delightful, you know that?”
    Her chest contracted around the compliment.
    But then Edwina and Fredrick Waddington materialized next to Alex, and she realized the compliment was part of the ruse. Everything about tonight was part of the ruse. Alex wasn’t an easygoing, philanthropic businessman. He was only playing his part.
    She forced out a smile as he performed the introductions. No more fantasy. No more intimacy. No more physical reactions. From this minute on, she was remembering it was a game.

Four
    N o matter how hard Emma tried, she couldn’t seem to lose. A crowd had gathered around one of the craps tables, and every time she attempted to pass the dice, they’d erupt in a torrent of protest, shoving them back into her hands.
    She took a deep breath.
    Standing behind her, Alex rubbed her shoulders. “With a bet like that, you’re either going to save the charity or buy us a new hotel.”
    She shook the dice up between her