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

hands. “We don’t need a new hotel. This is getting embarrassing. Don’t you see Maxim glaring at me?”
    â€œHe’s not glaring at you.”
    Emma glanced surreptitiously at her host and watched him run a finger under the collar of his shirt. It was bad enough that she was winning. But the entire crowd was winning along with her.
    â€œHow do I lose?” she whispered to Alex.
    â€œRoll a seven.”
    â€œOkay.” She blew on the dice.
    Alex chuckled at her theatrics, and she dug her elbow into his ribs.
    â€œA little support, please,” she breathed.
    â€œCome on, seven,” he rumbled in return. “You do know you’ll lose two hundred grand.”
    â€œIt’s not my money.”
    â€œYeah. It’s mine.” Despite his protest, he sounded completely unconcerned.
    It wasn’t his money anyway. It was the Teddybear Trust’s money. And she was going to put it back where it belonged or die trying.
    She tossed the dice. They scattered along the green felt table, bouncing amongst bets that probably totaled a surgical wing, hitting the far wall of the table, then rolling to a stop. A six and a one.
    Delight zipped through her.
    She’d done it.
    â€œQuit grinning,” Alex warned as the crowd groaned.
    Right. The other betters were disappointed. She quickly hid her smile against Alex’s chest.
    His strong arms went around her, and he made a show of stroking her back.
    Okay. So much for not reacting to his latent sensuality. Every fiber of her body was revving up in reaction to his heat.
    â€œDon’t worry,” he said, loud enough for everyone else to hear. “It’s only money. And it’s for a good cause.”
    The groans and grumbles around them gradually turned to good-natured jokes. One man pointed out the tax benefits of their loss, while another suggested they’d all be on Teddybear Trust’s Christmas card list this year.
    Alex didn’t seem to be in a hurry to let her go. No wonder. He had a big audience here—a big audience that would soon start asking questions about their relationship.
    Hugging was the smart thing to do. So for just a second, Emma stopped fighting. She relaxed into his strength and let the tension roll out of her body. Gambling was way too stressful, even when she was trying to lose.
    Alex’s palm smoothed her hair, while his lips touched the top of her head in a tender kiss. It felt way too good, and sirens went off in all corners of her brain.
    She ignored them as long as she could. But finally she pulled back. Still, he kept one arm firmly around her waist. Although it went against her mental promise, she didn’t try to disentangle herself.
    Some of the players moved away from the table, and the stick man called for a new shooter.
    Katie and David appeared from the crowd.
    â€œHow’d you do?” asked Katie.
    â€œShe lost all my money,” said Alex with a playful squeeze.
    â€œWell, it has gone to a good cause,” Emma pointed out.
    â€œYou lost my entire thirty-thousand-dollar stake,” said Alex.
    She’d forgotten it was that much.
    But one glance at his expression told her he didn’t care. Certainly he didn’t care. He wanted the whole world to know she was here on his dime.
    That was the game. His game, she reminded herself, trying to ease out of his hold. “Take the tax deduction and quit complaining.”
    He resisted her pressure.
    She tugged harder.
    Alex just grinned at her.
    â€œLadies and gentlemen,” Maxim’s voice came over the sound system. “You’re invited to take a break from the casino games and join us in the garden for a surprise, grand prize draw.”
    â€œThe gardens are lovely,” said Emma, pulling firmly out of Alex’s grip and moving to safety beside her sister. “Let’s go watch the draw.”
    â€œThanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor,” Maxim continued. “Our