In some ways he was still in the gambling business. Only this time it was with his money and the money of his investors.
And he’d been highly successful.
But he was in the delicate process of expanding his business, which meant rubbing elbows with the rich and powerful to keep his investors happy.
It also meant he couldn’t just leave when his current stalker followed him onto the balcony overlooking the gaudy, spectacular beauty of Vegas.
“Please, Luc,” the voluptuous redhead pleaded, her fake lashes framing her green eyes like stiff spikes, and her lips slick with red gloss. “Would you just listen to me?”
Luc downed the last of his aged whiskey, wishing to hell he’d never given in to his rash impulse to ask out the persistent female.
His only excuse was that he’d been bored and searching for something he couldn’t seem to find.
Something he still couldn’t find.
“I told you not to follow me here, Sherri,” he growled, shaking off her clinging grip.
“What choice did I have?” she pouted. “You won’t accept my phone calls.”
“Because we have nothing to say.” He sent her a warning glare that not even she could fail to comprehend. “Walk away or I’ll tell your father about that vial of white power you keep in your purse.”
Her expression abruptly hardened, the green eyes glittering like chips of emeralds. “Bastard.”
With a flounce, Sherri turned to head back into the crowded party, leaving behind the overwhelming stench of her expensive perfume.
Luc grimaced, wishing to god he’d made up an excuse to avoid the evening. Especially when yet another female appeared in the open doorway, her slender form outlined by the lights of the ballroom.
“The Dark Angel strikes again,” a low, delectably feminine voice purred. “Do you actually keep a tally of how many hearts you’ve broken over the years?”
“Hardly. I…” His annoyed denial died away as the woman stepped onto the balcony, the moonlight gliding over her tall, willowy body. His breath caught in his throat. Her feminine shape was shown to advantage in the long black Dior gown that split up the sides to reveal slender, impossibly long legs, and a tight bodice that hugged the curve of her br**sts. Her glossy dark hair was left free to tumble over her bare shoulders, the silken strands emphasizing the creamy perfection of her skin. A shockingly intense arousal blasted through him, followed by an equally shocking recognition. “Christ. Maddy?”
A cool smile touched her lips. “It’s Madison.”
Luc’s boredom was seared away by a thrilling sense of pleasure as he studied the female who’d invaded his dreams a hundred times over the years.
“Madison,” he murmured, his gaze drinking in her astonishing beauty.
She’d always been pretty. A fresh-faced innocent who’d tempted him more than he’d ever wanted to admit.
Until that night…
Luc hissed as he instantly became hard at the memory of sliding into the tight, exquisite heat of her body. Shit. Nothing had ever felt so good.
“Long time, no see,” she said, moving to lean her hip against the iron balustrade, her movements hypnotically graceful.
Luc smiled, a tingle of erotic anticipation racing through his body.
“That’s not entirely true. I’ve seen you everywhere over the years,” he admitted, belatedly realizing why he’d been so obsessed with following her rocketing launch into fame. He’d never gotten her out of his system. Madison Philips was not only the one who gotten away, but she was the only one worth keeping. “Magazines, billboards, even TV. The face of Tivago Tequila.” He lifted his empty glass in a toast of genuine appreciation. This woman had every excuse to fail, and instead she’d risen above her past to become an international star. “It was a great campaign. And very clever of you to take your payment in stocks rather than cash.”
“Modeling has a limited lifespan.” She shrugged aside his admiration, her pale features unreadable. Odd. Before she’d left Vegas her face had revealed her every emotion. He’d never forgotten the devotion that had glowed in her spectacular hazel eyes when she glanced in his direction. Or the sated pleasure on her face as she’d reached her cl**ax in his arms. Now he had no idea what she was thinking. “It seemed prudent to have a nest egg for the future.”
“Especially when you’re capable of taking that nest egg and turning it into a rapidly expanding business.”
“I’m flattered.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “I didn’t know you bothered to notice a woman unless she’s in your bed.”
Luc grimaced. Madison had crossed his path at a difficult time in his life.
When he was young he’d done his best to earn his father’s love. He’d been a top athlete. He’d made straight A’s. And following in his father’s footsteps, he’d bedded every willing female who’d crossed his path.