get those panties of yours, and I’m not giving them back.”
Good. Perfect, actually. This was what I wanted and needed. “I’ll need them back eventually.”
He shuffled. “The next bet is double. If I win, you don’t wear any panties tomorrow.”
I’d never gone outside without covering up, ever. “Why?”
His gaze went to my chest, and he licked his lips. “So I can find a place in the party and claim what’s mine whenever I want.”
I lost my breath. “In public?”
“If you lose.” He nodded.
Fuck yes. I loved how daring I was with Quentin. This was why I was here. This wasn’t about forever. I nodded like I was going to actually try this time. “And if I win, I want… to command where and when you get to put your wanker into me, and you need to follow my every command.”
He tapped the deck. “Now, that sounds interesting.”
I sucked in my bottom lip. If only I believed love happened for us. He’d find someone else, in time. I might be too broken, but for now, my nipples hardened as he clearly saw when I asked, “So, do we have a bet?”
“Yes,” he said and dealt the cards.
Commanding Quentin might be fun, but I needed him to direct me and take some of the decision making off my shoulders.
I took a second card and accidently made a pair of eights.
He took more time. I didn’t dare keep the hand and tossed that other eight.
He stared at my almost naked body. “Time to show your cards ma chérie.”
That cooled me, and I asked, “Who’s Cher? You’ve said it twice now.”
He laughed. “Cheri… it means, my dear.”
I thought so, but I put my cards on the table with a defeated sigh. “I like being your temporary girlfriend.”
His entire face brightened like he’d just found out it was Christmas morning. “I like you being here, too.”
To continue my charade, I wiggled my shoulders and pouted. “My cards don’t match at all.”
He showed his double pairs and opened his palm, “Excellente. My panties. Hand them over.”
I stood and watched him stare at my backside like I was somehow perfect. I’d been destroyed and humiliated once, but Quentin empowered me to be different. Good thing this was all temporary. I’d never be like this forever.
Beauty fades, and I never had much of it—just an average slice. But that, for today, was enough. I wiggled and handed over my cotton briefs. “Now that I’m naked, what are you thinking?”
He stood, and I saw his wanker was waiting for me. “Get over here and find out.”
And I didn’t care we were on a balcony where anyone could see. I strutted into his arms, certain I ached for him in a way I never had for anyone else.
Chapter 14
Kara
The sight in front of me had me imagining car explosions in the driveway like I’d seen in the movies filmed here.
I wore a black shirt and black pants to check out the casino as it was the closest thing I had to sophisticated lady clothes for this trip. And I walked next to a man who had a black tuxedo in his backpack.
We were clearly from different worlds.
I’d packed jeans and flats for my trip, and never once thought to myself “what if I go to a gala?”
I glanced around. The casino had palace walls and double story archways just as I’d seen play out in movie scenes. At side tables, I imagined fictional characters sitting and playing poker at tables with the people in those seats right now. I had no time to dwell when we crossed the floor and headed to the shops.
The clothing store was charming. I didn’t research the Euro enough, but I understood the numbers; the clothes were pricy, but I could afford one. It’s not like I was spending a dime so far on this trip.
Quentin picked out a red number. I chose a black and then I picked up an olive green that had white and yellow flowers embedded in the bottom that flared like a mermaid style dress.
I first put on the black and wiggled it off. Too much of a work dress.
The red dress was… Christmas. I took it off as well. I wasn’t sure the olive green worked, but then I saw how it made my face lighter and didn’t turn me green at all. The material was soft and flattered my curves.
I twirled in the dressing room and came out with a smile on my face as I let the