Stroke of Luck - Opal Carew Page 0,31
at each loss.
But it was Austin who’d suggested the game, not Quinn. She couldn’t believe that’s what Austin had in mind.
She ran her hand through her hair, knowing she wasn’t quite thinking straight. She’d downed that last drink a little fast, and on top of the wine at dinner, her head was a little fuzzy.
Quinn shoved his phone back in his pocket.
“It’s all set. They didn’t have anything available here in the hotel, but they arranged something at a place a few doors down.”
She drew in a deep breath as she followed the two men. It was only a short walk to the other hotel, and soon they were in an elevator gliding upward. When the doors whooshed open, they stepped out to see a man in a tuxedo waiting for them.
“Mr. Taylor. My name is Alan Bellamy. I’m here to take you to your private poker suite.”
As they followed him down the wide hallway, several staff hurried out of a room, a couple pushing empty carts. That was the door Mr. Bellamy led them to.
“We have everything set up for you,” he said as he opened the door. “There’s a full bar and a selection of food if you’re hungry. If you’d like something more substantial, just dial zero and you’ll be put straight through to me.”
April stepped into the room and glanced around. The walls of the suite were paneled with dark-stained wood, and it wasn’t just a room with a table for playing cards. It was a huge suite with a large sitting area on one side, facing the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the street below.
Along one wall was a bar glittering with different types of glasses neatly arranged on a tray on the mahogany counter. Behind that, liquor and wine bottles were on display on a shelf, and several fancy bottles sat on the counter beside the glasses.
On a table near the window was a layout of food—appetizers, small fancy sandwiches, and desserts. The poker table was on the other side of the room, set up with several decks of cards and three stacks of chips all ready for them to sit down and start playing.
“Would you like staff to manage the bar and food service?” Mr. Bellamy asked. “Or a dealer to oversee the game? Or anything else at all?”
“No, we’re fine,” Quinn said.
“Very good, sir. Enjoy your game.” Mr. Bellamy walked to the door, then closed it behind him.
As soon as the door clicked shut, April’s stomach clenched. She was alone with the two of them, and she wasn’t quite sure what Quinn had in mind. Would he tell Austin about their arrangement right here and now?
She and Austin walked to the food, and she admired the decadent-looking desserts—tall chocolate mousse cake, thick New York cheesecake, blueberry tarts, and many other tempting treats. The small sandwiches, cut into crustless triangles, were arranged beautifully on a plate right beside a cheese and pâté platter. She picked up one and nibbled. Smoked salmon with dill. She finished the tiny sandwich in two bites, then grabbed another.
She walked to the bar, where Quinn opened a circular-shaped bottle with a gold cap and poured the amber liquid into a glass.
“Would you like something?” he asked.
“I think so. I’ll just take a look.”
“Pour me what you’re having, will you, Quinn?” Austin asked as he headed over to join them.
April found herself drawn to the fancy bottles. One was shaped like a faceted crystal, another with a seductive curve and tall teardrop-shaped stopper. The one that grabbed her attention was a tall, slender, tapered bottle with a liquid inside that was a lovely rosy red. She removed the crystal cap and poured some into a stemmed liqueur glass.
Quinn raised an eyebrow. “You’re being adventurous.”
She took a sip. It had a citrus flavor. “Why do you say that?”
“It’s quite strong.”
She shrugged. “I could use something strong.”
Austin chuckled. “Couldn’t we all?”
“Cheers,” Quinn said as he raised his glass.
April and Austin both clinked against it, then sipped. She finished hers, then poured another.
“Let’s play poker,” she said and walked toward the game table.
Austin and Quinn joined her, and soon Austin was dealing out the cards. All her anxiety about what would happen during the game seemed unfounded. They simply bet chips and played their hands, though the men carried on a good-natured banter.
April wasn’t giving them much of a challenge. She hadn’t played poker much and kept losing. Austin could read her face too well for her to bluff. She played with gusto, though,