stare at the machine for the next few minutes.
I put my hand on her shoulder. I’m not sure if I imagine it or not, but I think she shivers.
“We can move to a different set of machines if you’d rather,” I say.
“I’m fine. Here goes nothing.” She slides in the last of her chips.
And…
Nothing.
“No way!” Hannah bangs the slot machine in frustration as it takes the rest of her money.
“I’m glad you only allowed yourself to gamble fifty dollars total,” I tease her.
“I know, right? You’ve done well, though, Mav.”
That’s the first time she’s called me Mav, and for some reason, the sound of it rolling off her tongue gets me going. Unable to stop myself, I put my hand on her lower back as she steps away from the machine.
I’ve only spent the same amount she has, but I’ve made back double that. And that’s where I’m stopping. I didn’t sign a contract in the pros to gamble it all away. “What do you want to do now?” I ask. “My treat.”
Hannah doesn’t answer as she stares past me. Her face has gone pale.
“Hannah?” I ask her. “Everything okay?”
“Craig’s here,” she says in a flat tone. “He’s watching us.”
I shift until I see him in my periphery. And something inside me snaps. Seeing the effect he has on Hannah irritates the fuck out of me.
“Let’s show him something he won’t forget,” I whisper to her. “Do you trust me?”
She turns so our faces are inches apart. “Yes,” she whispers back. “What do you have in mind?”
I put my hands on her shoulders and gently turn her so her back is to him. “This.”
Leaning closer, I cup her face so my index finger touches the corner of her mouth. Then, I bend down and cover my finger with my mouth.
When she grips my bicep in response, I cup her jaw with my other hand and press my body against hers. From Craig’s angle, it looks like we’re kissing.
And Christ, do I wish we were.
Hannah’s floral scent mixed with lemons permeates my senses. Her body is soft and fits perfectly with mine. I go to withdraw my finger so I can kiss her mouth. But she abruptly goes completely still, almost like she’s stopped breathing.
Worried I’ve taken things too far, I pull back and glance over her shoulder.
The fucker is storming toward us.
“Hannah,” he says curtly.
I drop my hands off her face but put my arm around her waist and keep her close to me.
“If you’re serious about not marrying me…” he begins.
“I am,” she says. “I believe I’ve made that perfectly clear several times already.”
His face reddens. “I won’t give you a reference for your Ph.D. application. Just remember that.”
“You’re an ass,” she says. “I don’t need it, anyway.”
“Of course you do. But you’re not going to get it. Your loss.” He turns on his heel and storms off.
“What a prick.” Hannah’s eyes go flat. “Two years I worked by his side, and he just tried to threaten my future.”
I lead her around the corner to a private area of the casino where we sit down on a bench.
“He can’t take away your master’s degree or your work experience,” I say. “Can another colleague give you a reference?”
“Yes, but Craig was my direct supervisor.” She takes a deep breath and forces a smile. “Honestly, I knew all of this fallout would probably happen the moment I decided to climb into your truck. It sucks, but I’m not surprised. I hoped he would be more professional, but that’s Craig.”
“I made things worse for you with that fake kiss,” I say. “I’m sorry. I was trying to help.”
“Fake kissing me doesn’t come close to what I had to witness him doing with my maid of honor and supposed friend while he and I were still together. He got off easy. I’m glad we gave him a taste of his own medicine.” She kisses my cheek. “Thank you.” She winks at me. “See? You are a good guy, Maverick Court.”
I’m not.
A good guy wouldn’t be fighting with everything he has not to haul Hannah against him and kiss her for real.
And now we have to sleep in the same room again.
Fucking hell.
Chapter Twenty
Hannah
God, I wanted Maverick to kiss me for real.
I was sure he was going to. The way his eyes darkened as he leaned close to me. And I could hear his breath catch in his throat as he cupped my cheek. But then, he faked me out. I wonder why.
My dirty