The Billionaire's Bet Read online

  It was baffling he'd made it this long. Two and a half years of keeping his trysts quiet was longer than both Nicolas and I had thought he'd last.

  I watched Enzo slip another twenty into the waist of the woman's skirt and wondered if he figured enough tips would be the same as paying for sex. I needed to find a chance to remind him that he needed to be discreet. No matter how well a casino intended to protect its patrons, nothing was full-proof.

  I sighed. Enzo was driving me crazy.

  Then, like a breath of fresh air winding through the casino, I glimpsed her.

  Briana.

  She no longer looked like she'd been summoned from a deep slumber, but rather more like she did when I'd first met her, all put-together and sleek. Just the right amount of make-up and a deceptively casual-looking hairstyle. The effect was stunning, and I wasn't the only man on the floor to notice her as she walked by.

  A part of me preferred the more rumpled look. Like she'd just rolled out of bed.

  My bed.

  Shit.

  I shook my head to clear it.

  Enzo hadn't seen her yet, as he was too caught up trying to look down the waitress' shirt. I knew I should let Briana pass. We were leaving tomorrow, and any encounter with her was just another opportunity for Enzo to ask her to Hawaii.

  Then again, he hadn't done it yet. He could have tried it at any point last night when she was in our room, but he hadn't. Not really. Sure, he’d thrown a few remarks at her, but no more than he would any attractive woman in his vicinity. But he hadn’t put forth any real effort. He was used to women responding eagerly to his attention, and I was pretty sure he hadn't expected Briana to be any different. When she hadn't swooned at his compliments, I knew it'd thrown him. Now, I was banking on the fact that Enzo was the type of person who excelled at things that were easy but rarely attempted anything difficult.

  Because I really didn't want her to come to Hawaii with us. Not just because I didn't want to risk losing the bet, but because I wasn't entirely certain that I could ignore her for that long, especially not if she was pretending to be my date.

  Hell, I couldn't stop myself from smiling as she came my way.

  “I was just about to come find you two to check in on you,” she said, her eyes practically glowing under the casino lights. “How are things? How's Enzo?”

  I glanced over at the cards table where the waitress who'd come with Briana was prodding at the bandage on Enzo's head. He was grimacing dramatically, but I knew him well enough to know how much was real and how much was a play for sympathy.

  I thrust my hands in my pockets and leaned in for a conspiratorial whisper. “The same as he's always been, unfortunately.”

  Damn, she smelled good. A bright jolt of arousal went through me, and I clenched my hands into fists.

  I reminded myself that how she smelled or looked wasn't important and continued with my attempt to make her laugh, telling myself it was only about trying to keep her from falling prey to my big brother’s charms. Enzo hadn't said anything about me not being allowed to undermine him.

  “I was hoping the head wound would've affected his personality a little. Alas, he's still an idiot.”

  I got the laugh I'd been hoping for. A stab of pride mingled with my desire, and I found myself wishing that I'd come to Vegas alone.

  “I'm glad to hear there are no long-term complications,” she said, her eyes dancing with amusement. “What are the two of you planning on getting up to today?”

  I glanced over at Enzo and found him still flirting with the waitress. I didn't doubt that his main plan for the day was to see how much money he could lose at blackjack, flirt with pretty much every woman he saw, and then get rip-roaring drunk to finish off the night. And I knew if I said anything, he'd just tell me I was too uptight, and that I needed to loosen up. After all, that was why we'd come here.

  I understood where he was coming from, in a way, even if our tastes didn't quite line up. He was an excellent businessman and had a lot on his plate besides that. His marriage, for one thing. For some reason, our father had chosen Enzo to be the one to solidify our deal with the Micheli family by marrying Elina. The two of them had an arrangement when it came to Enzo's roving eye, but I knew it had to weigh on him that divorce wasn't an option, not if he wanted our family to keep in the Micheli's good graces. Lately, I'd started hearing whispers that Elina's father wanted a grandchild soon, so that was a whole new issue.

  Looking down at Briana, I found myself thankful that Enzo had gotten married rather than me.

  “I don't know what our plans are,” I said. “Any suggestions?”

  “That depends.” She tucked a wayward wave of hair behind her ear. “What kind of trouble are you boys looking at getting into?”

  All kinds where she was concerned.

  I was just as shocked that the thought had come to my mind as I was sure she would have been if I'd said it out loud. That sort of thing sounded more natural coming from Enzo's mouth than mine. I generally stuck with a straightforward approach. That way, no one had unrealistic expectations.

  “I'm sure Enzo's gotten in enough trouble–” I began.

  As if he'd heard me, Enzo appeared at my side and dipped into a ridiculous bow. “Briana, my midnight savior. I hope you ended up getting enough sleep last night.”

  She smiled and waved him off. “Oh, don't worry about me. How's your head?”

  I noticed that her smile wasn't quite as warm for him as it was for me.

  Or maybe that was just wishful thinking on my part.

  “Just fine, thanks to you.” He chuckled. “Though I don't think my mother will be too happy when she sees me. We're going to Hawaii tomorrow – our grandparents are renewing their wedding vows – and she'll probably insist on shoving me to the back for the photos.”

  “I would suggest some cover-up, but somehow you don't strike me as a man who'd be willing to wear makeup, even for his mother.”

  Irritation crept up inside me at her teasing tone. Enzo, apparently, was finally putting on the charm with her. And she was responding. Maybe not in the way women usually did, but it was working on her nonetheless.

  “So you're working at the moment?” Enzo asked. “Does that mean you can't spend time with your two favorite guests?”

  “I am on the clock, but my main job is to make sure my two favorite guests are happy,” she replied. With a wink, she added, “Please feel free to take advantage of that, so I don't have to go back to getting new packs of smokes for those Texan cowboys.”

  Whether she intended to or not, Briana had both of our attention with her statement. I had no doubt that my brother was thinking the same things I was when it came to taking advantage of our charming host. A part of me wanted to claim her right then and there, tell her that what I wanted was her to stay at my side the entire remainder of our trip. Beside me. Over me. Under me.

  Fuck.

  “I'm sure we can think of something much more fun to do,” Enzo's words took on a bit of the Chicago accent we'd all mostly lost. He clapped me on the back. “Eh, bro?”

  I tensed and reminded myself that I didn't want to punch my brother. “Sure.”

  “What about the pool?” he suggested. “I hear it's divine.”

  “It is,” Briana said, nodding. “I don't have a suit, though I don't need one to simply sit at the side.”

  My eyes took in her tall, slender body. Those firm, perfect breasts. And I suddenly felt I'd die if I didn't find out how she looked in a bikini. I'd never been much into swimming, but the idea was one of Enzo's better ones.

  “Can you find one?” I nearly blurted out the question.

  Briana's eyes turned to me, a question flitting across the surface before I could fully read it. “I'm sure I can scrounge one up.”

  “It's settled then,” Enzo announced. “We'll meet you out at the pool in, say, half an hour?”

  She smiled and nodded. “Perfect. I'll be there.”

  With that, she disappeared b
ack into the crowd and the swirling, smoky air.

  Enzo's grin widened. When she was out of earshot, he turned and poked me in the shoulder. “You thought I was going to make an ass out of myself with her, didn't you?”

  I shrugged him off. “I never said that.”

  “Oh, but you were thinking it.” He buffed his nails against the luxurious fabric of his jacket, and I rolled my eyes. “And now she's practically eating out of my hand.”

  Don't hit him. Don't hit him.

  “I wouldn't go that far.” I could hear the edge to the words, but I knew he wouldn't care.

  “Maybe before the night's out, I'll be eating her.” He winked. “Let's go get changed, brother. Our company awaits.”

  I followed him to the elevator, wondering if I could get away with punching him in the back of the head and blaming it on somebody else.

  11

  Briana

  Finding a swimsuit wasn't hard. Since I didn't have time to go home, I picked one up from the hotel gift shop and put it on the company expense account. Earl had said whatever it took, and I was taking him at his word. The cashier hadn't even blinked, making me wonder if Earl had sent out an email or something. I didn't ask though. I was more worried about calming my galloping pulse. I changed in the staff bathroom, took several deep breaths, and then made my way out to the expansive garden oasis that always made the front page of our brochures.

  The pool area was one of the most luxurious of all the Vegas casinos. Sure, the Bellagio featured marble statues and Italian accents, but that was nothing compared to Rock Bay. In my humble opinion, at least. The pool was enclosed in a large courtyard and could only be accessed from inside the casino or the hotel. As soon as you stepped outside, you were assaulted by an explosion of color, from the green palm leaves that swayed gently in the mid-morning breeze to the colorful flowers that seemed to bloom from every surface.

  The pool itself was a wonder of decorative tile and cheery water features. The normal sounds of Las Vegas traffic and the excitement of the strip were nearly erased by the splashing of water, the sound of laughter, and the gentle music playing from the speakers by the bar.

  I'd always wanted to relax by the pool, but the closest I'd ever gotten in the past was when I first started here as a waitress, and I'd been assigned to the pool for a couple months. Since then, it hadn't been included in my job description. But, then again, I didn't normally have to do whatever it took to secure future patronage.

  As I'd hoped, I was a little bit early and used the time to stretch out on a pool lounger and try to acclimatize myself to the situation. I couldn't get Earl's implied suggestion out of my head. I kept reminding myself that my present situation was different than past circumstances. I was being a good hostess, and ultimately, everything I did was my choice. I just had to keep reminding myself of that.

  It's my choice.

  After a couple minutes had passed, I was feeling hot enough to take off the knitted cover-up I also purchased, so I hadn't had to walk through the hotel in just the simple suit. I'd just begun to pull it over my head when a shadow fell across me.

  I looked up, squinting against the sun.

  Holy shit.

  Being the mother of a six-year-old, I could only equate seeing Dorian without a shirt for the first time as feeling like a cartoon mouse had hit me over the head with a comically oversized hammer. His chest was bare, save for a sprinkling of dark chest hair between his muscular pecs, and my fingers itched to touch him. I studied him greedily, trying to memorize every detail.

  I didn't realize I was gawking until he laughed.

  “Shit, sorry.” I grinned awkwardly, hoping I could play it off without coming across as too much of an idiot. “Much like the rest of your Rock Bay experience, that completely inappropriate stare was complimentary.”

  Dorian's lips quirked into a smile, and he sat down on the lounger next to me. Enzo, who I hadn't even noticed until that moment, took the one on my right. Each man leaned toward me just enough for me to be aware of it, but not so much that either of them looked awkward.

  Damn, had it just gotten a whole lot hotter?

  “I hope we haven't kept you waiting long,” Dorian said, his gaze heavy.

  “Oh, no. Not at all. I haven't even started getting my tan on yet.” I was pretty close to babbling, and I knew that if I didn't get a hold on it, I'd end up sounding like a complete moron.

  “Can I put sunscreen on for you?” Enzo spoke from my left, his tone a little more forceful than it had been before.

  I glanced over at him and wondered if his edge had anything to do with my reaction to seeing Dorian shirtless, and my lack of reaction to him. I studied him now, but it had none of the heat I felt when I looked at Dorian. Enzo was shorter than his brother. Less than half a foot taller than my own five-six, but with broad shoulders and a well-muscled chest. He sported a tattoo, which added to an edgy sort of energy to his playboy appeal.

  But it did absolutely nothing for me. An aesthetic appreciation for his physical appearance, yes. Arousal? Desire? No.

  “No, thanks,” I said politely. “I already put some on.”

  Enzo had ramped up his flirtation since last night, and I wasn't sure why. Surely he wouldn't put that much trouble into trying to sleep with me? After all, he was gorgeous and rich. Any number of women would be climbing over themselves to take a ride on that Italian stallion.

  Just not me, as it turned out.

  No, it was Dorian who'd managed to pique my interest. The quintessential tall, dark, and handsome stranger with a brooding air that gave him that bad boy appeal.

  But as of yet, I had no plans to sleep with either of them. If I could keep it to just flirting, then I wouldn't be putting myself in the position where I'd need to make a decision about what I was going to do.

  That was good because I had no idea what I even wanted to do.

  A waitress came over and took our drink orders. I waited to see if either of the men would check her out, but they both kept their attention on me. In an attempt to appear non-nonchalant, I leaned back on the lounger and closed my eyes against the blinding sunlight. I wished I'd thought to pick up some sunglasses.

  “This is nice,” said Enzo. “Do you come out here often?”

  “If I ever do, it's just a walk through. So, I guess I'm indebted to you boys for putting me on the job out here.”

  Enzo chuckled, a dark, lustful sound. “We're eager to please.”

  Beside me, Dorian let out a barely audible yet clearly irritated sigh. “I'm going for a swim,” he announced.

  I opened my eyes, unsure if I should stay with Enzo or go after Dorian. Staying was the smart thing to do.

  “Have fun!” Enzo called after him.

  I had to admit that when Dorian was walking toward the pool, I did sneak one or two peeks at the rippling muscles of his shoulders and back. Maybe three peeks. And it was possible that he caught me on that last one. My face flamed with heat, and I quickly looked away.

  There was a spark between Dorian and me. I couldn't deny it, and I was fairly certain that he felt it too.

  But that didn't add up to sex.

  Hell, I was tempted. Who wouldn't be? But I'd learned my lesson with Elroy that physical attraction didn't mean shit. And Mikala came first. Always.

  Which meant no thinking with my libido. Even if my lady parts were feeling a little neglected.

  Nope, better to focus on how I could get the job done without sex.

  Enzo rolled onto his side to face me. “I'd like to make you an offer.”

  And, here it was. I didn't really want to hear what Enzo had to say, but I needed to hear him out. How he said it would give me a good idea of the best way to turn him down.

  “Yes?”

  “My brother and I are leaving for Hawaii tomorrow morning for a family event. We'll be there until next Friday. We'd like you to join us, if you're available.”

  That was quite a way to proposition me. Mention the location, the fact tha
t it was a family event. Nothing to imply that sex was on the table, but nothing to say that it would be out of the question either. And no mention of payment.

  I opened my mouth to respond, but Enzo silenced me by holding up a finger. “Before you say no, you should know that you'd be attending as Dorian's date. I'm married, after all. I'm only asking you because Dorian didn't want to ask himself.”

  What was this? The playground at school? I cast a glance over to the pool, where my attention was caught momentarily by the sight of Dorian pulling himself up onto the side. Water cascaded down his torso, and he gave his hair a quick flick to shake out some of the water.

  For a moment, I wished I could accept the offer. Nearly two weeks in paradise with Mr. Sexy over there? That was the sort of thing most women would jump at, and I might've considered it...if I didn't have a daughter, a job, and a boatload of other responsibilities.

  I sighed. Sometimes I hated being responsible all the time.

  12

  Dorian

  As I walked up, I watched Enzo studying Briana and wondered if I should have left them alone together. From Briana's face, I could tell that she was extremely uncomfortable with whatever it was they were talking about. Which made me think that he'd made his move.

  Bastard.

  I tensed as I waited to hear her response.

  “That's a really nice offer, Enzo, and I would love to take you up on it.” She gave an apologetic smile. “Unfortunately, I can't.”

  “Why not?” he pressed.

  I could have punched him. I'd never seen a woman so immune to Enzo's charms, and I could tell it was driving him crazy. He'd never been one to push an issue, but I didn't think he'd ever been in the situation to need to. Then again, I didn't think he'd actually been in this sort of situation before.