One Night in Vegas (Entangled Lovestruck) (Gambling Hearts) Read Online Free Page A

before she even flew in? The hint at them getting together had made him a touch reluctant to meet her again, since it wasn’t as if she lived anywhere nearby. Worse, he was still haunted by feelings he hadn’t wanted to admit in high school. Seeing her in person wasn’t helping. He could still see the girl he’d adored underneath it all, but she’d transformed into a woman he found himself desperate to get to know better. Talking about her brother’s failed attempts at matchmaking could only make things more difficult to deal with. A little flirting might be safe, but he reminded himself none of it could possibly go anywhere. One night was all they could really be sure of.
    “So what did you worry about?” he asked, choosing his words carefully.
    “It’s not important. It’s been a long time.”
    Her answer did little to quell his curiosity.

Chapter Three
    The Golden Steer was all white and red and dark wood inside. Dark-stained wooden chairs with plush red seats and backs circled the tables, where brightly colored napkins complemented white tablecloths. The walls were dark wood, too, but the sea of pristine tablecloths kept it from feeling oppressive. It had been around since the 1950s and felt drenched in history as a result. Eliza half expected to see the Rat Pack or Elvis tucked off in a corner somewhere.
    On the drive over, conversation had stayed light between them, focusing on stories of childhood and other neutral topics. At times she got the feeling that he was trying to keep things as safe as she was, which was difficult to understand. What did he have to be cautious about? He hadn’t utterly humiliated himself, after all. He didn’t have to fear dredging up old memories of his stupidity. That was all on her.
    Once she’d decided what she wanted to eat, she set her menu down and looked across the table at Chris. He was looking over the wine list with a small worry wrinkle between his brows. The sight gave her the perverse urge to smooth his forehead with her fingers. Or her lips. She should get a picture of him to send to Sarah. Maybe her best friend would finally understand the devastating effect the man could have on a woman’s libido and higher brain functions. At the very least she could get a shot of his perfect butt in those jeans. If he’d been cute at eighteen, he was heart-stopping gorgeous now.
    “Do you have any wine preferences?” he asked, glancing at her over the edge of the menu.
    When was the last time she drank wine? It had probably been over a year, if she was honest. “No.”
    “All right. How about a glass of Merlot with dinner? I assume you’re having steak?”
    “That was the plan.” She started to bite her bottom lip, but stopped herself, not wanting to mess up her lipstick over nerves. “Does it matter?”
    He set the menu down and offered her a wry grin that sent unexpected shivers down her spine. “I’ve been told it does. I’m not a wine expert, though.”
    Well at least he was unlikely to judge her too harshly on her lack of wine knowledge.
    “The horses you talked about. Are we going to one of the stables around here?”
    “No, my place is actually zoned for horses, and I can access trails into the mountains from there. It’s just a small lot and the property needs tons of work, but when I saw it I knew I couldn’t pass it up.”
    She leaned forward, bracing her elbows on the edge of the table and loosely intertwining her fingers. “So can I ask a personal question?”
    His brows furrowed again. And once again, she wanted to kiss them smooth.
    “You can ask, but if it’s too personal I might not answer. What is it?”
    “How did you and Jackson go to college at the same time, spend about the same amount of time at school, and he’s still driving a secondhand car while drowning under student loans, and you don’t seem nearly as worried about money?”
    He laughed softly instead of looking offended. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s rude to ask