Chapter 2

Chapter Two

Gemma

D ating is not so different from gambling.

You put yourself out there much the way you toss your chips on the table. Take what I am giving. Maybe I will give more later. Might just cash out and take what I have before I lose it all. It does not differ from rolling the dice, hoping for that lucky number seven.

Dating a gambler is a bad idea. They are always on the take, always looking for the next score, and almost always bad, troubled men. Still, I gave my number to a gambler at Cutter’s because something about him made me want to take a chance. Something about him threw me off my center, so I want to explore it more.

Gideon was handsome, charming, and terrible at blackjack. I figured that was a redeeming feature. No serious gambler would play that way. Giving him my number was easier than waiting for him to call or not call. No sooner have I convinced myself I will not hear from, and I do.

“ Good morning, Gemma. It is Gideon. I thought I ought to wait a respectable time before reaching out. Don’t want to seem overeager. Do you have plans today? ”

Trying to ignore the leap of joy that hits me, I respond. “ No plans. Am I to assume you were not eager at all, then ?”

“ Oh no, don’t get that wrong. If I had my way, I would not have left there without you on my arm .”

Laughing aloud at how thick he is laying it on, I consider telling him to get lost. It has been a long time since I gave a guy a shot. If you get burned enough, you stop walking into the fire. Something about Gideon makes me wonder if I could dance in the flames without a lick of damage.

That night was supposed to be my last night at Cutter’s. I took the gig because I have debts to pay. It is good money, even if being associated with Cutter’s is dangerous. I am good at what I do there, good at reading the clientele. Living in the Windy City means being able to handle anything that blows in.

Not sure I am prepared for this headwind.

“ Go out with me tonight. I want to see you again.”

“ What time. Where? Why ?”

“ I will pick you up at six. The where is a surprise. The why is obvious, kitten—I am totally taken by you.”

Flushing at the reminder of how we had flirted that night, I nod my head. There was something in the air between us as he played several terrible hands of blackjack. We were talking far more than we were playing blackjack. I want to see him again too; he is all I have been able to think about since we met.

“Yes. Come at six,” I agree, racing to shower so I can get dolled up.

Twenty minutes before six, I am second-guessing it. Spinning in the mirror in my red wrap dress and cute nude pumps, I look ready, but I am not even close. Why did I give a stranger at Cutter’s my number? Now I gave him my address. What the hell am I thinking? I am about to cancel despite my total shower, updo, and glam routine I did to get ready for him. Then a knock sounds at the door.

“Oh shit! No. I am not ready,” I whisper as my heart thunders in my chest .

Going to the door, I slowly open it to find a gorgeous Gideon waiting in dark jeans and a flannel. His dark hair is combed back, but a lock falls into his eyes. I want to reach out to brush it back from his forehead. A day’s growth of beard dusts his jaw, making me wonder how the coarse skin would feel between my thighs.

“Hey, Gemma. Wow…you look amazing.” He greets with a big smile, holding out a bouquet of bright orange dahlias. “For you.”

Taking them, I inhale their sweetness. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”

Reaching for my hand, he leads me out to the Jeep waiting at the curb. Once we are settled in, he reaches for my hand again, and it feels so natural for me to let him lace our fingers tight. On our way to wherever he is taking me, we talk a little about how much he lost at Cutter’s, and he teases he thinks the house cheated him. Talking, laughing, just being with him comes easier than it ever has with anyone before.

Our destination turns out to be a cozy little cafe tucked away on a quiet street. It almost feels as if the place is our secret, with fairy lights strung across the ceiling and mismatched vintage furniture creating a whimsical atmosphere. It is adorable and a perfect place for a first date. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked treats fills the air, making my mouth water.

Clasping my hand in his, we order cookies and cocoa at the suggestion of the clerk. Leading me to a small, overstuffed couch in a corner, we sit together, his hand still holding mine and setting my heart racing. It seems as if he literally cannot keep his hands off me—not that I am complaining.

“How did you find this place?” I ask, genuinely curious.

He shrugs, a playful glint in his eyes. “I have my secrets. When I saw you, I wanted to take you here. I can’t explain it.”

“No need to explain everything, is there?” I say, as a warmth spreads through me that has nothing to do with the cute, cozy ambiance of the cafe.

Over the sweet chocolate drinks and plate of warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies, we talk with ease. We talk about everything from childhood dreams to the places we want to travel someday. It is like unwrapping a gift to another gift, and another, each layer giving another little surprise.

“You are natural at it. Is it what you thought you would be doing?”

“Dealing cards at a back-alley gaming room? No, not at all. I thought…well I had hoped to be a dancer. Cabaret or Broadway, like the Rockettes or something big and grand.”

“Cabaret is amazing,” Gideon stuns me. “We went for Rumi’s bachelor party that same night we came to Cutter’s. It is unlike anything else. You would…Gemma, you would be amazing up on stage.”

Flushing, I bow my head because I am not used to compliments. In the past, compliments came with strings, a return on pretty words. He reaches out, capturing my chin in his thumb and forefinger. Tipping my head up, he holds my gaze, telling me without words to accept his praise.

“Gemma, you are the most stunning thing I have ever seen. It’s not your pretty hair or your beautiful face, though. It’s this,” he taps the side of my head and then traces my mouth as it smiles. “This too. I had to see you again to see if you were even real. You are and…I am still not sure how it is possible.”

Grabbing a cookie, he offers it to me after splitting it in half for us to share. This is officially the best date of my life. Gideon is unlike anyone I have ever met. While he is charming and confident, there is such a softness, a kindness to him. Earlier he said he was taken by me—and now I am taken by him.

It is such an amazing date; I agree to a second without hesitation when he asks as he drives me home. He walks me to my door, holding my hand as we linger on my porch. We are not talking. We’ve done all the talking we want to tonight. But this perfect date is not over, and we both know it.

Since he made the first move, I go for it. Leaning close, I press my mouth to his. Heat, sparks, skies full of fireworks ignite. His hand cups the back of my head as we get lost in the powerful kiss. It is a kiss that should inspire songs. A kiss that proves that chemistry and connection exist.

Part of me wants to unlock the door and lead him to my bedroom. I wish I were bolder, that I could tell him I do not want the night to end. That I have never felt this fire that burns between us. I am burning up from where our mouths meet. Where his hands grip my waist, drawing me closer. His tongue licks at my lips and he eats my moan as I open my mouth for him.

Gideon pulls back first, eyes dark, chest heaving as he grins big. “All bets are off now, Gemma.”

“Should I be worried, gambling man?”

“Oh yes, you should. Because this hand between us just got started.”