A Win-Win Proposition Read Online Free Page A

me,” she said, hearing the ball slow. Only seconds now. Seconds that would change her life forever. “Red, I get you.”
    She slipped her fingers beneath the lapel of his suit coat and rested on the expensive cotton covering his broad chest. He grabbed her hand with his as her fingers grazed his nipple. His harsh exhalation thrilled her.
    If something as mundane as standing close to him and touching his chest made her feel this incredible, what would happen when they were naked together? Her knees wobbled as his hand slipped around her waist.
    His eyes burned into her. “Why are you doing this?”
    â€œBecause it’s my birthday.” Because I’ve wanted you for four years but never dreamed that you’d want me in return. “Because it’s Vegas, baby,” she crooned.
    â€œVery well,” he growled, arm tightening to draw her body against his. “It’s a bet.”

Two
    T he ball dropped into the slot.
    It landed on red. Missy didn’t need to look for herself or hear the dealer announce it. She just knew deep down that it was so.
    And she knew because Sebastian stiffened.
    In all sorts of interesting ways.
    â€œRed thirty,” the dealer said, confirming Missy’s win.
    She felt like cheering, but one look at Sebastian’s tight expression told her he wouldn’t appreciate her victory dance.
    He loosened his grip, releasing her by slow increments. His fingertips grazed across her lower back just above the swell of her butt. Had he meant the caress? His remote expression offered no answer.
    â€œI guess this means I won.” She spoke quietly to hide the tremor in her voice.
    â€œFive thousand dollars,” Sebastian said, scooping up her winnings and depositing it in her hands.
    â€œAnd you,” she reminded him, clutching the chips to her suddenly tight chest.
    Winning a man at the roulette table. If her family couldsee her now. The thought made her shudder. She pushed aside her concerns. This was Vegas and everyone knew that what happened in Vegas, stayed in Vegas.
    One night. One night she’d never forget. But only one night.
    Her knees wobbled.
    Sebastian scrutinized her expression. One eyebrow rose. “Let’s cash it in and get out of here.”
    â€œEager to start paying up?” Her weak attempt at teasing got lost in the cries of dismay around them as the ball dropped into place.
    Sebastian caught her by the elbow and pulled her away from the roulette table. Was he afraid she was going to gamble away her winnings, or was he in a hurry to start their time together? The significance of the debt she was about to collect prompted an unexpected bout of vertigo.
    Sebastian steadied her. “What’s wrong?”
    She, Missy Ward, unassuming girl from Crusade, west Texas, was about to sleep with the gorgeous and oh-so-elusive Sebastian Case.
    If the girls in the office could see her now.
    â€œMy heels are a little higher than I’m used to and your legs are longer than mine.” Missy tipped her head back so she could stare into his gray eyes. “However, I’m delighted you’re so eager to get me alone.”
    His mouth tightened, but his gaze remained as impenetrable as reinforced steel. “That’s not why I want to get out of here.”
    Four-inch heels couldn’t begin to eliminate his height advantage, but she doubted even if they stood eye to eye that his presence would be any less intimidating. A born leader, he took charge in every circumstance. The perfect head of a family owned-and-run business where his brothers were strong-willed and opinionated.
    Missy admired how he kept tension from erupting between his brothers Max and Nathan.
    Cool. Calm. Collected. Always one hundred percent in control no matter what the situation.
    The exact opposite of how she felt at the moment.
    â€œReally?” She slipped on a half smile. “Because I was hoping you were planning on giving me my