Risky: Torn Between Two Lovers by Jo Davis Page B

of course, but in a detached way. Like I could see the world around me but it didn’t touch me, really.”
    “That’s amazing to me.”
    “You’d eventually get over that feeling, just like anyone who’s been immersed in their lifestyle for years.”
    He turned the conversation to small talk, learning that her favorite colors were blue and red and that she loved almost all food, but hated escargot and sushi. She spoke more about her parents and growing up. She was so animated, he loved to hear her talk, and just let her ramble about her childhood without interrupting.
    Half an hour later, the limo came to a stop in front of the grand entrance to his casino. He normally had the car pull around back, to his private entrance. But he’d wanted to make an impression on Anna, and he couldn’t help the surge of pride that swelled in his chest.
    “This is my home away from home—La Boheme, named after the gypsy blood that runs in our ancestry.”
    “Oh, it’s stunning,” she breathed as the driver opened the door. She stepped out, and he followed, taking in the admiration on her face. “You built this?”
    “From the ground up. She was my first go at owning a business that my father wasn’t involved with, and she’s been legit from day one.”
    “She?” Anna asked, her tone teasing.
    He shrugged, grinning. “Ships, hurricanes, and cars are identified as female. Why not my place?”
    “True.”
    “Let me show you around.”
    Escorting her inside, he took her through the busy lobby, noting with satisfaction that the marble floors and walls were pristine, the place shining like a new penny. The check-in desk was bustling, and he heard the staff speaking in friendly tones with the customers. No one had noticed or recognized him yet, and that was just as well. Anna would see a much more accurate picture of how well his place operated if the staff wasn’t bowing and scraping to him.
    Once he was spotted, though, it wouldn’t take word long to travel.
    Joaquin took her to each level of the casino, and they spent some time playing a few slots for fun. Anna’s delighted laugh when she won a hundred-dollar jackpot made him smile.
    “How fun! I’ve never done anything like this before!”
    And damn … he fell for her a little right then. She was like a young girl learning how to run and play for the first time, and he wanted more of her. So much more, when just a few days ago he would have denied ever wanting more than a woman to warm his bed. Damned if he knew what to do about it, but he was just going to enjoy his time with her for now.
    Next they enjoyed a couple of cocktails in one of the quiet lounges, and time seemed to slip by as they chatted.
    “Are you hungry yet?” he asked.
    “I could eat.” Her stomach growled loudly, and she laughed in embarrassment.
    “Then let’s go feed the tiger,” he said playfully.
    He could get used to this. Too damned much so.
    And that scared him more than he’d ever admit to anyone. Perhaps even Anna.

4
    Anna couldn’t remember when she’d had so much fun. Just pure, unadulterated entertainment for no other reason than enjoyment.
    And with a drop-dead gorgeous man, too.
    They’d had a good time at the beach, but this was different. Trying to decide why, she figured it was because this was Joaquin’s world. His life. And he was allowing her inside to see who he truly was.
    She
liked
him. A
lot
. He was a fun, charming companion. Relaxed in his element here, much more so than she had witnessed at the beach or at home. Since they’d arrived at the casino, the lines of stress around his eyes and mouth had smoothed out, and he laughed more. He couldn’t possibly realize the devastating effect that had on her senses.
    As he led her into the expensive steak restaurant on the lobby level, she saw that the host, at least, recognized Joaquin. The transformation on the young man’s face from pleasant to genuinely glad to see his boss was nice to witness.
    “Mr. Delacruz!