Page 18 of Jackpot Joker

Dario points to the number on the screen.

“Two dollars? That’s it?”

He laughs. “You can’t always hit it big, but hey, you didn’t lose any money. Do you want to keep going?”

A part of me does. If I’m being honest, I’ve actually enjoyed Dario’s company this afternoon. Instead, I let my sensible and professional side guide me.

I shake my head. “No, we need to move on so I can get home.”

Dario doesn’t comment, but instead pushes a button, and a ticket prints out. “Let’s get you your money and continue our date.”

“I told you this isn’t a date,” I all but growl at him, annoyed with him calling it that again.

“It could be.”

“It absolutely couldn’t. I don’t date my clients.”

“Is this a company policy? I’m sure I could arrange something with Mr. Jorgensen. He seems to like me.” Dario smiles his megawatt grin, and the charm dripping from it tells me he’s right.

I follow him as he walks over to a cashier and hands over my ticket. “It’s a me policy. Though I’m sure the company would frown upon it.”

Dario hands me $102 in cash and sighs. “Okay, fine, we will just sleep together.”

“Stop,” I say with a laugh, knowing he’s joking. “If I don’t date my clients, I definitely won’t sleep with them.”

“Hmm,” he hums. “Well, who do you sleep with then?”

“Oh my gosh,” I say, shoving the money back at him. “Here, this is yours.”

Dario ignores me. “I’m serious. What’s your type? Maybe I can help you find someone here in the casino.”

“Here you’ve been asking me on a date, and now you’re eager to find me someone to sleep with?”

His lips curl up. “Until you come to your senses and decide I’m the one you should be with, I don’t mind helping you out. I’m no cockblock.”

“And I’m no thief. This is your money, Dario.”

He shakes his head. “That’s your money, Miss Baker. Or are we on a first-name basis now?” He leans in, and I hate the way my body reacts as he whispers my name in my ear.

I clear my throat. “Jasmine’s fine, but remember that our relationship is still strictly professional.”

“Of course.” Dario smiles, backing away. The new space between us allows a woman in an orange-sequined dress cut low, revealing a fake pair of tits, to step in.

A bangled wrist snakes up his chest, touching his exposed skin. “Hi there, handsome.”

My eyes follow her movements as her hands continue to glide down over his mouthwatering arms. When they reach his wrists, she moves her hand to dip into his pocket, clearly after something hiding underneath. Dario grips her wrist, freezing her hand right before it grabs hold of his dick. The dick I realize I’m staring at and wondering about. Quickly, I move my eyes to his face, noticing his ever-present smile is gone. His eyes are dark as he stares at the unfortunately gorgeous woman. Are they filled with lust?

“What’s your name, beautiful?” His words vibrate in the air, and I can’t help but notice the way the woman closes her eyes and swoons under his touch.

“Ruby,” she purrs.

Dario lifts two fingers in the air, and a man dressed head to toe in black swoops in, arriving in a flash. “I’ll meet up with you later,” Dario whispers as the man who looks a lot like security shakes his hand then steers the woman away from us. I don’t miss the way he stares after her, his eyes glued to her sequined-clad ass.

I need to leave. In the very short time I’ve known him, this man has proven he is a shameless flirt, likely to bed any woman who looks his way. Which, when you look that damn good, is a lot of women.

Knowing what he shared about his family, I have no doubt Dario was feeding me a bunch of bullshit about believing women are partners and should be equal in a relationship. He is no better than his father, using women for what he can get from them.

I turn away from Dario, looking for the exit signs to get the hell out of here. When I find the one I’m desperately seeking, I head toward the hotel lobby. I leave through the sliding doors as quickly as possible, but unfortunately, Dario is by my side in no time, gripping my wrist the same way he held Miss Sparkly Dress.