Page 58 of Jackpot Joker

I turn and give Dario my best eat-shit-and-die grin. “That sounds splendid. I think I may take a nap, and then I won’t have to listen to you and your nonsense.”

He steps closer toward me, and I’m unable to hide the way my breath catches. “You seem tense. I could join you in there and help relieve some of that.”

I sigh. “While a massage should be included in my benefits package when it comes to working with you, I think I’ll pass.”

Dario grips my waist, running a thumb over the sheer fabric and doing things to me I’m honestly ashamed about. “Let me make myself clear, Miss Baker. If I take you into that room,” he leans down to whisper directly in my ear, “it will be to fuck that delicious pussy of yours I miss so much.”

My thighs involuntarily clench at the wondrous memory, but I manage to grit my teeth and thrust my hand up between him, palming the fruit I chose as a snack. “I would fuck this banana before I would ever fuck you.”

His chuckle sounds behind me as I make it back to my seat, trying to hide all evidence that the man is getting to me.

“Jazzy!” A smile I thought was long forgotten spreads as my friend Skyla rushes toward me from a cute little fainting couch. There are books on shelves in the little nook, and I have no doubt my romance-reading friend has made it her own personal library.

I hug her back, holding on tight as I realize how much I’ve missed my friends. “Hey, Sky. I’ve missed you so much. This is Dario.”

“Nice to meet you,” Dario says from behind me, and I don’t miss the way my friend’s green eyes track up and down his body.

I leave them to their introductions, shaking my head as I make my way over to the counter, where an older gentleman blushes as a spry, gray-haired lady whispers in his ear.

“Hi, I’m Jasmine Baker. Dario Caruso and I are checking in for the week.”

“Welcome to Sheets n’ Sweets. I’m Walter, and this here is my Hazel.”

My heart warms at how he addresses the woman beside him. I give her a nod, but her eyes are busy darting between me and my employer. A sly smile forms on her face, and I know she and Skyla are kindred spirits.

“Here are your keys. You’ll be in rooms three and four. When you go upstairs, they’re the two rooms on the right.” Walter holds out two keys from little hooks, but before I can take them, Hazel snatches them from his hand.

“Actually,” she draws out, “there’s been a bit of a mix-up. I accidentally overbooked, and the two of you will have to share a room.”

Skyla waltzes over, wearing a denim dress and adorable tennis shoes with cherries printed all over them. Dario is by her side, and I know the two of them together could be very dangerous for me. “Oh, what a shame. You could stay with me, Jaz, but you know how messy I can be. I know you hate that. You also know what a bed hog I am. You should probably room with Dario.”

My friend smiles brightly at me, but I can see through her bullshit. “Nice try. I’m not falling for one of your romance book schemes.”

“It’s not a scheme!” she and Hazel insist in simultaneous, sweet voices.

“Oh, you two leave the poor girl alone,” Walter says, and I mouth a silent thank you to him. He holds his hand out to Hazel, who reluctantly returns the keys.

The kind man hands one to me and the other to Dario, and I thank him again before heading toward the stairs. Behind me, Dario is speaking to the man about extra blankets when he says, “Oh, and would you happen to have any fruit I could take up to my room? I’d love to have a snack later tonight.”

I’ve been tossing and turning all night, despite the fact this bed is much more comfortable than mine in Vegas. It’s been an amazing trip out here, going over the necessary details with Phisherman’s Cybersecurity and getting to hang out with my best friends. Maybe it’s knowing tomorrow I’ll be leaving them again as we head back home is why sleep evades me.

Maybe it’s the throbbing between my legs that needs to be taken care of.

Tossing the covers to the side, I slide out of bed and walk over to my suitcase. I unzip the top part, then take out the bag I bring on every trip. As I’m about to climb into bed, there’s a soft knock on my door.

“Jasmine? Are you okay?”

I groan, hide my bag of toys underneath the sheets, and walk across the room. I lean my head forward, allowing my forehead to rest against the wood. “What do you want, Dario?”

“I heard you moving around. I wanted to make sure everything was all right.”

No, everything is not all right. You stuck your stupid devil of a tongue in my pussy, and now she aches for it every night.

“I’m fine. About to go back to bed.”

I wait for a moment in silence, but as I’m about to turn away, Dario speaks again. “Can I come in?”

I shouldn’t. There is nothing good that can come from me opening this door and allowing this man entrance to my room. So why do I turn the lock and twist the knob?