and only mine. So drop your hunting!"
Mr. Kingston's threat seemed to amuse the man. He laughed while his eyes slowly moved over Lydia's visible body. Lydia felt her heart quicken under his consuming gaze. Never had a man made her so uncomfortable.
His eyes lingered on her breasts then rose to meet her own. "I'll give you triple what he gives you, for the night."
His voice was firm and direct. He was serious! But the most unbelievable thought, was that she was considering it. Not for the money he promised, but just to see him naked, to feel his hard body against hers.
Lydia sat back away from the table. It wasn't in her nature to let a man control her, and she was quickly losing her senses drowning in this man's eyes.
She was there for business not pleasure.
She smiled then tapped on the table to signal to the dealer to shuffle the cards. "Why not discuss this after we are done playing?"
*****
After their arrival in America, Nicholas felt the need to go out and stretch the knots in his body that had formed after spending six weeks on a ship. He was sure Christopher would want to go to the mining site right away, but Melanie had persuaded him to rest. The nap meant to be an hour long became one-night long.
Nicholas was restless, and sleep would not help him, so he persuaded Mr. Simmons to go out with him. The butler had recommended the Dallas Palace. And until the red masked temptress walked in, it had been a bore.
There wasn't a woman in the establishment that caught his attention enough to provoke an arousal, but once 'Wildcat' sashayed in, his body stood alert, even before her man aided her in removing the cloak.
Nicholas watched as the black cloak slide off her petite bare shoulders to expose a red corset that exposed just enough breasts and the curve of her derriere, and long stocking clad legs. Her mask added onto the alluring enticement and an instant fantasy of tapping her in every position he knew came to mind.
He wanted her clothed just as she was as he quenched his body of six weeks' hunger. Then maybe he'd want her nude...
But no, that would ruin his Wildcat fantasy. Hopefully she was a Wildcat during sex.
The thought made him clench his jaw to hold back the groan.
Six weeks was too long.
He hadn't been paying attention to the game. He was just listening to her voice, wondering how it would sound in the throes of ecstasy. He only realised that Mr. Kingston, thanks to the Wildcat, had recovered most of what he had lost when he cheered loudly and she settled an arrogant gaze on him.
Does she pleasure as well as she gambles?
He smiled at her gasp when their eyes met. She had beautiful, faint blue eyes that popped with the blood red mask she had covering half her face. Her eyes pulled away from his then began roaming the little of his body that was visible. His grin deepened. It wouldn't be difficult to get her to abandon her protector for the night.
His eyes began to do his own survey.
She was a slight thing, probably less than half his size. His eyes settled on her breasts. There was nothing spectacular about them but they weren't what made his member throb. It was her confidence and that cocky smile she had when she rescued Mr. Kingston.
His eyes rose to meet hers again. He laughed, not only because of Mr. Kingston's insistence to leave his Wildcat alone, but how quickly her skin flushed under his gaze.
Oh, she would make a very responsive lover.
The only thing keeping him out of her bed was Mr. Kingston, for he could clearly see she desired him by how her chest heaved heavily under his gaze. It was all about the right price.
"So, how much does he pay you? I'll triple it right now."
Mr. Kingston banged his fisted hand on the table making her jump. Not out of fear, but right out of her daze.
"I said no, man!"
Nicholas drew his eyes away from Wildcat and settled an angry glare at her protector. His insistence was beginning to get on his last nerve.
Wynn leaned close to whisper in his ear, "Townson, she's not worth it. You are about to provoke a brawl."
Nicholas shifted his eyes back to his object of desire. "That is of no concern of mine. I want her," he said aloud, not caring if Mr. Kingston heard him.
Nicholas raised his brow at her new expression. It quickly shifted from surprise to anger.
"Do I have no say in the matter?" she challenged.
Her voice was strong, direct and yet seductive. Nicholas definitely wanted her in his bed, probably longer than a night.
"The only say you have is the amount of monies you want to be paid," he retorted.
She leaned in. "My lord, by the end of the night you will have nothing to offer me to join your bed."
Nicholas laughed then leaned in close and whispered huskily, "Is that so?"
He saw the awareness flash in her eyes before she gained her composure. She leaned back, dragging the cards dealt to her slowly on the table with her. She held them up, her eyes still keen on his. "I hope you came with a heavy purse from England."
Nicholas pulled back, taking his cards with him. "You shouldn't worry about that. I have enough to keep you for a month."
Mr. Kingston banged his fist on the table again. "For goodness sake, man! I will not repeat myself!"
Wynn slapped Nicholas's shoulder. "Townson, Ashworth is not here to help you if a fight erupts!" he whispered anxiously.
Nicholas shifted an unconcerned eye to Mr. Kingston then to Wynn. Then he slowly shifted his eyes back to Wildcat.
"In the interest of keeping the peace," Wildcat began, "why not gamble for it?"
Nicholas smiled, his interest peaked. "Gamble for what?"
She returned the smile. Her thin red lips pulled at him. They were just begging to be kissed. "Let us up the stakes."
Nicholas lifted his brow. "In addition to the fortune you promised to strip me of?"
Her red lips spread into a wider smile. He could imagine one particular place he would enjoy those lips touching...
"Me. When I win three games out of five, you have to abandon your pursuit."
Nicholas liked this, he liked it a lot. "And what of when I win?"
Mr. Fischer scoffed, "Not likely."
"What if I win?" Nicholas asked again, ignoring him.
She exhaled softly then bit down on her lower lip seductively and her desire filled eyes roamed his body making his member jump and tighten harder. "You may shackle me to your bed for a month."
She licked her lower lip, suckled
