Devon Vaughn Archer - Bet on Love

Tanner ordered them each a Mai Tai in the Island Lounge. “So what do you do for a living?”

“I’m a writer,” Bianca responded.

“You write novels, articles or—”

“Yes, articles for the Vegas Valley Happenings and some freelance stuff for online publications.”

“Cool,” he said, picturing her at work on her next article.

“Not as cool as owning your own hotel-casino,” she said flatly.

He chuckled. “It definitely has its perks and advantages, but that’s only a part of who I am.”

“And just who are you?” Bianca asked as she sipped her drink.

“I’m someone with a wide range of tastes and experiences.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah.”

“Such as...” she asked.

He was about to answer when his cell phone rang. It was Frank.

“I have to get this,” Tanner said reluctantly.

“Of course,” Bianca said.

He stood up and took the call, listening as Frank informed him that he had a welcoming speech to make in fifteen minutes.

“I’ll be there,” Tanner said. He gazed at Bianca, feeling that he could look at her all day and night. If only he had the time. “I hate to cut this short, but I have to play host in welcoming some dignitaries to the grand opening.”

“I understand.” She gave him a polite smile.

“Can you hang around for a while?” he asked hopefully.

“Maybe,” she said hesitantly.

He grinned. “Good. I’d like to finish what we started. In the meantime, have another drink on the house.”

Bianca tilted her head. “You’re not trying to get me drunk, are you?”

Tanner chuckled. “No, I’d much rather have you clear-headed. It’s sexier.”

“So you think I’m sexy?”

He saw no reason to deny it. “Not think. I know you are,” he said. “Well, I’ll leave you with that thought.”

Tanner walked away from the bar, hoping this might be the start of something good for both of them.

Chapter 3

That night, Bianca sat in a bubble bath, shamelessly fantasizing about Tanner Long. In spite of the definite sexual vibes between them, she wasn’t holding her breath that anything would actually come of it. She wasn’t the type of woman to just jump into bed with any man she was attracted to. Especially a wealthy man with a reputation for loving and leaving women.

She hadn’t exactly gone out of her way to become involved with anyone at this time in her life. And she sensed the same was true for Tanner. No involvement of a serious nature.

So where does that leave us as potential lovers? she asked herself, using her toes to toss bubbles in the air. Probably nowhere, which was probably the safest place.

Bianca thought back to being at the Aloha Seas in a very nice lounge after Tanner had left. She had quickly grown bored and gone to find him. She did, in a huge ballroom filled with people. Standing tall at a podium, Tanner had seemed totally in his element. Flanked by gorgeous showgirls, he’d welcomed the mayor and other dignitaries while promising a bright future for the city of Las Vegas and Aloha Seas as a new addition to the Strip.

She had left the hotel before he had finished entertaining his guests, figuring that was probably best all the way around.

Melanie had left with her, but not before making plans for a date with Solomon. Bianca had a feeling that any romance between them would be short-lived, if Solomon’s reputation was even close to the truth. The same feeling about Tanner left her less than enthusiastic about any future with him, should the possibility present itself.

* * *

The next day at work, all Melanie could talk about was Solomon.

“He’s such a hunk, and he likes me,” she gushed.

“He likes all attractive women,” Bianca reminded her.

“And I like all good-looking men,” Melanie countered. “Doesn’t mean I’ll sleep with every one of them.”

“I never said that.”

“You also never told me if you plan to see Tanner again.”

“Not if I can help it,” Bianca said, wondering if it was as simple as that.

“Give the man a chance,” Melanie said. “I saw the way he was looking at you. In fact, he couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

Bianca smiled diffidently. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Well, maybe you should. He’s a hottie, loaded and looks to be in the market for a special lady—someone like you. Don’t blow it by playing too hard to get.”

“I don’t play games with men.” Unlike some other women she knew. “I’m just not looking to go there right now. Okay?”

“Okay, I get it.” Melanie sighed. “Not interested. Doesn’t mean we can’t go to their casino together sometimes for drinks or whatever. As huge as the place is, chances are you’d never run into Tanner.”

“Sure, no problem,” Bianca said. Somehow she was sure that any time she set foot in the Aloha Seas, she would invariably run into Tanner.

* * *

Tanner worked out on the elliptical machine in the hotel’s state-of-the-art fitness room alongside his brother. They were in regular competition over who was the fittest. In Tanner’s mind it was probably a tie, even though he’d never admit to it.

He thought about Bianca. After standing at the podium yesterday, thanking everyone who had made it possible for the hotel and casino to come about, he had gone to look for Bianca. But she was nowhere to be found.

Though disappointed, Tanner had given her the benefit of the doubt in her absence. Maybe she got tired of waiting and had other things to do. Should he call her? Did she want him to?

Or was he interested in someone who wasn’t able or ready to reciprocate that interest?

Maybe it’s best if I don’t rush into anything for a change, he mused, only to end up feeling empty and ready to move on.

Tanner had a feeling that this wouldn’t be the case with Bianca. But he might never get the chance to find out.

“So what’s up with you and Bianca?” Solomon asked, as if reading his mind.

“Not much,” Tanner admitted. “She left before we could spend any time together.”

“But you like her, right?”

“I’m attracted to her, yes.” Tanner increased his speed on the machine. “Can’t say yet if I like her.”

“Maybe you should find out,” Solomon said, wiping perspiration from his brow. “She’s definitely got the looks.”

“So does Melanie,” Tanner said, eyeing him. “You two seemed to hit it off.”

“Yeah, we did. We’re going out tonight.”

“Lucky you—or is she the lucky one?”

Solomon laughed. “Hey, we’re in the business of luck, right? We’ll see what happens. In the meantime, maybe you ought to give Bianca a buzz and take it from there. Or are you still hung up on...what’s her name...”

“That’s over and done with,” Tanner interjected before his brother could finish.

“Thought so. Just checking.”

“Well, check no further,” Tanner told him, eager to distance himself from Angie LeBrock, an aspiring actress and singer he’d hooked up with a few times. While it had been fun for a while, she soon became too overbearing and clingy for his liking.

He was now ready to move on.

* * *

Bianca had just left work and was heading toward her car when her cell phone rang. She pulled the phone from her purse and saw from the caller ID that it was Tanner Long. Her heart skipped a beat as she thought about him.

“Hello,” she said equably, just before her voice mail picked up.

“Hey, this is Tanner,” he said curtly. “You weren’t around last night to pick up where we left off.”

“Sorry, I had things to do. And, clearly, you were pretty busy, so...”

“Yeah, guess it was kind of crazy around here,” Tanner conceded. “You have any plans for tonight?”