Katherine Garbera - Her High-Stakes Affair

“Wait. I think we got off on the wrong foot and I’d like to change that.”

She still faced away, but glanced at him over her shoulder. There was something in his dark-brown gaze that held her captive and wouldn’t let her walk away. Something that made her forget everything except him.

In an instant she realized she’d been using her disdain for the wealthy as a barrier against her attraction to him. Why did she have to pick today to let it drop?

She remembered what her father always said. You can’t con an honest man. If Scott wasn’t trying to manipulate her, then he wouldn’t allow himself to be manipulated.

They only had three and a half more weeks of shooting. She should have made it that long. “Since we’re on a break, let’s get out of here and talk,” he said.

“Talk?”

He arched an eyebrow at her. “Unless you had something else in mind.”

She shook her head. Maybe before she’d heard him with Stevie, but not now. Honestly, not ever. Think of a con, she thought. Make it about that. But she didn’t have a plan. She’d never been good at planning the actions even when she’d been a part of the game. She’d always been the honest one. Her father had said that with her eyes, no one ever expected a lie. “No. I…”

“Listen, I know there’s something about me that rubs you the wrong way.”

“It’s not that.” It wasn’t fair that he’d be so perceptive when she couldn’t get a handle on who he was. But it made an odd kind of sense. Only a man who knew what everyone else wanted would be able to effortlessly change into what they wanted.

“Then what? Because every other player on this tour has seen your smile except me.”

“I didn’t realize that,” she said.

“Sure you did. You didn’t care. Why is that, Raine?” he asked her. His voice dropped an octave.

She shivered at the sound of her name on his lips. She tried to remind herself that he was a trained actor, that this was all smoke and mirrors, but the finger rubbing her wrist made it feel like something more. And she remembered the other promise she’d made herself in high school other than getting the Oscar. No gamblers—ever.

Scott had spent the majority of his life on display, and he’d worked hard at projecting an image that said it didn’t bother him. Truthfully, he hated it. Part of the reason he disappeared for months at a time was that he just couldn’t stand to be social anymore. He got to the point where he couldn’t tolerate anyone around him.

So why, then, was he standing here next to Raine Montgomery, who’d made it perfectly clear she didn’t want to have anything to do with him? It wasn’t the bet with Stevie. He’d wanted her since the moment he’d set eyes on her in Joel’s office.

And she’d looked right through him. Maybe he was a closet masochist. Yeah, right. More likely, the lusty demon in his pants was making decisions for him again.

He wanted her. It didn’t help that Vegas was his personal playground. The place that he came when he needed to blow off steam. And they were in the Chimera, the one hotel that he thought of as his home away from home.

The bet was nothing to him. An added bonus to something he’d already decided he wanted.

And there was nothing he liked more than a challenge. Especially one that came in a tempting package like Raine. She was petite but she packed a punch. Gaffers, lighting techs and stage hands all bent to her will.

Everyone joked that her God voice when she was in the booth was straight out of the Old Testament. She was firm and polite but unforgiving of mistakes. She was also lavish in her praise, and he’d seen how well respected she was.

He tucked his hand under her elbow and drew her away from the set through an open door that led to the casino floor. For the television show they were using a high-stakes poker room off the main casino.

“Where are you taking me?”

“To my lair,” he said.

She laughed. “Okay, so you’re not the big bad wolf.”

“Who said that?”

“Stop trying to scare me. It won’t work.”

“I’m not trying to scare you. I’m attempting to find some common ground.”

She pulled to a stop in a small alcove well out of the way of the foot traffic. “I’m not sure there is any.”

“I know there is,” he said, curving his body in front of hers to block them from the view of passersby.

She stared up at him, and he realized her eyes were a beautiful shade of deep blue. He’d never seen them up close before. Her eyes weren’t what he’d expected. With her thick, dark, curly hair they should have been brown.

What else was she hiding?

“Why is this so important to you? I’m sorry I don’t smile at you but I’ll try to do it from now on.”

Scott rubbed the back of his neck. “I want more than a smile.”

“I don’t date…” She lowered her head, staring at her feet. This woman was different from the director he’d seen on the set. Which was the real Raine?

“Actors? Gamblers? Rich men?” But he knew she meant him in particular. He’d bet half his fortune that she was like most women, who thought if they found some palatable word he wouldn’t take it personally. But he knew from the way she watched him that it was Scott Rivers who made her nervous. Not his profession or his money.

“All of the above,” she said, glancing up at him.

He stared into her eyes, losing himself there. He’d never admit it out loud but there was something in her eyes that called to his lonely soul. He wanted to explore that, find out exactly what it was. “I don’t act anymore.”

“That’s right, you haven’t since…when?” she asked.

“A lifetime ago.” He remembered the day with a kind of fondness now. He’d been acting since he was nine months old. To say he’d chosen that profession was a huge exaggeration. He’d learned to act the same way he’d learned to walk and talk. Sometimes he wasn’t sure that he knew how to really live.

“What about gambling? Can’t deny that. You are being paid to play right now.”

“Ah, but that’s not really gambling, is it? I’m out there playing for charity and trying to outbluff the other contestants.”

“And you always do it.”

“Winning’s important to me.”

“Why?”

“Because losing sucks. Surely you’ve found that to be true.”

“I have. That’s why I play by the rules.”

“What rules?”

“My rules for safe living. It’s not that I’m not attracted to you. Who wouldn’t be? But you’re not worth the risk.”

“Risk? Honey, you’re safe with me.”

“Don’t call me honey. You call everyone that.”

“Okay, but don’t treat me like I’m nothing more than a list of professions or money. I want a chance to get to know the real Raine.”

She shook her head. “I don’t have time. And we both signed a waiver saying no fraternization with the cast or crew.”

“Live a little, Raine. Take a chance. We both have some free time.”

She bit her lower lip, and he realized that he was pushing her. He analyzed Raine and the situation. If he backed down now, she’d never let him get her alone again. But maybe… “I dare you.”

“What?”

“I dare you to go out with me. I dare you to see past the flashbulbs and the gossip-sheet rumors about me.”

Damn him. That was all she could think as she stood there contemplating the dare.

She wanted to accept it. Not only to get back at him—because it would give her a chance to put her half-formed idea of making him fall for her into action—but also because she liked him. She was attracted to him.

But she wasn’t sure what was motivating Scott. Was it just the money he’d wagered with the rocker or did he want more? And was she really willing to risk her job just so she could one-up him? And she definitely was going to one-up this man. Did she really want to take a chance on another man hurting her?