Read Online Joy by Jayne Ann Krentz - Free Book Online Page A

ten thousand dollars! I can’t believe it. What if this bracelet is a fake? Unless those stones are real, it won’t be worth anything near ten thousand.“
    Ryerson dropped the box back into his pocket. „And if the stones are real, it’s probably worth a lot more than ten thousand. Brigman didn’t have any choice. He didn’t have ten grand on him. This was the only thing he could use to cover the debt. One way or another, I have the feeling I’ve got my money’s worth.“
    He smiled at her with satisfaction. „Come on, Virginia Elizabeth, let’s go have a drink. I could use one.“
    „So could I,“ she agreed weakly. She felt dizzy and not just from the drinks she’d already had. The idea of a ten-thousand-dollar poker game was enough to make anyone light-headed. „It’s so unlike you,“ she murmured wonderingly.
    „What?“
    „Playing for those stakes.“
    Ryerson grinned again, looking arrogantly triumphant. „Lady, the evening is young, and I’m still feeling lucky. This is my night.“
    She wasn’t sure how to take that remark, so she let it slide. Besides, she was beginning to feel some of Ryerson’s triumph. She had never seen anything in her life as beautiful as the emerald-and-diamond bracelet.
    „Maybe I really am your lucky charm,“ she murmured daringly.
    „I never doubted that for a minute,“ he assured her.
    For the first time, Virginia began to look forward to the end of the evening.
    They danced until shortly after one o’clock, and Virginia was amazed by the small but definite sense of anticipation within her. Instead of the anxiety that had been gnawing at her all day, she was now filled with a delicate excitement that was completely unfamiliar.
    Maybe everything really would be all right tonight. Maybe her friendship with Ryerson could be extended to include a successful affair with him. She nestled closer to him on the dance floor, and Ryerson’
    s arms tightened around her. She was aware of the hard edge of the bracelet box inside his jacket. And that was not the only hardness she felt when Ryerson held her this close, Virginia realized.
    She and Ryerson were in the middle of a slow, sensuous number when the decisive moment arrived.
    She had been cradled contentedly in his arms, her head on his broad shoulder and her eyes almost closed when he spoke softly in her ear.
    „Let’s go back to the room, honey. It’s way past our bedtime. I think it’s time to see just how lucky I’m going to get tonight.“
    The gentle, unreal feeling of happy anticipation that she had been enjoying wavered slightly. Virginia tried to cling to it as she stirred and lifted her head. With a twinge of anxiety, she realized she was not quite ready. She made a small show of glancing at the watch on her wrist.
    „It’s just one o’clock. The night is still young by jet-setter standards,“ she pointed out with a false cheerfulness.
    „I’m sure the rest of the jet-setters will excuse us,“ Ryerson murmured, taking her arm to guide her off the dance floor.
    Maybe another drink would help, Virginia thought. „How about a nightcap under the stars?“ she suggested brightly.
    He looked down at her, silver eyes silently questioning. „All right, if that’s what you want.“
    She nodded quickly. „I’m sure that’s the sort of thing real international jet-setters do.“
    „Far be it from me to spoil the image.“
    Ryerson took her to the terrace bar and sat her down in a wicker chair. He ordered two brandies and then settled back to sip his.
    „It’s beautiful, isn’t it?“ Virginia said, taking a too-large swallow of the brandy. Her throat burned, and she barely stifled a cough.
    „The sea is fine. But you’re the most beautiful thing on the horizon,“ Ryerson said quietly.
    Virginia’s head snapped around, and she found him watching her with eyes that were the same color as the silvery sea. There was no element of teasing or flirtation in his gaze. Ryerson wanted her, and his need was