Read Online With His Love (For His Pleasure, Book 16) by Kelly Favor - Free Book Online Page B

strip and then come back to the room and watch a movie or something.”
    “I can’t let you spend another night alone here.”
    “How about we make a deal. You can go and play for a few hours by yourself and then I’ll stop by a little bit later and see how you’re doing?”
    “I don’t have to even go at all. Seriously.”
    “I know you don’t. But I want you to. Seriously.”
    That seemed to put an end to the discussion, and Nicole could tell that Red was secretly relieved he was still going to be able to play poker that night. Of course, she was a little concerned, knowing that he might be spending fifty thousand dollars or more just to play a silly card game.
    But Red was a very wealthy man who’d been doing these sorts of things for years and years before she’d ever met him. What sounded like a lot of money wasn’t really anything to him.
    She supposed he thought it was worth the money to meet his poker idols.
    In any case, Nicole and Red managed to spend a little more time in bed together, before Red finally roused himself and got dressed for the evening.
    He put on one of his more casual suits, with no tie and the top few buttons of his shirt undone. Nicole could tell that he was a little bit nervous for the game from the way he was pacing around the room and checking his appearance in the mirror.
    “You look handsome,” she told him, from the bed.
    He looked at her. “I need to look like I mean business. The last thing I want is for these guys to see red meat when I sit down at the table.”
    “Aren’t they going to see that no matter how you look?”
    “Image is always important,” he replied.
    “Well, I think you look sharp and prepared for anything.”
    “Thanks, babe.” He walked over and planted a kiss on her forehead. “I had a great time with you today.”
    “Me too. I love you. Have fun and be smart,” she told him.
    “Always.” He straightened his jacket and took a deep breath. “You’ll text me when you’re coming to Patrick’s room to meet us?”
    She assured him she would and then he made his way to the door and left.
    When the door shut behind him, Nicole felt the silence descend on her. Just one more night to get through and then they would be headed back to Connecticut, and Riley.

    ***
    After taking her time getting up, showering again, putting on a nice outfit and makeup, Nicole went out to the strip and walked around. It was hotter than she’d even expected, and so she quickly dipped into the first decent restaurant she found, which ended up having standard pub fare. She had fish and chips and nursed a beer for the heck of it.
    It was strange having so much time alone after always being with Riley and Red.
    In some small way, she was able to take a moment and enjoy the peacefulness of just sitting in the restaurant and watching the other people. She didn’t need to make conversation, entertain anyone, change a diaper or quiet a crying child.
    When she was done eating, Nicole stayed for a while and watched some of the baseball game on TV. She didn’t necessarily even care who won the game, but it was something to do to kill time.
    She didn’t really want to go to the poker game.
    Nicole wasn’t sure why, but she just had a weird feeling about being around Patrick and his friends and watching them all gamble.
    Altogether, it was a solid few hours before Nicole made her way back to the hotel and then found herself standing in front of Patrick’s hotel room door, knocking.
    There was noise and muffled music playing inside, and she could make out the laughter of women.
    A moment later, the door swung open, and Patrick Keating stood before her with a wry smile on his face. “I heard you were coming to join us,” he said. “Come on inside, mi casa es su casa.”
    “Thanks, Patrick,” she said, as he allowed her to walk past him and into his luxurious hotel room.
    This room had a more lived-in feel to it, and Nicole could tell that Patrick was virtually living here,