Hazard Play by Janis McCurry

guess.”
    “Hmm. Right. Just kissing.” 
    “What’s wrong?” He could almost see the wheels turning.
    “No offense, but both you and I have been around the block a few times, don’t you agree?” She dared him to deny it.
    “Agreed. What’s your point?”
    “If I have to spell it out, then you’re not as smart as you look. Never mind. It may come to you. We’d better get back.” She turned and started up the path, leaving him standing there.
    What the hell was that supposed to mean? Bailey followed her back to the hotel. Tess was pleasant, talkative, and altogether too serene for his liking. She acted like some mystery had been solved and he wasn’t in on it. She wasn’t mad at him; he was sure of that. The Contessa made it very clear when she was angry. Women . They returned to the hotel and Bailey arranged to pick her up in her room for dinner in Harrah’s dining room.
    * * *
    Tess stood looking out of the window in her room. The interlude on their walk replayed in her mind over and over. His kisses. His touch. The force of her feelings stunned her. She believed he felt the same way, although she suspected that he didn’t realize it. It suited him to think it was a casual seduction, but she’d experienced her share of those affairs when she was young and foolish. She’d learned early that casual wasn’t at all satisfying. This was definitely not like that. She didn’t know if she was ready for more of this non-casual casual game.
    The knock on her door was early. They weren’t going to dinner for another hour. Tess hadn’t even showered and changed. She opened the door and Bailey strode into her room, still dressed in the clothes he’d worn on their walk. “What is it? Is there a problem?”
    “No. I, uh, wanted to know how you liked the room.” 
    They’d already had this conversation, but she was willing to play. “It’s great. Huge, in fact. The bed’s bigger than my whole room at home.” The minute the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them. 
    She instantly thought about how he would look sprawled out on the California king size, his hair tousled from sleep, the longer strands touching his shoulders. She’d also bet money he wouldn’t be wearing pajamas in her fantasy. She flushed and hoped he wouldn’t notice.
    Bailey approached the bed and sat. Shooting a glance her direction, he said, “Well, they’re made for two in a town like this. Fast cars, gambling, liquor; things can get intense real fast. Who knows what will happen?”
    Damn it, he’d noticed, all right. She walked to the window facing the courtyard and stared out at the passers-by. “What’s next?” She felt rather than heard him behind her. She was getting better with her self-control, even when she could feel the heat of his body next to hers. 
    Well, she’d promised herself an adventure and S.D. Bailey certainly qualified in her book. She turned to find him inches from her. He took her breath away.
    He inhaled deeply. “Promise me. Don’t ever stop wearing that perfume.” She saw him staring at the little pulse at the base of her throat. She swallowed and drew in her own breath.
    “All right. Um...” She stopped when he put his finger to her lips.
    “Close your eyes.” He whispered. 
    Tess closed her eyes, her only movement the telltale beat in that little vein.
    He moved his finger over the pulse and she swallowed again. He leisurely traced his way back up as she ever so slightly arched her neck. “I hope you know you give me no choice.”
    He tasted her as if he couldn’t—wouldn’t—deny himself the pleasure. As if he had no intention of stopping. Their earlier passion had been all she had thought about, that and the fact that it hadn’t lasted long enough to satisfy her. Or him, it seemed.
    Tess took a shaky breath, but did not withdraw when he kissed her throat. He kissed her jawline and moved to the corner of her mouth for a feather-light caress. Then, a faint exhalation of breath