Free Mine to Crave by Cynthia Eden Page B

tongue thrust into her mouth. He savored her.  He wanted to taste every single bit of her.  He’d gone too long without a woman. Need rode him hard. Only…
    It wasn’t need for just any soft, feminine body beneath his. It was a dark, aching need for her.
Jasmine.
    His head lifted.  “He’s the one who sent you after me.”
    She didn’t speak, but she stubbornly shook her head.
    “The Arrow used to be another casino.” A rundown dump that needed new life. A spot that had been ripe for the picking. “Case wanted the place. I bought the casino before he could. Found out the SOB’s bid, and I took it.”  When Vegas was supposed to be Case’s domain. Screw that shit. Drake took what he wanted.
    And he’d wanted Vegas.
    “I took what was his, and now he’s trying to take what’s mine.” 
    She gazed up at him with wide eyes.
    “
That’s
why you told me to head down to New Orleans. He’s trying to take my casinos from me. The bastard thinks he can run me out of business.”
    Her lips pressed together.    
    “Not happening.” He marched for the door. “No one takes what’s mine.”
    “Can I…can I go now?”
    “Go?” he repeated as he turned back to her.
    Her hands twisted in front of her. “You think you know everything, so you don’t need me now.”
    He stilled. “On the contrary, I think I need you very much.”
    “I don’t understand.” 
    The woman’s eyes could bring a man to his knees.
    But Drake bowed for no one.
    “Good thing your bag is packed, princess, because we’ll be leaving for New Orleans soon.” 
    Her jaw dropped. “You’re taking me with you?”
    “I wouldn’t dream of leaving you behind.”
    Fear flashed in her eyes. “You should, though. You need to leave me.”
    “No.”  Because he had plans for Jasmine.  So many plans. “I’m not letting you go.”
    ***
    No one takes what’s mine.
    Drake’s words echoed through Jasmine’s head. He’d sounded so fierce and determined.
    But Drake was wrong. This wasn’t just about his casinos.
    It was about his life.
    Maybe…maybe if she played things just right, she’d survive what was coming.
    Perhaps they both would.
    Then Drake would think that she was worthy enough, then he’d help her. He’d—
    “Coming?”
    She schooled her expression before she glanced up. Drake was back in the doorway. The guy hadn’t gone far at all.
    “You really should leave me behind.”  She was trying to be fair.  “I told you that before. You don’t want the kind of trouble I can bring to your life.”
    “Ah, Jasmine, you don’t know the kind of trouble that
I
am.”  He flashed her a tiger’s grin. “But you’ll be finding out. Very, very soon…”
    A shiver slid down her spine. 
    ***
    He slipped into the Arrow. Headed inside as easily as could be.  The security guards at the front of the place didn’t notice him—mostly because they thought he
was
one of them.  Getting the guard’s uniform had been too easy. 
    He made his rounds, like a good security guard would. Then he went to the area that interested him the most.
    “Heard there was some action here last night,” he murmured when he saw the two uniformed men near the vault.
    One guard grunted. “Damn smoke bomb.”
    This time, it wouldn’t just be about smoke.
    But the guard to the right frowned at him. “You aren’t supposed to be here. You’re not part of the usual rotation.”
    Ah, so security had been stepped up.
    “Let me see your credentials,” that guard barked. “Because I don’t know
you.
”
    Now both guards were eyeing him with suspicion. 
    He raised his hands. “You don’t know me because I’m the new guy on the team.” He flashed a friendly smile. “But don’t worry, I’m getting out of here. Just wanted to see where all the cash was kept. Curious, you know.”
    His smile and easy attitude should have reassured them. But one of the guards was pulling out his radio. Dammit.
    “I need the chief,” the guard snapped.