Free Let it Ride (Casino Nights #1) by Melanie Jayne Page A

to hers. “Like it that you’re
here, Francesca.”
    She whispered, “Me too.”
    A few minutes later, Remy had
changed into a black polo style knit shirt that looked faded from many washings . She wanted to run her hands along his chest to see
if it felt as soft as it looked. His jeans fit his body perfectly, tight in all
the right places, and God help her, well-worn motorcycle boots. No sane person
would mess with him. He had that badass vibe flowing.
    “Ready Frankie?” He checked his
phone before shoving it into his pocket.
    She stood and headed to the door.
The first thing she was going to do was to ditch these shoes.
    He held the door open for her and
after they had walked through, he paused to pull it shut, making sure it was
secure.
      “So what’s with this Frankie thing?” She
poked him in the side.
    “What, you don’t like it?” One side
of his lips stretched upward in a teasing grin.
    “I didn’t say that. It’s just that
everybody calls me Francesca.” Team 2 members and a few close friends used the
nickname. It felt intimate that he used it.
    “Francesca was sitting on the stage
earlier, professional, brilliant, and in control. Frankie was in my bed,
relaxed after we made love last night. When she’s with me, she’s going to learn
that she can relax. She can allow me to take care of her. She doesn’t have to
be in charge and responsible all of the time.”
    Francesca stopped. It felt like she
couldn’t get any air into her lungs. “Remy, it’s been two days.”
    “It’s been two years.” He corrected
her.
    She didn’t know what to say to this.
    “I know that I am way ahead of you
in this. I don’t really want to lay it out in the hotel hallway, but since we
are here I will. This isn’t a fling for me.” He held her by both arms. “After I
had you last night, I knew for sure this is more.”
    Her mind raced—maybe because
her heart was pounding and her blood wasn’t circulating correctly. “I don’t
know what to say to that.” He was moving so fast and sounded so sure of his
feelings. She hadn’t thought about what was to come, she’d been enjoying the moment too much. She felt her brow furrow as she worked
through his declaration.
    “I’m good with that. Just don’t say no Frankie. Don’t shut me out, because this thing, it’s
good.” He leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose.
    She didn’t really take in the rest
of the walk to her door as she tried to process all that he had said.
    At the door to her room, they
stopped and she pulled the key card from the pocket in her purse. She held it
out for Remy to take. Suddenly he was pushing her backward against the wall
opposite her door.
    “What the hell, Rem?” she snapped.
    “Quiet.” His body had gone hard and
he was staring at her door.
    She studied the door and spotted
what had caught his attention. Along the frame were streaks of a dried
substance. It was a dark color. Her first thought was blood, but that didn’t
make any sense. Plus, on further examination, it was shit brown. She glanced at
the carpet and didn’t see any residue.
    Remy pulled out his phone. “Call
George from Security and tell him to get his ass up here,” Remy barked.
    She started to step forward. “Why
don’t you call him while I check out my room?”
    He yanked her back against the wall.
“Francesca,” he snarled. “You don’t go in there. I’ll check it out, and you
wait here.”
    No way. She handled situations in
her hotel all of the time and she wasn’t standing in the hall while the big bad
alpha took care of her. “How about we both check out my room.”
    His eyes were cold as they studied
her.
    “You can go in first.” She saw a
flicker of warmth in his eyes. “I’ll have your back in case someone jumps you.”
Then she smiled slowly, recognizing that she was getting her way.
    “I don’t like this,” he mumbled as
he loosened his grip on her arm.
    “I know, but I’ve seen plenty of
ugly stuff in our hotel, so