Read Take Me If You Dare for Free Online Page B

the beach with her. That prospect was much more enticing than going through the curtain with the two guards.
    She glanced up to see Jackson was answering her question, and she’d missed most of his answer. She forced herself to focus.
    “It’s best to be on guard at all times. We’re here to gather information, nothing more. The most important thing is, if you see Gladstone, don’t let on that you know him right away. Give me some kind of signal and then we’ll play it by ear.”
    Jackson squeezed her hand and she gave him her most reassuring smile.
    Jackson said something in Thai, and the guards pulled back the curtains. The disco part of the club hadn’t prepared Mariska for the freak circus in front of her. The casino, packed with masses of people, was an overwhelming, nasty mess. From the flashing lights to the totally nude cocktail waitresses, it was an assault on the senses.
    There were blackjack tables, slot machines, roulettewheels and everything else one might find in a Vegas casino, including card games in side rooms along the casino floor.
    Down the center of the casino was a line of large birdcages hanging from the ceiling. Inside were nude dancers. A few of the cages had more than one girl and they were making out. Hell, it was more than making out. It was erotic and kind of sleazy at the same time.
    Note to self: Don’t look up. Holy crap. Eyes forward.
    The girls were a distraction so that people didn’t pay attention to how much money they were losing. She knew that. Still, though Mariska had partied hard in her early college days, hitting some of the not-so-lovely bars in Austin, New Orleans, Vegas and L.A., she’d never seen anything like this.
    Jackson glided in with his arm around her shoulders. The warmth of him helped her get her bearings in the sea of people. He moved as if he knew exactly where he was going. She walked beside him, and admired Jackson’s way of looking like he owned the room. The man definitely didn’t lack self-confidence, which was the exact opposite of how she felt.
    Now that they were in, her stomach tightened with unease. She felt completely overwhelmed.
    This was a dumb idea. We’re never going to find him in this mess. Seconds after she thought it, she spotted Gladstone. He was across the large expanse where the slot and poker machines were lined up.
    She must have tensed, because Jackson leaned down and whispered against her ear. “Where is he?”
    He’s good. Jackson was so in tune with everythingaround him that even her slight movement caused him to take notice. She reached up and touched his cheek to help with the charade and to hide their lips as she whispered back, “Straight ahead and to the left. End chair at the big table.”
    Jackson hugged her, and then kissed her again, lingering a little longer than necessary for their theatrics. She didn’t mind a bit.
    “Good job. Now follow me.” He winked at her.
    Jeez, if he didn’t stop touching her like that she would melt into the floor. Seriously, she’d be the wicked witch of the west in a puddle, or was that the wicked witch of the east. She could never remember.
    If Jackson knew what he did to her, he’d run for his life. His touch around her shoulders sent electricity through her body, heating and teasing. Her nipples tightened, which was unfortunate since the thin halter she wore didn’t hide much.
    Great. They really are going to think I’m cheap eye candy.
    Taking their time crossing the floor, they watched some of the tables for a few minutes. Then they stopped to play roulette, and Mariska won. “Oh, my, Gawd. This is so much fun!
    “I’ve never been this lucky,” she said as she cashed in her coins for bills. Since her purse was barely big enough to hold her phone and lipstick she handed the money to Jackson.
    “That’s how they pull you in,” he said under his breath as he led her toward Gladstone. They were close enough now that she could see the lines of worry etchedin the other