Read The Billionaire and the Con Artist: A Bad Boy Romance (Bad Girls Series Book 1) for Free Online Page B

want you guys worrying. And I feel like it’s my lucky night. Mark my words, I’ll make a killing on the blackjack table tonight—I can feel it. I’ll introduce her later so you guys can drool."
    “Maybe she’s open to other positions, eh? Maybe we can all have a go,” Scott says and my glare stops him cold as a fierce possessiveness takes over me.
    An awkward silence sits for a moment until I force a chuckle to break the unease.
    The mood softens and goes light again.
    I don’t know what got into me.
    We joke like this all the time, but the thought of Jewel looking at any of these guys with the eyes she gave me, the thought of any of them touching her, has me seeing red, and I feel like I’m capable of ripping one of their limbs clean off if they attempt it.
    Despite my fake laugh, I know my message is clear.
    She’s fucking mine.
    “Dude, when something seems too good to be true, it usually is and there’s a catch somewhere. Has no one ever taught you that?” Pete says.
    “Yeah, but in this case, there’s something more going on. I know things moved super fast, but this feels … different. I might even keep her the whole trip,” I add casually, suddenly feeling too exposed. The whole trip’s just three days, and I don’t want to come off like some softie. I have a rep to maintain. I can’t let anyone know how much Jewel really affected me; I’ll look weak.
    Then Nate suddenly says, "Dude, where’s your watch?"
    "Huh?" I say stupidly as I glance at my wrist.
    I must’ve been hella distracted not to have noticed till now, but can you blame me?
    Still, it’s not just any watch; I’m pretty careful about this one, in particular.
    Nate knows how important it is to me, and he’s probably the only one who noticed it’s gone.
    "Must’ve left it up there," I say casually, even though I’m panicking a little.
    Yeah, the chick is obviously loaded if she’s staying there, but I’m still wary about leaving shit behind with a stranger—particularly that thing.
    What the hell else did I leave up there?
    I attempt a mental check and realize the stack of hundred-dollar bills I’d been keeping on me is missing.
    Must’ve fallen out as my clothes started coming off.
    I stifle my growing panic.
    I’ll be back up there in a few hours or so for round two with Jewel, so no biggie.
    I let myself relax and ignore Nate’s look.
    "I’m hitting the tables. You guys coming?"

    * * *
    I watch a slim blonde sidle up to Pete, her eyes sparkling in a way I’ve come to recognize.
    "Morris Chestnut, right?" she says and I barely stifle a laugh in time.
    Pete just gives her a slow grin, like You caught me! but he doesn’t say anything.
    He has this uncanny way of leading the ladies on, confirming without actually saying a word of confirmation, managing plausible deniability on a technicality.
    "I never said I was," he can say each and every time, but by then, it’s too late. They’ve already given up the goods.
    "Oh my god, I love your movies!" the blonde says, her voice getting higher with each word.
    Chances are, she’s lying.
    Maybe she saw one or two movies of whomever she mistook him for, but it doesn’t matter.
    He smiles at her.
    "I try to keep a low profile," he begins in his smooth deep voice, “but it’s kind of hard."
    "Oh yeah, I get it totally. I’m surprised I’m the only one who has recognized you so far!"
    He shrugs, briefly looking away, as if afraid attention is being brought to him by talking to her.
    “Some people choose to play it cool and keep their distance, which is fine by me. Besides, celebs pass through here all the time,” he says oh so humbly.
    He has figured out how to talk about both sports and the film industry without actually saying anything about either—nothing specific that could expose him.
    The blonde can barely contain herself; she is practically quivering with excitement.
    "Um, do you mind if we go somewhere?"
    Pete smiles at her then looks over at me and says, "I’m