All-In (The Gamblers Book 1) Read online

  "Not sure what I love more, your ass or your pussy." He grabbed her by the hips, raising her to her toes, and in one swift move, planted himself deep. "Fuck, you feel good."

  River would have to agree. She was so full and he felt so deep. She moved her arms over her head so she could grab the edge of the counter, trying to gain some purchase as he slammed into her.

  He reached under her, finding and playing with her clit. The sound of flesh against flesh, the slide of his finger, and the deep rumble of his harsh breathing, sent her over the edge until she was coming with a shout.

  * * * * *

  Alec stooped, helping guide River's feet back into her panties. Kissing the silky skin of her thigh as he followed them up, he murmured, "I have another surprise for you."

  "One that tops christening the kitchen of our new house?"

  God, he hoped so. Coming to a full stand, he captured her face and gave her the deep, soul-shattering kiss he'd neglected to give to her before his dick ruled the show, pouring everything he felt for her into that one meeting of their lips.

  Raising his head just enough to speak, he whispered, "River." His hand was shaking as he reached into his pocket. He wasn't sure why he was so nervous. He knew what her answer would be, but also knew he needed to hear the yes fall from her lips before his anxiety would ease.

  His fingers found and curled around the ring in his pocket before he slowly pulled it out. Taking a small step back, he captured her left hand, bringing it to his lips to plant a kiss on her palm.

  He'd had a whole speech memorized, had recited it repeatedly over the last few days, but looking at her now, all words failed him but three, "I love you."

  Her lips turned up, bestowing on him the smile he loved so much. "I love you, too."

  Slowly sliding the ring down her finger, he said, "Good, then, will you marry me?" Breath held, heart pounding, he waited for her answer.

  Tears filled her eyes and if possible, her smile grew even brighter as she nodded her head.

  "I need the word, sweetheart."

  "Yes. A thousand times, yes."

  Relief swept through him. He hadn't realized how tense he'd been until he felt his muscles relax. Raising a questioning brow, he asked, "Only a thousand?"

  "Okay, a million."

  He raised his other brow.

  Giggling, she amended, "A billion?"

  Loving her laughter and wanting to hear more, he pushed, "Only a billion?"

  She didn't disappoint, with laughter spilling from her lips, she said, "Fine, a gazillion, but that's as high as I'm going."

  He grinned. "That's okay, I don't know what comes next, anyway."

  Losing her laughter but keeping her smile, she looked down at her hand still held in his. "It's beautiful. Thank you."

  Looking at the diamond ring sitting on her finger, proof that she now truly belonged to him, he grunted, "It's perfect."

  Epilogue

  "Mom, it's your turn," Alexa, their ten-year-old, yelled from her spot at the dining-room table. She was their most competitive child, taking after her father, and currently had the most poker chips stacked in front of her. Both rationales lent to her impatience.

  "I'm going to sit this hand out," River called from the kitchen.

  "Are you making popcorn?" That came from their six-year-old, Nichole.

  River assumed the popping and aroma filling the house should be answer enough, but knowing her third child, River knew if she didn't answer, she'd just keep asking. "Yep."

  "Yay! Can we have extra butter?" Heather, was eight and while her second born had been her quietest and most well-behaved baby, she was now the loudest of the bunch and shouted her question at the top of her lungs.

  "Sweetheart, Mom's only twenty feet away not in Antarctica. Keep your voice down."

  River's eyes flew to Alec's and they shared a smirk. He must say that to their daughter at least fifty times a day. "No extra butter. It will make the cards and chips all greasy."

  "Aw, no fair." Heather protested.

  Which in turn had their two-year-old Cammie parroting, "No fair, no fair," while banging poker chips against the tray of her highchair.

  River thought of Cammie as their happy little accident, seeing as they had planned to stop after three. Her pregnancy with Nichole had been rough. Two kidney infections, both requiring hospitalizations, and an unnatural amount of fatigue had been her body's way of telling her she was done.

  Alec couldn't have agreed more, having taken her pregnancy with Nichole and the risk to her health even harder than she had. Nico, on more than one occasion, had come to the rescue, talking Alec from off the ledge. After Nichole had been born, in gratitude for keeping her husband sane, River had insisted on making her Nico's namesake. An honor Nico swore he would cherish until his dying day.

  Though her pregnancy with Cammie went smoothly, that hadn't prevented Alec from taking her well-being to the extreme. He gave new meaning to the term Mother Hen with his coddling, hovering, and waiting on her hand and foot. He'd even hired a nanny to help with the first three. Even after Cammie had been born, River had decided to keep her on part-time. Alec had been in one-hundred percent agreement, knowing from first hand experience how raising so many kids was hard work.

  To River, Elisabeth was a godsend. In her fifties and having already raised three kids of her own, she was a wealth of knowledge and patience.

  Alec was swimming against the current in a sea of estrogen. But he took it in stride, and all of his daughters adored him. Almost as much as their momma did. And while life wasn't always fun and games, it was always an adventure with four little girls running around the house. Though River was dreading when they all became teenagers.

  River returned to the dining room carrying two large bowls of popcorn. Plopping one down at each end of the table, she grabbed a handful and placed it on Cammie's tray before retaking her seat.

  Obviously, with both parents professional players, poker was the game of choice in their home, and they'd taught the girls to play as soon as they learned their numbers. It was a really nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon as a family.

  Alec had just arrived home last night after being gone for three days. They usually tried to stick close to home, playing only in tournaments in and around Las Vegas, but every once in a while, a tournament would be too good to pass up, necessitating travel. River and the kids would usually go, and if River played, too, Elisabeth would come to take care of the girls. But as Cammie had been sick, River had stayed home. And she had missed Alec fiercely.

  As if reading her thoughts, Alec got her attention from across the table. "We'll put the kids to bed early tonight."

  She peeked at her cards, hiding a secret smile. "Hmm," was all she said, trying not to give anything away.

  Little did he know, she'd already had the whole night planned. Starting with her brother picking up the girls so they could have a sleepover at Uncle Royal and Aunt Leslie's house and ending with wild, dirty, sweaty sex. With a romantic dinner, champagne, and hot tubbing falling somewhere in between.

  True to his word, Royal had given up poker as well as any other form of gambling. Not able to stay away from the life entirely, he became a poker dealer. And he was a damn good one, sought after by some of the top casinos.

  His wife, Leslie, was a dealer, as well, only she dealt blackjack. They'd met, fell in love, then married six years ago. Baby number one was soon followed by baby number two, so it would be quite a special brand of pandemonium at their house tonight. And River would know, she'd hosted her fair share of such events.

  "I bet fifty," Heather yelled before shoving a handful of popcorn in h
er mouth.

  All eyes turned to River. It was her turn to bet. Staring down at two kings and not having much money left, she pushed in her chips. "All-in."

  Alexa quickly folded then turned to Alec. "Daddy, you going to call mamma's bet?"

  Alec shoved in his chips. "When it comes to your mom, I'm always all-in."

  Author's Note

  To my readers

  I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you for reading, supporting, and reaching out to me. Without you, I couldn't do what I do.

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