Full House (The Gamblers Book 3) Read online

  “Where are you?” The gravelly tone of a pack-a-day smoker came over the line.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, why am I seeing pictures of you and Reed all over the internet?”

  Trying to control her anger at his tone, she said, “I didn’t know it was any of your business where I spend the weekend.”

  “Everything about you is my business for reasons exactly like this. You end up on the internet, I need to be in the loop to field questions.” At her silence, he continued in a softer tone. “Listen, I know this is all new for you—starring in a high-profile movie—but with the attention you’re going to receive, you need to tell me things. And I’m not asking, to pry into your life, I’m asking so unwanted rumors don’t spread like wildfire. Now, is there something I should know about you and Nathan Reed?”

  Victoria chewed on her bottom lip. She knew what Byron had said made sense, and Nate had made mention he wasn’t hiding their relationship. With a sigh, she conceded, “Nate invited me to his mom’s house in San Diego for the weekend.”

  “And are things serious between you two?”

  Victoria started to feel agitated again. How did she answer that when she wasn’t sure? Nate seemed serious about her, but did she really know him well enough to trust all the lines he’d been feeding her. Foolish or not, the answer was yes. She did feel as though she could trust him.

  “Yes,” she answered Byron’s question then quickly second-guessed her response. If Byron informed the media that she and Nate were in a relationship and things went south in a month or so, she—the nobody—would be the laughing stock and not the world-famous Nathan Reed. “I mean, no.”

  “Well, which is it? Are more photos going to surface with the two of you together?”

  “Listen, Byron, I just don’t know. It’s too soon to tell.”

  She heard a sigh over the line. “Okay, I get it. Just… Just try to keep me informed. Especially if you guys go out in public.”

  “Okay, I’ll try.”

  “That’s all I ask.”

  She turned her head at the light knock on her door. “Listen, I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later.” She hit the end button at the same time yelling, “Come in.”

  Nate opened the door and strode into the room. “Everything okay?” he asked, eyeing the phone in her hand.

  Tossing it on the bed, she said, “Yeah. Nothing like being scolded like a twelve-year-old.”

  Nate crossed his arms. “The pictures?”

  “Yeah.”

  He nodded in understanding. “Managers, can’t live with ‘em… can’t live with ‘em.”

  Victoria laughed. “That about sums it up.” She looked down at herself. “Sorry I’m not changed yet. Give me five. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

  He closed the distance between them, cupping one of his hands at the side of her neck while the other took her hand. “Don’t let your manager bully you. Establish your relationship from the get-go. Remember, you pay him, not the other way around.”

  He kissed her on the forehead then she watched as he left the room, silently closing the door behind him.

  He’d imparted good advice, but not one to like confrontation, his advice was easier said than done.

  It was late Sunday afternoon by the time Nate pulled into the studio lot and parked in the empty spot next to Victoria’s car. The rest of the weekend had been uneventful yet fun. They’d stayed up late into the night—with Debbie calling it quits by ten but with Tammy, Nate, and her talking long into the early morning hours. When Tammy tried to leave, Nate had insisted she take his room, and he’d sleep on the couch. He’d said it in a way that brooked no arguments, making it clear he’d really meant it when he’d said he didn’t like women driving alone late at night.

  Everyone had been slow to get up in the morning, and after packing their bags, Nate had taken everyone to brunch before she and Nate hit the road to go home.

  The long drive on top of the late night left her feeling drowsy, and she sat in the passenger seat mustering the energy to get out of the car.

  Nate didn’t seem in a rush either. Turning off the ignition, he slouched in his seat, resting his head back but turning it to face her.

  Mimicking his position, she said, “I had a great time. Your mom and sister are wonderful. Thanks for inviting me.”

  He reached a hand over the console, and she grasped it.

  “Another thing,” she said, entwining their fingers. “No matter what this turns out to be—between us—it won’t be a mistake.”

  Victoria thought back to her conversation with Byron, and her realization she had feelings for Nate. He hadn’t been feeding her any lines, trying to lure her into bed—Victoria had thrown herself at him enough to know that wasn’t the case. But the deciding factor, however small it may seem, was how happy Nate’s mom had been that he’d brought a woman home to meet her, alluding to the fact it hadn’t happened in a long time, if ever.

  However things ended, good or bad, the time she spent with Nate could never be a mistake. And his next words had her thinking, he felt the same way.

  “Then come here and kiss me.”

  ≈≈≈

  Nate waited patiently while Victoria unfastened her seat belt. He wanted her to come to him. Wanted it to be her choice with no regrets. His fingers itched with the need to touch her, and his cock hardened in anticipation, knowing it was finally getting what it wanted after long weeks of waiting.

  He watched with rapt attention as she maneuvered in the small space—placing a knee on her seat, one hand on the console, and the other on his thigh—to gain leverage as she leaned in.

  She stopped, hovering over him, her lips a mere inch away from his, but he didn’t close the gap. He waited. And then her lips were on his. Her tongue came out, tentative at first, a feather’s touch across the seam of his lips until he parted them to let her in.

  That’s when he took over. Capturing her tongue, he sucked it into his mouth. He allowed his hands to finally touch her, one digging into her hair, the other landing on her ass, pulling her onto his lap.

  His hand roamed up her thigh, over her hip, and under her shirt, stopping when he felt soft, warm skin, not wanting to grope her in public even though there was no one around. Eyes could be anywhere and everywhere. Knowing this, he broke the kiss, wanting—no needing—to move them somewhere private.

  Chest heaving, tiny pants exploded from her kiss-swollen lips as she stared up at him with desire lacing her eyes. He wanted her, now.

  “Know this, tonight, I’m going to fuck you then take my time making love to you. I only have one question.”

  Her eyes widened, and she licked her lips before asking, “And what’s that?”

  “Your trailer or mine?”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Nate didn’t wait for her response, and before she knew it, Victoria found herself in Nate’s trailer, door slammed shut, sealed off from the public.

  And he didn’t slow down after that. Standing in the space that made up the living-room area of Nate’s trailer, he whipped off her sweater, followed closely by her bra. His eyes feasted on her before his hands made their grab, lifting her from under the arms. She gripped his shoulders, her legs wrapping around his waist as he planted his mouth securely on her nipple. She pressed into him greedily asking for more. He obliged, sucking it deeper into his mouth.

  It felt so damn good, a moan vibrated up her throat, sounding so damn needy to her ears it was almost embarrassing.

  Nate raised his head, their eyes colliding and holding. His stare was intense. “Fuck, what you do to me.”

  Then he was on the move, walking them back to the bedroom, and tossing her on the bed. His fingers went straight to the waistband of her jeans, making quick work of the button and zipper before peeling them down her legs along with her panties.

  Taking a step back as if to admire his handy work, a look of satisfaction crossed his face, and Victoria felt her nipples harden in response. He
reached behind his neck, grabbing the collar of his tee, and she lost his eyes for the second it took him to yank it over his head. Balling it, he threw it to the side then reached for the buttons at his fly where his hand… paused. Eyes solely fixated on his hand, she waited in greedy anticipation for him to rip open the front of his jeans.

  And… she waited.

  “I’m clean.”

  So focused, not even daring to blink lest she miss something, it took a moment for her brain to communicate with her ears that he’d spoken and seemed to be awaiting some kind of response from her. “What?”

  “I get tested once a year and haven’t been with anyone since I’ve been checked last.”

  Finally comprehending what he was saying, her eyes flew to meet his. “When were you last checked?”

  He shrugged. “Eight months or so ago.”

  He hadn’t had sex with anyone in eight months? The surprise must’ve shown on her face because, in a blink, he’d cut the distance to the bed, leaning his upper body over her, supporting himself with a fist on either side of her hips.

  The weightiness of his expression on his face that was a mere few inches from her own had her stomach dipping as he spoke. “I’ve grown selective in my old age. It’s been a long time since anyone’s caught my eye, and no one’s caught it the way you have. Ever. From the moment I saw you, I wanted you, and after spending just one day with you, I knew I wanted more than a fuck. I want everything you have to give.

  “Now, I’m telling you all this because I don’t want anything coming between us when I plant myself deep inside you. I’ve never shared all of me with anyone, and I want to experience that with you. But it needs to be your call.”

  He was asking to forgo condoms. Was she okay with that? She’d never been with anyone without one, either but found she really wanted that with Nate. “I’m clean. It’s been a long time for me, too, and I’m on birth control.”

  “So, is that a yes?”

  She nodded, her eyes drawn to the powerful muscles that made up his shoulders as they stiffened and flexed from her response. The smooth, tanned skin unmarred by any blemishes or tattoos.

  “Look at me.”

  Her eyes flew back to meet his.

  “I need the word.”

  “Yes.” Then to make sure he fully understood her acceptance, she added, “I want to feel you. All of you. No barrier between us.”

  He went from full stop to full go at her words. His lips met hers with enough force, it knocked her hands out from under her, her back hitting the mattress. His lips traveled down her jaw to her neck, stopping to bite at the delicate flesh before continuing his quest to her breasts.

  She squirmed under him, wanting more contact, needing to feel his skin caressing her own, and to feel the weight of him on top of her, pressing her into the mattress.

  He ripped himself away from her, standing, his hand reaching for the waistband of his jeans, finally tearing open the buttons. She watched, mesmerized, as his cock sprang free of its confines when he pushed his pants down his hips, taking his underwear with them.

  Like a naked warrior, he stalked to the bed, lifting her from under her thighs, raising the lower half of her body off the bed, causing her shoulders to press into the mattress.

  “Are you wet for me?”

  She’d been wet since the car. “Yes.”

  “Good.”

  He surged in without warning. Unprepared, she winced at the slight discomfort before schooling her features.

  Nate didn’t miss her expression. “You okay?”

  “Yeah. It’s just been a while.”

  “Said I was going to fuck you first.” He slid out before gliding back in. “Better?”

  “Yes.” The feel of him filling her had her clutching the sheets. “Don’t stop.”

  “Not part of the plan, sweetheart,” he said with a grunt when he withdrew only to slam back in again.

  She watched him, all his powerful muscles at work. His arms bulging, his chest flexing. God, what a turn-on just knowing how much stronger he was than her. Knowing he could hurt her but wouldn’t. Knowing he was using all that power just to bring her pleasure.

  The slapping of their bodies intermingled with their harsh breathing filled her ears as he pounded into her relentlessly, and she moaned as he hit some magical spot inside her. Tension started to build, but unlike other climaxes she’d had in the past, the sensation kept building.

  Chasing the feeling, she worried it might turn into a dud when it seemed to plateau then start to fade, only to grow even stronger right before everything in her exploded.

  Closing her eyes, her mouth gaping in a silent scream, her whole body stiffened. Her fingers clawed at the sheets, trying to stay grounded as waves of pleasure washed through her, seeming as if they would never end, until with a last wave of release, she experienced the most powerful orgasm of her life.

  “Look at me.”

  Her eyes snapped open at his command, meeting his. Tingles still coursed through her body, and she was panting and gasping for breath.

  “I want to look into your eyes when I come.”

  And she got to watch, too. Teeth clenching, his jaw flexed and his neck muscles strained, but he didn’t look away and neither did she as his thrusts became erratic and gained in speed.

  Then with a shout and one last powerful drive, his hands squeezed the backs of her thighs, and he stilled, planted deep inside her.

  Releasing her legs, he dropped his knees to the floor and buried his face in her stomach while he caught his breath.

  She was having breathing issues of her own. Her emotions, so close to the surface, caused her chest to stutter as she sucked in air and let it out slowly.

  Nate crawled up her body. Elbows resting on either side of her, his hands cupped her face while his thumbs swept away the wetness at her temples. “Good or bad tears?”

  “Good.” Her breath hitched, and she took a moment to compose herself. “Sorry, it’s just… I’ve never felt anything like that before. It made me a little emotional.”

  A grin slowly stretched his lips.

  She rolled her eyes. “Don’t get cocky.” She wanted to stress her point by shoving at his chest, but her muscles still felt like jello, and she wasn’t sure she could lift her arms. “Besides, you just set the bar pretty high. Not sure you’ll be able to top it.”

  His grin turned into a leer. “Is that a dare?”

  She laughed. “If it makes you try harder, then yes.”

  Planting his lips near her ear, Nate whispered, “Then I better get started.”

  ≈≈≈

  Nate felt her shiver beneath him, and he took it one step further, sucking her earlobe between his lips and nipping the bit of flesh with his teeth. She squirmed.

  Fuck he had it bad. He already felt himself thickening, and he wondered how that was even possible after coming so hard a few minutes before. Never had he craved someone as much as Victoria. He wanted to feast on her. Every damn inch. Wanted to drive her as crazy as she drove him.

  “I promised to take it slow this time, but with you, I’m not sure that’s possible.”

  “You keep giving me orgasms like that last one, slow or fast, I don’t care how you accomplish it.”

  Chuckling, he planted his face in her neck, breathing in her scent. She smelled so damn good—like flowers and strawberries.

  He navigated them to the center of the bed, then promising himself he’d take his time with her later, he rolled to his back, positioning Victoria above him. Grasping her by the hips, he slid her down his dick.

  He groaned, the sensation like no other. He could live the rest of his life buried deep inside her, surrounded by her heat, and die a happy man.

  She positioned herself, pulling her knees in tight to his hips and her hands to the bed on either side of his head. Her hair curtained around him, shielding him from everything but her. They were in their own little world, and he wanted to stay there forever.

  His hands
tightened on her hips as she rose, pulling herself to his tip before sliding back down. He kneaded her ass, and the feel of her filling his hands almost brought him to the edge. He gritted his teeth. She needed to come first. And she needed to do it soon.

  Her movements became reckless when he placed a thumb on her clit, rubbing it in small circles and moved his other hand to her tit, pinching her nipple between his fingers and rolling it back and forth.

  She grew wild, increasing in speed, and he planted his feet on the bed, rocking into her. Her breath came in pants as she worked herself on his cock, grinding herself against his thumb. He pinched her nipple harder, and she moaned—the sweetest fucking sound—spasming around him before collapsing onto him, her harsh breaths warming his chest.

  His hands moved back to her hips, driving himself into her two more times before he felt his balls tighten right before coming with a force that surprised him.

  She was limp on top of him. He rubbed his hand up and then back down the length of her back, enjoying the feel of her smooth, warm skin. He ran his fingers through her hair, the strands thick and soft as silk.

  She was quiet for so long, he’d thought she’d fallen asleep until she whispered, “Definitely not a mistake.”

  His arms squeezed her tighter, and his lips landed on the top of her head, giving it a kiss. “Go to sleep, and when you wake up, it will be the beginning of you and me. It will be the start of us.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Five Months Later…

  Sitting on the floor of her bathroom, her back sagging against the wall for support, Victoria held a pregnancy test clutched in her right fist between her splayed legs. The word positive mocked her at every glance.

  She should have realized it sooner, but with the hectic pace of her life, it had taken her a few months to catch on to the fact she hadn’t had her period.

  She was scared to tell Nate. Things have been going so well with them—better than she would have ever predicted. Between filming, they did what normal couples do, getting to know one another, going on dates, spending time together. In fact, the last few months, they’d barely been apart and always ended the day together in one or the other’s bed.