Queen of Hearts (Gambling on Love Series Book 4) Read online

  Lucky waves at us excitedly at us and mouths “I just sold a painting.” And I’m pretty sure the guy buying it was sold by that dress. Distracted by boobs. She’ll sell a million paintings if she dresses like that. The boobs and Lucky dance their way over to us. It’s almost hypnotic watching those perky things sway. Again, how the hell is she not spilling out of that thing?

  “Holy shit Bishop, you look smoking hot.” Lucky fans herself. “Damn, do I know how to pick a dress or what?” She admires her handy work, looking me up and down. Up and down.

  “I’m just glad you didn’t pick that dress for me.” I grab Brooke’s napkin and dangle it in front of Lucky’s booming chest. Brian and Brooke snicker. Ryder comes striding up next to Lucky and yanks the napkin out of my hand.

  “Don’t cover up the best part of this dress, Lucy.” He stuffs the napkin in his pocket, keeping his eyes locked on his woman’s rack and licks his lips. I have a feeling by the end of the night those two will be fucking in the bathroom.

  Lucky fills us in on her first sale of the night. My eyes scan the crowd for Hunter, but the man of the hour is nowhere to be found. I expected not to get him to myself tonight. He needs to network and get his name known around the art world here in Seattle. After this party is over, Hunter is all mine.

  One of the waiters brings a tray of appetizers by our group. As I go to reach for one, the little hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and heat begins to rise through my body. There is only one person that has this effect on me, Hunter. My head turns to the right just as the crowd parts, like the sea revealing the best treasure on earth, Hunter. Oh, dear lawd, he looks mouthwatering in his black suit, crisp white shirt, and matching black tie. His trimmed beard and sexy smile have me drooling all over the place. I still can’t believe that man is mine.

  He takes his time walking over to me. The anticipation of having his arms around me, and his lips on mine, is killing me. His soft smile turns more devious with every step, like he’s planning out every dirty thing he wants to do to me. He stops in front of me, his heat radiates through me, and his scent washes over me. I am high on Hunter.

  “Lucy, I’m speechless.” Lust coats every word, making my silk thong grow wet. One of his arms slinks around my waist and my body shudders when his hand touches my bare back. Before he can get another word out, my lips are on his, taking what I’ve been craving all day. My tongue licks the seam of his lips, they part and I devour his mouth. He meets my kiss with equal vigor, sucking on my tongue, nipping on my lips.

  When we come up for air, we are met with applause and whistles from friends and family. My cheeks burn bright with embarrassment, and I hide my face in Hunter’s chest. Hunter envelops me in the safety of his arms.

  “Why don’t you kiss me like that anymore?” Lucky asks Ryder.

  “Because the lips up here,” he points to her mouth, “aren’t the ones you are offering up when I get home.”

  “Oh yeah. I like those kisses better.” She smiles proudly.

  “If you all don’t mind, I’d like to steal my girlfriend for a bit.” I smile against Hunter’s chest at his words.

  “You two have fun.” Brooke gives her blessing.

  Lucky is too distracted with slapping Ryder’s hands away from her boobs to care. Hunter sweeps me away from the insanity.

  “You look beautiful, Lucy.” He leans in close to my ear to whisper the next part of his sentence. “I can’t wait to see this dress on my bedroom floor later.” He nips at me ear, sending a tingle down my spine.

  I wrap Hunter’s tie around my hand. “This tie is going to look good wrapped around my wrists later,” I reply, feeling a surge of confidence. Must be the dress.

  “Would it be rude if I kicked everyone out now, so I can fuck you?” He growls the last part.

  “Maybe just a little, but this is your big night and you need to mingle. We will have the rest of the night to celebrate on our own, then you can do all the dirty things you want to me.” I lean into his ear and whisper, “And I want it very dirty.” I smooth his tie back down his chest.

  “Lucy, you’re killing me.”

  ****

  Hunter keeps me close to his side all night. Watching Hunter in his element, charming art dealers and potential buyers, is awe inspiring. He’s flashing that you know you want it smile, just reeling them in, and before they know it, they are handing him check after check. I could watch him like this all day. Maybe I should have him come down to the shop and see if he can sell more books for me.

  We’ve made our final rounds, the artists are counting their money, the rest of the crowd is drinking to fill the void left in their wallets. Hunter takes the opportunity to get me alone. He guides us away from the party to the storage room. “Hunter, what are we doing back here?” I ask.

  “I want to show you something.” He leads me to the back of the room where there is a table with a bunch of large black frames laid out. We come to a stop in front of the table, and my heart leaps in my throat when I see the pictures in the frames are of me from the night I let Hunter take photos of me.

  There are the ones of me out on his balcony and the ones I took of us in his bed. To my shock, the photographs look amazing. I look relaxed and happy in all of these photos. “Hunter, I don’t even know what to say. These are, wow.” I am at a loss for words.

  “See, I told I could get a good picture of you.” I don’t have to see him to know he has an “I told you so” look on his face. “You haven’t seen the best ones yet.” He moves around the table to where there is a large sheet covering something underneath it. He slowly pulls the covering away, revealing black and white canvas photos of me naked in Hunter’s bed. Hunter picks them up and sets them on the table in front of me. I thought I was dreaming when these happened, but it was very real and I’m staring at the evidence.

  Hunter comes back around the table and joins me by my side. “These are my favorite ones. You look so sexy and beautiful.”

  “I never thought I could look like this,” I admit.

  “This is all you, Lucy. Every single one of these photos is how I see you. Goofy, silly, beautiful, and sexy all rolled into one perfect package.” He turns me, so we are face to face, cups my cheek in his hand, and I push further into his touch. “So perfect.”

  “You make me feel like all of those things.” I look into his soft blue eyes. It’s been so long since anyone has made me feel sexy and beautiful. Hunter leans in and gently kisses me. His other hand slips inside the slit of my dress. The pads of his fingers gently circling the bare skin of my ass.

  Time freezes, the noises from the party seem to fade away as we kiss. Soon, the gentle, sweet kisses turn more urgent and feverish. Hunter pushes his tongue into my mouth, taking what is his. His hand kneads my ass. My hands slip under his arms, pulling the full weight of him to me. My hips rock against the hard ridge growing beneath his slacks.

  Our hungered moans fill the air. The sound of my zipper being slid down pulls me back to reality. “Hunter, we can’t. What if someone comes back here?” My words fall on deaf ears. Hunter ignores my question and continues his mission to rid me of my dress. The silver fabric falls around my ankles, leaving me in just my black thong and heels. “Hunter,” I moan as he lavishes my nipples with his hot mouth.

  “No one is coming back here. I need a taste before we go back.” His growls vibrate against my skin. He licks between my breasts then places a kiss under each breast before moving down my body. His tongue dips into my belly button. Lips moving down where I want them the most. My hands brace the edge of the table. Hunter holds me in his gaze. The blue in his eyes darkens as he slides the silk thong down my legs.

  Hunter blows a cool stream of air over my heated mound. The tip of his tongue dances along my wet pussy lips, tasting me. His growls of pleasure vibrate to my core. My head drops back, eyes fall closed, as he sucks my clit into his hot mouth. He devours me like a starved man. One of my hands moves to his thick black hair, keeping him where I want him
. My hips roll against his face in rhythm with his tongue. In and out his tongue slides, licking my center, and teasing my sweet spot.

  His strong hands squeeze my ass, holding me still while his head shakes back and forth. His beard scratches along my thighs, nose bumping my clit. It’s more than I can take, and I can’t hold back any longer. One last suck of my clit and Hunter has me coming hard all over his mouth. He keeps eating me as the waves of my orgasm wash over me. Licking, sucking, taking every last drop I have to offer.

  When I’m finally sated, Hunter licks me clean then slides my thong back into place and helps me back into my dress. He zips up the zipper then places a soft kiss between my shoulders.

  “Let’s go make a final appearance then get you in my bed and under me.” He trails his tongue up my neck.

  “Forget that, take me to your bed now.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Hunter

  Sitting at my desk, I get the feeling I am being watched. My eyes move to the left, then the right, and that’s when I spot Bailey sitting on the couch with her camera resting on the edge pointed right at me. A grin tugs at my lips. I tried to take Bailey to the zoo earlier in the day to show her how to get the best pictures of animal life. We struck out with a bunch of no show animals due to the rain. So, we moved the lesson back to my place where Bailey is pretending I’m a lion in the savannah.

  I quickly spin around in my chair, raise my hands up like claws, and let out a mighty roar. Bailey gets her picture then falls back on the couch hysterically laughing. I nearly fall out of my chair laughing right along with her. There is never a dull moment around Bailey. Getting to spend one on one time with her is one of the highlights of my day. I jumped on the opportunity when Lucky announced she was going to go back to teaching art classes at the Alki Community Center. At first, Lucy thought it would be too much for me, running the Gallery and taking care of Bailey after school, but I assured her I could handle it, and now that I hired a manager to take on the day to day stuff, my afternoons are wide open. Plus, this is my opportunity to show what a good father I can be, but mostly, I just like hanging out with Bailey.

  When the weather is good we photograph a new neighborhood in the city. Bailey is a natural with photography. She is picking up all my tips and tricks fast, and she has an amazing eye for a ten-year-old. She’s also gotten really good at sneaking up on people. I’ve lost count of how many times she has gotten pictures of me and Lucy kissing when we think she is not looking. Just one of the many adventures of dating a mom.

  The Hunter from ten years ago would have stayed as far away from a single mother as possible. Now, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Every night I get to have dinner with my two favorite girls. We watch movies together, and I get to read to Bailey before she goes to bed. Then I get Lucy all to myself to do all the dirty things I’d been whispering in her ear all night. I’m getting the life I wanted on the other side of the lens. Life is fucking perfect.

  “Hunter, did you always want to be a photographer?” Bailey sets her camera on my desk.

  “When I was your age I wanted to be a police officer just like my dad,” I reply.

  “I don’t see you as a cop. Was your dad mad you didn’t become a one?” She plops down in the chair next to the desk and swings her legs over the edge.

  “We had a lot of fights when I decided I wanted to become a photographer. My dad didn’t think it was a real job and kept pushing me to join the force after I graduated from college.” Our battles are still legendary in our old neighborhood back in Boston.

  “Aren’t parents supposed to support their kids? My mom says she will support whatever I do as long as it doesn’t involve me going to jail.”

  “Not everyone is like your mom. There are some parents that want their kids to follow the path they have laid out for them instead of letting them decide.”

  “Well that’s dumb.”

  “Pretty much. So, what does Bailey want to be when she grows up?” I ask, leaning back in my chair and folding my arms across my chest.

  She doesn’t hesitate for a second with her response. “I want to be a teacher. Specifically, a kindergarten teacher.” A proud smile lights up her face.

  “Why a kindergarten teacher,” I ask curiously. I can definitely see Bailey as a teacher. Watching her with Ella and Matthew, showing them how to do things and being so patient with them. She has a big, giving heart, which every teacher should have.

  “They teach kids to read in kindergarten. Mom says teaching a child to read it the best gift you can give them, because books are the best things on earth. I want to give that gift to other kids.” It still blows my mind at how amazing this kid is. With Bailey as a teacher, the children of the future are going to be better human beings because of her kind spirit.

  “I think you will be an amazing teacher.” I smile warmly at her.

  “You think so?”

  “I know so.” I sit back up and see that the rain has let up. “Looks like it stopped raining. How about we go sneak over to the coffee shop and practice your stealth picture taking skill on your mom before we take her to dinner.”

  Bailey excitedly leaps up from her chair and grabs her camera. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Lucy

  Hunter’s arms snake around my waist, and as he slowly pulls me into his lap, he glides his tongue along my sweat-laced skin up to my lips. My mouth opens, inviting his wicked tongue inside. I can taste myself all over him as we kiss. My teeth sink into his full lower lip as he sheaths himself deep inside me. I love this angle, he gets so fucking deep when we are like this. Face to face. Bare skin to bare skin. So intimate and loving. This very act of making love, that sweet, gentle kind of sex is making me fall further and deeper in love with Hunter.

  I’ll admit it, hell, I’ll scream it out on the roof top. I love Hunter McCoy. I’ve felt it in my bones since the night of the gallery opening. To be honest, I’ve been in love with Hunter since the day we met. It both scares and excites me. The last man I said I love you to was Colton, and after he died, I never thought I would meet anyone worthy of those words again. But then Hunter came into my life and showed me what it was to love someone again. To open my heart to it. He treats me like a queen, and he treats Bailey like she is his daughter. My heart bursts every time I watch them together. Hunter is my everything. My sun and moon and stars. We begin and end with each other.

  My hand slides down Hunter’s cheek. Our eyes are locked deep into each other’s. The words begin to bubble in the back of my throat. There is no going back as my mouth opens and I utter the four simple words.

  “I love you, Hunter.” I said it first. The words are out in the universe. There is no fear or nervousness about if he will say them back, because I can see it in his eyes that he loves me, too.

  The smile on Hunter’s face lights up the darkness in the room. He pulls me tighter against his chest and buries his hand in my hair. Our foreheads meet, and he says the words I’ve been waiting to hear, “I love you with all my heart, Lucy.”

  Our lips collide in a deep, passion-filled kiss, and we fall back to the mattress. As our bodies move as one, we whisper our love for each other. Tears of joy stream down my cheeks. I forgot how extraordinary and powerful it can feel to love someone with every ounce your soul. I love Hunter, and I will never let my doubts or fears get in the way of that again.

  ****

  The coffee brews in the pot sitting on the counter next to me, but who needs coffee when you have Hunter McCoy to kiss you awake in the morning. We are both going on zero sleep, but neither one of us cares. The high of the first “I love you” is carrying us through the early morning. Hunter has an arm slinked around my waist while his other hand gently strokes my ass through my silk robe as we kiss. We haven’t been able to keep our hands off of each other. Hunter went as far as carrying me to the shower, where we washed each other then immediately dirtied each other up again. Even while making breakfast, we couldn’t stop touching
and kissing. A few pancakes may have met their demise during a make out session in the pantry. At least we know the smoke detectors work.

  The kitchen floor creaks behind us. Both our heads whip around to see Bailey giggling in the doorway. “You two are more lovey-dovey this morning,” she says with a big cheeky grin.

  “That is because,” Hunter hugs me tighter against his chest, and I nervously chew on my lip, “your mom told me she loves me last night.”

  “Did you say it back?” Bailey asks, holding her breath.

  “I sure did.”

  As soon as the words come out, Bailey’s eyes widen, and her mouth drops open as the loudest squeal I have ever heard come out of her fills the room.

  “I think she approves.” A deep grumbling laugh bellows from Hunter’s chest.

  “I think so too.” I giggle watching her dance in circles.

  She stops suddenly and her face lights up like she just had a lightbulb moment. “Does this mean I’m going to get a baby brother soon.” She clasps her hands in front of her chin.

  “Slow down there Little Miss, let’s get through school first then we can talk about future siblings.” I wiggle out of Hunter’s arms, grab Bailey’s lunch box off the counter, and hand it to her.

  “So, you’re saying there is still a chance.” She wiggles her little eyebrows at me.

  “Go get in the car, Bailey.” I shake my head. “We just made it to the first I love you, let’s give it a minute before we start talking kids.” To be honest and I won’t say this to Bailey, at least not yet, but I would have Hunter’s babies in a heartbeat.

  Hunter spins me around and clutches me to his chest. “I’m going to hold you to that talk about future children.”

  “Tonight, after dinner, we will talk about the two kids we are going to have,” I say in a hushed tone, so Bailey won’t hear me.

  “Only two, huh? We’ll see about that.” Hunter slyly grins then playfully slaps my ass before dipping me back to kiss me.