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“He was at Dad’s club the night it was busted. He may have talked to the feds when they were investigating. You don’t want to be around him. He’s trouble.”

“As opposed to Maverick? Your new best friend? The man who married our sister?” I point out.

He sighs. He knows I’m right. Maverick was at Dad’s club the night it was busted, and now he’s married to my sister, and I’m staying with them while I figure out where I want to land in Vegas.

It’s the same thing.

I think about just running back into the club, but my brother is a professional football player. There’s no way in hell I’d outrun him, especially not in these black heels.

So even though I want to fight and kick and scream and yell, I don’t.

He’s probably right, not that I’d ever admit that to him. Giving up my V-card to the first hot guy who comes along maybe isn’t the smartest idea. It’s probably something I wouldn’t do if I were sober.

So it’ll be another night alone. But this time, I’ll most certainly be thinking about Cash Maddox.

CHAPTER 3: Cash Maddox

Drunken Vegas Deals are Always a Good Idea

West is laughing his ass off as I walk back up to the table. “That’ll be a thousand dollars, my man.”

“Hold the fuck up there, pal,” I say, ignoring the disappointment filtering through me that she left. “The bet didn’t have an expiration date.”

Her brother didn’t give her much choice. I will find a way to get in touch with her again. I’ve got a thousand dollars on the line, after all.

I refuse to acknowledge that there’s more to it than just the bet. The way her brown eyes landed on me with unbridled worship. The way they widened a little as I leaned in. The way I was so goddamn tempted to kiss her before I even learned her name. The way her tits made my mouth water. The fuck me heels that sure enough adorned her feet.

The way she smelled like a goddamn cherry tree. It had to be her drink, but damn. It was intoxicating.

What the fuck is that?

She was hot. That’s all.

I take a sip of my 1942. And another.

Fuck. I drain the glass, and I fill it back up.

I don’t know a damn thing about her other than her name and the fact that she belongs to a family that I pledged I’d avoid at all costs.

But as Kellan so kindly reminded me, we’re in the height of the offseason.

You know what that means?

I have time on my side. Time to track her down. Time to figure out how to get her in my bed.

Time to figure out how I’m going to win this bet.

West rolls his eyes. “We both know it was implied.”

“Give me a week. I’ll get her into bed.”

“No fuckin’ way, man! I’m not giving you a second chance.” He shakes his head.

“Because you know I’ll do it.” My tone is smug, but we all saw the way she looked at me.

It was the same fucking way I was looking at her.

I tip my drink to my mouth again to try to swallow down that same feeling of disappointment filtering through me.