Teaser to Book 2

For those who bought book 1 before the teaser was added, here it is as now appears in the back of the book-

Look for the continuation to “Roxy’s Story” in the next book of the series, “Roxy’s Sequel.” Here’s a sneak peak:


~ Chapter 1 ~

St. Petersburg had to be one of the most beautiful places in the world.

That’s what Ace was thinking as he looked around the enchanting city. His eyes met splashes of color everywhere he turned. Walls painted bold yellows, blues, and greens. Black and white checkered floors. He could see the gleam of numerous fountains, water sparkling and glinting in the light and making a myriad of rainbows.

This was what a place at the height and glory of Western power was supposed to look like. It was as though the communist disease that had decimated most of the rest of Russia had simply been unable to leave its mark here. St. Petersburg still stood tall, vibrant, and decadent. It was the kind of place Ace admired.

He looked at the crowds and smiled. People were everywhere, laughing, smiling, and talking with animated voices. It was a white night, and the entire city was celebrating.

Ace distractedly fingered the box in his pocket. With any luck, he’d be celebrating soon, too.

The woman beside him turned to catch his eyes. “This is more wonderful than I could have ever imagined,” she said, in her silken voice. Her dark hair blew in the warm St. Petersburg breeze, and the contented smile he’d been longing to see spread across her beautiful face. After all Ace knew she’d been through in her life, it was worth the time and money he’d invested to finally see her look truly happy.

They were at the Grand Peterhof Palace, standing together in front of the Grand Cascade. It was the kind of thing that happened in movies. The perfect moment.

His lovely companion appeared to be basking in the delight of such a scene, soaking up every sight, sound, and smell. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, listening to the chatter around her.

Ace allowed himself to enjoy the sight of her for just a moment. She wore a gauzy red dress, perfect for a warm summer night like this one, and it rippled with the slightest breeze. Her shinning hair wafted around her face in loose curls and waves. Her red lips were still lost in that satisfied smile, and her brown eyes were sparkling with delight as they opened again.

She was a vision of loveliness.

Ace knew it was now or never. He caught hold of her hand and with a fluid movement was down on one knee, the black box opened in front of her to reveal a dazzling ring. His ladylove had frozen and was no longer looking at anything but him.

“What say we keep traveling like this together?” Ace asked calmly. “For the rest of our lives. I can show you so many more places you’ve never seen. Vienna, Rome, Tokyo, Dubai. I’ll give you the world. Dearest, will you marry me?”

For a moment her expression was stunned. She looked around at her surroundings again, taking in the statues, the palace, the grandiose fountains, and finally fixed her gaze back on Ace. Her lovely eyes, exactly the color of expensive brandy, stared intently at him. Her perfect red lips broke into a smile.

“Yes,” Roxy replied earnestly. “Yes I will.”


Ace woke up with a start and immediately wanted to punch something. He was not in St. Petersburg, but in his huge bed, in his penthouse suite at the Shangri La Casino.

Alone.

He sat up and leaned his tired head on his knees. Why did his brain continue to torture him like this? He already knew he should have proposed to Roxy in St. Petersburg. If he had, she would probably be lying in bed next to him now, and it would not be a nightmare he’d just woken up from, but a happy recollection of his most triumphant moment. He could have watched her sleep beside him and marvel that she was his…

He looked at the empty pillow next to him accusingly. At the very least, Mika should have been lying there. But a physical relationship wasn’t something he would ever be able to pursue with his lovely girlfriend as long as she wasn’t his wife. One of the downsides to dating a former prostitute who had a lethal Chinese martial artist as a mother. And he neither wanted to scare Mika off, nor incur Xi-Feng’s wrath.

How long had it been now since he had felt the warmth of a woman’s body next to him in bed? With a sickening lurch of his stomach he realized it had been the night almost a year ago when Roxy had brought the first batch of Asian prostitutes back to the casino. She had asked Ace to let them stay there and have a chance at new lives for themselves by hiring them on as much-needed staff. When Ace had agreed to it, Roxy had been so grateful, she’d spent the night in his bed. Of course, it hadn’t been the way he’d wanted it. Roxy had gently turned down his advances and made him settle for the simple pleasure of getting to hold her all night.

Still, that had been enough to sustain him for months.

If Roxy had even agreed to be his lover instead of his wife, Ace was fairly certain he would have started this morning off with a roll in the hay. Even though he knew Roxy was not as wanton now with her body as she had been in her CIA days, he was willing to bet she would have had no objections to being monogamously intimate with the man she loved.

That bastard Giovanni.

Ace grimaced. He should probably feel guilty for thinking about stuff like this. He did want Roxy to be happy, and she could have chosen much worse than the Italian card dealer from the Bellagio. But it still bothered him that Giovanni also happened to be the grandson of the mob boss that had ordered the death of two of Roxy’s friends, during their mission in Russia a couple years ago. Sure, Giovanni had sent his family home packing the one time they came after Roxy. But that didn’t make him the hero she seemed to think he was. Ace still didn’t understand how she could trust him.

And of course, it burned him up inside that Giovanni got to have that perfect body of hers and he didn’t…

It was probably stupid to be thinking about her that way. And as much money and influence as Ace had in Las Vegas, he could get laid faster than you could say Echelon Place. He probably wouldn’t even have to leave his own casino to find a beautiful woman who’d be willing to sleep with him.

If that was all he wanted.

But Ace wasn’t the type of man who was interested in casual sex. And he was definitely above taking a pity shag. He wouldn’t settle for anything less than love as the motivation for spending a night with someone.

Besides, he also wasn’t the type of man who would ever cheat on his significant other. Not like that. Mika deserved better. So if it meant he was currently consigned to a life of sexual abstinence with a girlfriend who needed a delicate touch lest she shy away or remember the trauma of her former life-

So be it.

Ace knew how to be patient. He could wait for years, if that’s what the game required, and use the time to further all his plans and ambitions. Being an eccentric casino owner meant always knowing how to cut your losses and look for the next opening. He just wasn’t sure yet that his long-term goals included marrying Mika.

He was happy with her, of course. She was sweet and eager, and almost worshipped the ground he walked on. And anyone with eyes could see how amazingly pretty she was, with a perfect curtain of shiny black hair, and dark, almond-shaped eyes always glowing with earnestness. Mika was as genuine as they came.

But a part of him, however much he wanted to banish it, was still holding out for someday when Roxy might get tired of her former-mobster boyfriend, and realize Ace had always been right for her. It was only a matter of time until she discovered what he already knew. They were perfect for each other. Roxy would see that, eventually.

He was determined to be there when that moment happened.