Rough and Tumble by CRYSTAL GREEN Page A

well.
    â€œI’ve heard of the hair-of-the-dog-that-bit-you theory,” she said, “but I didn’t know it was a drink.”
    â€œAn old Scots remedy, so they say.” He grinned and allowed his gaze to linger on her—down to her lips, to her chest, back up again. “Don’t ever tell your friends I didn’t take care of you.”
    She smoothed down her blouse.
    â€œWhy’re you always doing that?” he asked.
    â€œWhat?”
    He adjusted his T-shirt, demonstrating. “That.”
    She seemed surprised that he’d noticed, then blanked her expression. Maybe she should’ve been in the poker game today instead of Arden.
    â€œNo reason.”
    â€œIt’s what they call a ‘tell’ in poker,” he said. “Some people show on their face that they’re holding a hand that’s good or bad, but some have got other signals they’re not even aware of, like picking at their clothes.”
    She sat up straighter in her chair. “You’re extra-observant, aren’t you?”
    â€œIt’s how I get by.”
    â€œIs that right?” She rested her elbows on the table, leaning toward him like she was going to read him as easily as the latest book club selection. “Are you telling me that you play cards for a living?”
    Well, if he was going to ask for a night with her, this was part of the deal, he supposed. Women liked to think they knew the men they were with, so you had to tell them a thing or two. “I’d call poker a supplemental income. But I find other work wherever I go.”
    â€œI already heard that. Sofia said that your card-dealer friend Hooper told them you’re in construction, and you move from place to place. But he didn’t mention the gambling part. Maybe that’s because it would’ve tipped off Arden not to be playing at your table.”
    The waitress arrived and set down Molly’s cocktail. Cash took out his money clip and gave her a fifty-dollar bill.
    â€œThanks.” She smiled gratefully and took off.
    Molly’s eyes got real big again. He kind of liked making them that way.
    â€œNever let it be said that I don’t spread the wealth.” He took another drink.
    She brought her glass closer to her, sniffing at it, like she’d done at the bar with the whisky.
Creature of habit
, Cash thought.
Easy to read
.
    Easy to conquer?
    Before drinking, she said, “If you’re so keen on spreading the wealth, maybe you’d consider spreading it to Arden?”
    He laughed. She had him there. “Ten thousand dollars is a lot of spreading, princess.”
    Was that a blush he saw? It was hard to tell because of the low lighting, but maybe she’d thought of a different kind of “spreading.” That’s a conversation he’d love to expand on.
    But he had the feeling Molly didn’t do dirty talk. She was pure vanilla, from her hair to her skin to probably her likes and dislikes. The temptation to dirty her up tapped at him.
    He goaded her. “Don’t you have ten thou on hand to loan your friend?”
    â€œNot exactly.” She wrapped both hands around her drink, her nails smooth and shaped just so. Her grip seemed tight.
    He didn’t want to mess that hard with her. “Arden mentioned what happened with your job.”
    â€œOh, she did?”
    â€œShe told me a little about it after she lost the money to me. She was still kind of toasted, even though her powers of concentration in that game were pretty good, and she spilled the story about how your boss drove you out and how you girls wanted a nice trip to get your mojo back. Or maybe I heard that part when she was talking too loud at the bar.”
    Molly kept staring at him like she expected him to say more, but when he didn’t, she seemed relieved.
    There was something else to this story, wasn’t there? Interesting.
    When she shook her head and muttered, “I’m