She had put damper on the game with her rules. The first person to get $100,000 in chips won. If she won, I would do whatever charity event she wanted. If I won, I got a free pass to kiss her again. Only kissing unfortunately. And just once. She'd been very clear about that.

One measly kiss.

Then again, a creative man could do a lot with a kiss. Especially since her full cooperation was part of the deal. So I wasn't too worried. Especially since I was very, very good at poker.

There wasn't much to do on a rig except play cards and whack off.

I grinned, leaning back to watch her deal. She clearly knew what she was doing. The cards flew through her fingers as she looked at me like the cat that ate the canary.

Oh yes, Camille was confident she could beat the hick from the sticks.

Too confident.

And that would be her downfall.

I fingered my chips as she dealt, tossing a few into the center for the buy in. I watched in awe as Camille picked up the cards. Her face changed to one of fierce concentration. Her brow was furrowed. Her feet came up on the seat. She chewed her bottom lip.

She looked like a hen trying to squeeze out an egg.

It was adorable.

Something twisted inside me. Her arm was wrapped around her knee as she made her first move. I could see the little girl she'd once been. Studious. Serious. Competitive.

Then I glanced down and looked at my cards. I realized she was about to win the hand. If I wanted a crack at the grown up version of that little girl, I was going to have to pay attention. I groaned as I realized I had already developed a massive hard on. Just from seeing her little toes poking out from under her dress.

Yep, her galdarn toes. There was something so sweet and somehow naughty about seeing her bare feet. I wanted to kiss them. Really take my time and worship those dainty feet of hers.

I'd tickle them a little bit too, just to hear her squeal.

Oh yeah, I was in trouble.

I took a slug of my drink and forced myself to pay attention. It worked. I won the next couple of hands. Then Camille won one. Only trouble was, the hands she was winning had higher stakes. We were at a standstill.

The next hour passed in fierce competition. We were like two alligators fighting over a rubber boot. Camille taunted me with every win, but as I gained on her, she got quiet again.

I leaned back in my chair. I let myself enjoy watching her as she mulled over her hand. Her intensity over a game of cards was doing funny things to me, especially in the pit of my stomach. I loved the way she took everything so seriously.

But I knew for her, her honor was on the line.

I finished my drink and put my cards down. She looked at me in surprise.

"Are you conceding?"

"No."

"The bar is over there if you want a drink. I promise not to cheat."

She grinned at me cheekily. I knew for certain that she would cheat if I turned my back for an instant. I had to admire her for being so honest about it.

"How about a draw?"

She raised her eyebrow.

"So no one wins?"

I shook my head slowly.

"We both win."

"So I get my carte blanche for the season and you get-"

"I get you."

She narrowed her eyes at me.

"If I agree you get one kiss. One. That's it."

"Whatever you say. I'll take what I can get."

She seemed to be mulling it over but I knew I had won. I was going to do whatever charity event she wanted me to do anyway. I loved kids. And I would have done just about anything she asked regardless, just to impress her.

I wanted her in my arms, no matter what the cost.

Now.

"Fine. Just one thing…"

She pulled out her phone and set a timer for twenty minutes. I stared at her hungrily. I was going to do my best to make her ignore that timer when it went off.

I waited about two seconds after she nodded before scooping her up and carrying her to the couch. I wanted to lay the groundwork. I wanted to set the scene.

I wanted to knock her socks off.

She looked surprised as all get out when I leaned her horizontally across the couch.

"What are you doing?"

"Shhh…"

I held my finger to my lips and I pulled her shoes off. I kicked mine off with a grin. No need to get dirt on the sofa while I kissed the hell out of her.

I wasn't a damn barbarian after all.