Reno

By Tiffany Aaron

Sometimes the biggest gamble can turn out to be the best bet.

William Bradford is a Fallen angel and a professional gambler, living in Reno while trying to keep the people who visit there safe from his insane brethren. Something's lurking in the shadows of the city, and William needs all his power to find the truth.

Abigail Hanson deals blackjack, but she hates gamblers, and William Bradford happens to be one of the best. She doesn't understand why she's attracted to him, and why she's willing to overlook his profession.

There's more to William than Abby could ever guess, but when danger comes calling for her, she's glad he's around to keep her safe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
• Release date: Sep 20, 2013
• ISBN: 9781781844557

Tiffany Aaron

I've been writing for most of my life, but was first published in 2004. I believe everyone deserves love in all its forms. I write about women and men who find strength in loving each other. I live in the Midwest with my two cats, and when I'm not writing (which isn't very often) I read and watch movies.

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A Total-E-Bound Publication

www.total-e-bound.com

Reno

ISBN # 978-1-78184-455-7

©Copyright Tiffany Aaron 2013

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright August 2013

Edited by Rebecca Douglas

Total-E-Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2013 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

Warning:

This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Total-e-sizzling and a sexometer of 2.

This story contains 88 pages, additionally there is also a free excerpt at the end of the book containing 13 pages.

Fallen

RENO

Tiffany Aaron

Book two in the Fallen series

Sometimes the biggest gamble can turn out to be the best bet.

William Bradford is a fallen angel and a professional gambler, living in Reno while trying to keep the people who visit there safe from his insane brethren. Something’s lurking in the shadows of the city, and William needs all his power to find the truth.

Abigail Hanson deals blackjack, but she hates gamblers, and William Bradford happens to be one of the best. She doesn’t understand why she’s attracted to him and why she’s willing to overlook his profession.

There’s more to William than Abby could ever guess, but when danger comes calling for her, she’s glad he’s around to keep her safe.

Dedication

Thank you to everyone who has ever supported me in my mad rush to realise a dream.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Circus Circus: MGM Resorts International

Fitzgerald: Fitzgeralds Hotel Casino

Rolex: Rolex SA

Harley: Harley-Davidson Inc

Mustang: Ford Motor Company

Jameson: Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard

Armani: Giorgio Armani S.p.A.

BMW Z3: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

Golden Phoenix: Golden Phoenix Hotel and Casino

Chapter One

William Bradford took a peek at the two cards the dealer had given him. Damn, the queen of hearts and the two of spades. Studying his opponents, he wondered if he should try to bluff his way into the pot or just cut his losses. Maybe if he checked, he would get the chance to catch something on the flop.

He knew he could cheat and read their minds to see what kind of hands they had, though he wasn’t sure he wanted to do that. There was no way of telling what kind of slime lurked in their brains and just because he could read minds didn’t mean he should. There had to be a rule somewhere in the Enforcer code stating ‘Thou Shalt Not Cheat’. One of the men raised the pot. He threw his hand in with disgust then pushed back his chair and climbed to his feet.

I’m calling it a night, guys. He smiled at the men around the table as he gathered his chips.

The night is still young. You usually don’t quit until the sun comes up, one of them said, even though William knew they were thrilled to see him leave.

I flew in early this morning and came right to the tables. I haven’t seen my own bed in a week and I’d like to reacquaint myself with it. He nodded as he left.

Strolling through the Golden Phoenix casino in Reno, William wondered what kind of desperation drove these mortals to gamble away their money and their lives. What flaw was in them that made them long to bet everything on the roll of the dice or the turn of a card? He had seen that moment happen so many times, the moment when the addictive haze cleared and horrified guilt took its place for a while, leaving grown men to weep on street corners with no money and no way to get home.

He used to give them money to help them out before he realised they would go and gamble it away again. Now he did nothing for them. But he was a fallen angel, so maybe he should comfort the most beloved of God’s creatures.

Heading to the bar, he wished he could drown his thoughts—unfortunately whisky didn’t have any effect on him. The bartender recognised him and had his drink ready for him by the time he sat down.

Cards not falling your way, Mr Bradford? Burt, the bartender, asked.

William laughed because, except for that last hand, the cards always fell his way, which explained why he chose to make his living as a poker player. I’m just tired. I’ve been busy for the last week and need to catch up on my sleep.

Burt looked slightly surprised and William realised those two sentences were the most he had ever spoken to the man. He shrugged. He didn’t like talking to people. The only person he had ever felt the need to spend time with was Celeste, but now that she was attached to that arrogant mortal Adam Montgomery, she didn’t need him anymore. Burt seemed to be a good listener, but then wasn’t being a good listener a requirement to be a bartender? Burt set another whisky on the counter.

I’m not done with my first, William pointed out.

It’s not for you. Burt nodded towards the door.

He swung around and felt his lungs deflate as he took in the woman walking towards him.

She was petite, with an hourglass figure he would love to get his hands on. Her amber hair sparkled with burgundy highlights—the colour he’d always envisioned hell fire would be. A black and white bandana kept her hair off a face meant to break a man’s heart. Her big brown eyes reminded him of the richest Swiss chocolate. Her creamy skin was flushed and he could feel the anger rolling off her.

Her green T-shirt filled with lush breasts bared her stomach and he caught a hint of glitter at her belly button. As he ran his eyes down her legs, he imagined them wrapped around his waist as he thrust into her. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

Flinging herself down on the stool next to him, she grabbed the whisky and slammed it back. Burt had another shot ready when she set the glass down.

Slow up a little, Abby, Burt said as the redhead drank the second one back just as fast as the first.

I swear if the pay wasn’t so good, I’d blow this fucking job. She ignored William.

Thompson do it again?

Yeah, he grabbed my ass. He can’t believe I’d turn him down. What is it about you gamblers? Her brown eyes shot knives into William.

He didn’t think she was looking for an answer so he kept quiet. Obviously some guy had groped her and it had pissed her off. Standing, he reached into his pocket to pay his tab.

Abby reached out and grabbed his arm, although she wasn’t sure why she was talking to the man. His bloodshot blue eyes said he hadn’t slept for days. He had all the markings of a professional gambler and was just the kind of man she had always sworn never to get involved with. The hard muscle flexed under her hand as she met his glare.

I asked you a question.

Burt shook his head and moved down the bar. The stranger raised an eyebrow.

You did? I thought you were stating a fact. I’m sure you weren’t looking for my opinion. His voice came out smooth and lit a fire in her stomach.

It’s just the whisky. You’re a professional, always on the lookout for the next game. Do you know the meaning of the word no? Do you force your attentions on women?

Darling, no woman I’ve ever wanted has turned me down. He gave her a slow, bone-melting grin.

No, I’m sure they haven’t. Giving him the once-over, Abby found she liked what she saw. By the way he towered over her, he had to be around six-four. A wrinkled blue T-shirt covered bulging chest muscles. His faded jeans were sinfully tight, letting her know that it wasn’t just his muscles that were bulging. Scuffed cowboy boots completed the package.

Almost everything about his face shouted angelic perfection, until she met his eyes. Even though they sparkled with blue fire at her thorough inspection, their cynical darkness held a hint of pain. The man beside her had been to hell and was still haunted by his visit.

Angry at her thoughts, she jerked her hand away. Damn arrogant men. Why do you think that if a woman works in a casino, she must be a whore?

I never thought they were. His quiet statement cooled her anger.

She sighed. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lit into you like that. It wasn’t fair.

No, you shouldn’t have. Just as all women aren’t whores, neither are all gamblers arrogant ass pinchers. He threw a bill on the bar then left.

Great job, she muttered. Insult the best-looking guy you’ve seen in forever. Burt came by to grab the money. She saw it was a hundred dollar bill. Big tipper tonight. He must have come out ahead.

Burt laughed. Bradford always comes out ahead, girl.

Bradford? You mean I managed to insult the infamous William Bradford?

At his nod, she groaned. She was in for it now. If that jerk Thompson didn’t report her for slapping him, Bradford surely would for taking an attitude with him. There were few things people knew about William Bradford but one was that he didn’t suffer fools, and she had acted like an ass in front of him. Damn her red hair and loose mouth. Someday she might figure out how to keep them from destroying her life.

This might be my last night here. Especially if Bradford is as pissed off as he sounded.

Pissed off? Bradford wasn’t pissed off. You’re thinking too highly of yourself if you think that a man like that will remember or care about anything you’ve said to him. He chuckled as he pocketed his tip.

Chapter Two

William sighed as he flipped on his back for the fifth time. He had got home two hours ago certain that he would fall asleep the minute his head