Chasing Rainbows - Part Seven

Chapter Seven

Within an hour they were down to just four players, Jacob had a healthy pile of chips in front of him, and Emma was feeling a little more comfortable. Which was bizarre considering this man had been a complete stranger just a day earlier. She felt anxiety, concern, even fear for him. Ideally she wanted to walk away, come back at the end and see what had happened rather than experience every tense moment, but life wasn’t like that. Jacob needed her; she owed him this, if no other reason than the stunning shoes on her feet. She looked down and smiled, they were like wearing a glove, a perfect and comfortable fit, and they were the greatest thing she’d ever worn. She still couldn’t believe that he’d managed to ascertain the right shoe size. When did a man ever observe shit like that?

Glancing up her eyes met Jacob’s it was the first time his concentration had left the table, and she hoped it wasn’t a sign that he’d lost his focus. Then she realised he was laughing, with his eyes, had he seen her admiring her shoes? The shoes HE’D bought her? And then as quickly as it had arisen, the moment passed, and he was 110 percent focussed on the game. And he only went and won the hand! A HUGE hand!

They all took a break then as another one bit the dust, everyone refilled drinks and visited the bathroom. Emma was emerging from the bathroom when two arms encircled her from behind and she was pulled back into a large imposing body.

Turning she met Jacob’s eyes and smiled, “you’re doing good!” She couldn’t chastise him for his over familiarity this time, there was so much tension, so much pressure, and it did feel right to share a conspiratorial hug before he returned to the warzone.

                “You are my lucky star Emma, I know you don’t believe it, but I’ve never played this well!”

She shook her head placed her hands on his shoulders, “I can barely follow what you’re doing. But whatever it is, keep it up!”

He grinned, “I want a kiss if I win! THAT’S what I’m playing for! So be prepared!”

And with that he marched back to the table. As she knew so little about him, she didn’t know if this man was a hustler of if he really hadn’t played much poker, but she did know that he was doing well. Most of the other players looked nervous, and that was a sign of how confident he seemed.

A few small hands saw little change, but then Jacob was after a large hand, the bets were being raised, and the loser would really struggle. Everyone was on the edge of their seat, she’d never been so anxious in her life before. The pile of chips kept growing, the tension kept mounting, and Jacob actually looked up at her and smiled!  The man had nerves of steel!

And it was that smile, that lazy confident expression that undid his rivals.   

Down to two men, and Jacob lost the next hand, the remaining two men were equally matched scoring small points against each other for another two hands. But when they started to raise the stakes once again, everyone in the room collectively held their breath. This was it. The big one. Winner takes all!

Emma was still unsure of the order of winning hands, but as Jacob flipped over a pair of kings, that combined with the two kings face up on the table, the whole room gasped. Then the other player, a middle aged man from Texas, groaned. Four Kings beat his two pairs. Jacob had won!

But he didn’t celebrate, he just sat there, stunned as he was clapped on the back by everyone who could reach him. It was minutes before he looked up and found Emma’s eyes; she was sat across the room, tears of relief in her eyes. But that was replaced with wonder as she watched him storm single-mindedly across the room towards her.

And then came the theatrical kiss of her dreams. Jacob grabbed her, pulled her into his arms, then tipped her backwards before mashing his lips enthusiastically to hers. It was greeted with a few whoops and catcalls, but as he finished the kiss, and moved back into the hubbub of the room, as quickly and dramatically as he’d approached her, it left Emma in a state of acute confusion. He’d said he wanted a kiss, but she had NO idea he meant a kiss like that!

From the side of the room, she stood with her fingers still touching her bruised and tingling lips, watching Jacob court the media, the casino managers, and the sponsors of the game. He was definitely at home being the centre of it all and he was milking all the attention. And there was some attention. This was a commercial competition, according to the man who sat next to her, there were a lot of more discreet games, where large sums of money crossed hands and the last thing the patrons of those events wanted was publicity. But this competition had a huge publicity package, and Jacob was embroiled in a huge media circus.

Emma was glad for a few moments to herself. One of the casino hosts was only too pleased to refill her glass with white wine. But she’d barely taken a sip when that warm voice sounded from her left, “leave the chardonnay Emma, we have champagne!”

And with that he produced what could only be described as a Jeroboam of a rather distinguished champagne. “Drinks are on me darling, all on me!”

As they moved into the main casino, it didn’t take long for Eve and Angelina to sense the party and arrive in their ultra glamorous way. Jacob was glued to her side, and was greeting everyone who came to congratulate them as though they were a couple, or at least more than two people who’d only known each other for thirty hours.

                “He’s a real hunk!” eve whispered once the girls had managed to prise Emma away from the ever attentive Jacob.

Emma grinned, “he’s just won half a million, do you think that helps?”

Angelina smiled, “works for me! Pity though, he’s only got eyes for you lucky Emma!!!”

Blushing she shook her head, “not at all. I just brought him luck! That’s purely it!”

Both of the girls looked at her knowingly, she was SOOOO wrong!

                “Had enough of the party!”

The voice distracted her from hearing yet more about Michael Parsons, a solitary man who’d somehow deposited himself in front of her, and was more than happy to talk...a lot! He’d been a losing semi finalist the previous evening. She’d heard all about his mother, his cats, and the thirteen goldfish that lived in a four foot by two foot tank in his kitchen...he was THAT exact, and he was just about to start telling her about his work as a geology professor in a Pennsylvanian University when like a knight in shining armour, Jacob appeared beside her.

                “Let’s get out of here!”

She gave a barely apologetic smile to the middle aged man and spun around to face Jacob, “What did you have in mind?”

He shrugged, “I know this bar that may be a little bit quieter than here...and away from the melee...what  do you say?”

She grinned, “as tempting and enlightening as Mr Parsons here is, that sounds like the best idea anyone’s had in the last ten minutes!”

Taking her hand, he broke into a jog, dragging her at a stumble in her new heels out of the casino and across the reception.

The bar they were in was quieter than most she’d seen in town, and was only a short taxi ride from her hotel. As soon as they say at the bar, a tentative barman approached and Jacob smiled at him, “two mojitos please!”

Emma groaned, she’d drank a fair amount already, not that she felt drunk, the thought of mixing even more drinks made her stomach a little uneasy. That was until she tasted one.

                “Wow!”

He laughed, “I’ve stayed in this hotel at least a dozen times, and I have to say, I think these are the greatest mojito’s I have ever tasted.” He leaned across to her, “and definitely deserved after the evening we’ve had.”

                “You were amazing earlier. Have you really never played?”

He sighed, the tension was really starting to leave his body, “Not to this level, but I am a math freak...and it’s all about numbers...though it’s illegal to count cards in a casino, well not so much illegal as frowned upon. So of course I wouldn’t consider doing that!” His smile was infectious, “ but anyway, I always clean up when I play my friends...and I needed this money...”

                “Why?” It was a cheeky question that she’d not have imagined asking if it hadn’t been for the spirits, the wine, the champagne and now the cocktails. She was SO glad that she’d barely drank when Isobel was getting drunk hours earlier, otherwise now she’d be curled up in a corner snoring.

Jacob looked at her, “I don’t live the life my parents want for me...this helps me level the playing field. Settle money that I suddenly owe them, and allow me to keep living.”

Emma nodded in acknowledgement, “welcome to my world!”

                “Have yours slapped a ‘living’ bill on you too? I mean rent? I live in my grandmother’s house! Before she died she asked me to look after it...if it was in her will, that I’d keep it safe, instead Daddy dearest has control of it, and is now charging me six years back rent!” He gestured for another cocktail, then drained his glass. “This win clears that...but it’s not making me feel as good as I could be. You know?”

She nodded, more than a little shocked, she’d thought her parents’ desire for her to marry, have kids was controlling and demanding, it seemed that Mr and Mrs Coren took the biscuit in the domineering parent category, and whilst she felt pity for him, she also appreciated her own life and family a little bit more. “Aren’t we all disappointments to our parents in one way or another? I dread having kids, that responsibility, that anticipation of expecting the best for them.”

Jacob sighed and paid for the completed cocktails then grinned as he saw hers still half full, “I know that if I ever have children - though my mother assures me I have NOTHING to offer a woman, and so will never have the opportunity, that I’ll let them grow, develop. I’m not into spoiling them, letting them take advantage, but I don’t think I’ll measure their success in money, or Ivy League ways.”

                “You didn’t go to college?”

He laughed, “I aced my classes at Princeton, you’d think that would make them proud, but it wasn’t enough, in fact that probably makes them rue things even more.”

Emma had realised he was an intelligent man when she first met him, more than his secure ways or his poker prowess, he spoke well, he had a casual confidence that belied his clothing and demeanour. She knew that Princeton was a great school, and that it wouldn’t have been easy to do well there.  “Suppose your class mates have done great things!”

He laughed, “you’ve got it! Senators and lawyers, and they’re the under achievers!”

Emma placed a hand dramatically on her hand, “try being an actor...a not exceptionally successful actor who has to temp in a variety of shit jobs to pay bills!”

Jacob widened his eyes equally dramatically, “Ahh! I can only imagine that...”

\they both sipped at their drinks for a moment, before Jacob spoke again, “so have you done any big roles?”

Emma groaned, “this is not the way conversations should be going! I mean...” She snarled her mouth in a non aggressive way to bare her teeth, then mimicked a toothbrush in her right hand, then singing she added, “Keep your mouth Minty Fresh with FreshMinty toothpaste!”

When Jacob burst out laughing she grinned, “other than a bit of extra work, that’s about as good as it gets!” She went on to tell him about her theatre appearances, her three episodes of a well known British soap, and her regular Christmas festivals, where she played anything from a reindeer to Mother Christmas. He tried to stifle his laughter, but her helplessness and her comedic explanations of it all that when she finished he could do nothing more than pull her into a supportive hug!

                “For every Theo Samuel or George Clooney there’s a few hundred like you I imagine!”

She felt her jaw drop open for a moment at the mention of that man’s name, then grinned, “More like a few hundred thousand. But you have now highlighted my REAL low!” his ears pricked up at that, and she surmised her audition a few days earlier.

                “Let me get this straight...you have the audition for the greatest role of your life, with a Hollywood star...and you accuse him of molesting you?”

Emma couldn’t help but laugh, it was so easy to share her stories with this man who was a stranger until just over twenty four hours ago. “He full on kissed me! What teenage boy kisses like a Hollywood star?”

Jacob waggled his eyebrows, enjoying teasing her, “who says that was his NORMAL kiss...he might have been playing it down for you. That may have truly been his memories of teenage kisses.”

Emma wasn’t buying it, “Nope, I think he was trying to unbalance me!”

                “And it worked!”

Emma thought for a moment, she hadn’t heard anything since the audition, so that spoke volumes. If she’d smiled and walked away graciously would she now be heading to Hollywood for her breakthrough part?

Nodding she smiled at him, “I think that part would have got me a page on IMDb!”

                “But then you’d be too up your own ass to support me, a stranger, in my hour of need!”

It was a good point. Since meeting Jacob the previous day she’d barely thought about her life back home, he’d given her something exciting, something to look forward to, and definitely been a distraction. If she’d been in Vegas with the role in the proverbial bag, then she’d never have dropped her defences and had fun, she’d be so busy trying to plan her future, to work out the intricacies of the part. Nope, this man had her number, most clearly. He understood her more than her own family and friends ironically!

Chasing Rainbows - Part Six

Chapter Six

                “I didn’t think you were that serious about me!” Emma was suddenly nervous. This was all so bizarre, and self consciously she swiped a lock of hair behind her ear.

Jacob’s eyes widened, “I never joke about a beautiful lady! You ARE my lucky omen! I CAN’T win without you!” Sipping his whisky, he watched her struggle to reply to that.

                “Well I happen to be at a loose end,” she finally offered, “but I don’t think I’m that lucky!”

Though the flush of pleasure that swept over her face and neck told him that she was flattered. And that was a good sign in his book.

                “Where’s the bride?” He knew so little about her, but he knew that she was in Vegas with her best friend, a last weekend of freedom type thing, oh and that she had issues with her parents too! Some club to be in, hey?

                “Sleeping off too many tequilas...and vodka...and something strawberry flavoured! She’s not normally so...enthusiastic!” And she wasn’t. Whilst Isobel was great fun, she was a teacher, and common sense nearly always won through. Until this evening.

He laughed, “the perils of a bachelorette!”

Emma shook her head, “a hen party, that’s what WE call it!”

Jacob leaned closer, “so you being English makes you right? Can I just remind you whose country you are in?”

Emma leaned back and gave him a coy smile, “Obama’s last time I checked, and I’m sure he has no objections!” Then moving back towards him she added in a whisper, “and it’s not good etiquette to upset your lucky charm!”

Oooh! Sassy! Jacob grinned; he loved the spice of this girl, “you’re right! A hen party it is!” And he felt a heat shoot through him that wasn’t linked to his anxiety over the coming game. Oh yes, his good luck charm could very easily become TOO much of a distraction. He had to keep a rein on his rather neglected libido!

She didn’t want to seem smug, but there was something very rewarding about winning a verbal battle with a cute stranger. And she’d definitely bossed that one.

                “So what time does your game start?” She changed the subject, wanting to bank a very definitive ‘Emma wins 1-0’ compartment in relation to that last exchange.

He glanced at his watch, “an hour. But I want to take you somewhere first? There’s something I need to show you!”

Emma couldn’t help but hesitate; after all he WAS still a stranger. “Is it far?” When he shook his head, she excused herself for a moment and walked over to Eve and Angelina. “I’m off to be lucky charm for that man there, the one from last night. Will you keep an eye on Isobel until I get back?”

Eve nodded then leaned close, “of course! Have you seen who Caleb brought for me?” She nodded towards a rather unusual looking man who was drinking orange juice through a straw. “NO WAY! I’ll look after Iz, you have fun, okay?! But keep in touch! Stranger danger and all that!”

Laughing Emma turned back to Jacob, and he was now stood a few feet away looking at her with a smile. He cut such a staggering sight in the middle of the glamorous casino in his jeans, t-shirt and a linen blazer, he was the epitome of uncool chic, and with his messy blonde hair and those piercing blue eyes, and the slightest hint of stubble on his square jaw. Then her eyes dropped to his feet, he was wearing brown leather vans. She shouldn’t like this man, for SO many reasons, but even his fashion faux pas appealed to her.

                “Show me the way!”

Laughing he took her hand and tucked it into his elbow then led her out in the reception.

Jacob stopped at the concierge, smiling with familiarity at the grey haired man who had a weathered and friendly face, he was immaculately dressed in the livery of the hotel, and polite beyond belief as he returned the smile and nodded his head in recognition, “Mr Coren.”

                “Hi Sidney, do you have my...er...package?”

The smile remained on the older man’s face as he dipped his eyes to Emma for a moment, she felt her heart skip a beat as he lifted a large well wrapped parcel from behind the counter and handed it to Jacob. He then thanked the older man before leading Emma across the reception.

 In one corner of the large reception was a small secluded area that housed a sofa, Jacob led her there, then encouraged her to sit. Crouching in front of her, he placed the box on her knees.

                “A little thank you for last night...and tonight...”

She bit her lip in nervousness, and it gave Jacob that same warm feeling that her sassy comments had earlier. Her eyes studied him, waiting for the reassurance that he gave with a smile. Then he watched as her hands gently tugged at the ribbon and paper, slowly revealing a very elite looking gold box.

Emma gasped as she saw the inscribed signature that topped every box of Christian Louboutin shoes. Her eyes flashed to his, question in her eyes. He could only grin like a buffoon, helping her to pop the lid of the box to reveal the shoes she’d spent far too long admiring.

                “They’re my size!” She announced in shock.

Jacob grinned, “last night, after the poker game, when we were sat in the bar, your shoes fell off. I could see the size written inside.”

Emma shook her head in wonder, “I can’t accept these!” She looked up at him, “this is too much!”

Jacob grinned, “you have to accept them for TWO reasons! One - your luck brought me a win last night, my life line, and two, your legs were made for these shoes!” Without further ado, he pulled off her tried and trusted black heels, then proceeded to slide the dream shoes on to her feet.

And to Emma it was the most erotic sensation in the world, a man, and a cute one at that, sliding expensive and VERY luxurious shoes onto her bare and sensitive feet.

Jacob admired her feet, his eyes lingered a little too long on her shapely legs, and then met her eyes, but not before taking in that cute lip biting thing that she had going on again. “Perfect!”

Placing her shoes back into the box, he rewrapped it, then added, “Sidney will hold the box for you, until you’re ready for it. Will you join me for a drink before the game?” He had uncurled to his full height of over six foot and was extending a hand towards her to help her out of the chair.

She took the hand and ignored the tingles of excitement she got from being tugged into his arms...in ridiculously high shoes. She staggered to find her balance, and it took Jacob’s firm hands to steady her, then she grinned.

                “Lead the way Mr Coren!”

As they approached the room that was to host the final game, they were met by a hostess and led to a designated area where there was food, drink, all the hospitality you could require. Jacob declined the canapés that were laid out on the table to their right, but he took a whisky.

                “Nerves!” He whispered into her ear, “can’t eat a thing! Have what you like...make the most of the hospitality!”

She shook her head, “I’m too nervous for you! You’ve blown a grand on these shoes...” Despite the words when she looked down at her feet there was pure pleasure in her eyes. Then she shook her head to clear the pleasure those shoes brought, “the thought of you losing you remaining money...what will you do?”

Jacob’s grin was full of bravado, but for Emma there was a huge chink in that armour, “I’ll survive...somehow. But I’ve got to lose first!”

Emma couldn’t share that optimism, but she smiled as they made small talk, and waited until show time.

There were seven players, and to Emma’s eyes they all looked, older - or rather more mature than Jacob, but also in their impeccable suits and Italian leather loafers, they exuded a confidence and a surety that she feared he didn’t reciprocate, but she’d never known a man so comfortable as him. He dropped into the conversations with great ease, and she hung on his arm like an attentive partner and they both seemed to portray an image of a high powered couple who belonged in the cut throat environment of a half a million dollar poker game.

                “Here we go!” He announced as the dealer moved into place at the oval shaped table, and before taking his place, Jacob smiled at Emma, then swept his head down to plant his lips on hers.  Before she realised what was happening, or more importantly what he was doing, he’d disappeared across the room. Bewildered she raised her fingers to her lips, touched the place where his lips had been, and it was in that moment of confusion that she met his eyes across the room, and he gave an outrageous wink, and instantly anger replaced the apprehension. He may have bought her the ultimate dream shoes, but that didn’t mean he could take liberties and kiss her like that!

Emma’s anger didn’t last long. The room was hushed and the game was more tense than anything she’d ever experienced. And she wasn’t alone, a few rushed and cheap hands fell to several of the players, but fortunately no one person took advantage. So despite it all, there was no threat to the overall lead.

Fortunately, Jacob was neutral to the major hits, and he entered the eighth game in a reasonable position. But one man fell in that hand. Slowly but surely they played each game, each hand, and a few of the less fortunate players bowed out, but remained in the room, watching the drama intently.

Every time Emma looked down, her glass of wine was topped up, she had no idea how much she’d drunk, but it was the only thing keeping her calm whilst the rest of the room dissolved in tension. Taking another gulp she watched anxiously as the mountain of chips at the centre of the table grew, the ante upping with every circle of the table.

She knew a little about poker, but found the whole indifference by the players, to what amounted to a huge amount of cash disturbed her. Jacob was staring at the other players, his cards face down in front of him, and he looked calm, fairly relaxed. She didn’t know him well enough to make any other comment on his demeanour. If she were an acquaintance then she’d have recognised subtleties, a raised eyebrow or a flared nostril that would betray his nervousness. But outwardly, there was nothing.

So if he wasn’t worried why was she??

Chasing Rainbows - Part Five

Chapter Five

Emma immediately regretted dancing with her friends until four am. She wanted to sample every moment of their trip, and being in bed until lunchtime was not on her agenda. Saying that there was no chance that she was going to be able to wake any of the other three before then, so she took the time to go for a swim.

Despite being mid morning, the pool area was deserted. Emma walked over to one of the sun loungers and stripped down to the floral bikini she’d purchased specifically for the trip. She had fought her demons in putting it on, and still wasn’t as comfortable as she could be, the trip from lounger to dive into the water was rather more rapid than it could have been.

She managed a few lengths, then took herself to the edge and propped her elbows on the side, letting her body float behind her, her eyes closed face turned up to the sun. Bliss.

Emma had made it as far as a sun lounger when the whole of the sun deck was captivated by the arrival of her three friends a little later. Angelina struck an amazing sight her voluptuous body in a scarlet bikini that set off her dark skin perfectly, her paper thin wrap did little to cover her and she attracted every set of eyes. Isobel and Eve were behind her, in perfect contrast to each other, one dark and curvy, the other blond and willowy. As a group they were traffic stopping.

Within moments of arriving, the place was in uproar. A poor waiter was dispatched to bring drinks, and snacks, and Angelina was diving into the pool. The giggles and catcalling between her and the twins disrupted everyone there. Though no one really seemed bothered. For Emma it was embarrassing as she hated attention, and that was what they created. But it was Isobel’s time, and as she looked across at her friend, she could see the happiness etched across her face. So she pulled on her best acting face and giggled along too. As she lounged in the sun Emma hated the conclusions she was coming to. She wanted to be a successful actress more than anything, yet she hated unwanted attention, and was self conscious of her own form. Surely those two facts were in stark contrast to her desires? She was destined to not be what she dreamed, she had to realise that now, and she also had to accept that she’d wasted ten years of her life in chasing that dream.

With a sigh she turned back to look at her best friend lounging beside her and threw herself wholeheartedly into their antics, her own thoughts were far more detrimental to her happiness.  After several games of water polo, where none of the patrons were excused, the three headed back to their rooms.

Before dinner they strolled the strip, no easy feat in their heels and dresses, but they managed it and it was worth it, they giggled at the people they passed, Las Vegas attracted some very unique sights, and photographed each other outside the landmark and world famous hotels, and laughed at the tacky souvenirs, and it was in one shop that Isobel bought Nathan a souvenir Las Vegas wedding ring box. Emma knew he’d laugh at that! She didn’t think her parents would appreciate anything from there, but she did buy a rather crude cigarette lighter for Matthew at work. When you lit the flame, the man emblazoned on the body of the lighter mysteriously lost all his clothes! Matthew would LOVE it!

They ate dinner in a neighbouring hotel, Angelina’s choice - Chinese! And it was amazing! But as with every other night of the trip they overate and needed an hour after to relax and be able to breathe again.

                “So what’s on the schedule for tonight?” Isobel asked as they paid the bill.

Eve grinned, “well firstly rainbow shots, I have it on good authority...” she nodded in the direction of Angelina, “that a man who’s expert in making them will be at our disposal later!”

Angelina giggled, “I won’t tell you what I had to promise to get that little treat!”

Emma felt her jaw drop open in shock, and Isobel gasped, “Ange I would lever expect you to...”

The tall dark woman shook her head, “look I dated Caleb once, there’s not exactly a huge variety of eligible and/or handsome men here knocking the door. A late night date with him tonight is not that great a chore! And he is getting us access to SO many things that we wouldn’t otherwise!”  She gave an elaborate wink that sent Eve into fits of giggles.

                “And he’s got a hot friend!” her friend’s twin added in a rather lewd way which made Emma chuckle. The two women had more stories about more men than most people she knew.  Tonight it seemed they would add to that repertoire!

The shots were indeed rainbow, small glasses with stripes of seemingly immiscible liquids in red, yellow, blue and purple that tasted of sweet fruit and the underlying hit of alcohol.  Emma was nervous when it came to drinks like this, and as she watched Isobel throw them down her throat as though there was no tomorrow, she had a feeling she’d be responsible for getting the bride-to-be home, especially if the other two were planning a special night with the men they’d agreed to meet.

And she was right. Two hours later, not even eleven pm, and Isobel was closing her eyes as she sat opposite her.

                “You ok friend?”

Isobel nodded without opening said eyes, “fine...tired...must be jetlag!”

                “Not the half a dozen shots you necked earlier?” She asked but there was no malice in her voice. When Isobel groaned Emma chuckled, “do you want to go to bed?”

Isobel nodded, “I want to speak to Nathan...I miss him.” She opened her eyes and Emma sighed at the confusion in her eyes. She’d had such a busy few days, and it had all caught up with her. She was happy to take her to their room. She’d thought briefly about Blondie - Jacob and his poker game. She would have sat there with him, been the lucky charm that he reckoned she was, that was if it was convenient after all she was here with her friends, but as she hadn’t made concrete arrangements, and she hadn’t seen him since, she wrote off the evening as over.

Up in the room she managed to wrestle Isobel’s prized Jimmy Choo heels off her feet, but by that point her friend was groaning and approaching the tearful drunk stage, so Emma didn’t try and fight Isobel’s desperate crawl into bed. She knew her friend well and she was rarely drunk like this, and she deserved to relax, let her hair down. By the time she closed the bedroom door behind her the recumbent Isobel, her moans and tears of “I miss Nathan” and subsided to soft snores.

As she sat on one of the sofas in the adjacent lounge of the suite, her phone bleeped, Eve.

                ‘Is my sister in bed? The lightweight. We’ve got an hour before out hot date, don’t stay up there alone, come join us in the casino bar?’

Emma was torn, she shouldn’t really abandon her friend, but then Isobel was hardly dangerously drunk, but she’d have to check on her in an hour to make sure she was ok. So with a little reluctance, she headed back downstairs.

In the half an hour that she’d been upstairs, the whole of the floor had got busier, a lot busier. But Emma could still find the two friends with ease, drinking wine at the bad and giggling; attracting the attention of every man in the room, as they had everywhere they went. All bar one. The blonde man sat at the bar his eyes trained on the door, and then ultimately on her. He was across the room on a bar stool, a whisky in his hand, and his elbow on the bar. Relaxed, composed, and completely comfortable.

She felt a little self conscious, until he broke into a smile, ordering a drink and placing it at the space next to him as he watched her approach.

                “I didn’t think you’d come!” He offered sliding the beer in her direction.

And Jacob hadn’t believed she would, not for one minute. But as soon as she’d walked into the bar his whole evening looked a little brighter. He wasn’t one for nerves, but tonight was SO important to his life. Eight years of battling with his parents, eight years of fighting to be what he wanted to be, and it was all coming to a head. Since finishing his computer programming and applied math course his father had been pressuring him to go into the family business. His dream was to create games, for all platforms, but a different type of game, an interactive sporting game whereby friends could join up to play as part of the same team. Interactive and team game, but also multiplayer, he imagined playing for the Lakers sat in his California home, at the same time his best mate who was living in New York playing point guard with him, they already knew they’d play against Oliver’s brothers, them and their Celtics love. He could see the vision, and in eight years he’d ALMOST done it. The latest version of the game had a few flaws, and he needed to iron them out. If he did it, created this thing then all the major gaming companies would be fighting to take it out of his hands. Not that he wanted to sell it, but it was money, and he was desperate.

He’d not been at his father with an open palm, though his father did seem to portray a different story. The truth was that Jacob had managed to be self sufficient, through tutoring, some small programming contracts that he’d taken on, enough to survive. That was for as long as he lived in his departed grandmother’s house that was. But for some as yet unknown reason his father had given him an amazing twenty eighth birthday present - a back dated rental bill and an eviction order.

This poker game was seeing him gambling with five thousand dollars, all he had in the whole world. If he failed, then the only realistic future for him involved him succumbing to his father’s requests. And that was something that he was struggling to deal with. He’d sell his soul to the devil to avoid it if he could, instead he was lording it in Vegas, a dozen hands away from a half a million dollars, the winnings from the previous evening weren’t enough to meet the rent, but if he quadrupled it tonight, then he’d bought himself both time, and his future.

Jacob smiled at Emma, he’d found the woman gazing longingly at a pair of shoes the previous day intriguing, and the previous night she’d manifested into a vixen in her tight jeans, clingy top and killer heels. But tonight, tonight she was beyond words in a dress that was both demure and left little to the imagination, highlighting her curves, and those long legs... Looks aside this woman had made him think the impossible was possible. Now that she was here, well he knew he could win the game, he could do this!

Chasing Rainbows - Part Four

Chapter Four

                “So are we hitting the casinos after dinner?” Isobel asked. “I want to play poker, but I don’t know how!”

Eve laughed, “don’t expect to learn here darling! This is serious gambler territory! We could watch! That’s fun!”

Angelina giggled, “don’t be silly, if nothing else I have contacts here!” They all laughed, after all Caleb Osman had made himself a bit of a nuisance since they’d arrived. Angelina had confessed over dinner the previous evening that they’d dated maybe three times years ago, but when he’d agreed to upgrade their booking, look after them, well it seemed that this favour to her was loaded with the presumption that this situation would be rekindled. But she was a formidable woman, and no one gave Caleb a chance. “Well anyway, there’s a novice night in one of the gambling rooms, so Caleb is lining up a guide to talk us through things. So that should be fun.”

They were eating sushi, after the last two nights they were planning to not have a really heavy meal, since arriving in Vegas they’d been tired and turned in really early. Full and satiated by all the amazing food on offer. Before hitting a restaurant that evening Emma had checked out her bank account balance and that feeling of nausea that was so close all the time returned with a vengeance. Even if she didn’t eat all next month she still couldn’t pay her bills, or rent. She was approaching bankruptcy, and that would devastate her father. If she returned to London and took on three more jobs it still wouldn’t be enough. Putting all her eggs in the acting basket! The most disastrous decision of her life.

So with her credit card primed and her only life line, she was throwing herself half in to the evening, but one thing was certain she wasn’t wasting money on anything she wasn’t eating or drinking. Champagne or even beer was beating gambling that was for sure. But she’d cross that bridge when she came to it. She didn’t want to upset Isobel; this was her weekend after all.

Despite her intentions and reservations, the casino was an addictive environment, and once the four had been shown to a private room, she was more than a little intrigued.

They were playing for peanuts, a few dollars here and there, Emma had played poker before, that was Damien’s thing, but none of the other’s had. And she was a little bored when they failed to fully understand the game after two hours.

                “Go play with the big boys!” Isobel insisted. Emma protested, but she was insistent. “Come on! By tomorrow we’ll be ready to play anyone! Promise!”

With slight reluctance she gathered the chips she’d won, then found a low bet table. She only wanted to play for the small bets that she’d been playing with the girls. So she ended up sat between two octogenarians and a middle aged couple, all pushing single chips out and doubling for a blind.

Winning ten dollars was still satisfying, and Emma had no intention of playing for higher stakes. So she cashed in her winnings, she’d made fifty dollars -  it could have been a lot worse, then headed for the bar. Sitting on a high stool she smiled at the barman who approached, they were all so accommodating and so helpful that it almost made spending money a pleasure.

                “Could I get a beer please? Something light?” She was all wine and champagned out!

                “Sure Ma’am.” He listed several brands.

                “Which do you recommend?” Her knowledge of US beers didn’t extend beyond Budweiser. A few moments later she was sipping on a bottle of unknown beer, which was excellent and browsing the room from the distance of her seat. It was such an industrious place, various rooms expanded from the bar, each filled with dozens of tables, set with several chairs and centred with a gaming table. Poker in one area, roulette, craps, vingt-et-un. It was all going on.

And for a people watched like Emma it was such a fantastic place to be, especially as her winnings meant she wasn’t actually paying for her drinks as she’d won.

It was when she glanced across the bar, that she recognised a face. The blonde dishevelled hair, those blue eyes that at that moment were watching something in the distance, in the opposite direction to her.

Signalling to the barman, she asked for another beer, then ordered one for the man. The least she could do was buy him a drink, who knew what she owed him. Nodding, at her request, the barman took the beer she requested and took it across the bar to place in front of Blondie. When he looked up questioningly, the barman indicated towards Emma with a nod of the head, and when those blue eyes located her, his face lit up.

Emma smiled, a little coyly, then raised her glass in a salute towards him then took a long drink. He reciprocated then drained his glass before making his way around the bar. Dropping onto a stool next to her, he smiled again, “beer is a damn sight better than coffee anyway! Thank you!”

                “No thank you!” She offered. “I hate to think how much it cost to replace whatever I smashed this am.”

He sighed, “honestly, it’s not that big a deal!”

Emma still didn’t believe him, but she kept quiet for a moment, eventually her curiosity got the better of her, “Are you staying here?”

He shook his head, “no, but I’m expected on a poker table here a little later. I’m in a competition. Tonight is the semi final. I win; I’m in the final tomorrow.”

She felt her eyes widen, “so you’re a good player?”

He shrugged, “I like the maths of it all,” he leaned forward to whisper in her ear, “but they don’t like to hear that here, so shhh!”

                “Is it that technical then? I always thought you had to keep your face blank and bluff a lot!””

Laughing he shook his head, “I can’t believe you’ll win any games with those tactics!”

His laugh became a guffaw when she snipped, “I won fifty dollars earlier!”

                “Well, if you want to do more than steal from people in their eighties you need far more than just luck, it’s a logic thing, you know?” he gestured to the barman for two more drinks.

                “So do you do this a lot?” He was dressed far more casually than the average man in the casino, in jeans and a polo shirt, his unruly hair curling over his collar. But he had such confidence in himself as he lounged against the bar beside her.

His response was a shrug, then he took their drinks from the barman and handed her one, “I’ve got a few thousand dollars and it’s kind of my final chance to increase it!”

It sounded like an intriguing story, but he changed the subject dramatically. “So who are you here with?”

                “Best friend. It’s her hen weekend. She gets married in a couple of months; they’re learning poker in one of the novice rooms.”

He nodded, “and you’re not?”

She shook her head, “I took them all to the cleaners, then you’re right, I robbed a few pensioners through the modem of bad poker, and I was sat here drinking my way through those fifty dollar profits!”

He laughed out loud, “sounds like you’ve had a great night. Maybe you could be my lucky charm later?”

It was Emma’s turn to laugh, “I do owe you hugely for earlier.”

It was ages since she’d sat like this with a strange man just chatting. And it was fun. And he was a nice guy.

                “It was fine; I should’ve had a better grip on it. Anyway, my mother, who asked me to pick up the vase was expecting me to screw this up! Let’s just say she doesn’t have a lot of confidence in me, so breaking it was part of her anticipation!”

That was meant to make her feel better, but it didn’t work. She was feeling much worse. “Can’t I at least replace it? It was my bad, and I know what disappointed parents are like!”

What the hell made her say that? She barely knew this man and she was one step away from a heart to heart.

As he made to reply, his phone bleeped. Glancing at it he sighed, “I’m up...would you...?”

                “Lucky mascot? I can do that. Show me the way!”

The smile lit up his face, “you will?” Emma realised he really did genuinely want her there, and also worried that she wouldn’t! “I’m so sorry I don’t know your name...I’m Jacob!”

He held out a hand and she took it, “Emma!”

                “Well then come on Lucky Charm Emma! Our theatre awaits!”

It was so interesting that Emma forgot about her friends for a while. The six men played with a dealer, around a large oval table in a side room. She was allowed to sit just behind Jacob, but couldn’t see what he was doing. Though the pile of chips in front of him was building steadily. A couple of the men folded out of the game, and eventually there were just three of them. It was then she realised that her silenced phone was filled with messages from her friends.

Scribbling a note explaining that she had to abandon him, she passed it to him via one of the hostesses, then slipped out to the main casino rooms.

Her three friends had obviously given up on poker and were giggling loudly at a roulette table. They all squealed even louder when she arrived, and soon the four of them had quite an audience as they animatedly played roulette...badly.

                “So where were you?” Isobel asked between turns, she’d loaded a huge pile of her ships on 24 as she was getting married on the 24^th of June, before looking up at her friend.

                “I bumped into the man I saw this morning...the vase!” She had told her friend about both the shoes and the vase man during their earlier massage. “He was starting a poker game and wanted some good luck!”

                “And he picked you?” She asked before screeching at full pelt as miraculously 24 was called.

Suddenly everything was forgotten as the four danced around excitedly. Then more champagne was ordered! They wanted to hit the basement club to celebrate, but Emma wanted to check on Jacob, she’d abandoned him, Isobel was concerned, but agreed to see in half an hour. And so the group split.

The side room was filled with tension as she walked in. There were two men sat at the table, one of them being Jacob. He still had a huge pile of chips in front of him, but the other man’s pile was looking larger.   She sidestepped behind him and retook her place on a high chair, as she did Jacob glanced over his shoulder. Relief flooded his face and he gave her a quick smile.

The next two hands were tense, and Jacob had the most amazingly serene poker face. She fought the Gaga song that flew annoyingly around her mind, and focussed on his actions. And was rewarded with him winning both hands. But the third one was ridiculously anxious. Even thought Emma barely knew this man, she was watching him gamble a phenomenal amount of money, and knew that this hand was make or break.

As the cards were turned and the bets increased Emma found herself holding her breath, this was so dramatic, and she was praying that he didn’t lose such a large amount of money. After the river was turned, she could just make out a slight ease in Jacob’s shoulders, the other man called him to the last moment. So they turned over their cards. The whole room seemed to collectively join Emma in her breath hold. As Jacob, his eyes trained on the other man’s cards watched him turn them slowly; he sighed, then gave a victorious grunt. Emma couldn’t see all the cards, but she saw the dealer start pushing the winning ships towards Jacob.

And when he turned the smile he gave her was amazing! He’d won! Jumping to his feet he stormed towards her and pulled her into a bear hug.

                “Where did you go? I lost two big hands in your absence! Then you come back and I win! You are a lucky charm Miss Emma! And you HAVE to accompany me to the final tomorrow!”