The Strip Ch 02 1

This is a rewrite of 'Vegas', combining both Books. While maintaining the theme, it offers a completely different and fresh take for the main characters.

Grateful thanks go to the best editor in the world – thesoundandfury - not only for his editing, but also for the constant encouragement, suggestions, and for helping me to become a better writer.

Chapter 2: Vegas Awaits

Tonight was the night. Three seats at the World Series Main Event were on offer, together with two 'consolation' prizes. But the cash for fourth and fifth places didn't interest Daniel. Yes, they'd help his poker bank balance, but the only prize in his mind was a seat at the World Series.

Minor obstacles were the other one hundred and twenty-one entrants - all looking for their own piece of glory.

Daniel leant back in the cheap computer chair. Being so uncomfortable kept him alert. So he convinced himself. The tournament bell was only a few minutes away, signalling the start of a journey to his destiny. Focus, he told himself. Get in the zone.

He hardly noticed when Grace silently slipped in from the bedroom. Leaning back against the white bedroom door, her rasping cough achieved its purpose. He jumped as he swung the low-backed computer chair.

Her arms crossed pose told him she was still pissed off. She still wanted him to accompany her to Robert's party tonight, even though he'd explained his predicament several times. He'd told her—if he was to get to the World Series, it was now or never.

He gave a low whistle as his eyes ran across her black, cocktail dress. "You look fantastic," he blurted.

"Thank you," came the deadpan reply. Yes, she was definitely still pissed.

"Look, Grace—"

The way she slowly pushed herself away from the door stopped his protest. No point in pouring oil on troubled waters. As she took a step forward, his eyes were drawn to her cleavage as her breasts spilled over the low cut top. She still made his cock harden more quickly than any other woman.

"So… you're definitely not coming with me tonight?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

"I can't, Grace," he replied, struggling to contain his frustration. "We've had this discussion several times now."

"Yes, Daniel," she agreed, her voice heavy with disdain. "Because you're going to win us a trip to Vegas. While I attend the biggest dinner of my life. Alone—"

It was a stand off. Both knew they'd played out this scene before. Daniel didn't reply. What was the point?

"Well?" she quizzically asked, knowing how difficult she was being. It somehow made her feel better.

"Well what?" His voice was becoming exasperated.

"Is poker more important than me? My career?"

It was an argument he couldn't win. "You know it isn't," he responded, rising swiftly and closing the small distance between them.

The stare she shot at him stopped him as if he'd walked into a bulldozer. He tried to ignore the piercing gaze that threatened to take him out. "Grace, if I finish in the first three, we win a trip to Vegas..."

"And how do you rate your chances?" she asked. "You told me there are well over a hundred people playing. Most have paid $600 for the privilege, you said!"

She was being unreasonable. But damn, she

felt

like being unreasonable.

He attempted to take her in his arms but her step backwards set up an invisible barrier. Only the bell signalling the start of the tournament interrupted the uncomfortable silence. Their eyes simultaneously jerked towards the small computer screen.

"Grace," he began.

His girlfriend ignored him. Picking up her coat from the nearby chair and draping it over her arm, she headed for the door. "Daniel…" she husked.

He smiled at the strapless back that was walking away from him. It would have been unlike her to go without wishing him good luck. "Yes?"

"Fuck Off."

***

The limo Demetrius had sent was closing in on its destination. Lauren sat quietly, wondering what to expect. His message had simply indicated she should be at his house by eight. For celebratory drinks, it had said. And to provide her with full details of her Vegas audition.

What to wear? Understated or ostentatious? It had been on her mind since she'd received the invitation. In the end, she'd gone for a loose, designer dress that showed off her long legs.

Mind you, if it weren't for the thin, spaghetti straps, it would seem only the gravity of her perfect tits held it up. His eyes would pop out when he saw her. And light blue was so her colour.

She'd hoped it would be more than a few celebratory drinks. It had been a week since she'd thrown her boyfriend out of her flat. She hadn't as much as spoken to Tommy since. That meant it was a week since she'd had sex. Since Demetrius had fucked her.

The blonde hoped the Greek was going to fuck her again tonight. She knew he was married—but was his wife going to be at home? She had no idea. Somehow, that just added to her excitement. It would be a night of hot sex or embarrassed frustration.

If all else failed, the limo's chauffeur looked hot. Quite a stud, in fact. And his eyes had been all over her body as she'd walked to the vehicle. If Demetrius didn't fuck her, she'd make sure they stopped somewhere quiet on the homeward journey.

She needed some serious action.

***

Play was cautious. Not only were very few moves being made, the pace of play was slow. It was understandable, considering the stakes.

While most players were content to focus on the tournament, others were anxious to posture. It seemed that quite a few had already played at the legendary Binion's Horsehoe Casino in downtown Las Vegas. And a number had performed at the plusher Rio, located just off the Strip.

With the Rio Hotel having recently taken over from Binion's as the home to the World Series of Poker, that was more relevant.

Daniel ignored the table chatter. He was unusually confident, feeling an almost eerie sense of calm. As far as he was concerned, the Practically Poker prize of a round trip airfare, plus accommodation, was there for the taking. He would need a fair share of luck, certainly, but his game was razor sharp.

He just needed to avoid any silly mistakes—

***

Demetrius was salivating in anticipation of the evening ahead. He had been since issuing the invitation.

He needed to make sure that Lauren had what it took. Not to be a model, she'd already proven that. But did she have the attitude—and was she uninhibited enough—to become a porn star? And of the quality that Kay Kristen was looking for? Tonight was another step to finding out.

But that was almost secondary to his need to take this woman again.

Not that he was short of good-looking women to fuck. In his position, they fell over themselves. Saw it as a way to advance their careers. Naturally enough, he took advantage. Who wouldn't?

Especially as his wife didn't object. On the contrary—she enjoyed watching the videos of her husband taking one innocent after another. It enhanced her arousal. Sex between them was so much better when they fucked while watching the hidden video screen opposite their bed. It lifted their fucking up a level—hot, basic and raw.

What made tonight different was that this blonde wasn't like the rest of his conquests. There was something about a woman who didn't realise how sexy she was. About a reluctant woman, who gave herself despite it being against her nature. When she realised this was the way to success.

Yes, Lauren had tried to play him. Get what she wanted with her womanly wiles, without going that extra step. Until last week, that was. But when she'd realised she had no option, she'd given herself willingly. And now, she'd had a week to think about things.

During that time, he'd learnt she'd finished with her boyfriend. Good girl. The gift of Vegas would have insinuated itself in her mind. The excitement would be building inside her. She'd also have remembered the sensations created by Demetrius' cock. They always did.

The question wasn't whether she'd let him fuck her tonight. It was how far would she go?

***

Grace had felt uncomfortable from the moment the unkempt driver's eyes had undressed her when she'd entered the taxi. It made her shiver. His insistence on smoking throughout the journey hadn't helped her mood, either. Only when he'd dropped her outside the apartment complex did her spirits lift. The building was certainly impressive enough.

She refused to give the lecherous old guy a tip, dropping the exact fare into his grubby hand as she left the smoke ridden interior and stepped onto the adjacent kerb. The clean air smelt wonderful.

The brunette was only too well aware it wasn't only the taxi driver who'd wound her up. She was still seething over Daniel's indifference. Okay, her attitude may have been unreasonable—but his chances of success in the tournament were slim. Yes, he was good. But not that good!

Her female instinct intellectualised the situation as yet another example of poker coming first. Tonight was important to her. Tit was the chance of a contact that could launch her career. Lisa Welles, for God's sake! In truth, it made no difference if Daniel accompanied her or not. Other than as a gesture of moral support. That wasn't the point, of course.

She was rapidly approaching the end of her tether over his poker fixation. It was beginning to drive a massive wedge between them.

Why couldn't he see that?

Two deep breaths later and she'd determined to put all other thoughts behind her. Concentrate on tonight, not anything else. Not anyone else. Her confident strides across the plush lobby were designed to flush any negative thoughts away. By the time she'd stepped out of the elevator on to the impressive, wooden panelled floor, she was focused.

Taking the few steps to Robert's apartment, she ran her hand through her shining hair. Knock 'em dead, she told herself.

***

Without cards, Daniel resolved just to stay out of trouble. They'd come eventually. By making the occasional move at the right time, he'd managed to remain around average in chips for both the table and tournament. No chances. Just playing his opponent.

But when a bad beat damaged his stack, he realised this was going to be more difficult than his earlier confidence had suggested.

He needed some help—some piece of luck to break the shackles. It came in the form of the King of Diamonds-Queen of Hearts. The board flopped Queen-Queen-Ace and after enticing calls from two over ambitious players on the turn and river, his tournament—at last—was up and running.

The next opportunity arrived with the blinds 100-200, and a 25-chip ante. Dark Warrior, to his left, had been aggressive throughout. The trick was choosing the right moment to attack the table bully and chip leader. His opponent could break him. He could double him up, too.

It took twenty minutes before the opportunity arose. The Table Bully tried to steal Daniel's big blind for the umpteenth time. Daniel called with Ace-Five suited. Yes, it was a moderate hand, but it had potential and against this guy, he could even be ahead.

The flop was beautiful: Ace-Two-Three, two diamonds and a club.

With top pair and a straight flush draw, Daniel checked to the aggressor. On cue, Dark Warrior tried to take the hand there and then with a pot sized raise. Daniel thought it through. Either the Table Bully had missed, or possibly also held a flush draw. He hoped so. He gave a Hollywood pause before calling the bet.

The turn produced the seven of diamonds. The nuts!

Unless the board paired on the river, he was home and dry. How to extract maximum value? He bet half the pot, hoping to make it appear as if he wanted to prevent a big bet. The most basic of moves.

Either the Table Bully fell for it, or he'd hit his flush too. He went over the top with another pot-sized bet. There was only one move, but Daniel gave the impression of thinking for a long time before he pushed all-in.

To his surprise, the Bully made an immediate call.

A set or two pair would make Daniel vulnerable to the river. When his opponent turned over King–Queen of diamonds, his prayers had been answered. Daniel's stack was approaching 20,000 chips. Just like that.

The Bully went out of the tournament next hand, overplaying pocket Queens. Daniel smiled to himself. Those who live by the sword—

***

Lauren was feeling heady—how much champagne had she already consumed? She was happy. Her expectations had been met—they were alone. Demetrius's wife and kids would love to meet her, the huge Greek had explained, but they were at her sister's for the weekend.

How convenient!

When he'd offered to show her around the large, mansion-style house, it soon became clear he'd meant the bedroom. She stood just inside the door to the impressive suite, taking yet another sip from the expensive flute.

Her gaze floated around the enormous room, homing in on the wonderful four-poster bed. She'd never seen anything quite so grand, other than in her favourite movies. Then there were the mirrors. Watched herself make love had always been a masturbatory fantasy of hers. Tonight would be her first time!

Her moistness turned to wetness.

The quiet click behind her indicated that the huge Greek had closed the door. When one hairy hand slid to the velvet curve of her hip and caressed her through the soft silk, she felt her body react. The other was pushing her thick, flaxen blonde hair to one side to allow his lips to descend on her neck. The sensation sent shivers through her.

Lauren rolled her head to one side as his lips slid behind her jewelled earlobe. When the Greek slid his tongue along her soft skin, she allowed a soft moan to squeeze through her parted lips.

"You like?" he whispered into her flesh.

Lauren was unsure whether he referred to his lips, the room, or the bed. Her groan of approval covered all three possibilities.

This man would soon be fucking her again and she so wanted that thick, hard cock inside her again. When he ran his tongue unhurriedly across the muscles of her slender neck, it was as if he was revelling in the feel and taste of her flawlessly tanned skin. She tried to turn towards him but his hands held her in position. He was doing this his way. She loved that.

When his hands slipped upwards to cup and caress her breasts through the thin material of the dress, her head fell back, her body trembling in anticipation of the pleasures to come. The hands were easing the straps of her dress from her shoulders, allowing the dress to pool at her feet.

She loved his gasp. Going without underwear had been a brainwave.

The huge Greek wasn't wasting any time. But then, she hadn't expected him to. At last his large hands turned her to face him. Halfway there, his head bent and his mouth ran over the velvet skin of her swells.

His hands joined his mouth, cupping her superbly firm breasts as his tongue ran feather-light around the edge of one brown nipple.

"Demetrius—" she gasped in delight as his teeth pulled on the hard bud.

For a second, the blonde wondered how many women he'd entertained in this way. She quickly decided she didn't care. Yanking the back of his shirt from his trousers, her hands slipped under the material, allowing her long fingernails to slide through the hairs covering his sinuous flesh.

Emboldened, her other hand dropped to his cloth-covered erection. The huge penis slowly began to lengthen against her palm. It would be in her mouth again, soon.

Her movements didn't distract the huge Greek. She loved having her tits pleasured and her body tensed as his teeth enveloped one of her nipples again. A gentle bite. She relaxed again as his lips sucked on the erect bud. This man knew how to please a woman.

Her nipple began to swell in his mouth. "Oh, God—"

Her hands went to his hair, but he gently removed them, standing straight again and nodding across the room. "The bed…" he instructed.

She walked to the four-poster with a swing of her hips, allowing his eyes to feast on the provocative sway of her peachy ass. He waited until she'd spread herself across the scarlet sheets before undressing, enjoying the way her eyes widened at the sight of his impressive cock.

Glancing around, Lauren saw the thrusting member reflected in each of the mirrors covering the walls. It was surreal… and extremely erotic. She raised her curvy body up onto one elbow, watching as he reached for a bottle from the antique table by his side. Her eyes narrowed in an unspoken question as he unscrewed the cap and walked towards her.

"You like massage, yes?"

Her deep brown eyes gleamed. "That would be wonderful, Demetrius." Despite the still early hour, the evening was just getting better and better.

The Greek smiled as he poured oil onto his hands and worked them gently against each other. The mattress bounced a little as he sat beside her.

"Yesss…" Lauren couldn't help the gasp. The feel of his slippery hands caressing her velvet-smooth breasts was sensational.

"You like, beautiful Lauren?" the huge Greek rhetorically asked, kneading her supple flesh.

One big hand left her, streaming more oil over her rapidly lengthening nipples. Her eyes slowly glazed with pleasure as he expertly manipulated her gleaming, pliant breasts. God, she was so wet!

Without a pause in his expert manipulations, Demetrius crept onto on his side and slid a meaty thigh between her legs.

Lauren knew what he was offering. She tried not to. Show some restraint! But she couldn't stop herself. Within seconds, her curvy hips were rotating against him. The friction on her clit was divine. Her undulations back and forth on his iron-hard thigh increased.

"Look," he told her.

Her mouth fell open as she followed his gaze to the mirrors. An out of control blonde woman was fucking herself on the thigh of a hairy giant. Lauren whimpered helplessly as the sight took her over the edge.

It was all too much. Her body arched. Breath left her in a shivering gasp, almost suffocating her as the giant orgasmic tide swept through her shuddering body.

***

Robert answered the door. His grey eyes widened into a broad smile when he saw Grace. Planting a warm kiss on both cheeks, he allowed her to float past him into the apartment. The size and opulence stunned her. Marble flooring. Marble furniture. Underfloor heating.

The camp club owner rolled his eyes as he read her thoughts. "I know! Everybody loves it! I've great taste, don't I?" He gave a shrill laugh at his own little joke, though the sparkle in his eyes conveyed his pleasure at her reaction.

"It's fabulous, Robert," she told him, her head swaying this way and that as she stared around her.

"Thank you, darling. But what about you?" he added, as he took her coat. "You look hot in that dress. If

only

I wasn't gay!"

The doorbell took his attention away. "Mingle! Mingle!" he waved, opening the door to greet his next guests.

Grace's almond coloured eyes scoured the room, quickly falling on some of the crowd from the nightclub. She headed over to the spot by the large, balcony window where they stood, collecting a glass of bubbly from one of the hired-in waiters on her way.

The woman that intercepted her was stunning. The soft, blonde ringlets piled on top of her head complimented her glistening, tanned skin. And that makeup—and the way it accentuated her sultry, light blue eyes—was so perfect. As for the short, gold, glittering evening dress, Grace would never have dared wear such a deliciously low plunging neckline.

"Hello," the woman nonchalantly said, blowing another smoke ring from that delicious looking mouth. "I'm Lisa."