How to Drink Whisky. Dave Broom
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Название: How to Drink Whisky
Автор: Dave Broom
Издательство: Readbox publishing GmbH
Жанр: Кулинария
isbn: 9783833849961
isbn:
“Is that why you’re opening up a casino?” she asked.
“Good question,” Tanner said. “Actually, I do consider it a sure thing. People come from all over the world to Las Vegas to gamble, among other things. There’s always room for one more place to spend and lose money.”
“Aloha Seas,” Bianca said.
“You’ve got it.” He smiled. “If you’d like to come to the grand opening in two days, consider this an invitation.”
“Thanks, but I’ll be busy that day,” she responded, knowing that another reporter had already been assigned to cover the event at the newspaper.
Tanner frowned. “Really? All day...?”
“Part of the day,” she said truthfully.
“So spend the other part at the grand opening. It’ll be fun, even for a nongambler.”
Bianca didn’t doubt that, even if she was sure he’d be far too busy as cohost to even notice her there. “I’ll think about it.”
“Fair enough,” he said evenly.
“You can let me off here,” Bianca instructed Johan.
He pulled up in front of the Owen-Knight Building.
Bianca looked at Tanner. “Thanks for the lift.”
“Anytime,” he said smoothly. “But hopefully next time it won’t be because we ran into your car.”
She smiled. “I agree. Speaking of...”
“It may take a few days to get it repaired, but my man will take care of it. If you need a loaner or...”
“I can wait. I’ll take a cab until then.” She certainly couldn’t expect him to shepherd her around. Nor would she want him to. They exchanged contact information. “Bye.”
“Till we meet again,” Tanner told her, as if it were written in stone.
Bianca wasn’t so sure about that. Yes, she was definitely attracted to the man. Who wouldn’t be? But that didn’t mean she was eager to become another notch on his belt. That was, if he hadn’t already lost count, she thought
She watched as the limousine drove off. Her thoughts turned to the grand opening gala at Aloha Seas and the opportunity to see Tanner again in his element.
Chapter 2
“Since when did you start arriving at work in a limo?” Melanie Rice, Bianca’s coworker and friend asked.
“Since the limo driver ran into my car,” Bianca said as they both went inside the building.
Melanie, who was the same age and a little taller, cast Bianca a doubtful look. “And that’s how he’s repaying you?”
“Something like that.” Bianca suppressed a smile. “The limo actually belongs to Tanner Long.”
“The Tanner Long?” Melanie asked, her blue eyes widening.
“Unless there’s another one I don’t know about,” Bianca joked.
“There’s only one man who looks that good,” declared Melanie as they entered the elevator. “Maybe two, if you include his brother.”
Bianca found it hard to argue the point, but decided to do so anyway. “He’s not that great. But Tanner did step up and offer to have my car repaired, free of charge.”
“Oh, really?” Melanie pushed a strand of curly dark hair from her face. “How’d you manage that?”
“Wasn’t too difficult,” Bianca said. “After all, it was his driver who was too close to my car when I had to stop suddenly to avoid hitting someone else.”
“Either way, my guess is that you left as much of an impression on Mr. Long as he did on you.”
Did I? Bianca wondered. Or would any attractive woman who kept herself in shape have impressed him?
“I doubt that,” she responded. “He was too preoccupied with the grand opening of his hotel-casino to be thinking about leaving impressions.”
“We should go to the grand opening,” Melanie said as the elevator doors opened to the sixth floor. “I know Oscar Presley has been assigned to write a piece for the paper. But now that you know one of the owners personally—”
Bianca chuckled. “I wouldn’t exactly put it that way,” she said, then admitted, “But he did invite me.”
“Then it’s settled,” Melanie said, practically jumping for joy, as if they had both won the lottery. “I’m sure he won’t mind if I tag along, and maybe I’ll even put a few dollars in the slot machines.”
“I’m sure he won’t mind,” Bianca agreed, especially when they would probably fade into the woodwork with all the city’s dignitaries on hand to welcome the Aloha Seas to Las Vegas.
Melanie beamed. “Now I just have to decide what to wear. You never know who we might run into.”
Knowing that her friend turned heads all the time, Bianca was certain that would be no problem. “I’m sure we’ll both look great no matter what we wear.”
“Maybe so,” Melanie said. “But there’s nothing wrong with a little icing on the cake, so to speak.”
Bianca grinned. “Whatever you say.” She reached her workstation. “I’ll talk to you later.”
Sitting at her desk, Bianca attempted to concentrate on a few articles she was working on. If only her thoughts weren’t filled with images of Tanner Long.
* * *
Tanner walked into the hotel. Everything sparkled, and it was a damned good imitation of Hawaii, complete with palm trees, sand, pool replicas of the ocean, an amazing luau area, and authentic Hawaiian cuisine and drinks. There were two nightclubs and a concert hall. Of course, there was also a casino that was pure Las Vegas with plenty of slot machines, blackjack tables, card dealers and a professional and friendly staff to keep things running smoothly.
He thought about Bianca. Perhaps it was serendipitous that their cars had collided. Otherwise he might never have laid eyes on the beauty. He was a firm believer in fate and that all things happened for a reason.
He liked the idea of getting to know Bianca better. But first, she had to show up for the grand opening. Then they could take it from there, assuming she didn’t bring a date. He certainly didn’t mind a little competition from time to time. But when it came to women, he preferred not to have to compete for anyone he had his eye on.
And currently that was Bianca Wagner, whom he knew far too little about at the moment. He hoped to rectify that soon.
“There you are....” Tanner heard the familiar voice, breaking his reverie.
He СКАЧАТЬ