Bluffing the Devil Read online

  Bluffing the Devil

  C.L. Foster

  Copyright © 2013 Christy Lynn Foster

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Cover art by Regina Wamba of Mae I Designs and Photography

  http://www.maeidesign.com/

  Edited by Karla Bostic

  Acknowledgments

  "It takes a village…" for some.

  So many people have supported me in my life and I don’t think I could ever fit them all on one paper. The two most influential people in my entire life: My mother, Carol Davidson-Gilmore, and my father, Eugene Gilmore, raised me right. I was a handful as a kid (and continue to be!) but they taught me everything I needed to survive, thrive, and then some. Without their strength, guidance, and DNA, I would not be the same girl what-so-ever.

  To my parents I just want to say: Thank you for believing in every silly dream I ever had and for supporting me through them. It seems I've turned out to be a fine mix of the two of you and, for that, I am honored. Couldn't ask for a better mix!

  I hope I make you proud. I love you! ~ Christy

  Thanks dpgroup forum.

  Dedication

  Please pardon the length of the dedication. I am super blessed. I'm sure I left someone out and I'm certain they will remind me of it later! hehe

  I'm surrounded by a forest of friends…

  My raven, Julia Evans. You have always supported and encouraged me with love beyond my understanding. How one person can "get" you when you don't even know what you are trying to say is just a gift and I wouldn't trade you for the world. I only started this journey because you said I could do it. I hope I make you proud. The Pedestal of Infamy awaits!

  My bunny, Karla Bostic. Our friendship was instantaneous and unwavering. Over the years, we turned into family and I cherish you! Thank you for your sharp editing eye, the patience to tolerate me, and the encouragement you always have given me when forcing me to do what makes me happiest. No one could ever replace you. Ever.

  To my falcon, Scott Pendergrass. Your keen sight and protective talons have been a constant comfort through all of most important highs and lows of our lives so far! Your one-of-a-kind call, I could just never resist. Our friendship is truly more than I can fathom! But, badassery always finds itself, right? Bowling and Jell-o shooters on me next time we can. Well, not ON me. Well… maybe ;)

  My porcupine, Mykky Duncan. Not only did you create the perfect symbol for this book, but you make me laugh, entice me with inappropriate/nerdy things daily, offer to kill off anyone who wrongs me in any way (and any innocent bystanders who look suspicious; see: "volunteers"), and are generally just awesome. I won't put too many "feels" out there and make you get all spiky. Best Domina Domina Omni Malum ever! I'd attend your villain school any day!

  My panther, Victoria Bright. So many thanks go to you for being a badass 24/7, offering up advice on how to avoid and handle lower life forms, and reminding me that I am stronger than I remembered or realized. I only hope you realize how much you mean to me! Together we will crush the opposition or race them to the finish. I feel sorry for anyone/anything that tries to stop you! So proud of you, boo! DBR!!!

  To my white tiger, Jennifer Pringle. No one gave me tough love and faux-beatings quite like you. Without your "Why are you HERE? GET TO WORK!" messages, there would have been many nights I would have messed around and never finished. Truly, thank you for standing by me. I'd be mushy but you would just roll your eyes. So, *knuckle bump*We did it, babygirl!

  To my lion, Eric Rada. I don't know how many hours you sat through listening to this storyline, but I appreciate every second. I could try to thank you for your friendship, kindness, word-nerd moments, honesty, and support, but you would just blush and grin and tell me not to make a big deal out of it, so… this is me not making a big deal out of it. I treasure you. There, I said it. That is all. LmRn!

  To my elephant, Jake Mueller. I probably wouldn't be a writer if I hadn't stumbled upon you. Who knew one little contest would kick off all of this? Your friendship and guidance has been invaluable in my career and life. I cannot ever thank you enough. I owe you some chicken at the very least, sir! (Preferably not a rubber one. Js.)

  To my wolf, R.V. You were there encouraging me when I didn't even know what I was capable of. Forever wasn't long enough.

  Thank you ALSO to my amazing Beatnik Ninjas for having my back all the way! You guys inspire me and I hope you know that all of your hard work, attention to detail, and enthusiasm is appreciated. Love you guys!!!

  Special love goes to: Laura Hidalgo, Cynthia Williams, Ruthi Kight, Cameo Renae, Lulu Vega, Mira Garland, and Catherine Liddemore. You girls were right there with a kick, shank, encouraging word, hug, sexy or inspirational picture, random laugh or story to put me at ease, or whatever it was I needed at just the right moment to keep me on track. I don’t know what I would do without you girls. Please don't let me find out! Group hug!!!

  Extra book-sister snuggle goes to Kristen Inger Iversen for creating the most beautiful book trailer for Bluffing the Devil and for always having my back. It helps that we have the same taste in eye-candy, too! You're the best. I'll be your pimp any day, sugar! XO

  Mini Poker Terminology Glossary

  You know, just in case you aren't a poker-dork like me.

  Limp: when someone has a weak hand and just comes into the pot by simply calling. Usually this is just to see what they can manage to do with a bad hand. Opposite of aggressive. Typically a limper will fold if anyone raises (if they are smart).

  Bluff: a bet made with a hand that is mathematically unlikely to win or profitable. Usually done to cover a play pattern or to throw others players off.

  Flop: the first three cards dealt onto the board during a game that are common for all players in the game.

  Turn: "fourth street" or the fourth card to be played on the board, also common to all players.

  River: the final card dealt in a poker hand, common to all players. Followed by the final round of betting.

  Suited connectors: two cards of the same suit that are sequential.

  Stack: total of chips/currency a player has.

  Pots: the sum of money players bet/waged during a single hand.

  Rake: fee the table/gaming commission takes from the game or an action players use to bring a large amount of chips to their side of the table after a big win.

  Blind: a forced bet to start a hand (ante). Blinds increase as the game continues.

  Big Blind: player that is first to act during the first round of betting and given the first chance to raise. If a game is $5/$10. The blind will pay $5, the big blind will pay $10 and the rest of the table may follow suit. The blind will have to pay the $5 to match the big blind or fold.

  Flush: five cards of the same suit, non sequential.

  Straight: hand of five sequential cards, may be in different suits. When two players have a straight, player with the highest card wins.

  Raise: to increase the size of the bet required to stay in the pot, forcing players to call the same amount to see the cards and continue in the hand.

  Reraise: raising a previous raised bet. Also called "over the top".

  Play tight: folding mediocre hands in order to wait for better ones. Playing tight means you don't bet on bad hands and pray that some miracle cards hit the board to form a ridiculous win.

  Slow-pla
y: deceptive play, betting weakly/passively with a strong hand (opposite of bluff).

  Call: to match a bet or raise.

  Gut-shot: missing a card in the middle to have a straight. Also called "inside straight draw". Only four cards in the deck will work for this hand.

  Straight flush: five cards in sequence, all of the same suit.

  Double up: to bet all of your chips in one hand and win against a single opponent.

  Check: to bet nothing. When no raise occurs and a player can stay in for no additional currency.

  All in: betting all of your chips in one hand. Also called "shoving".

  Off-suit: cards that are of different suits.

  Shark: a professional player. One who uses skill and deception to win.

  Fish: also known as a "donkey". A weak player or one that plays stupidly.

  Nuts: the best possible hand in any round of poker. Unbeatable.

  Bluffing the Devil

  C. L. Foster

  Prologue

  Every one of my senses ignited simultaneously making me stuck between wishing for instant death and or immortality, I could not decide which. “It’s sweet that you try to be modest, my love” the silhouette said with a soft, husky chuckle as I tried to hide my nudity with a blanket. Why was I even doing that? We were in complete darkness. I couldn't see him but oh.my.God. I could feel him, everywhere.

  “Maybe I am cold,” I retorted.

  “Perhaps I am not doing my job properly if you feel cold, kitten.” Ooh, was he going to use an endearment every time he spoke to me? His husky voice nearly purred itself across my sensitive skin. I had read about that in books at least a dozen times before, but feeling it was a totally different experience that I highly recommend to everyone.

  “I am sure that you are doing your ‘job’ just fine, thank you” as my cheeks flushed and I recalled exactly what sort of job that was, and the current situation I was in.

  Over the last three nights, the literal ‘man of my dreams’ had managed to seduce every one of my senses, save the one that most people would typically use as their way of deciphering if someone was their “taste” or not. While I was not one for random acts of seduction or even interested in that which people could call tantric, this shadowed stranger had delighted and pleased me in every way imaginable. If I was being honest with myself, I wanted more. Waking up was my least favorite activity anymore. I wanted to savor each nanosecond I could with him.

  Snapping out of my momentary lapse in conversation with my knight of darkness, I felt him move again and realized he was moving closer to me again. Sweet Jesus, I don’t know what I did to deserve these dreams but please do not wake me for a few more hours! A girl could get used to this…

  Chapter 1

  “Alexia, will you come ON already! My God, I'm going to be a grandmother by the time you get it in gear! You’re like the slowest person ever today, what’s wrong with you, weirdo??” Victoria huffed as I tried to keep the utter look of boredom and disinterest off of my face.

  She only got away with such exasperating sounding commands as one of the many privileges of being my best friend. Her dazzling emerald eyes often worked on lesser creatures, but not me. I am either a stone-cold ninja with the ability to not melt at gemstone-colored, doll-like eyes, or I am oblivious to her charms after all of these years. Her gaze was locked onto me like a starving lioness waiting for her next meal and I was totally unmoved. She was nearly begging me to step up my pace, or be her next meal. If I didn't love her so much, I might be afraid of such a deadly combination of fiery red Pixie-cut hair and dagger-shooting laser vision. Yes, ninja it is.

  Victoria and two other friends were trying to force me to keep up with their ridiculous pace on their boring idea of an "adventure". I had been in Atlantic City at least two dozen times before. Whenever a good poker event was coming to town or someone I idolized was going to be there, I would put my game face on, and head out to see if I could add to my growing bank roll. I hoped to learn some secrets or tips to the game that I loved so much. I didn’t always win, of course, but it was always a rush, and I was always learning something new. True poker players know that you cannot win them all, but you can always learn something in every game. Focus and concentration on every aspect was the key.

  We were strolling down the Boardwalk, well I was strolling, they were nearly galloping, in search of somewhere new and exciting to have dinner my mind was just not on the right track apparently. I stuffed my hands in the pockets of my hoodie and tried to keep up with their quicker-than-necessary pace. I mean, we are in one of the most gorgeous places on the Eastern seaboard and they were running past the beauty of the water, the lights, and the sounds to be stuck in some glistening restaurant. While that might be nice and fancy for some people, I'd rather take a sandwich and a piece of fruit down to the beach and enjoy the waves and peace. There's nothing quite like the different array of colored lights dancing across the waves as they crash to shore. The light and water tango was a beautiful mixture of color and power that created a perfectly peaceful moment in my soul every time I saw it.

  The dreams must be getting to me. I haven’t been able to focus on much of anything else lately except that delicious sample of man that kept creeping into my dreams. Of course, it could simply be because I had decided to give up on men forever and was just in the right mindset for the dreams. Either that or I was tense and needed some serious exercise, or a good tumble in the sack was in order. Exercise was much easier to come by and with it way less attachments, so I had been hitting the gym at least six times a week. This particular week, after he entered my dreams, I had not been able to focus on much more than the need I felt. Great. Now I was turning into some raging nympho in my mind with no outlet. Way to think things through, Alexia! Put on your big girl panties… or any panties for that matter, and focus on your goals for a change, would ya?

  Of course, it’s not as if I could really control those dreams anyway. Every night, I dream. I always have. My dreams used to be about mysteries, or fantastic days that I hoped to one day live. Like a trip to Australia where I get to go snorkeling, go to the Sydney Opera house, play in the Aussie Millions tournament (yes, I’m only slightly addicted to poker, but that’s normal… right?), and see things that you just do not see in the states. I am totally willing to forgo the experience of the ginormous snakes I'd seen on National Geographic. They are cute, from a distance. Like Monet paintings and sticky children.

  Other dreams would be almost psychic in nature, and then suddenly I started dreaming about this stranger, every night. It’s not as if they are bad dreams. On the contrary, they were probably some of the most delicious dreams in history - all dark, mysterious, and a complete fantasy for the books. I could never see his face, didn’t know his name but I remembered how he smelled, what every touch of his hands felt like all over my body, how his lips tasted….. whoa! Nympho alert!! See? Wait… shouldn’t I be replying? Didn’t someone ask me something? Oh yeah…

  “Seriously guys, I offered to stay at the hotel and just get room service and chill before my tournament starts. You do not need to do me any ‘favors’ my bringing me out to walk around a city I have seen a zillion and thirty-seven times,” I protested even though I knew they were probably right to get me out and try to get me to do something. The dreams had me wishing I could sleep more and more. For an insomniac to try at all hours of the day to find any excuse to nap is just proof that the dreams make me think like a crazy person!

  “So every time we come join you on one of your poker adventures, we all have to stay trapped in some hotel room and do nothing while you go be a superstar. We just get the grand pleasure of watching you at your finest? BO-RING!” Carly piped in, even though I don’t recall asking for her two cents on the matter. She stood tall with perfect posture, always. Her hands were placed delicately on her narrow hips and she was tossing her brunette mane around as if she was auditioning for a shampoo commercial. Her violet rimmed-grey eyes began to plead when she re
alized she had my full attention. “I want to see some lights, food, men! Let’s get crazy enough to get arrested, but be so cute that they won’t want to arrest us! These boobs don't look like this without HELP and effort, chicky! Do you know how long it took me to get ready? Let’s DO something, and have fun while we are here, Lexi! Don't waste all of my primping time! Puh-leaseeeeee??”

  As if nearly getting arrested, showing off her cleavage, and the rest of that would really make our lives complete, annoying females. How am I friends with them? Oh yeah, just smooshed together through life, and ended up sticking together. I guess I am stuck with them. Usually I would be happy about that. Right now, meh.

  “No, you all decided you wanted to join me and invited yourselves. I am tired and need to rest my mind after that drive. If I go in there like this, I won’t do as well and I know I can make the final table.” I sounded like a petulant brat, but it was true.