Yes. It turns out she's wanted to try Texas Hold'em

"Here's the deal," she said. "I'll go along but you'll put me up in my own room at the casino. And if it turns out this thing is some kind of ploy to get in my pants, I'll rip your dick off and choke you on it."

Rick faked a laugh. "Uh, that seems extreme. I confess I find you attractive but I'm not pushing anything. I really could use your help. So, yeah. I'll pay for your room at the casino."

"No offence but I'm looking for a guy with a bit more build and less paunch."

"No offense taken." He hadn't thought of himself as a guy with a paunch, but then he'd thought of himself as someone essential to bio-DNA. Apparently his self-perception had been a bit off. What wasn't off was Kat basically admitting she was looking for some kind of guy even if the old Rick hadn't been in the right ballpark. "So, can I pick you up now or do you need some time go get ready."

"Give me an hour. I need to shower and to pack a bag. We're spending one night, right?"

"I've got a little tournament tonight and the big one over the weekend. If I win tonight, I'll pay for your room for all the nights and your buy-in for the big tournament if you agree to stay. And if you're not having fun, I'll bring you home tomorrow and go back for the main event by myself." Or maybe with another female. He didn't think it was time to tell her that. Time enough to make her compete for him when she was hooked.

"Fine. Deal." She rattled off her address, followed by, "call me when you're in the parking lot. I'll come down. No offense but I don't trust strange guys in my apartment."

Well, that was a little strange. She trusted strange guys enough to go off to Oklahoma with them but not enough to let them in her apartment. Still, Rick wasn't going to complain. He was heading to a casino with a hot woman. She might be insisting on her own room for now, but he had hopes he could change that plan. Of course, he had to win. If he lost, he wouldn't have the money for the hotel room he'd promised her and she just might do that dick-ripping thing she'd threatened him with. He didn't need the pressure but it didn't seem he had any choice.