The After Dark Collection: Books 1-3 in The Gift Series

by Blakely, Lauren

  I took care of my parents just fine, thanks to the success of my law firm.

  It was time to start taking care of my ticker too.

  And saying you’re welcome wasn’t the way to do it.

  That wasn’t what you said to a woman you’d spent the weekend in bed with. A weekend where so much more than role-playing had been on the agenda. Where conversations and meals, nights out and nights in, sleepovers and sex without role-playing had been on the agenda.

  I parked a hand on Adam’s shoulder. “Your foot looks great in your mouth.”

  “Thanks. I think,” he said, furrowing his brow.

  “It reminds me of what I need to do. But I need a favor from you.”

  “Name it.”

  I told him what I needed, then I headed to my car, focused on my mission.

  What exactly should I say to the woman I wanted? That was the question, and I wanted the answer.

  Because I had some strings to attach.

  21

  Kate

  The next day, I waited for The Moment.

  For the heavens to part and the angels to sing.

  I waited for the complete and utter bliss of being debt-free.

  I was no longer paying for my ex. I was no longer responsible for my romantic mistakes.

  Surely a mariachi band would serenade me at lunch.

  A singing telegram would arrive and tap-dance through the afternoon lull.

  None of that happened.

  Work was work.

  I had a satisfying job I enjoyed doing from nine to five, and I was glad to be free and clear.

  But as I finished a call with Daisy about the next steps in the marketing plan for Sin City Escorts, I felt oddly empty.

  Because I missed Jake.

  When I said goodbye to Daisy, I glanced at the calendar and spotted a sticky note that said Book Club.

  Tonight.

  That would fulfill me, surely.

  But wait . . .

  Ivy had confessed she’d switched to reading a hot romance novel. Truth was, we never stuck to the books we chose, and our meetings ran off on tangents about the sexy books we’d devoured. I couldn’t handle that tonight. Not when the missing was so fresh.

  Grabbing my phone, I found the group chat with the book club gals and fired off a quick note.

  Something came up, and I can’t make it tonight. Keep the pages turning for me.

  Then I breathed a sigh of relief.

  Relief from the dread of talking about hot novels, but not from the spot inside that satisfaction and gladness and success couldn’t fill.

  I had to fill this emptiness somehow and soon.

  Maybe I’d go for a walk and do some window-shopping, or maybe I’d work out.

  I gathered my bag and got ready to take off.

  Then Trish knocked on my door.

  22

  Trish

  Youth. It was wasted on the young.

  If I’d known at age thirty what I knew more than ten years later—well, I’d be richer.

  But so it goes.

  Life was for the learning and the loving.

  That was where I came in today.

  Kate was my top employee, a vice president at my firm. And she’d been in a funk since Sunday at our lunch.

  Oh, sure, she thought she was expert at covering it up. She’d flash a smile, pump a fist, give an appropriate response when I asked how she was.

  But with my forty-plus years came twenty-twenty hindsight. Something was amiss, and I had a hunch what it was.

  “Kate . . .” I spoke as if she were my younger sister—that was how I thought of her. “I’d expected you to be bouncing off the walls in excitement.”

  Her brow knit, then she quickly unknit it. “Of course. I’m thrilled about Sin City Escorts.”

  I shook my head. “No. I meant paying off the debt.”

  She swallowed, trying to school her expression. “Excuse me?”

  I smiled sympathetically. “I’ve heard some of your conversations with the banks.”

  “You have?” Guilt shadowed her face as she ducked her chin.

  I waved a hand airily. “Don’t feel bad. It happens to many people. I’m just glad you’re able to move on.” I took a beat, then confirmed, “Were you able to move on?”

  She nodded. “Yes, the bonus helped. Thank you, Trish.”

  I strode across her office and sat in the chair across from her. “I’m glad you put the money to good use. I could tell you were anxious to get it paid off.”

  Kate chewed on the corner of her lip for a moment, perhaps putting two and two together. “Did you offer me bonuses so that I could pay it off sooner?”

  With an impish grin, I shrugged. “I didn’t give you anything you didn’t deserve.”

  “Trish,” she said softly. “You didn’t have to.”

  I swung my high-heeled foot back and forth. “Kate, I don’t do anything because I have to. I do things because I want to. And now I want to give you a piece of advice.”

  “Okay,” she said with a tentative laugh.

  I drew a steadying breath. “I have a hunch this little funk you’re in . . .” I gestured to the space around her to illustrate the cloud of annoyance that followed her like a perfume. “You could resolve it easily.”

  “What do you mean?”

  But of course, she had no idea I knew what she’d been up to this weekend.

  Nor did I ever want her to know that I’d played a part.

  But I had. At times, I’d arranged and nudged and acted as a fairy godmother. And a fairy had to do what a fairy had to do.

  The lovely little secret of Las Vegas was this—powerful women populated the city in strategic places, and we all played our part in making dreams come true, sometimes for ourselves and sometimes for others.

  Some people believed this city was a man’s world, and in many ways, Vegas still was.

  But in other respects, this city catered to women. It was run by women. Women were rising up.

  If I were the type to call it “girl power,” well, I’d say it. But I didn’t believe women should be called girls. I did believe in woman power though.

  That was why I’d ensured Kate had opportunities to earn her way out of her money troubles sooner rather than later.

  That was the extent of my role—well, along with my ever-so-subtle suggestion that she bring a friend along on her observation adventure. As her employer, I couldn’t very well tell her to shag a man.

  But I had powerful friends willing to help me help Kate. Friends who knew that Kate had her eye on someone. Other friends had helped too—some more than others—but some secrets couldn’t be revealed.

  Yes, I used my network to my advantage. Not sorry.

  But now Kate was in a funk again. I didn’t want her to think she had to be with a man. I was perfectly content being single. I didn’t need a man or a woman to complete me. But she was clearly miserable without this particular man, which called for my intervention. Perhaps my stubborn vice president needed a gentle kick from my Louboutins.

  “Kate,” I said in a brook-no-nonsense tone, “it occurred to me that a woman who accomplished two major goals yesterday shouldn’t give up on what she wants from a certain friend without a fight.” I rose and smoothed my skirt with a flick, giving her an encouraging but implacable smile. “Now, why don’t you think of that while you go and sort out your plan of action?”

  Then I walked out, leaving her with something to chew on.

  Life advice. How I loved giving it.

  23

  Kate

  Two things were official.

  I had the coolest boss ever.

  And I . . . I was a stubborn mule.

  Wait. There was a third thing. I wanted my friend. I wanted to see what Jake and I might become given more than a weekend.

  Was I in love with him?

  I was falling in that direction.

  But the last time I’d fallen for someone, I’d been burned, badly.
I’d trusted someone who’d used me and left me at financial and emotional rock bottom.

  I hadn’t suspected a thing, and that scared the hell out of me. If I’d been fooled once . . .

  The scars of betrayal had turned me off of love. Made me shut it out.

  But those scars were temporary, as it turned out. I’d worked hard to clear the way to move on. I was free, and I needed to act like it, not shut myself off in fear.

  Life came without guarantees. There were people like Damon out there, good at romance and deception. But just because Damon had screwed me over didn’t mean Jake would.

  Emotions were a gamble, but I didn’t want to miss out on a chance at love because I cinched my protective armor too tight.

  The weekend with Jake had been incredible, and it wasn’t simply the sex.

  It was the way we connected.

  It was the ease of our conversations.

  It was the tenderness in his touch.

  And the roughness too.

  It was everything.

  I trusted him with my fantasies because . . . well, because I trusted him.

  And it was time to trust myself again too.

  I didn’t know if Jake would want to give us a shot, but I’d never know if I didn’t try.

  To sort this out, though, I needed my friends.

  I needed Lily and Nina, and I knew where they’d be.

  At book club.

  Decided and almost optimistic, I grabbed my purse, slung it over my shoulder, and didn’t delay any longer than it took to pop into Trish’s office to thank her. Then I fired off a note to my best friends as I made my way out of the office, letting them know to expect me after all.

  Kate: I need your help, you two. This is a major mayday.

  Nina: We are here for you!

  Lily: Get your cute ass over to The Extravagant lobby now!

  The hotel wasn’t far from my office, so I marched down the Strip, passing the fountains at the Bellagio.

  Funny, how just a few nights ago those fountains had framed my thoughts about Jake. As I walked past them now, watching them dance in the air, their patterns underscored a new mind-set. A new plan.

  A plan that said Why wait?

  When I reached The Extravagant, my two closest friends were waiting for me.

  We huddled in a corner, and I let the truth out. “It was more than dinner with Jake this weekend. We spent the whole time together, and I’m definitely falling for him. I want to see where it goes.”

  Nina cooed.

  Lily clapped.

  I looked between them, grateful for their encouragement, but hoping for something more tactical. “So . . . what do I do?”

  “Tell him,” Nina insisted.

  “Take a chance,” Lily added. “I promise—accouterments are worth it.”

  We all laughed. “Jake is more than an accouterment,” I said. It gave me a thrill to hear myself say that aloud.

  Now I had to take the chance.

  It was that simple.

  It was always that simple.

  I just had to trust myself enough to do it.

  With a deep breath, I tapped out a text to the man who’d captured my body, my mind, and my heart.

  Kate: Let’s make a bet. Ready? I bet I was wildly wrong on Sunday when I canceled our evening by text. I bet I feel incredibly foolish for giving up a chance to see you again. I bet I’d like another shot at another night. Then another. Then another.

  The stakes are simple: you and me.

  Let me know if you want to take this bet.

  Xoxo

  Kate

  Perhaps the heavens had parted after all.

  As Lily, Nina, and I walked over to the Rapture, I told myself to be patient. He’d respond when he was ready.

  But when I reached the club, he was already there, waiting outside.

  24

  Jake

  Kate was not the only one who paid attention.

  I listened to details and filed them away—especially details about Kate.

  Like on Saturday night, when Ivy had stopped at our table and in the course of conversation had mentioned the date of the book club.

  That was how I knew she’d be here. I’d simply confirmed the time with Nina, via Adam.

  Because I wanted to show up for Kate.

  I wanted her to know I’d listened.

  And I wanted her to know I recognized when I’d messed up, and I could admit it and try to fix it.

  The second she stepped into view, I drank her in—sexy as sin in tight jeans, heels, and a dark-gray top, her chestnut hair loose and curling over her shoulders in waves.

  My God, she was beautiful.

  And smart.

  And fiery.

  And kind too.

  She was exactly the woman I wanted to spend my nights with.

  And she deserved more than a you’re welcome.

  I closed the distance between us and stopped in front of her. Her friends kept walking, waving goodbye like they had a secret.

  “What are you doing here?” Kate asked, confusion knitting her brow. “I just sent my text about three minutes ago.”

  “I haven’t checked my phone. I’m here because I wanted to tell you something.” I was ready to lay my heart on the line.

  “I want to tell you something too.”

  Torn between taking the lead and being a gentleman, I chose both. “Ladies first, but you should know I’m here about a new role I want to play.”

  She cocked her head, looking intrigued. “Oh. What is it?”

  I lifted a hand, cupped her cheek, and stroked my fingers across her soft skin. She sighed into my touch, and it was all the confirmation I needed in the world. “I want to play the role of your man. I want to take you out. I want to spend more nights with you. I want us to be together and see where this goes, because I think we’re only going to go to fantastic places.” I gave her my best hopeful grin. “Because you and I—we go together so damn well.”

  She couldn’t contain her smile either. She leaned into me, roping her hands around my neck and playing with the ends of my hair. “I’d say you’ve got the part.”

  I dropped my lips to hers and kissed her.

  I’d felt possessive from the first night I touched her. But this time I could fully show her that, show her how much I wanted her for my own. This time, it wasn’t only physical. It was so much more.

  It was a promise of what I wanted us to become.

  I kissed her hard, letting her know she was mine. When I broke the kiss, I ran a thumb over her bottom lip. “You’re mine, Kate Williams.”

  “You bet I am,” she said.

  I laughed. “You and your bets.”

  “Speaking of bets, check your phone, Mr. Hamilton.”

  I dipped my hand into my back pocket for my phone and slid my thumb across the screen, reading her apology and, underlying that, her hope.

  “I’ll raise you,” I said, in answer to her note. “In fact, I bet you’ll be naked in my bed for the next several nights.”

  “I’ll take that bet.”

  I tipped my head toward where Nina and Lily had gone to join the rest of their book club. “Want to go to your meeting?”

  She shook her head, a naughty look in her pretty hazel eyes. “Not as much as I want to skip it and get naked with you.”

  “Best answer ever.”

  25

  Kate

  The message arrived on Friday afternoon.

  Jake: Meet me at Edge. Here’s the scenario. We’re lovers, and we haven’t seen each other in a month.

  Kate: Does that mean we’ll be climbing each other in seconds?

  Jake: No, because we have to stay there until the check comes. How long can you last—that is the question.

  * * *

  He waited at the bar, drinking a scotch and looking insanely sexy with his dark hair, his five-o’clock shadow, and a button-down shirt that I wanted to rip off.

  Or maybe he looked insanely sexy becau
se of how he stared at me.

  With hunger and with need. With dirty intent.

  But with a little something else too.

  Something tender.

  Something that, if it was anything like what was happening to me, felt a little bit like falling.

  That was what I was feeling for Jake Hamilton.

  I walked over, licking my lips, savoring the sight of my man. As soon as I reached him, I went for it, pressing a kiss to his lips.

  “It’s been too long,” I whispered.

  “I couldn’t agree more,” he said, sliding a hand around my waist, grazing lower, squeezing my ass.

  “Let’s get out of here,” I murmured, my skin heating in mere seconds from his touch.

  His other hand traveled up my arm, along the back of my neck and into my hair. Tugging on my strands, he said, “But I have to take care of the check.”

  I arched into him. “Then you can take care of me.”

  “You bet I will,” he growled, jerking me closer, sliding my body between his spread legs so I was pressed against the heavy weight of his erection through his slacks. I moaned as I felt his length, wanting him inside me.

  He pulled me closer, knowing it was driving me wild to be this near to him. Lowering his head, he whispered in my ear, “I bet others are watching us.”

  “What do you think they’re saying?” I asked, breathless, loving this new direction.

  “They’re saying, ‘He’s going to take her upstairs and strip her to nothing in ten seconds flat.’”

  I wriggled against him, aching. “They’re saying, ‘Doesn’t it look like she’s desperate for him?’”

  “They’re imagining I’m going to take you against the wall. They’re betting as soon as the door closes, I’ll hike up your skirt, tug down your panties, and slide my rock-hard cock inside you.”