“Based solely on today? Sleep all day, starve and be celibate and inappropriately dressed.” Sabine threw her legs over the side of the bed and started to leave. In the doorway, she paused and turned around. “Hmm, I think I’ll call the spa back and add a wax for you.” She winked.
In the shower, Evie debated whether she should go tonight. Last night had just happened. The stars or whatever aligned to give her one wonderful night, and she should just leave it at that—a perfect memory. What if tonight didn’t turn out, as well…? Who was she kidding? Tonight would be just as good as last night.
Although she would like to have a bed this time. She had a bit of a crick in her neck from last night.
She didn’t even sound like herself. Standing here planning to…This wasn’t like her at all. There was her usual life, and then there was…
Then there was Nick.
Bennie was right. She’d needed this. Needed someone like Nick to shake her up a little. Las Vegas had to be the next best thing to heaven.
Evie turned the tap off. Sabine must’ve been listening for the water to stop, because a second later, her voice drifted through the open door. “Food’s here. And your phone was ringing.”
Evie wrapped her hair in a towel and pulled a robe around her. Sabine was already at the table, munching on a bagel, and Evie’s stomach growled. Grabbing a muffin, she took a hungry bite as she picked up her phone. Three missed calls and three messages: the first one time-stamped at eight this morning.
And every one of them was from her brother.
Damn.
The mystery and memory of Evie—and her unbelievably long legs—had haunted Nick in the four hours of sleep he’d managed to get last night before Kevin and business forced him out of bed.
By the time lunch rolled around, he’d almost convinced himself that Evie hadn’t been real. Or at least not as he remembered. Beautiful women were a dime a dozen in Las Vegas; tourists out for a good time were even more plentiful. Evie was just one in a crowd—maybe he’d built more into it simply because he’d been so immersed in business he had, as Kevin insisted, gotten jaded and forgotten how to have plain ol’ fun.
But that rational knowledge didn’t stop him from spending way too much time deciding on a plan for tonight. He could call in a favor, get seats to the best shows or a table at the most exclusive restaurant, but he didn’t want to try to impress Evie like that. He liked not having a woman know how much his bank account was worth—it tended to skew the genuineness of their reactions. And after last night, he knew that wasn’t really what Evie liked anyway. She had simple tastes and didn’t need ostentatious displays to have a good time.
Since he didn’t want to waste all that time at shows and restaurants anyway…That gave him the perfect idea.
Kevin was in the offices at Blue—the first club Nick had purchased outright and, for sentimental reasons, still the main hub—when Nick called. And while Kevin had a mouthful of things to say about it, Nick knew it would be done.
And when Evie turned out to be less than he remembered? He shrugged. They’d still have a good time, and he’d go easily back to normalcy tomorrow.
At just a minute after seven, Nick was on the Bellagio patio watching the door while everyone else watched the fountains do their thing. When Evie walked in, nervously chewing on her bottom lip, he felt as if all the oxygen had been sucked out of his lungs.
A shimmery green dress hugged those luscious curves he’d memorized last night, the neckline plunged to reveal generous cleavage, and the hem stopped high enough to showcase her long legs. She’d piled her hair up on her head, exposing the line of her neck and emphasizing her bone structure.
If anything, his memory of last night couldn’t compete with the reality.
She scanned the crowd, and when her eyes met his, she smiled shyly—at complete odds with the sensual picture she created. He wanted to meet her halfway, but his feet seemed rooted to the floor.
Then he noticed the attention she was garnering from several other places in the bar—one man was even on his feet and headed in her direction—and that kicked him into motion, a need to claim her taking hold.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he muttered as Evie turned her face up to his.
“I didn’t know if you’d actually come tonight or not.”
“How could you possibly doubt that?” He inhaled deeply and her scent shot through his veins, sending all of his blood south. They were in a hotel, for God’s sake; he could have a room and have her in it in less than five minutes.
And that seemed like far too long to wait.
Evie smoothed a hand along his arm, scorching him with her touch. “You look nice.” Her hand moved to his jaw. “You shaved. I kind of miss the sexy stubble.”
She was killing him.
“Should we get a table?” she asked, looking around.
That brought him back to the conversation. “No. I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Evie’s eyes lit up. “A surprise? What kind of surprise?”
“If I told you, then it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?”
Evie brushed at her dress. “Is what I’m wearing okay for this surprise? I wasn’t sure about the dress code…”
That scrap of fabric barely counted as a complete dress, and he was already imagining peeling it off of her. “Like I said, you look beautiful. Let’s go.”
Evie’s heels clicked against the floor of the lobby, reminding him to slow down. He wasn’t an animal dragging Evie off to mate—regardless of what his instincts were urging him to do. He could at least attempt civilized conversation. “What did you do today?”
“Slept late, hung out with Bennie. You?”
“Got up early, went to work.”
“Ouch. Sorry.”
Even the valet gawked at Evie as he returned with the car, but a frown from Nick put a stop to it. Evie didn’t seem to notice that attention any more than she’d noticed the men in the bar. She was a danger to herself and others if she really didn’t know the effect she had on men. But how could she not? Beautiful women knew they were beautiful, knew what it could do for them.
It only took a few minutes to get to Blue, and Evie looked around eagerly as he pulled into the parking lot. “Blue. Is it a nightclub? Are we going dancing again?”
He flashed back on the memory of Evie moving against him on the dance floor and groaned. That would kill him for sure. “Patience.”
“Sorry. I know it’s rude to ask so many questions. I’ll be good.”
That promise brought a visual he really didn’t need at the moment, and he quickly opened the door before he mauled her in the parking lot. The hand Evie tucked under his arm caressed his bicep as if they were truly lovers, and he wondered if she was intentionally trying to drive him insane.
Blue was almost deserted at this early hour, which was fine by him. The bouncers merely nodded as he and Evie passed and the bartenders waved.
“Everyone seems to know you,” Evie said.
“I know the owner, so I’m here a lot.” He led her past a velvet rope and down the back hallway.
“I don’t think we’re supposed to be back here,” Evie whispered as she tugged against his hand.
At the elevator, he pulled her close. “I told you, I know the owner. Don’t worry.”
She looked around, clearly unconvinced. “Is there anyone in Vegas you don’t know or who doesn’t owe you a favor?”
“I’ve lived here a long time, Evie.”
“I do not want to get arrested in Las Vegas.” Her eyes narrowed as the elevator doors opened, and she stared pointedly at the sign marked Private.
“You’re not going to get arrested. I promise.” Evie still looked suspicious. “I thought you’d like to do something a bit different, so I made a couple of calls this afternoon. Look,” he added as the doors opened onto the roof.
Evie gasped. Facing west, they had a great view of the sun starting to set.
“Later in the summer it gets t
oo hot to be up here at this time, but it’s about perfect now.” And he wasn’t just referring to the weather.
“It’s gorgeous,” Evie said as she crossed to the chest-high wall that enclosed the patio. “Is this another VIP-type room?”
“Sort of.” Blue’s rooftop was very exclusive, but Evie had no way of knowing that. He’d hired one of the best designers in Las Vegas to create an oasis here: plenty of green plants, indirect lighting, low couches canopied with gauzy fabrics, small fountains. A giant shade stretched overhead to keep the worst of the sun off, but also gave the roof an intimate feel. Kevin called it the Sheik’s Tent.
“This is…wow.”
He agreed. Evie looked fabulous backlit by the sunset—she seemed to glow. She moved away from the edge to run a hand along the back of a chaise, then moved to examine the table set for two.
She raised an eyebrow as he lifted the champagne out of its bucket. “A private party?”
“Only a very select guest list.”
A smile tugged at the corners of Evie’s mouth. “Be sure and thank the owner for me. This is absolutely perfect.” Before he could respond, Evie was pressed against him, her hands sliding to his shoulders as she rose up on her toes. “The elevator is locked? All the guests are here?”
He slid his fingers into her hair and found the combs holding it up. One small tug and it tumbled around her shoulders. “Uh-huh.”
“Good.” Then Evie’s mouth met his.
The want that had slowly simmered in his veins all day boiled over in that instant, and his hands tightened in her hair to hold her. Evie’s fingers gripped his shoulders, and her nails stabbed against his skin when his mouth moved to the column of her neck and her head dropped back to allow him better access.
She sighed, then shivered, as he tasted her, and the shiver moved through him, as well. Nimble fingers made quick work of the buttons on his shirt, and she slid her hands across his bare chest before she wrapped her arms around him and pressed herself against him again.
Evie’s height had their bodies aligned perfectly—her breasts rubbed against his chest and he felt the hard points of her nipples through the thin material of her dress.
He walked backward, pulling Evie with him, until he felt the edge of the couch butt against his calves. Evie groaned in protest as he broke the kiss to lower her down, her hands fisting in his shirt to pull him down to join her.
Déjà vu. Only better.
Maybe Kevin was on to something calling the roof the Sheik’s Tent. Nick certainly felt like the Sultan of Something, lying on a couch with a mostly naked Evie draped across him as they nibbled on fruit and cheese and watched the city lights cause the sky to glow.
Evie’s bag started to ring, and she wrinkled her nose. But she didn’t move beyond examining another strawberry.
“Aren’t you going to get that?”
“Not just no, hell no.” She picked up her champagne flute and drank deeply.
He’d never met a woman who could resist a phone. “Why not?”
“That’s my brother’s ringtone. And I am not in the mood to deal with my butthead of a brother.”
It was the first time she’d mentioned anyone in her family specifically. “Family problems?”
“Yeah. No. Sort of.” She sighed and pushed her hair back from her face. “I left town without telling him, and he’s a bit peeved about it. He’s left me several voice mails this weekend telling me exactly how much.”
“Your brother is upset you left town?”
“My parents died when I was young. Will and Gwen—she’s his wife—took me in and raised me. So Will treats me rather like a child.”
“And you’re dodging his calls? No offense, but isn’t that a little childish?”
Evie smacked him playfully. “You don’t know my brother.”
“As you said, you are an adult. What could he possibly do to you?”
“Nothing but yell at me, but that’s never stopped him before. Will’s just…He’s a…” She sat up and pulled his shirt closed around her. “Something happened earlier this week—nothing major—but it got blown a bit out of proportion. He got mad, and I got mad and now I’m AWOL because I wanted a break from the drama. I certainly don’t want to hear it while I’m here.” She sighed and grimaced. “Will thinks he’s the master of the whole freakin’ universe and, therefore, in charge of everything.”
“Including you.”
Evie rolled her eyes. “Definitely including me. I know he means well, but, dear God, it gets old. It got old about the time I turned twenty-one. Do you have any siblings?”
“No.” Thank God. It was tough enough getting himself out, if he’d had to worry about siblings, too…“It was just me and my father after my mother left.”
Evie’s eyes clouded. “Your mom left?”
He stiffened at the question. He very rarely spoke of his mother, and those that knew the story had learned long ago not to broach the subject. He couldn’t fault Evie for asking since he’d brought it up, but he was surprised at himself that he’d let it slip out.
Evie blanched. “I’m sorry. That was terribly rude of me to ask such a personal question. Please don’t feel like you owe me any response at all. Forget I said anything.”
She seemed so sincere, he almost wished he could explain. “No apology necessary, Evie. I just don’t like to talk about it.”
“Why don’t we just not talk about our families? Everyone has some nuts on the family tree—some are just more annoying than others.”
“And some think they’re the master of the universe.”
“Indeed. He’ll have plenty of opportunity to yell at me tomorrow when I get home. Why settle for the telephone version when the live action is so much more interesting.”
It seemed Evie had an interesting family dynamic. But they’d called a halt to all uncomfortable family discussions, so he didn’t press the topic.
“It’s a shame you have to go back so quickly.”
Evie shrugged as she settled her head against his chest and traced circles on his skin. “But if I ever make it back to Vegas…”
“Give me a call,” he finished.
She pressed a kiss on his chest and he responded by rolling her to her back and settling his body between her legs. Evie looked adorably mussed—hair tangled from his hands, mouth slightly swollen—and sexy as hell. He rested his chin on her chest, enjoying the silky feel of her skin as she toyed with his hair.
Evie ran her thumb over his eyebrow, and he knew what was coming next. “How’d you get this scar?”
“Bar fight.”
She laughed, causing her body to move under his in a way guaranteed to get his attention. “No, seriously.”
“I am serious. A guy swung a bottle, and I got this.”
“Oh, my gosh, I’ve never met anyone who’s even witnessed a bar fight, much less been in one.” She looked at him oddly. “Who started it? Was it over a girl? Like last night at The Zoo?”
“I wasn’t in the fight, Evie, I was trying to break it up.” Understanding crossed her face, and she nodded. “It was part of my job—breaking up fights, that is. I was working at this sleazy joint when I was in high school—”
Evie’s eyes went wide. “High school? Isn’t that a little bit illegal?”
“Maybe. But I needed a job and Henry—the owner—needed a bar back and someone to help break up fights.”
“The fights were a regular occurrence?”
“I told you, testosterone and alcohol are a dangerous mix.”
She grinned. “What about the pretty girl?”
“Not always necessary—especially in sleazy joints.”
“Were you this big in high school?” She ran her hands over his shoulders as she asked, and the openly appreciative look on her face caused his body to harden again.
“About.”
Evie’s hands were now on his arms, tracing his biceps. “Linebacker for the football team?”
He could have been, had he not
had to work. “Nope.”
“Let me guess, between your size and your scowl, you’re good at breaking up bar fights.”
To the best of his knowledge, he hadn’t scowled since Evie landed in his arms last night. That had to be a world record—but Evie didn’t know that. “What makes you think I scowl?”
She ran a finger across his forehead. “This crease here. Definitely caused by scowling.” Evie trailed her finger down over his cheek and to his lips. “Who do you scowl at now?”
“Drunks in bars. Such is the hospitality industry in Las Vegas.” He captured her finger between his lips and sucked gently. Under his chin, he felt her heartbeat accelerate.
“So that’s how you know the owner of this place—and everyone else.” She smirked. “Well, you certainly are hospitable.”
He nipped at her finger, causing her to jump. He pushed himself up, wedging his hips firmly between hers, and caught her gasp in his mouth.
Evie’s hands slid up his back as her tongue slipped inside his mouth to torment him. She echoed his groan as his hands tangled in her hair, and her legs wrapped around his waist.
Faintly, he heard her phone ring again.
Chapter Four
EVIE PACED WHILE THE TIMER counted down the last few seconds. The cool blues and greens of her apartment decor were supposed to create a soothing and relaxing environment. They were failing miserably.
When the timer dinged, she jumped. “Please, please, please,” she mumbled as she walked through to her bathroom—also done in soothing colors and also falling down on the job.
She looked carefully at the array of tests lined up on the vanity. Six different brands, purchased at four different stores in the next county this morning after she’d called in sick to the office.
Every last one of the damn things said “positive.”
Oh, she really felt sick now. She sat on the edge of the tub while the horrid reality settled on her shoulders.
Last night, she’d turned the calendar over to June and realized she hadn’t had a period in May. That thought lead her to her day planner, where she realized she last had her period the week before she went to Las Vegas.
What Happens in Vegas... Page 4
