by Jillian Neal
Dan followed Fionna down the aisle and into the bedroom she’d booked. She was glowing bright crimson as Dan kicked the door shut and promptly locked it.
He chuckled as she moved to him and buried her face in his chest.
“I’ve got you, baby.” He wrapped his arms around her and refrained from pointing out that this had been her request.
She giggled as she nodded against his chest.
“We don’t have to do anything, but occasionally I’m gonna need you to scream out my name and moan really loudly, while I either squeak the mattress or bang something against the wall.”
She cracked up. “Are you kidding me? I got you in here. That was the worst part. We’re doing it.” He laughed; she was absolutely adorable.
“Yes, ma’am,” Dan agreed as he began taking in their surroundings. It was a relatively low-key room, containing a mattress on a silver platform mounted to the floor. The bed had fresh sheets and a blanket. There were two cushioned chairs, also mounted to the floor. The Angels halo and lightning bolt logo was painted on the wall behind the bed.
Dan gave her a cocky grin as he watched her blush begin to fade. “There were a few things you mentioned that you wanted.” He let his hands slip down her back and reach into her jeans. He grabbed her backside greedily and kneaded the flesh with force. She trembled again as her breaths came quicker.
“I need them,” her tone was low and breathy in her desire.
“I’ve got everything you need, baby, and I’m gonna make it feel so damn good. Now, come here to me.” He braced her in his arms, leaned in, and began the awe-inspiring ritual of uniting their bodies and their energies, the sanctity of making them one.
Almost an hour later, Dan grabbed the sheets that were now crumpled on the bed and pulled them up over the two of them. He swathed them around her, and set his cast over her as he began healing the deep, purple markings he’d left on her breasts. She grinned at him as she watched him work.
“No,” she grabbed his hand as he moved to her hipbone. “Leave that one. I want it there. That’s all for me.”
“So fucking sexy, baby,” he groaned, which thoroughly delighted her. Cradling her, he concentrated on their energy still bonded together as she melded into him. If he had his choice, he’d spend their entire Vegas weekend cuddled up with her on the Angels jet.
They talked, cuddled, and even napped until the pilot’s voice was projected throughout the plane, announcing that they were making their approach into McCarran International airport.
Dan stood and pulled his clothes back on, and then helped Fionna with hers. She fixed the bed back as close as she could get it to its original state, and then gazed at the chair with a very satisfied smile.
Dan chuckled as he pulled her to him, kissing her hesitantly and then with force. “You know how much you mean to me?” He just needed to make certain she knew, before he left the plane and pretended to hardly know her. Recollections of leaving her in that Chinese-food dive still haunted his soul.
She nodded, and he felt the fear and the sadness begin to permeate her rhythms. “I love you so much,” she confessed.
“Me too, baby, and I’ll spend every possible moment I can with you. You’re the only reason I’m here. I’ll do anything to make certain you’re safe and that you know how much I…” he choked and tried desperately to force the words from his mouth.
She placed her index finger over his lips. “I know.”
He leaned and devoured her mouth again.
A knock sounded on the door. “You two gonna come up for air anytime soon? We’re landing,” Garrett’s voice carried through the door.
“That reminds me,” Dan chided, “there’s something I really need to harass Garrett about, but it has to do with all that we did in here. Is that okay?”
Fionna laughed outright. “If it’s to harass Garrett, then definitely.”
The plane touched down, and Dan and Fionna made their way back to their seats. They received knowing grins from most of the people on the plane. As they landed, everyone began grabbing their bags.
“You have fun?” Garrett goaded.
“Hell yeah, and by the way, you’re whole ‘up against the wall won’t work’ theory is full of crap. Maybe you should work out a little more.” Dan popped his hand against Garrett’s rather chiseled abs and listened to Fionna guffaw.
Dan laughed as he handed Fionna her leopard print suitcases and make-up kits.
“Go on, baby. I’ll see you in a little while.” The harrowing sense of her absence washed over him as she leaned up on her tiptoes and brushed a kiss along his jawline, and then turned and walked away.
Dan was one of the last people to exit the jet; he supposed he appreciated Garrett hanging back with him. He was stunned as he entered the airport. Throngs of press were everywhere.
“Yes, folks, it’s those well-known alluring Angels of Arlington. Their jet has just touched down. Let’s see if any of these talented women will talk with us,” one reporter chanted as he sprinted up the rope-lined corridor created for the teams.
“It’s Captain Chloe Sawyer! How are we feeling today, Chloe?” the man shouted as he stuck a microphone in Chloe’s face.
“We’re great! Go Angels!” Chloe called in a customary response as she picked up her pace.
“And it’s the prettiest Receivers in the Realm, Miss Fionna Styler, and the Crown Governor’s little girl, Miss Emily Haydenshire. How are we today, ladies? We ready to challenge?” The man angled his way in front of Fionna and Emily, and kept them from moving forward. Rainer bristled, but kept his head down. Dan was unable to keep his eyes off of Fionna. His fists clenched in a pulsing thirst to take out his aggressions. Anyone preventing Fionna from getting where she wanted to go looked like an excellent target.
“We’re ready!” Fionna beamed.
Emily nodded. “Go, Angels!”
“Now, you know, Jim,” the reporter turned back to the cameraman, “the Crown Governor, and the Chief of Iodex, Dan Vindico, have both recently purchased shares in the Angels. Our beloved Crown Governor Lawson’s son, Rainer, also purchased major shares recently. It seems the Angels have sent some of the owners out for the exhibition. Officer Vindico, can you tell us what you hope to see the ladies accomplish this weekend?” The reporter put the mic in Dan’s face, and Garrett began chuckling.
The Angels were stopping periodically, and signing autographs for awaiting fans pleading for their attention. Dan resisted the urge to tell the man to get the mic the hell out of his face. “They’re the best team in the Realm, and they always make Arlington proud,” Dan huffed before moving on.
He watched the Angels climb into awaiting vans that were headed to The Venetian hotel. He moved towards the last van in the line, after he watched Fionna climb safely into the one in front.
The exhibition was being held at The Venetian, but only a few teams were staying on the property. The Sirens were staying at the Luxor at the other end of the strip, much to Dan’s delight.
“Officer Vindico, there are a couple of places left in the van up there. You and Garrett could go with the other players. I think the last van is full,” Katie gave Dan a knowing smile as she gestured to the van in the front of the line.
“Thanks, Katie baby,” Garrett tousled her hair and followed Dan to the van she’d suggested. Studying the space around him carefully, Dan made certain that he didn’t recognize anyone in the crowd exiting the airport. There were hundreds of people rushing about, but no one seemed to have much interest in the Angels, now that they’d been escorted out of the airport.
“You have really nice friends,” Dan smiled as he slid into a seat next to Fionna, that had been arranged for him. Angels and their companions blocked them from view, but everything appeared very nonchalant from the outside.
“I definitely do.” Fionna gave everyone who had played a part in the arrangement broad grins.
“Aww, we love you, Fi. We love that you’re happy,” Sasha assured her. Her husband
chuckled and nodded his agreement.
“Just remember we loved you before he did,” Chloe commanded sassily.
Fionna laughed. “I’ll always remember that!”
What Needs To Be Said
Crowds of Summation fans were outside of The Venetian and in the vast lobby area. As there were always conferences of one kind or another going on in Vegas, the Non-Gifted tourists didn’t seem to pay them much attention.
Dan exited the van and quickly disappeared. He made certain he could see Fionna, but that no one would be under the impression that she had very quickly become the most important thing in his life.
Chloe huffed, “You just be careful, Fi. He seems pretty good at disappearing,” Dan watched the pain mar Fionna’s features, and he felt his heart fissure. Remembering why he couldn’t go to her and assure her that he wasn’t going anywhere, he made a parallel trek into the hotel, but stayed approximately ten yards away from her.
A prostitute, stationed near the entrance, gave him a flirtatious grin and a wink, and offered him her card. Dan ignored her completely as he made his way inside. Disgust replaced the sadness that had become Fionna’s primary expression.
Immediately recalling one of his least favorite things about Vegas, Dan sighed as the noise of the hotel casino bled throughout the entire grand entrance of The Venetian hotel.
Dancers dressed in leopard-print bikini tops and barely-there red skirts were dancing on a side stage and circulating in the entrance. Dan studied the area methodically, ever on the prowl for lurking danger. He noted the moving river that wound throughout the hotel, offering gondola rides.
He heard the money-changing machines blaring loudly with flashing red lights as coins dispensed in rapt accord. Keeping his dark sunglasses on, Dan stepped up to the check-in desk that ran along the back wall.
“Officer Dan Vindico.” He flashed his badge as the woman smiled and nodded.
“All of the Angels and the owners are staying in the luxury suites on the thirty-first floor.” Dan nodded his agreement, as that was where he’d booked them. The woman handed Dan two keycards, a bucket containing ten complimentary hotel chips for the slots, and a map of the hotel.
“The Meet and Greet for all of the exhibition teams will be on the Palazzo side of the hotel, in the fifth-floor ballroom at three, and the banquet will be in the Galileo ballroom tonight at seven,” the woman chirped.
“Thanks.” Dan discreetly moved towards the elevators, while pretending to study the map of the hotel. Fionna received her room keys and chips and then, ignoring him completely, stepped onto an opening elevator. Dan followed in behind her, along with a dozen other people.
He moved to the back corner, while Fionna stayed near the front. An angry frown creased her features, but she never looked Dan’s way. She rolled her eyes and scooted away from two men standing near her. She’d picked up on something in their energy that she hadn’t liked.
Dan bristled and narrowed his eyes at the guy nearest her. “Yeah, but what about Sandy and the kids?” His friend sounded intoxicated, though it was just after noon.
“Hey, it’s Vegas, baby. You know what they say. She’ll never find out, and you only live once.” was the other man’s response. Dan knew immediately what had Fionna so irritated.
By the time the 29 was lit on the elevator, everyone had exited, save Dan and Fionna.
“Cameras,” Dan whispered while offering her a polite, indifferent grin. She gave him a hesitant smile, the one she saved for people she hardly knew. It wounded Dan; he felt nauseated.
He followed Fionna out of the elevator and down the vast corridor, but kept his distance. She stopped outside of room 3145. Rainer and Emily were unlocking room 3144, just as Dan had arranged. He slid his keycard into the lock of 3146, while thinking that he would call Roy Stegman, the chief of Vegas Iodex, and give Barron his high praises.
Wasting no time to look over his own living quarters, he closed the entry door and moved quickly to the steel door between their suites. Extracting a lock-pick set from his pocket, he had the lock unbolted in a matter of moments. He moved to the magnetic lock below the key set. Trying the typical range of magnetic pulses first, Dan summoned and a moment later had the door between his and Fionna’s rooms slipped open.
Fionna had been staring at the door hopefully. Relief washed over her as he stepped through it.
“Hey, baby doll,” he soothed as she fell into his arms. The stress of their arrival and their elevator ride had gotten to her. “You okay?”
“Now,” she whimpered. “But what if I want to get to you? I don’t know how to do all of that.” She gestured to the still open door. Her voice was riddled with fear and insecurity.
“I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart. After they deliver our luggage, I’ll unpack in my suite, in case someone goes looking for something, but anytime I’m in there we’ll leave the door open. If you want me to teach you to pick the locks, I will.” He wanted her to have every option that might make her feel more secure.
“Maybe later.” She glanced around the room, but still clung to his forearm. The matching suites were rather plush. A vast king-sized bed sat in the bedroom area, two steps above the living area, complete with a picture window that displayed the strip. Each bathroom had a massive Jacuzzi tub and steam shower. There was a small kitchenette, as well.
A knock sounded at the door to Dan’s suite. He grimaced, not wanting to leave her again. “Baby, I’m gonna go get my luggage and then I’ll be right back.”
She seemed to will bravery. She forced her head to nod, though she looked devastated. A louder repetitive knock sounded.
“I’ll be right back.” Closing the door between their rooms, he answered his own. After tipping the bellman, he waited on him to deliver Fionna’s luggage.
Fionna seemed more sure of herself as they explored the identical suites. She ordered lunch and had it delivered to her room. Dan stepped out once again when it was delivered, and then cuddled her on his lap on the plush sofa as they ate.
“I have to be at that meet and greet, in uniform, at three.” She set her plate aside and nuzzled her head under Dan’s chin. He smiled. The gesture completed him.
“I know, honey, but it’s barely one here. The time difference, remember? If you want to go do something with Garrett and Chloe, it’s fine. I’ll hang out up here.” He didn’t want her to stay holed up in their rooms if she didn’t want to.
Fionna shrugged. “Is it bad if we hang out in here? I don’t want to hurt their feelings.”
“No, baby, they’ll just think you’re tired because I wore you out on the plane.” He gave her a wry grin and watched a reminiscent heat creep up her neck.
“Well, you did.”
Dan kissed her cheek and began running his fingers through her hair. She melted into him. “They’re probably unpacking, sweetheart. Just stay right here with me.”
“I need to hang up my gown.” She leapt off of the sofa and headed into Dan’s suite.
“Or don’t,” he sighed and followed her lead. After unzipping the luggage, he located his suit and the couple of shirts he’d brought and hung them in the closet.
She unzipped a garment bag and pulled out a long, white, flowing chiffon gown with a plunging neckline. She removed the plastic dry cleaning bag, and Dan’s mouth hung open.
The lace-covered neckline dropped all the way to her waist. White chiffon material would cover her breasts, but just barely. It gathered in a knot at her waist, with a revealing slit that would run the length of her leg from her feet to her thigh, and the back was nonexistent. The chiffon was made to drape over that luscious ass and put it on provocative display. There was a set of cut outs that would showcase the skin between the bottom of her rib cage and the top of her waist.
“Fionna!” Dan gasped.
Shocked, she turned to him, furrowing her brow.
“I’m gonna have to beat the guys off with a bat.” His brain ached in confusion from the ardent desire to see her gorgeous
curves shown off in that gown and in a sincere wish that she’d picked something that covered a great deal more skin, since she wouldn’t be arriving on his arm.
“What, this old thing?” She waggled her eyebrows.
Dan drew a deep breath. She planned on enjoying making him drool all evening long. Torturing him was clearly her goal.
“All of the Angels wear white to this thing every year. You know… Angels.” She lost a little of her flirtatious fire as she moved to hang the dress in the bathroom in her suite. After turning on the steaming hot water to release the nonexistent wrinkles, she came back and began unpacking all of her things.
“I wouldn’t want some other girl to turn your head, since I can’t be your official date.” She tried so hard, it cut him like a knife. She tried to pretend that she wasn’t really worried, that she was confident that she was it for him. But she wasn’t; not at all.
“Fionna,” Dan moved to her. “Have I not made myself or my intentions perfectly clear to you, honey? There aren’t any other women who could ever hold my attention for even a split second.”
“I know, but I just… I wanted you to think that I’m the prettiest girl there.” Her confession weighted her head and her voice.
Dan shook his head and guided her gently into his arms. He brushed a kiss across her forehead. “You could come into the banquet tonight, wearing sweat pants and a t-shirt, and I would still know that you’re the most gorgeous woman on the entire planet. The other night when you were sick and I cleaned you up, you were still the most gorgeous woman in the universe. It doesn’t matter what you wear or how much make-up you have on, because I adore you, Fionna. You have my whole heart and my entire soul that I honestly didn’t even think existed anymore until I looked into your eyes. You, and no one else.”
Her energy soared as she beamed and blinked back a sudden onslaught of emotion. She wrapped her arms around him and let him embrace her fully.
