Romance in Vegas - Showgirl!

by Nancy Fornataro

  "You've missed me, then?" he asked softly.

  The tone of his voice made her ache inside. "No," she lied, "I just was commenting on it."

  "I see. Well, I'm pretty well caught up here, and I was wondering if you'd like to get away from the casino for your weekend. Tomorrow and Monday."

  "And go where?" she asked warily.

  "It's a property I own. It's very nice, I think you'd like it."

  "What clothes should I bring?"

  She could tell he was smiling as he replied, "Not too much. Just what you're comfortable in." Then his voice lowered to a whisper, "What are you wearing right now? Right this minute?"

  "My jeans," she lied again, looking down at her nude body, "a white top and shoes."

  He burst out laughing. "Why don't I believe you?"

  She sniffed. "I don't know. Why don't you?"

  "Just a hunch. So I'll come and get you around ten in the morning. We'll go for brunch somewhere, then on to the house."

  "All right. See you then."

  Around two in the morning, in surveillance, Robert had almost dozed off at his station when he finally realized that Dani's door was opened part way. Where was she? Damn, he thought, I'm in trouble now.

  But then, she appeared at the other side of the door and stood in her nightgown. "What the hell is she doing?" he said.

  Les and Jerry came over to look.

  Robert got on the phone. "Security base, ten-eighteen at room 210. I repeat ten-eighteen at room 210."

  They watched as she looked up then down the hallway. She seemed confused then sat in the room doorway just staring blankly at the pattern on the carpeted floor.

  He called Scaletti's private number. "'Lo?" the man answered.

  "Robert in surveillance, sir."

  His boss sounded more alert now. "Yes?"

  "She's...she's in the doorway of her room, sir. I called security and they'll send someone down."

  The phone went dead in his hand.

  Al's private elevator seemed to take forever to arrive at the second floor. He hastily tucked in his shirt then realized his feet were bare.

  As he ran towards her suite, he saw guards moving quickly from the other end of the hallway. "Where is she?" he said loudly.

  His cell phone rang. "Where is she, Robert?" he said.

  "Down the hall sir, in the stairwell."

  "Stairwell," he said as he headed back towards it. Smashing the door open, he looked up and down. "Dani!" he called.

  "You go up there," he told the guards, "I'll check down here."

  As he came down the flight leading into the casino, he saw a flash of white. Cursing, he pounded the door open.

  She stood in the bustling casino, flame red hair flowing down her back, barefooted, in her white nightgown, looking straight ahead. He knew better than to grab her arm, like the man in her past, so he ran up and stood in front of her. "Dani, look at me."

  Green, trusting eyes stared up at him.

  By then, casino patrons stood staring and other guards had arrived by his side. "Get the elevator," he told them, while he picked her up in his arms. She lay against his chest, still saying nothing, and they rode up to floor two.

  The guard, Matt, stood at her suite doorway.

  "You checked inside?" Al asked him.

  "Yes, sir. All clear. Need any help?"

  "No. Thank you Matt. You can get back to the station now."

  He deposited Dani on the bed, which was still warm from her body. He covered her with the sheet and blanket, and lay next to her on his back. She fell asleep immediately.

  He sighed and punched a button on his phone. "Robert. Good job."

  "She was on the casino floor then. Do you know why, sir?" the man asked.

  "Good question. Wish I could answer it. Still trying to figure it out. Keep up the good work, my friend." He placed his cell on the end table, and turned towards her.

  Was she under too much stress? Was it too much for an eighteen year old? He thought of the long days, difficult practices and grueling performances. She seemed to enjoy her dancing, but perhaps he should put her somewhere else in the casino. God knows, she'd be a success anywhere she worked. And he was certain she wouldn't accept any charity from him. She'd want to work doing something. She had a lot of pride, this woman.

  His hand stroked her long hair away from her face, and he nestled up to her, threw his arm over hers. He'd talk to her this weekend. They'd work something out. As usual, just being with her had worked magic on him.

  Dani woke the next morning, but when she went to stretch she jumped as she realized someone was behind her in the bed.

  "Don't move," he said, drawing her closer with one hand, "you feel wonderful."

  "Why are you here?" she said softly.

  "Mmmm," he drew her hair back and nuzzled her neck with his lips. "Because I wanted to wake up next to you."

  "You aren't even under the covers."

  He laughed then and rolled on his back. "Oh, Dani. You are just so damn sensible sometimes."

  She wasn't sure what to say about that, so she didn't say anything.

  He got up and punched numbers on the house phone. "Mattios? Can you do me a favor? Bring a pair of my shoes to room 210. Thanks my man."

  Running a hand through his tousled hair, he sat on the chaise in front of her. "Do you remember last night?" he asked her gently.

  She saw a slight stubble on his chin, and thought he looked tired. But last night? She didn't remember anything. Had they slept together? Wracking her brain, she couldn't remember what the doctor had told her about her birth control pills. She was just starting to take them and he'd said to use another method to prevent a pregnancy. "Did...did you use a condom?"

  Bending down, he held his face. Then she realized he was trying to suppress a laugh.

  "What?" she said, throwing her legs over the side of the bed. "I need to be careful, you know. Kim says a girl can never be too careful."

  That set him off again, and now his shoulders shook. He lay back on the chaise and took a deep breath. "I don't know quite what to make of you sometimes, Dani," he gasped finally. "So," he sat up, "are we still on for today?"

  "I suppose so. You said ten o'clock, and I need time to get ready."

  "Well, I need some shoes, woman," he said dryly, "and a shower. Pick you up in thirty minutes."

  Al let her pack in a suitcase she'd hurriedly borrowed from Kim, which he carried while they walked to the front of the casino. The valet brought his bright red Lamborghini convertible, and he casually flung the suitcase in the back seat before he opened the door for her.

  They rode down The Strip, with its neon flashing lights and tourists, onto another road until she lost track of where they were. She'd never seen any of this, as the car raced up a hill, but she thought the fresh air was a wonderful change from the smoky casino atmosphere. Al chatted on amiably about the casino business and his other ventures.

  She found out he owned real estate and shopping centers along with his other casino in Atlantic City.

  Then she asked him, "You know, Teeny seems so sad. Why do you suppose that is?"

  He smiled as he drove along. "He's tough and loyal. But he lost his best friend in a fire four years ago, and he doesn't seem to have recovered really well. He doesn't care for Vito very much. Lefty is his best friend now, though."

  "And he doesn't have a girlfriend?"

  "No," he laughed, "Teeny has the feeling that all women are scheming and bitchy. I think you really impressed him with your right hook. Or was it your left?" He looked over at her and grinned.

  He seemed so relaxed now, away from the casino, and she smiled too, even though she still hadn't thought of a way to pay Teeny back for giving him the black eye that time.

  At the top of the hill, he pulled into a huge, Spanish-styled home, with bougainvillea and lush ferns in front of the entrance. He led her up the path and unlocked the stained glass front door.

  She gasped as she looked at the insid
e of the two-story house. A winding marble staircase led to the second floor, the hallway and columns were also marble.

  Al took her on a tour, through the huge kitchen with hanging pots and pans, the wine cellar, and to the den with its huge TV screen and inlaid fireplace. There was one large bedroom downstairs with a king bed topped by a fluffy light green colored bedspread and throw, patterned pillows and an offset bathroom with a huge sunken Jacuzzi tub, and gold fixtures.

  Upstairs, there were four more bedrooms, each done in an elegant color scheme of blue, lavender, green and yellow with four similar marble bathrooms, and a work-out room, complete with a stair-stepper, free weights and a weight bench.

  She walked with him from room to room, exclaiming about the paintings and free standing works of art.

  They returned to the living room, which had a wrap around beige couch and, again, a marble fireplace.

  But when she looked out the sliding glass door, her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh, Al. It's just beautiful," she gasped. The backyard held a low swimming pool and Jacuzzi, which had been designed in large squares, lounge chairs, roses, geraniums, and huge ferns, as well as a tiled built-in barbecue. "It doesn't overflow?" she asked, as he opened the sliding door.

  He smiled. "I asked the same question. Something about the design lets the water come right up to the top of the pool. And, the Jacuzzi is great for muscle cramps."

  Her face flushed when she thought of him watching her after Charlene massaged her, half naked with her breasts exposed. And he seemed to notice it, as his eyes caught hers, blue-grey eyes that captivated her.

  "Would you like to go for Mexican food?" he asked politely.

  "Yes," she said quickly, "that would be wonderful."

  He drove her to a place called Nana's Serape. She ordered cheese enchiladas and rice and Al ordered shrimp fajitas. She finished a bowl of chips waiting for the food to come, and he laughed at her appetite.

  "Don't forget, you'll have to pass my inspection again on Tuesday," he told her.

  "Yes," she countered, with her mouth full, "but that's Tuesday. Today is Sunday, so I'm not going to worry about it."

  "That reminds me," he said between bites of fajitas, "do you need to open a checking account for your paychecks?"

  "Well, I have one paycheck I was going to cash at the cage. Why do I need a bank account?"

  "You shouldn't keep cash around. I don't trust anyone around cash. I don't care how honest they are. There's a bank right across from the casino, you know."

  "And that reminds me, did you ever catch who's on the take at the casino?"

  "Not yet. We're still working on it."

  It was late afternoon by the time they returned to the house.

  "I took the liberty of bringing your suitcase to the downstairs bedroom. In here," he said. "Would you like to lie down for a while? You must be exhausted from your performances."

  She nodded. With her stomach full, she really was sleepy now.

  Chapter 12

  She woke in the dark, and at first didn't know where she was. Then she remembered. Al's house. He had covered her with the soft throw and taken off her sandals while she slept.

  Still trying to wake up, pulling her sundress down, she wandered barefooted into the kitchen. Lights were on, but he wasn't there. Frowning, she looked around then heard a noise by the pool.

  Pulling back the sliding door, she stepped onto the warm concrete. The pool was electric blue, lit from below, and the Jacuzzi bubbled invitingly. Dani realized he was swimming laps, as she glimpsed his powerful back muscles and arms gliding through the water gracefully, and she sat on a chaise to wait.

  After he'd done about twenty laps, he pulled himself out at the deep end. As he toweled his hair, she knew he hadn't noticed her yet.

  Her eyes roved his body. His thick arms muscles glistened with water, as did his solid chest. A bit of hair lay against his chest, dripping now. His small, black bathing suit, she thought, didn't hide his manhood very well. His powerful thighs tightened, as he bent down to dry himself.

  He finally noticed Dani, and walked towards her, smiling and wrapping the towel around his neck. And she saw how gracefully he moved for such a tall man.

  Running a hand through his hair, he asked, "Have a good sleep?" He sat on the chaise opposite her.

  "Yes, thank you."

  "I thought we'd have a steak tonight. It's marinating in the refrigerator."

  "You cook?" She was surprised at this revelation, as he had cooks on staff at the casino.

  Grinning, he said, "Yes. No sense letting the barbeque go to waste."

  Lounging back now, his eyes trained on her. "How are you enjoying your dancing?" His eyes roamed over her face.

  Resting against the seat, she said, "I absolutely love it. It's like a dream for me. I keep thinking I'll wake up in some women's rest room somewhere."

  Her eyes met his. "That won't happen, Dani," he said quietly. "If you want the job, you're with us permanently."

  "What do you mean, if I want the job?"

  He sighed and rubbed his face. "You don't remember last night, do you? Tell me the truth."

  "I don't know what you want me to say," she said defensively.

  She thought he was choosing his words carefully now. "You sleepwalked down to the casino floor in your nightgown."

  Looking at him incredulously, she said, "You're lying. I'd remember that."

  A muscle moved in his cheek. "Don't ever tell me I'm lying to you. Especially you. I'd never do that." Then he added, "If you like, we can play back the surveillance tapes."

  The thought of all the employees and guards and customers seeing her that way felt like someone punched her in the stomach. Her eyes filled with tears, which quickly rolled down her cheeks.

  "Oh, God, Dani don't cry," he said gently, as he sat next to her on the chaise, and pulled her close. But it was as if a dam burst inside, as sobs wracked her body.

  He stroked her hair and murmured soft words in her ear, while she tried to control herself.

  "I don't know why," she said in a muffled voice, "I just don't know why."

  His lips kissed the wetness on her cheeks, and moved to her neck. "Bella," he breathed, "Bellissimo..."

  She shuddered under his soft kisses and whispers, while the heaviness grew between her legs.

  His lips moved to hers, sucking first her bottom lip, then the top, before he kissed her deeply, his tongue moving in and out of her mouth, tasting, exploring.

  Her arms came around his back, and she clung to him, afraid to let go, afraid to lose this precious sensation he'd aroused within her body.

  When he pressed his hardness against her, he whispered against her lips, "So beautiful...bella." The warm sensation needed relief; she needed what only he could give her.

  She brought her hand down on his hardness. It pulsed and throbbed, grew as he sighed with pleasure at her gesture.

  While his lips moved again on her neck, she guided his hand between her legs. "Please," she whispered, "only you--"

  A groan sounded deep in his throat, as he pulled her dress up and found her panties. Running a finger slowly around the edge, he carefully moved them aside, stroked her, spreading her wetness, then caressed her inside with two fingers. He drew them in and out, then around the outside, while the feeling within her grew. Throwing her head back, she gasped then cried out as the feeling peaked.

  He could feel her climax and her core pulsating against his fingers, before he drew her closer, then closer still. "Ti amo," he whispered, as he thrust himself against her.

  While she gasped, her hand came down under his bathing suit. He groaned, while her hand moved inside, as she stroked him, up and down.

  But then he realized she was watching him, as she pulled back. "What is it?" he whispered, still feeling her gentle touch.

  "I just want to see you," she said softly.

  Then he wondered if she'd ever seen this particular part of a man's body before. Smiling, he quickly shucked of
f the bathing suit.

  She stroked him, and he responded. She did it again. He responded again. Her eyes came up and met his with a look of wonderment.

  He groaned, and kissed her hard, wanting her so much, yet realizing he'd have to wait. She hadn't gone full cycle with her pills, and he wanted to talk to her about it first, as well. Kissing her cheeks and forehead, he said, "We'd better eat, Dani."

  In the kitchen, she thought he was as much in control here as in the casino, as she sat across the large counter watching him. He made the au gratin potatoes first, put them in the oven, checked the steak, and began steaming corn after he'd shucked it in the sink.

  He'd donned his bathing suit again, and she watched the bulge there as he moved around the kitchen.

  But he noticed her watching him, and now stood on the other side of the counter. "Dani," he said as he appraised her with blue-grey eyes, "I think we should have a sexual relationship. A total one, I mean."

  Now Dani didn't know what to say. Did all men ask this? She wished Kim were here, she'd know exactly what to say. Then her thoughts went back to her doctor visit. Her eyes moved away from his gaze. "I'm supposed to go a month on the pills before I can..."

  "Yes, I realize that. But, are you attracted to me?"

  Silly question, she thought, as she watched him. "Yes, of course I am. You're very handsome and you do things I like."

  Smiling now, he said, "That's good. But what else do you want?"

  Winging it, she said, "A million dollars, a sports car, a house like this one. I'm not sure what you want me to say."

  He leaned against the counter, and stared at her now. "Do you think a person needs to be in love to have sex?"

  She really didn't know about those things. Shrugging, she said, "It's like that in the movies."

  "But this is real life," he pressed. "Don't you think it would be better that way?"