Vegas Shuffle (Vegas Series)
Page 5
“Don’t.”
“Why not?” His voice sounded husky with emotion. I know I can make you like it.”
“Hell, I know I can shoot you in the balls but it doesn’t mean I should.”
He backed away, a grin forming. “Makes sense to me.”
“I thought you’d see it my way”
His hands slid into his tux’s jacket pockets as he nonchalantly leaned against the counter. “Well you are very convincing. Just gotta ask. There’s two reasons a woman pushes a man away when her eyes are hungry. Either she doesn’t like the guy, or she likes someone else better. Now I know you’ve enjoyed my company tonight. Hell, I even caught you laughing more than a few times. Therefore I’m taking it that I’m not the problem. So who’s the other guy?”
“No one you know. He’s a bastard and a cheat, a low-down slimy—”
“Whoa! As a favor to you, and the world in general, I’d shoot him myself. Just one thing has me scratching my thick, glossy locks.”
His silliness made her almost smile. She searched his eyes and waited.
“If he’s so horrible, how come you love the dirtbag?”
“Hey, I never said—”
“No, but your rejection did. You were with me until I tried to kiss you and bam! You became a ‘hand’s off’ girl. Just wish my body would stop whimpering and take your refusal like a man.”
Aurora grinned at the way he worded his position. “Maybe you have a thing for pregnant women.” She actually laughed when he tripped over his feet to back away. “Pregnant?! Whaddayamean pregnant?”
“Whaddayamean, what do I mean?” With this foolishness, she actually giggled and a weight disappeared off her shoulders that had been building since she realized her predicament. She was pregnant, alone, and still she was happy.
Chapter Twelve
Three months later, Aurora sat in her spare bedroom surrounded by pieces of wood of all shapes and sizes, plastic bags brimming with screws and two pages full of instructions. Earlier that day, she’d decided that tonight the crib would be set up because the baby’s room needed to take shape.
Shopping bags full of baby paraphernalia filled the closet while other pieces of furniture, delivered earlier, took up their positions in the newly painted space. All that was left to attack was the fancy crib she’d chosen.
She’d refused Cory and Debbie’s assistance since they had Debbie’s parents visiting. Said no to Lisa coming over because the girl was a klutz, and would probably break something valuable while trying to help. And when Jeff had called out of the blue saying he’d arrived back in town, she’d gently declined to see him also. Glad they’d stayed friends, although she seldom saw him due to his busy schedule, she didn’t want to impose.
Left alone to face this nightmare, she decided one thing. If a man can do this, so can I. Right?!! How hard can it be to use a screw driver and a hammer?
Hours later, frustrated beyond caring, she called Hampton, who said he’d be right over.
Then she made one last call to the man who still haunted her dreams.
“Kai, in case you give a shit, I’m going crazy trying to put our baby’s crib together. I have no doubt a lunatic—most likely a man—wrote these directions when he was either drunk or high. You are a piece of shit and if our baby falls when this son-a-bitchin’ thing breaks, it’ll be your fault. I hope you rot in hell for leaving me alone to deal with all this.”
She prayed he hadn’t heard her sob before she slammed the receiver down.
High Stakes Gamble
The sequel to Vegas Shuffle – to be released in late March 2013.
Aurora and Kai will be back together in this thrilling romantic suspense called “High Stakes Gamble.” Conflict throws a wrench into the love affair that began in “Roll the Dice,” and it isn’t certain these two characters will overcome their differences. Kai, stuck as an undercover agent to clear the streets of L.A. from the power of a dangerous mob, is finally free. He returns to Vegas with the intentions of taking up a parenting role with his and Aurora’s child—if she doesn’t shoot him first.
Aurora questions how Kai could leave her without any discussion as to why she did what she had to. She tries to believe in him but as the months pass and he stays away with no word, her love turns to hate and her trust withers. Sick predators who steals babies for profit interferes with their personal dispute and draws them back into being partners. A bizarre thief decides she wants Aurora’s newborn to be her mission on the dark side. She’ll make this beautiful baby her own, before disappearing completely.
Afterword
Thank you so much for reading Vegas Shuffle, book three of the Vegas Series. The sequel “High Stakes Gamble” will be released in March 2013.
If you enjoyed reading this novel, it would be a very kind gesture for you to leave a short, honest review on Amazon. Authors thoroughly enjoy knowing that readers like their stories. Hopefully, others will read your words and choose to buy the book because of your sentiments—and that would be real sweet!
Amazon Link
About the Author
Mimi Barbour lives on the beautiful east coast of Vancouver Island and fills her days with writing and promoting her work. The rest of her day is spent in her garden, doing minimal housework, and visiting with her husband while he cooks their dinner.
“The favorite part of my job is meeting the characters from each new book. Designing them the way I want and having them act however I think they should. It’s thrilling, especially when most of my make-believe folks are so very interesting. They’re fun and surprising, and in most cases people I would love to interact with in reality.”
Other Works by Mimi Barbour
The rest of the Vegas Series
Partners
Book 1 of the Vegas Series
Hot Sassy and Intriguing! What's Not to Like?
~ Reviewed by – Windigo
Tough cop meets her match
~ Reviewed by – Clare Chu
Fast paced thriller with a heart of gold
~ Reviewed by – Gail MacMillan
Just a taste for greater things to come
~ Reviewed by – Beverly Wells
To purchase Partners on Amazon, click here.
Roll the Dice
Book 2 of the Vegas Series
Action and hot romance
~ Reviewed by – Kelsey Tanner
Cops, romance, and drama you'll love this amazing new romantic suspense series
~ Reviewed by – luvbooks
You will not be rolling the dice on this book- it is a winner already!
~ Reviewed by – Busy Happy Mom
Suspense and sparks
~ Reviewed by – Reader Forever
To purchase Roll the Dice on Amazon, click here.
Angels with Attitude Series
Paranormal Romances
My Cheeky Angel
Book one of the Angels with Attitudes series
From a lonely tomboy to a hotshot businesswoman, baggy jeans to suits and stilettos, we unravel the story of Annie and her path to finding not only herself but also true love.
To purchase My Cheeky Angel on Amazon, click here.
His Devious Angel
Book two of the Angels with Attitudes Series
Man-hater Sadie Wright gets mixed up with a crazy, hotshot soldier when he runs her down with his convertible. Now she’s stuck having to accept his help to do her dog-walking job. Just her luck that some of the expensive pets go missing, and Liam decides the puppy-mill rumor needs to be investigated.
To purchase His Devious Angel on Amazon, click here.
Lovable Christmas Angel
Book Three of the Angels with Attitudes Series
Christmas in Hawaii! How lucky can a girl get? Except Leilani is bringing her mother’s ashes home to Waikiki and has an urgent plea of help from an aunt she’s never even met. After winning two free nights in prestigious Hotel Jordan, things take a turn she never expected. First she gets stuck
in an elevator with the prickly, but luscious Mr. Jordan. Secondly, her aunt is a sick woman and only held on for one reason. She wants to pass on her most precious possession – her five-year-old grandchild. The same little fellow that takes one look at Leilani, slaps his fist on his hips and yells, “Go away!”
Kale is the owner of the Jordan Hotel Chain and he can’t believe his rotten luck. He broke up with a spoilt brat of a girlfriend and now he’s stuck in an elevator with a big-eyed, effusive tourist. How in the world can a guy who’s so worldly get hooked on a lively beauty with more dilemmas than anyone he’s ever met?
To purchase Lovable Christmas Angel on Amazon, click here.
The Vicarage Bench Anthology
A three book set
Imagine having to share your body with an invading time traveler.
Dr. Tobias Andrews, guardian of the magic, assists each trapped spirit—
but not until every story’s happy ending is assured.
In She’s Me: chubby, shy Lucy McGillicuddy who lives in a small English village in 1963 is forced to share herself with 2006 top model Jenna McBride. This experience teaches them both valuable lessons that enable them to finally accept true love.
In He’s Her: schoolteacher Carrie Temple has to make space for Vegas casino owner Rhett Parks, whose spirit invades her heart as well as her mind, and won’t leave. At first she desperately wants him to get out, but soon she can’t bear for them to be apart.
In We’re One: Vegas nightclub star Crystal Davis wants nothing to do with men until she’s seduced by Ashley Parks while they flee from a killer. Ashley traps her spirit inside of him to keep her safe, but she soon convinces him to trust her—it’s his safety they need to worry about.
Three soul mate stories to that just keep getting better.
To purchase The Vicarage Bench Anthology on Amazon, click here.
Mimi’s Mix
A book from each of Mimi’s Series
Partners:
When attractive Las Vegas detective Aurora Morelli makes a friend, she takes the relationship very seriously…and if anyone hurts that person, they’re going down! While Aurora may be slim and dainty on the outside, she has the heart of a lion, and when angry, the manners of a she-cat. The sick schmuck who dared attack her partner is now her prime target, and nothing or no one will stand in her way—except maybe her new partner who arrives in town seeking vengeance on the same culprit.
Kai Lawson, a Bruce Willis lookalike, annoys her. From the very beginning, nothing seems to go right between the two of them, leaving Aurora to question if they should even be working together—especially after he shoots her—and not accidentally! Constant screw-ups on the job and the undeniable attraction building between them makes reaching her goal seem almost insurmountable…almost!
His Devious Angel:
Without the angel forcing him to brake, Liam could have killed the gorgeous girl who ran in front of his car to save a little boy. He owed the rescuer big time and would pay his debt no matter that she acted cranky and became more difficult with every meeting. After all, how hard could it be to walk a bunch of mangy mutts?
Men are scum and no one can tell Sadie any different. It’s why she stays away from them. Until a crazy, hotshot soldier runs her down with his convertible. Now because she’s bruised and sore, she’s stuck having to accept his help in her elite dog-walking business. Just her luck that some of the expensive pets go missing, and Liam decides the puppy-mill rumor needs to be investigated. And once they’re forced to spend more time together, mutual attraction spirals out of control.
He’s Her:
A casino owner from Vegas, Rhett Parks, was relaxing on a bench in a small English town. To his dismay, a young woman interrupted his sanctuary. A minute later, his body was out cold on the ground and he was taking up residence inside of the intruder - schoolteacher Carrie Temple - and without her permission.
Her first words get out didn’t solve anything because he had no idea of how he got in. During the next few weeks they fought each other, taught each other and began to love each other, not an easy accomplishment considering the situation, but doable, as Rhett proved too sweet, naïve Carrie.
They became involved with strange Dr. Andrews who assured them he had the answers to solve their problem, but Rhett’s brother Ashley, who they turned to for help, was absolutely certain, that the man they were putting their faith in, was a charlatan and a quack.
To purchase Mimi’s Mix on Amazon, click here.
My Contact Page
My website: http://www.mimibarbour.com/
Or my blogspot: http://mimibarbour.blogspot.com
Or follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/MimiBarbour
Or on Facebook
My author page on Amazon
Contents
Main Menu
Start Reading
Afterword
About the Author
Contact Information
Other Works by Mimi Barbour
Copyright
Chapters
Prelude | Prologue | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Copyright
VEGAS SHUFFLE
Book Three of the Vegas Series
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
COPYRIGHT 2012 by Mimi Barbour
ASIN: B00B6ZPZIU
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Contact Information: mimi@mimibarbour.com
Cover Art by Steve Novak
Edited by Bob Reed