Dex was asleep at the foot of the bed, his hind leg twitching and scratching the bedsheet.
“Here.” Henry reached towards his side table and brought over a pair of headphones. He eased them over my ears.
A flood of music filled me with a profound, comforting aura. A piano wooed, lulling…
Resting my head back down, soothed by these haunting, mesmerizing notes, I felt my limbs relax, my shoulders lower. Henry placed his iPhone in front of me.
“Thank you,” I whispered, and reached out to scroll over the dial. A moody instrumental piece was playing. Captured Through a Quiet Window by Steve Jansen. “Beautiful. Cameron likes this kind of music too.”
In his arms, calmed by this hypnotic music, I drifted off.
Carried away into a dream, I strolled along hallways with dramatic paintings of angels on either side, and above, a row of chandeliers with crystal droplets twinkling.
When I woke up, it was still dark.
Henry was no longer beside me. The bedside clock stated it was 5AM. I climbed out and went looking for him.
Henry was in the kitchen and the tempting smell of coffee filled the cabin.
“Egg sandwich?” he said, leaving the pan for a second to pour two fresh coffees into two mugs.
“Yes please,” I said, taking my place at the kitchen table. “You’re up early. I hope I didn’t keep you up?”
“Slept like a baby,” he said. “We have to get you on the road. Your friends need you. Mission ‘coming out’ is underway.”
I raised my hand in a cheer. “Team Bailey and Tara.”
Henry waved his hand too.
“Thank you for this,” I said, as I took a sip of coffee.
“I’m feeling a little guilty for keeping you from your friends,” he said. “At this time, you’ll make it to Vegas in three or four hours.”
“Sounds perfect,” I said.
We ate breakfast and chatted away.
He’d been destined to join the family business after his military career, he told me, only his six months in Afghanistan had put the kybosh on that. He’d left the military with PTSD and needed intensive therapy just so he could leave his cabin. It was hard to hear how bad things had been, but I sensed talking was helping him.
Henry’s nightmares had stopped and he didn’t drop to the ground any more when hearing a car alarm. Quite the progress, he jested, though he still found it challenging to be around people. He read too much into their expressions and sensed their angst; he couldn’t bear to think they were struggling too. Henry had been drowning and the thought of helping anyone else made him fear he’d take someone with him.
His initial scariness had gone. Henry was smart, funny, and kind, and now that his dark brown eyes didn’t scare me, I could admire his handsome ruggedness. Had he wanted to, he could have turned on the Cole charm, only it seemed he just didn’t care about all that.
I apologized for turning up out of the blue last night and he told me he understood why I’d done it.
Before I climbed back into my Jeep Wrangler, I accepted the bottle of water he handed me, as well as his promise Cameron never need know about our visit.
We hugged goodbye.
This had been good for both of us, it seemed.
I threw a wave to Henry and Dex and took off for Las Vegas.
CHAPTER 44
PERCHED ON THE edge of the hotel bed, I pressed my phone to my ear. “I took the scenic route.”
Richard sounded exasperated. “You were going to text me once you arrived.”
“I fell asleep.” It was not too much of a lie. I’d checked in to the Bellagio, and the moment I’d gotten to my room I’d collapsed on the bed. That drive from Big Bear had wiped me out. Though Henry had been right. It had only taken me three hours.
This was a lovely room. The décor luxurious, the furnishing looking new, and I had an entire weekend of relaxation ahead of me.
“Are you telling me you slept fourteen hours?” said Richard. “Mia, are you still there?”
“Reception’s not too good down here.”
“Vegas is up, Mia. You wonder why I worry about you,” he said. “And you’re in the Bellagio. Wifi comes with the room.”
“I miss you too, my darling.”
“I was worried about you.”
“I’m quite capable of taking care of myself.”
“Yes, but as my sub—”
“How are things in the harem?”
He breathed heavily. “Hope’s gone back to New York.”
Great, so you’re alone with Jasmine now?
“Mia?”
“Yes.”
“I took Jasmine over to Chrysalis,” he said.
“Why?”
“She needs a new master.”
Not Cameron. Don’t let it be Cameron.
“Will it be…”
“Cameron’s going to help Jasmine through this transition. It’s pretty stressful for a sub to lose a master. Shay’s with her right now.”
Although I wouldn’t want this carpet in my house, I liked it. There was a modern feel to the circled pattern.
Just tell me it’s not Cameron and don’t drag this out.
I lay back down on the bed, my legs trembling.
Shaking myself from this nightmare, I asked, “So everything in London worked out okay?”
“Let’s not discuss this on a hotel phone.”
“Of course. Sorry.”
“Have you seen Bailey?”
“Heading over to her room now.”
“Why did you choose the Bellagio?”
“You can see the water fountain from the room.” Though I didn’t share it also had a special deal. “It’s their engagement present.”
“I wanted to talk to you about that.”
A knock at the door made me jump. I’d ordered room service.
“I’ve ordered up fresh coffee,” I told him. “I’ll call you right back.”
“Check in at lunch time.”
“Check in?”
“Yes, Mia, Vegas is…well I worry about you.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m with Bailey and Tara. It’s not like we’re going to any clubs and going trapping.”
“Trapping?”
“It’s a term Tara uses.”
“Text me every ten seconds.”
“I will.” I laughed and headed over to answer the door.
Within the hour, I’d finished off the entire pot of fresh coffee, taken a shower, and dressed in jeans, t-shirt, and pumps, and was ready to join Bailey and Tara for some ‘slot machine action.’
The elevator took me five floors up and I soon found their room.
I knocked and waited.
The door flew open and Bailey greeted me, all perfect teeth smile and red hair. This girl could win a Miss America competition.
Tara stood behind her. “Ready for some slot machine action?”
This was a gorgeous couple. What with Tara’s tall lithe frame and Indian complexion, inherited from her mother born in Calcutta, and Bailey’s fresh faced beauty, they really stood out. They’d probably be mistaken for show girls.
“Welcome to Vegas, baby.” Bailey hugged me. “Thank you for being here.”
“I wouldn’t miss your engagement party for anything,” I said, stepping inside, stunned with the size of their room.
Bailey’s hands swept wide. “This is the most expensive hotel I’ve ever stayed in.” She reached out and caught my hand in hers, dragging me across the living room. “Come see the hot tub.”
I caught glimpses of plush burgundy furniture as we breezed through. Bright colors mixed with soft tones. A mish-mash of decadence—
A pool table. A movie center. A long marble bar. Enough furniture to furnish a house. This wasn’t just a room.
“This is a suite?” I asked.
“I know!” She squealed.
There, in the corner of the bathroom, sat an enormous sunken bathtub.
“Did you get upgraded?” I said.
Bailey narrowed her gaze. “Don’t think so. You didn’t get us a suite?”
I dragged my gaze from the marble tub and studied her.
She frowned her confusion.
“Bailey, I didn’t get you this,” I said nervously. “I’m sorry. I think it might be a mistake.”
Tara appeared in the doorway. “I was wondering how you could afford all this? Maybe they upgraded us? Did you tell them why we’re here? It might be comped?” She ambled over to the tub and sat on the edge.
Or, I mused, Richard paid for this.
“Let’s just enjoy it and ask questions afterward,” said Tara.
“Don’t hate me, guys,” I said. “Let me just check.”
“Probably a good idea,” said Bailey. “Before you get the bill. I kind of thought it was too good to be true.” She slumped down on the tub beside Tara. “I’m glad I didn’t unpack.”
“Shit,” said Tara. “Thank God we didn’t open the champagne.”
“Give me a second.” I headed back into the living room and found Richard’s number and dialed.
There came the sound of mumbled voices, clinking glasses, and foreign sounding music. Richard sounded like he was in a restaurant having breakfast.
With Jasmine?
My heart nosedived.
“Mia?” said Richard sharply. “Please tell me you’re okay.”
“Of course I’m okay. We were only just talking to each other an hour ago.” I rolled my eyes at Mr. Bossy pants.
“Did you just roll your eyes?” he said.
How does he do that?
I checked behind me to make sure Bailey and Tara couldn’t hear. “No, sir.”
The noise dimmed and it sounded like he’d moved to a quieter spot.
“Where are you?” I asked.
“Jane’s Pancake House.” There came a muffled voice. A man’s, and he was giving his order to a waitress by the sound of it.
“Who are you with?” I said.
“Cameron,” he said. “He sends his best to Bailey and Tara.”
Just hearing his name felt wonderful.
“Are you guys making up for the other day?” I said.
“There’s nothing to make up. We haven’t seen each other in days and we’re having breakfast together. Before we get on the road.”
On the road?
“Did he get us the room?” Tara’s voice piped up.
She made me jump.
Tara stood right behind me, leaning over my shoulder. I raised a hand to let her know I hadn’t asked him yet.
“Richard, did you upgrade their room?” I said.
“I ordered champagne for their room. Is it there?”
My gaze settled on that oversized bottle of Dom Perignon sitting in a bucket of ice.
Tara and Bailey strolled over to the bar and sat on the barstools. Lovingly they stared at that bottle of champagne, as though they’d never seen a thousand dollar bottle before.
I threw them an everything is fine wave. “And you paid for my room too?”
“Surely you don’t have a problem with me treating Tara?”
“You should have asked me first,” I whispered.
“Ask your permission before I give a gift?” He sounded incredulous.
Richard’s generosity made me antsy. Maybe it had something to do with me wanting to gift this to my best friend myself and not have my boyfriend do it.
The suite was pretty fantastic though, and as I watched Bailey and Tara run their hands over the bottle, they didn’t seem to mind.
“Mia?” Richard snapped me out of my dysfunctional musing.
“This is a girl’s weekend,” I said. “You better not be planning on gate crashing.”
“Excuse me?” He gave a long sigh. “Or should I say fuck you.”
There came a shuffle over the phone.
“Mia,” came a deep, cultured voice on the other end. I recognized that pissed off tone from the man who’d just hijacked Richard’s phone. “Glad you arrived safe.”
“Cameron?” My heart leaped.
“Put Tara on, please.”
“How are you?”
“Now, please,” he said.
His authority sent a shiver of pleasure up my spine.
I walked over to them and handed my phone to Tara. “It’s Cameron. He wants to talk with you.”
I gazed longingly at the phone.
Tara pressed it to her ear. “It’s me.” Her frown narrowed, her gaze bouncing from me to Bailey and then back again. “Yes.” She listened some more. “Yes, sir.” She beamed at us when she said that.
I got her attention and mouthed, “What does he want?”
“Got it.” She hung up.
“I hadn’t finished talking with him,” I said.
“Jeez, Mia, you really shouldn’t be so hard on them.” She shrugged. “Your boss is amazeballs.”
Funny how Cameron turns his nose up at the word amazeballs, I mused.
Tara patted Bailey’s back. “We’re under strict orders to make this the best weekend ever.”
“What did he say?” I sensed a shift in Tara’s demeanor.
She rounded the bar and lifted out the bottle of champagne from the cooler. Water dripped from its base onto the black marble counter. “Trust me. You don’t ever want to piss him off.”
“”You’re going to open it?” said Bailey. “But it’s only 10AM!”
“One glass and we’ll save the rest. This place has a fridge.”
“Tara, you didn’t answer my question,” I said nervously.
“This suite is Cameron’s gift to us.”
“Yay,” said Bailey. “Your boss is the best.” She peeled the gold wrapper off the top of the bottle.
“But I wanted it to be from me,” I muttered.
Between them, they managed to navigate that enormous bottle and pour us three glasses without spilling a drop. Tara handed me a champagne flute.
“I wanted to get you your room,” I said, and raised my hand as I made a decision. “I’m getting you both a show. We can take a look at which one you’d like to see and I’ll buy the tickets.”
“Thank you, Mia,” said Bailey. “You don’t have to spend your hard earned money on us.”
“I want to. It makes me happy.”
“To Vegas,” said Bailey, and she took a large gulp.
I sucked in my pride and raised my glass in a toast. “To the best girl’s only weekend ever.”
They lowered their glasses and shared a look.
“What?” I said.
Tara glanced at her watch. “My mom and dad are arriving this afternoon.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean…”
“Let there be no misunderstanding,” said Bailey. “The girls are here to party.”
Tara knocked her drink back. “Watch out Vegas.”
CHAPTER 45
BAILEY LEAPED INTO the air.
She’d just won twenty dollars on a Bellagio slot machine, but from the way she jumped up and down you’d have thought it was thousands. The machine spat out her coins as the light atop it flashed. Tara and I bounced right there beside her, drawing laughter from those around us. Bailey’s joy was too infectious not to share.
We explored the hotel, admiring the colorful display of sculptured glass, which hung from the foyer ceiling. All three of us stood beneath it and gazed up in awe. It was fun to discover the hand-blown flower display was called Fiori di Como, and had been designed by the famous artist Dale Chihuly.
Beneath our feet were pristine marble floors, and around and about were dramatic pillars.
Oberon Grove came to mind.
So much had happened over the last few weeks and I felt I had enough memories to last a lifetime already. Some, like my time in the owlet’s nest, could never be told to anyone. Not even my best friend. Though something told me Tara would not be shocked.
We were surrounded by luxury and it kind of felt odd to also see a casino in such a grand place.
This was
like old times. Us three girls hanging out without a care in the world, going from the salon where we had our nails done to window shopping in the designer boutiques to enjoying lunch in Café Bellagio.
In the afternoon, we’d settled by the pool, thankful for sunny climate. Dressed in our bikinis, we hoped to catch a little sun.
We huddled in this private corner near the pool edge, resting on loungers and sharing all our news. Bailey told me about her latest gory adventures in the ER and I told her all about my trip to London.
Tara swam lengths in the sprawling swimming pool, giving Bailey and me the chance to catch up on how their relationship was going. Tara now felt ready to settle down, as did Bailey. Seeing my best friend so happy made everything worth it.
Once they’d come out to Tara’s parents tonight, the plan was to have dinner with them, and then head off to the Strip to go ring shopping. With two engagement rings, it was double the fun, I told her.
“It’s like you’ve found the other half of your star,” I said, recalling Richard telling me that once.
“And you’re happy too?” she said.
“Yes. Things have never been so good.”
“It’s just…”
I rolled over on my lounger to better look at her.
“I just want you to be happy, that’s all,” she said.
“I am. You know how things have been for me. A few months ago I was living in a studio and eating Ramen noodles and now look at me. I can afford to stay here.”
“Just don’t make any rash decisions,” she said.
“Like what?”
“Marrying the wrong guy.”
It felt like my heart had stuttered.
“Sometimes we have to do the right thing,” I muttered.
She peered over her sunglasses. “What does that mean?”
“You have to be there for someone who needs you. Do the right thing.”
She pushed herself up farther. “Mia, why do you always doubt you deserve to be happy?”
It was my turn to look at her over my sunglasses. “How do you mean?”
“Make decisions based on your happiness, not everyone else’s. If you go around trying to please everyone you’ll end up sad and lonely.” She pointed a freshly manicured finger at me. “Everyone is this world is out for themselves. It’s a hard pill to swallow.”
Enthrall Him (Enthrall Sessions Book 3) Page 35
