When it was time to go, she went downstairs and found her car waiting for her. She rode to the MGM in a state of nerves. Her stomach was filled with butterflies and she couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that crept over her. Maybe Zoya had been a mistake. Maybe Savannah was biding her time, waiting to arrest Kit. All negative thoughts rushed through her mind threatening to consume her.
She fought them off and was in a reasonable mood when she was dropped off at the MGM. She was excited to see Savannah. Extremely so. If only she didn’t have to worry so damned much. But it was her life that was at stake. In so many ways.
Savannah looked breathtaking when she opened her door. She was wearing a light green sundress that accentuated her curves and made her eyes shine. All Kit’s worries disappeared the minute she laid eyes on Savannah. She kissed her cheek and knew she was where she belonged. Everything else would work itself out. It had to, right?
“You look divine.” Kit stepped into Savannah’s suite and took her in her arms. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too. I wish we could take the same flights when we have those long travel days. It would be nice to spend that time together.”
“True statement.”
“Are you ever going to kiss me?”
Kit laughed.
“I was thinking about it.”
Savannah wrapped her arms around Kit.
“Enough thinking. Kiss me already.”
Kit was happy to oblige. She brushed her lips over Savannah’s. It was soft, tender, and quick. And not enough. She kissed her harder and Savannah pressed against her in response. Kit held on to Savannah for dear life. She could feel the earth giving way and needed Savannah to anchor her.
They came up for air and Kit stood there, staring into Savannah’s eyes. They were dark with passion and Kit longed to take her to bed.
“What are you thinking?” Savannah asked.
“How hungry are you?”
“Famished.”
“Then we should get dinner. Come on, m’lady.”
She took Savannah’s hand and they took the elevator to the main floor. They found a restaurant that appealed to both of them and went inside. There was a long wait, so they waited in the bar.
“What can I get you to drink?” Kit asked.
“I’ll have a martini, please.”
“Coming right up.”
When she was back with their drinks, Kit found herself thinking too much again. She wondered if she should press Savannah then figured why not? She was curious what she’d say.
“So, babe?” Kit began.
“Yes?”
“Why did you delay breakfast the other day?”
“Hm? When?”
“Our last day in Klerksdorp. You pushed our breakfast back two hours.”
“I don’t remember now. Why do you ask?”
Kit hoped her smile looked genuine.
“No reason. Just making conversation.”
She told herself to relax but she couldn’t stop the niggling in her brain that said Savannah was close to catching her. She needed to seriously consider her options. Quit robbing or quit Savannah. Neither would be easy.
Chapter Twenty-two
Savannah fought to keep the panic from her voice when she answered Kit. Should she just admit to Kit that she was an FBI agent? What harm could it do? If she truly believed Kit was innocent, why hide that fact from her? Maybe she still wasn’t convinced Kit was innocent. No maybes about it. Every single victim, every single time, Savannah held her breath hoping they wouldn’t describe Kit to her. They hadn’t yet, but why couldn’t Savannah shake the feeling that Kit was their main suspect?
She smiled back at Kit, determined to get out of her own head.
“Do you have any plans while you’re in Vegas?” she said. “Will you be spending any time in California this trip?”
“No California this trip. As for plans, I thought we’d take a helicopter over the Grand Canyon. How does that sound?”
Savannah thought that sounded fantastic. It would get her out of Vegas and away from her thoughts and her job for a day.
“That sounds great. When shall we do that?”
“I took the liberty of making reservations for tomorrow. It’s about a four-hour gig so I figured we’d have breakfast then take off at eleven. Sound good?”
“Sounds wonderful. Thank you for making the plans.”
“My pleasure, babe. My pleasure.”
They finished dinner and Savannah relaxed in Kit’s presence. Everything was right in the world as Kit held her hand and guided her through the hotel. They gambled a little but mostly people watched. It physically hurt when Kit said it was time to call it a night.
“Will you be staying with me?” Savannah asked.
“Not tonight, my dear. Tomorrow though. I promise.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Please do.”
Kit kissed Savannah in the hallway outside her door. The kiss lasted forever, and Savannah never wanted it to end. She held her tight and refused to let her go. When the kiss finally ended, she kept her arms around Kit’s neck.
“I don’t want this night to end.”
“I understand. But we have a big day tomorrow. I’ll be here at nine to take you to breakfast.”
Kit kissed Savannah again then disentangled herself. The cold Savannah felt was from more than just the air conditioning. She hated space between herself and Kit. She longed to feel her lithe body pressed against her, pleasing her like no other. She took a deep breath.
“Until tomorrow then,” Savannah said.
“Sleep well.”
“You, too.”
Savannah tossed and turned while sleep escaped her. Every time she’d start to doze, she was assaulted with nightmares of Kit with other women and stealing jewels. She’d wake up covered in sweat and struggle to fall back asleep. It was a long night and she was glad when six o’clock rolled around.
She got out of bed, took a long shower, and dressed for a day with Kit. That would end in a night with Kit. Her whole body quivered imagining the pleasures that lay in store for her. Kit was extremely talented. Of that there was no doubt. Savannah pushed her nightmares to the back of her mind and focused on the day ahead.
When she was dressed, she checked her phone. She had two texts from Kit.
Breakfast in a half hour?
Babe? You there? Can I come get you?
Savannah quickly answered.
Sorry. Was in the shower. Ready now though.
Great. I’m on my way.
Kit arrived looking adorable in khaki cargo shorts and a black golf shirt. She smelled clean and fresh and Savannah didn’t want to leave her room.
“Maybe we should skip breakfast.” She draped her arms across Kit’s broad shoulders.
“Very funny. Come on. We have a big day ahead of us. I promise to make it up to you tonight.”
Savannah tried to pout but ended up laughing instead.
“Okay. But I don’t know how I’ll be able to concentrate today with all this pent-up frustration.”
“I’m sure you’ll be fine.” Kit laughed with her.
They made their way out into the Vegas heat and walked along the strip until they came to a cheap looking diner.
“I’m famished,” Kit said. “I think I’ll have one of everything.”
“How do you stay so trim?”
“I could ask you the same thing. Metabolism has been good to me.”
They settled on their orders and held hands across the table.
Kit could barely sit still.
“Are you okay?” Savannah said. “You seem restless.”
“Just excited, sweetheart. I’ve never taken a helicopter to the Grand Canyon before.”
“Neither have I. And I’m excited too, but at least I can sit still.” She laughed.
“I love your laugh. It’s magical and it warms my cockles.”
“Your cockles, huh?” Savannah arched
an eyebrow.
“Sure. My cockles. Why not?”
“If you say so.”
They finished breakfast and arrived back at the hotel just as the van arrived to take them to Boulder City. It was a half hour drive and Savannah snuggled against Kit for the duration. She loved the feel of Kit’s arm around her and lost herself in Kit’s hard body pressed into her. She was almost sad when they arrived at their destination.
They climbed aboard the helicopter and soon Savannah had all but forgotten her disappointment at not being against Kit. The views of Hoover Dam and Lake Meade were simply breathtaking. And when they flew into the Grand Canyon, she was in awe of the natural beauty that surrounded her.
They landed at the bottom and Kit and Savannah got out and took hundreds of photos of the surrounding beauty as well as selfies of themselves with the majestic background.
Their guide came over and got them when it was time to go, and Savannah snapped a few more pictures to remember her day by. They flew back to Boulder City and Savannah was still quaking from the experience. They climbed into the van and drove back to the hotel.
“Did you enjoy it?” Kit said.
“Oh, Kit. It was magnificent. Thank you so much.”
Kit’s chest swelled with pride. She loved pleasing Savannah in every meaning of the word.
“Had you seen the Grand Canyon before?”
“Never. It’s always been on my bucket list.”
Savannah positively glowed and Kit was proud to have given her the reason to. It thrilled Kit how much fun it was to make Savannah happy. She hoped to be able to do that for many years to come.
And then the doubt came back. Reality reared its ugly head. Savannah was trying to throw Kit in prison. For a long time. What would happen then? Was this all a plot on Savannah’s part?
No. She mustn’t think like that. She needed to simply enjoy her time with Savannah and take each minute as it came.
They were back at the hotel and Kit’s stomach growled loudly. Savannah laughed and rubbed Kit’s belly.
“Is that right?” she said.
“Sorry. That was embarrassing.”
“Not at all. I could eat, too. Let’s find a good burger.”
Kit pulled up burger places near them on her phone. Savannah’s wish was her command. She found one and they walked to it. It was ungodly hot, and Kit rued wearing a black shirt. She was sweating by the time they arrived at the burger joint.
“Are you okay?” Savannah said.
“Fine. Just hot. Let’s eat.”
After lunch they walked back to the MGM.
“Would you like to gamble?” Savannah said.
Kit leered at her hoping to make her intentions known.
“I’d like to take a shower and then take you if you don’t object.”
Savannah smiled brightly.
“No objections from me. I’ll race you to the room.”
Kit burst out laughing.
“I don’t think so, babe. No need to make a scene. We’ll be there soon enough.”
“It can’t be soon enough.”
“You’re so sweet.”
Kit kissed her as they waited for the elevator. She was crazy about Savannah. She tried to warn herself to protect her heart but knew it was too late. She kissed her harder and was disappointed when the elevator arrived.
“Care to join me in the shower?” Kit said when they reached Savannah’s suite.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Kit kissed her again and carefully disrobed her, tenderly caressing each patch of skin she exposed.
“Your skin is so soft,” Kit murmured against Savannah’s lips.
“Mm.”
Kit opened her mouth and Savannah’s tongue wrapped around hers. Gooseflesh covered her body. She was aroused beyond measure. She had to have Savannah, to claim her as her own. She quickly undressed and took Savannah’s hand.
In the shower, Kit pleased Savannah with her fingers and tongue and Savannah soon begged her to stop.
“I’m going to fall over. Please, Kit. Save some for the bed.”
They barely took the time to dry each other off before they fell into bed together. Kit devoured every inch of Savannah, leaving nothing unkissed. Savannah squirmed and writhed and screamed out Kit’s name. Kit grinned to herself, loving how easy Savannah was to please.
They slept after and Kit woke to find Savannah watching her.
“What’s up?” she said groggily.
“I’m always so surprised to find you still in my bed when I wake up.”
“Why’s that?”
“It’s like, wow. That really did happen. And you really are here with me. It wasn’t a dream.”
Kit smiled at her.
“Nope. No dream. It’s reality, baby.” She thought carefully before she said her next words. “I’d like it to become more real, Savannah. Have you ever considered just heading home and settling down?”
Something flashed quickly in Savannah’s eyes. It was gone as soon as it appeared leaving Kit no time to analyze what it might have been.
“Are you serious?”
“Very. Wouldn’t it be nice?”
“It would,” Savannah said. “But would you really be able to give up your globetrotting ways?”
“I think so. I think I’d like to live in a house with a white picket fence and grow old with you, Savannah. I hope that doesn’t scare you.”
Savannah was silent and Kit feared she’d said too much. She didn’t want to scare Savannah off but couldn’t help but be honest. She needed to know if they were on the same page. Or if Kit was living in a fantasy world.
“Say something, Savannah.”
She noticed the moisture pooling in Savannah’s eyes and braced herself for the worst.
“That sounds wonderful,” Savannah said
“But?”
“But are you ready? Really ready? You’ve been traveling the world, seeing its most exotic locations, gambling at its finest casinos. Are you truly ready to give that up? Wouldn’t you get bored with just me to hang out with?”
“I’d never get bored with you, Savannah. I could easily make you my life.”
“If you’re serious, Kit. I mean, really serious, then let’s talk about this some more. When would you want to settle down? How much time? And where would we settle? California? Or Maryland?”
“I don’t care. Don’t you see? Being with you is all that matters. We could set up base in Maryland and I could keep my place in California. We could use it as a winter home. Wouldn’t that be nice? To escape from the cold? I’m telling you, Savannah, we could make this work.”
“When?” Savannah asked again. “When would you like to do this?”
“After the tournament this weekend.”
Savannah laughed softly. It wasn’t a mean laugh, but Kit didn’t like the sound of it anyway.
“That might be a little soon,” Savannah said. “But I definitely think it’s something we can work toward. Maybe in a month or so? We’re still so new. Let’s make sure we’re solid, okay? I’d hate for you to do something you’ll regret.”
“I’d never regret being with you, Savannah. But if we need to wait so I can prove it to you, then we wait. But now, I can’t wait any longer. Let’s go get dinner.”
They took another shower together. It was a long, leisurely shower filled with lovemaking. They dried, dressed, and headed down to the casino floor to find a place to eat.
Chapter Twenty-three
Saturday afternoon found Kit snoozing in bed with Savannah. She woke up, stretched, and gazed longingly at Savannah’s shapely curves lying next to her. She knew she should have spent the night in her own room but wasn’t able to tear herself away from Savannah. Not even for a few hours. She’d be without her that night and that would be hard enough.
She thought about the night ahead of her. She knew she was supposed to be bedding some stranger and stealing the poor unsuspecting woman’s jewels. She was excited for the challeng
e but felt guilty about the act. She needed to talk herself out of the guilt. She needed to push it away and remember she was simply doing what she was paid to do. How much longer could she keep doing it? She supposed she could stop. And then Savannah could quit trying to catch her. And then they could retire together to the States. Maybe that’s what she’d do after tonight. Maybe.
“What’s with the furrowed brow?” Savannah was awake.
“Hm? Oh nothing. Just thinking how much I’ll miss you tonight.”
“You’re so sweet. Show me now how much I mean to you.”
And Kit did. She took Savannah to the precipice and sent her reeling over the edge time and again. Savannah lay there flushed and satisfied and Kit was sad but knew she had to get going.
“Okay, babe. It’s time for me to head out. I’ll see you around five?”
“I hate being away from you for that long. But I understand your need to gamble. You do your thing and I’ll see you in the morning.”
Kit kissed Savannah and left. Her stomach hurt and the guilt was back. She forced it away. Who knew? Maybe that night she wouldn’t even find a willing target. Then there’d be nothing to feel guilty about. But she knew she’d try her damnedest to find one. She needed the thrill of the chase. The excitement of the robbery. The financial rewards that came with it all. She was addicted. But she could quit. If Savannah gave the green light, Kit would walk away forever. And never look back.
She had a casual, cheap dinner at a hot dog stop then headed up to her room to get ready. She pushed all thoughts of Savannah out of her head and got into her jewel thief persona. She took a long, hot shower. She dressed in her favorite tux and slipped into her polished shoes. She sprayed on a bit of cologne and she was ready.
It was ten o’clock when she slid into her hired car and rode the short distance to the MGM. People were milling about in front of the casino dressed in everything from formal attire to tourist shorts and T-shirts. She supposed she hadn’t needed a tux, but she felt good. She entered the casino and made her rounds.
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