LITMIR.BIZ

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      He’d never used one of his VIP lounges for sex before. He’d hosted a small gathering in this room only once: last year when they’d celebrated the purchase of the Starlight. He had good memories of that night, but tonight guaranteed he’d never look at this room the same way again. Every piece of furniture, the floor, even the long wall of windows, would now hold the image of Evie, naked and panting and crying out his name.

      Evie lay back against the couch, her hair a tangle of curls cascading over the edge to nearly touch the carpet. The picture she created was more than enough to get his blood pumping again, although it shouldn’t be possible after he’d taken her so many times he’d lost count. But the band had long ago called it quits for the night, and the slowdown on the dance floor told him how late it was. He checked his watch to be sure.

      He ran a hand over the leg Evie had draped across his lap, and she sighed contentedly. “Starlight closes at four. We should probably get dressed.”

      Evie switched from sensual to shy in a heartbeat; the woman who’d clawed his back and screamed his name—repeatedly—couldn’t seem to meet his eyes now. A blush stained her cheeks as modesty returned about three hours too late, and she fumbled for her clothes.

      “Um, okay…sure. Just give me a minute.”

      Her face was redder than the desert sunset, and she practically ran for the attached bathroom, giving him a lovely view of her backside as she retreated.

      He untangled his own clothes and pulled his shirt on over his head, surprised to find that the scent of Evie’s perfume clung faintly to it. The smell wasn’t a familiar one—he couldn’t place it. It was heady, yet subtle, exotic and unique.

      Much like Evie.

      She was tempting and seductive, yet there was a wholesome genuineness underneath. She seemed cautious to approach new things—even hesitant at times—but she had an adventurous streak that couldn’t be denied. Her honeyed Texas drawl wasn’t affected, but it gave way sometimes to something else, leading him to believe she wasn’t a true Dallas native.

      Part of him thought she had to be from that Southern aristocracy he’d heard about; she had class, elegance and she could be unbelievably polite and well-mannered. At the same time, she lacked that air of superiority Old-Money people had: that belief they were somehow better than everyone else just because great-grandpa once owned half the town.

      He had personal experience with Old Money and New Money. Vegas was full of New-Money people—hell, he was one of them—and he far preferred the New Money over the Old, even if he was, technically, biologically at least, both.

      Evie returned—dressed, hair somewhat tamed—but still looking as if she’d been…well, having sex for the last four hours. Her lips were slightly swollen, and her jaw was a little red from where his stubble had rubbed.

      Still not quite able to make eye contact, Evie retrieved her shoes from under the table and grabbed her purse. “I’m ready,” she claimed, as she hurried to slide her feet into the strappy silver sandals.

      “Don’t rush. No one’s going to be banging down the door.”

      “Well, I don’t want Dave to get in trouble for letting us up here.”

      He bit back a smile at that.

      “Here. Take these.” She pushed glassware into his hands and started straightening the cushions on the couch.

      “You don’t have to do that, Evie.”

      “If this room wasn’t supposed to be used tonight, they’ll know someone was up here when they see the mess.”

      “Don’t worry about it.”

      Evie frowned. “Nick…”

      With no way to explain that wouldn’t tell her more about his finances than he wanted her to know, he bit his tongue and took the empty glasses.

      Evie had to notice the number of strange looks sent their way as they came down the stairs. Earlier, when the place had been hopping, only a few people had noticed he was here. Now, with so few customers still hanging on, he could see the questions on every face of the Starlight staff.

      Evie’s cheeks grew redder and redder and her feet moved faster, until she was out the door in almost a full trot. Outside, she leaned against a wall and covered her face with her hands. “Oh, my God, that was so embarrassing.”

      “What?”

      “Did you not see everyone staring at us? I felt like I was carrying a giant neon sign that said We Just Had Sex.”

      He laughed, but smothered it with a cough when Evie turned stormy eyes on him. “It’s not funny.”

      “You don’t know these people, and you’ll never see them again, so why do you care?”

      Evie leaned her head back against the concrete wall. “I guess you’re right. That only makes it slightly less embarrassing.”

      He’d never seen anyone die of embarrassment before, but Evie had to be close, so he took pity on her, even though he was loath to end their evening. “It’s late, and I have to work in the morning. I’ll take you back to your hotel. Where are you staying?”

      “The Bellagio.” Her voice sounded small and he wondered why.

      A taxi coasted to a stop, and he opened the door for Evie to climb in. In the backseat, Evie seemed even more withdrawn, a huge change from her brightness earlier. Unable to ask why when the cabbie was listening, he settled for lame small talk. “That’s a nice hotel. Have you had a chance to explore it?”

      “Not really. Bennie—Sabine,” she corrected, “and I did a little shopping earlier today.”

      “Bennie’s the friend who came with you?”

      Evie nodded. “But I haven’t been to the casino yet. I’m not much of a gambler.”

      “Don’t like it?”

      “Don’t know how to play any of the games. I’ve played penny-ante poker with my brother and blackjack on my laptop, but that’s about it.”

      “I could teach you.” Why had he offered that? He hadn’t been in a casino in years.

      “You’d do that?” Evie brightened considerably. Maybe she really did want to learn to gamble.

      “If you’d like.”

      Her mood improved exponentially at that point, and by the time they pulled in at the Bellagio, Evie was almost back to her earlier self.

      Including using her best manners. “I had a great time tonight, Nick. Thank you.”

      “My pleasure.” Understatement of the year.

      A Bellagio doorman opened the taxi door, and Nick slid out and extended a hand to Evie. Once she was on her feet, he slid a hand under her chin and turned her face up for a kiss.

      Evie’s response was as voracious as before, and he let the kiss continue until the cabbie started complaining about the wait. Evie stepped back, another adorable blush rising over her cleavage.

      “Do you know the bar that overlooks the fountain?”

      She nodded.

      “Meet me there at seven tonight.”

      Evie’s smile could be breathtaking, especially when she rose up on her tiptoes to kiss him one last time before finally turning to the doorman patiently holding the lobby door open.

      At the door, she turned and waved.

      He directed the cabbie to take him back to The Zoo, where he had left his car in a not-great alley off a side street. At the time, he only planned to be in the club for a couple of hours, tops. If he’d known it would be more like six, he’d have found a safer spot. Hopefully, it would still have a stereo and all four tires when he returned.

      Hell,

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