Cat Schield - With Love From Las Vegas

“How can you call what you do shopping?” Missy protested.

“So, we found a nice quiet bar.” Susan’s eyes were dancing with mirth.

“We’re calling her the one-drink wonder,” Alicia said. “She’s a lightweight.”

Maggie Hambly jumped in. “No stamina.”

“You have no idea how hard it is to keep these ladies happy,” Missy protested, fluttering her hand in the direction of the wives.

“Oh, we know.” Owen Darby looked to the other husbands. They were all nodding.

Missy sat back with a defeated sigh as the waiter cleared her plate. Dinner had been a boisterous affair, driven by the wives’ enthusiasm over the day’s activities. She’d joined in when prompted, but for the most part she’d eaten in silence, her nerves on high alert.

Driven by a compulsion too strong to resist, her gaze sped down the table toward her boss. The sparks in his eyes reminded her of muzzle fire. He’d watched her all night, his intense scrutiny disturbing her equilibrium as effectively as if his hands were gliding along her skin.

Missy dropped her gaze to the elegant dessert the waiter placed before her. The dish was beautiful, but her stomach could no more handle the rich chocolate soufflé than the delicious sea bass in champagne brown butter broth she’d ordered.

Had he meant what she hoped when he’d pointed out that she’d freed up his nights and hers also? He’d gone all mysterious when she’d asked him to explain. She wasn’t sure where they stood anymore.

Did he mean to spend the nights with her? In what capacity? As boss and employee? As lovers?

Anticipation shivered through her.

For two days she’d been longing to be in his arms again. Teasing Sebastian had been like playing with fire, but she wasn’t worried about getting burned. Her boss had made it clear that while he might find her attractive, he intended to keep their relationship professional. Had that changed?

She had no idea how long she’d been lost in thought when the couples around her began to get up from the table. A warm hand grazed her shoulder. From the way her nerve endings perked up, she knew Sebastian stood behind her.

The room was clearing fast. Everyone was excited about the Cirque du Soleil show they were attending. Before she knew it, only she, Sebastian and his parents remained.

“Dad, you and Mom use our tickets for the show tonight.”

Our tickets? Missy tipped her head back and stared at him in confusion. What did he mean?

“Are you sure?” his mother asked, her gaze bouncing from Sebastian to Missy.

“Absolutely.” Sebastian slid his thumb along her nape. “I have some unfinished business I need to attend to.”

Missy’s stomach dipped and rolled at the subtext beneath his statement. Did his unfinished business involve her?

“Come, Missy. Let’s get back to that matter we were discussing earlier.”

Heat bloomed in her cheeks as she pushed back from the table. What had she gotten herself into? Did he really intend to work or was his mind occupied with the same carnal thoughts that had plagued her throughout dinner?

“What matter?” she muttered as they followed his parents out of the restaurant.

“The matter of your free time.”

Well, that didn’t tell her a darned thing. Dazed by the knowing glint in his eye, she gnawed her lower lip and joined his parents in the elevator.

While Susan exclaimed over the show they were about to see, Missy cast surreptitious glances at Sebastian’s profile. The third time she looked his way, his eyes snagged hers. One dark eyebrow twitched, telling her he knew his ambiguous response was driving her crazy.

Missy shifted her attention to the wall beside him until the elevator doors opened. The heat of his hand on the small of her back further knotted her emotions and her pulse skittered like a nervous mouse as they bid the group of executives and wives goodbye and settled into a taxi for the ride back to the hotel.

She stared out the window at the millions of lights that set the strip ablaze and wondered what was going through his mind.

As the cab drew up to the hotel, she summoned the nerve to find out. “Do you really intend to work?”

The shadows inside the cab masked his expression. “No.”

“Then what are we going to do?”

The taxi stopped beneath the hotel’s canopy. Sebastian paid the driver and slid out. Missy took the hand he extended and let him pull her from the cab.

“I thought I’d leave that up to you.”

She trembled at the husky rumble of his voice. Putting the ball in her court gave her control over what happened in the next few hours. She knew what she wanted. Another night of heaven in Sebastian’s arms. Isn’t it what she’d been lobbying for? He probably expected her to suggest they run up to the suite and hop into bed.

Not a bad idea, really.

“Why let me decide?”

“You said I’m too hung up on being in control so I’m handing you the power.” He let go of her hand and slid his hands into his pockets. His watchful gaze sent shivers up her spine. “So, what’s it going to be, Missy?”

Sebastian tensed as he awaited her answer. Around them, bellhops and hotel guests faded from his awareness. His entire being was focused on Missy and the parade of emotions across her beautiful face.

Eyelashes casting shadows on her cheeks, she nibbled on her lower lip while a smile played with the corners of her mouth. Thousands of lights blazed above them, highlighting the bright spots of color in her cheeks. Her body language spoke of indecision. Now that he’d taken a step down that path, she was hesitating?

“Feel like taking my new car for a spin?”

From her tiny clutch she’d produced a set of keys. Sebastian stared at them without comprehension. While he’d been pondering the joys of taking her naked body for a spin, she’d had another sort of ride in mind.

“What new car?”

“The one I won earlier today.”

Humor dimmed the roar of his libido. “You won a car?” He shook his head. “Of course, you did. It seems you’ve come to Vegas to break the bank.”

“Where else can a girl get lucky?” she quizzed, peering at him from beneath her lashes.

Sebastian let the double entendre pass by without comment. “Lead the way.”

Half an hour later, they’d cleared the lights of Las Vegas and headed north and west into the mountains. Missy drove. She’d been surprised that he’d insisted she get behind the wheel and seeing his broad grin, she was pleased he had.

She’d hiked the hem of her snug dress to mid thigh. Given that she’d bared more at the pool yesterday, he shouldn’t be enjoying the view as much as he was. A couple of hair clips, scrounged from her purse, kept her fiery locks from whipping in the wind, but a few tendrils had escaped her top knot and blew about her cheeks.

“You’re looking pretty relaxed over there,” she remarked.

“Any reason why I shouldn’t be?”

“I’m doing a hundred and ten miles an hour.”

He was unfazed by the dangerous speed. His only anxiety involved how much of the night this wild ride would eat up. He wanted to get her alone and naked as soon as possible to take advantage of the exhilaration that gripped her.

“Do you want me to slow down?”

“You’re in charge tonight, remember? I’m at your mercy.”

The wind snatched away the disparaging sound she made, but he had little trouble reading her skepticism in the fading light.

The sky had lost any tinge of red as they’d reached the outskirts of Las Vegas. Stars appeared as cobalt then became navy. Sebastian let his head fall backward and stared at the vast space that surrounded them. Leaving behind the frantic energy of Vegas was like stepping into a rain forest. Peace filled him.