Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
"I get it," she says softly. "But for the record, it wasn't us. You fly back in the morning?"
"Yeah." I take her hand, mentally pushing everything else away. "Which means we need to make tonight count. I've rented out the Waldorf Astoria SkyBar. I know how much you loved the view from our first date, so for our last, I wanted to give you another..."
She squeezes my hand tightly. "Our last," she repeats.
"For now."
The driver takes us to her hotel. I wait in the car, texting manically, and then I couldn't focus on texting even if I wanted to. When she returns, she's wearing a green dress that clings to her figure, emphasizing her wide hips and her delicious curves. Her hair is loose around her shoulders, giving her a sexy, tousled look.
She captivates my attention.
I climb from the car, opening the door for her. She brushes her hand across my stomach.
"You look amazing," I tell her, climbing in after her.
"It's funny. When I bought this dress, I honestly didn't think I'd have time to wear it. It was a what-if purchase."
"You look perfect."
She grabs my shirt and pulls herself close, breathing in shakily as she leans in for a kiss. I press my lips against hers, tasting her, savoring her.
For the rest of the ride, I keep my phone in my pocket. We use the back entrance to the top-floor bar. Soon, we're alone together with views of Vegas. Sera walks to the window. I walk up behind her, folding my arms around her, pressing my body against hers.
My desire responds instantly, heat surging through me. She wriggles against me. "I thought we were here to eat..."
"Maybe that's exactly what I'm thinking..."
I kiss her neck, then turn her around and find her lips. Her breasts press against my chest as my erection strains against my pants like it's trying to break free from my zipper.
Leading her to the table, I gesture at the camera.
"Did you tell the staff to hide until you need them?" she asks.
"I wanted to be alone with you, truly alone," I tell her. "At least until Vegas gets busy and we can lose ourselves in it."
"Lose ourselves?"
"All the times I've visited for the conference, and you know what? I've never actually gambled," I admit.
"Doesn't this feel like taking a chance? Go on—puke. My cheesiness is too much to handle, right?"
I smirk. "This can't be gambling. I've already won the prize. There—I one-upped you."
When the waiter arrives, we order a shared platter and some sparkling water.
"Sparkplug," I say, taking her hand and looking deeply into her eyes. "I am aware you want to avoid discussing the difficulties of a long-distance relationship, but frankly, I see myself messaging you, at the very least. Let's say I do that. What will you do? Block my number?"
"Are you seriously asking me that?"
"If you did," I say fiercely, "you'd wake up one day to find your entire building shaking as a helicopter landed on the roof."
"Ha, I doubt my building meets helicopter landing codes."
"Then you better give me the right answer."
"We can text," she murmurs. "I was considering long distance. When it has an endpoint, I think people can manage it. When it's for a month, a year even, or longer, they can't tolerate it. But could it work if it was only long distance?"
"Don't forget a billionaire's ability to visit whenever he likes."
"But you'll be busy. I'm aware of how hard you work."
I squeeze her hand comfortingly. "You've given me permission to text you. That's all I need."
She rolls her eyes. "Like you need permission."
"You're right. I meant what I said about the helicopter. But even if every vehicle I own broke down, I'd run across the country if you ghosted me."
"You're so silly," she says, laughing.
"Until you, I wasn't silly at all. You bring it out in me and make the world seem brighter. My problems seem very, very far away when I'm with you."
Chapter Thirteen
Sera
"Red or black?" he asks, seeming in a better mood than earlier when he smirks down at me. We're in the Sky Casino, people talking all around us, the lights so bright it seems like daytime even though it's evening.
"What are we playing for?" I say, touching his arm.
All around us, I notice people watching. They're trying to be subtle about it. We're at a VIP table, and people often pause when they walk by, looking over as if to confirm this really is Luke Cross...and perhaps wondering who the lady on his arm is. I'm filled with a heady sense of power. I want to shout, yes, I'm his woman. You got something to say about that, huh?
He leans down, kissing me under the ear. That special place that sends tingles dancing over my neck and my cheeks. "For your heart, obviously."
"Black, then."