by London James
“Vegas!” I shout with excitement. “I’ve never been to Vegas.”
“Oh, you’re going to love it. We are going to have such a good time. A real vacation, this time. Not like this. But somewhere we can have fun and really be together. We can do whatever you want. The strip is huge. It goes for miles. A few days isn’t even enough. Maybe we should stay there for a week.”
“Rowan, I can’t stay for a week. I have to get back to work and somehow afford how I’m going to split rent with Blaire. And I need to try and figure out what is going on with my court case. Trust me, I want nothing more than to spend a week with you.” But I see the disappointment and hurt in his eyes.
I climb off the bed and wrap my arms around him. “That isn’t me running. It’s me telling you, if I don’t work, Blaire won’t be able to pay the entire month’s rent by herself. I can’t leave her hanging like that.”
Just like I shouldn’t have left him hanging all those years ago. But I’m not that teenage girl anymore.
“You forget you’re with a billionaire now.” He smiles as he wraps his arms around me, staring at me with complete adoration.
“My financial distress is not yours, Rowan. It isn’t why I’m with you. I don’t care that you’re a billionaire.”
“I know, but I’m not ready to let you go. So how about, I pay your half of the rent for this month and whatever cell phone bill you have? I want to help. I should have helped sooner.”
I shake my head. “No. It’s okay. I don’t blame you for being mad at me, or still having trust issues with me, but I’m ready to prove it to you. I’m ready to prove to you that I’ve always loved you.”
He grabs his phone from the table and texts someone. I lift a brow at him, and he holds up a finger, telling me to wait. I pretend to bite it, and the look he gives me almost sends me to my knees to take out his cock and suck him down to the root.
“If you’re going to threaten me with that mouth, you better put it to good use,” he winks, placing his phone on the nightstand.
My hand cups his very impressive package, and I bite my lip, teasing him with a seductress stare. “Maybe I will.”
“Maybe you should.” His hands fly to my shoulders and push me down, but then my phone rings. He lays his head back on his shoulder and groans. “Why do people need to interrupt all the time?” He snatches my phone off the mattress and hands it to me.
“I can’t believe you can still get hard after all the times you came last night,” I comment.
“I’ll always get hard for you.” His nostrils flare as his thumb swipes over my bottom lips.
My phone vibrating in my hand yanks me out of the trance he put me under. It’s a text from Blaire. I click my tongue when I read it and lift my gaze to Rowan’s. “I just got a really funny message.”
“Oh, yeah?” he asks, innocently.
“Yeah. Blaire just got a call from the landlord saying rent has been paid for the rest of the year. And extra was leftover because whoever paid didn’t realize utilities are included in rent.”
“Hmm,” he says, rubbing his chin with his fingers. “That’s interesting.”
“Fast, too. You know who I think has that kind of capability?” I stand up, throwing my phone back on my bed.
“Who?”
“A billionaire.” I put my hands on my hips and give him a glare that tells him I know it was him. I don’t know any other billionaires, besides Gray, and he wouldn’t do that. I poke Rowan in the chest with my finger. “I told you not to do it. That doesn’t change the fact that I have to go to work. I can’t leave them hanging.”
“Oh, I know all about ‘Andy’.” He finger quotes. “And I told them your mother passed and you need time off. They were very understanding. Andy even offered to come over and take care of you to see if you needed anything.”
His eyes turn to cold steel as he speaks of another man wanting to be in my home. “Do I need to worry about this Andy guy?”
“How did you even know about where I work? And Andy is a good guy. He flirts with everyone. It isn’t a big deal.”
“It’s a big deal when a man I don’t know threatens to take what is mine,” he growls.
I roll my eyes from the Alpha-ness coming off him in waves. I like that he is calling me his, I won’t lie about that. But men will always be in my life; I can’t help it if I have to work with them. “He isn’t a threat. He’s just Andy. I don’t like him like that. I love you. Isn’t that enough?” I tease him by poking his ribs.
“Yes, but I’m serious. You don’t need to work for them. You have me. I can open you up a veterinarian clinic. You can finally have your dream.”
My eyes tear up, but not from his offer. “How did you know I was going to be a vet?”
He barks out a laugh. “Do you not remember you telling me that’s what you wanted to do ever since you were 12? We might not have spoken over the years, Everly, but I kept track of you. I tried to always make sure you were okay. I saw you graduate, too.”
“You went to my graduation?” the words come out under a held breath. Tears swim in my eyes and fall effortlessly down my cheek.
He frowns as he wipes my cheek with his thumb. “Of course I did. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I was so proud of you. You looked so beautiful, but you didn’t look happy.”
I held his hand as I lean against his touch. “It’s because I didn’t have you. I wanted to celebrate with you. I wanted you there.”
“I was there. I’ll always be there, Everly.”
“I love you.” I blink away the harsh, salty tears running down my raw cheeks.
“I love you too,” he sighs, pressing his lips against my forehead.
“You still can’t come into my life and pay for everything for me.”
“Yes, I can,” he insists.
“No, you can’t. When this court case is resolved, I want to do it on my own.”
“No.”
I throw my hands on my hips. “Yes.”
He snorts as he slips on a fresh pair of jeans. Rowan tucks his massive cock down his thigh to make sure it doesn’t get caught up in the zipper. “No. And that’s final. You never have to be on your own again. You never have to struggle. I won’t allow it. Now, I can argue all day.”
“There has to be a compromise. I need my independence,” I say.
“Look, I just want to help you get started, so you’ll have that independence,” he explains. “We at least need to get you set up with your clinic and everything, right? I don’t want you just stuck at that tattoo shop forever.”
“Rowan, I…” I can’t even finish my sentence. My eyes are brimming with tears.
“Of course, if that’s not a fair compromise, sexual favors are always really great.”
I chuff and grab the nearest pillow to throw it at him. “Those happen naturally.”
“So does my love for you. So, helping you pursue your dreams isn’t a hardship. It’s natural.”
“Well, that’s not fair, Rowan.”
“Life isn’t fair. Come on, get ready. We have a flight to catch and an Elvis to meet.”
“Elvis? What’s Elvis got to do with it?” I ask, striding into the bathroom. I squeak in surprise when my feet hit the cold, tile floor. The silver knob of the shower is cold too as I turn it. Soon, steam is billowing from the stall, warming me quickly.
“He is going to marry us. If we’re going to Vegas, we’re doing it right.”
I slip as I step into the spray of water, nearly busting my ass on the hard, tile floor. Memories from last night come rushing back. We said we would get married. Holy shit. We said we would get married. I want that. I do. I would want to marry him with a dream wedding, but are we going into this too soon?
“Are you having second thoughts?” he asks as he leans into the shower stall, standing in front of me, naked again.
Yum.
I shake off my worry and smile. “Elvis it is. I can’t wait.” I don’t ask if this is only for the inheritance and th
e estate, or if this is for good. The real deal. The real thing. I want it to be forever because I don’t see myself with anyone else besides Rowan.
But I don’t want to push him too far. Would he want to keep the wedding on the down-low? Perhaps being the number one bachelor in the United States is appealing to him. I don’t want to mention anything and ruin the mood.
“Can I join you?” he asks, not bothering to wait until I answer. He shuts the door, locking us in the spacious shower. The water cascades down his body, highlighting every curve of muscle on his body.
He plunders my mouth again with his lips. My hand slides against the condensation building up on the wall. The water falls into my mouth as our lips break apart. I look down to see his cock half-hard. I know if we keep kissing, he will be ready to turn me around, ass up, and slide right into my pussy that he completely owns.
But he pulls away.
Instead, he grabs the body wash, smelling of coconut and sunshine, and squirts it in his hands. He lathers the suds and runs his hands down one of my arms.
“I love touching you,” he says, sliding his fingers between mine. He pays close attention to my ring finger. “I can’t wait to finally make you mine.”
“I’ve always been yours.”
“Yeah, but now everyone will know.”
“Caveman,” I say, teasing.
“Damn right. First things first though, we need to get you a ring. We’ll do that when we get to Vegas.”
Butterflies fly around in my belly. I’m excited. I’m nervous. I have doubts. Sure, the few days we have spent together have been amazing, and I’m not having doubts on my end. I’m having doubts on his. I’m afraid he’s going to wake up and wonder what the hell he did. The death of my mom and his dad brought us together, but what happens when that pain subsides? What happens when we aren’t leaning on each other for support and to feel good?
For me, there is more with Rowan. Always has been, always will be. He is my other half. I’ve known that my entire life, but has he?
What if I’m not what he wants when he wakes up tomorrow, married to me. What if he regrets it? My heart would shatter, again. He is the only one I know that can completely disassemble me and put me back together. It isn’t fair. Rowan is my life force. When we are good, my quality of life skyrockets. When we are apart and arguing, I’m hooked up to life support, barely breathing. I can’t expand my lungs fully until he is around.
I’m invested.
I’m enthralled.
I’m obsessed.
I don’t know how to break the cycle. And the worst part is, I don’t know if I want to. I want to be completely consumed by Rowan Michaels, forever.
My addiction.
My habit.
My reason for being.
Is it sad? Pathetic? Desperate? To love someone so much it completely changes everything I’ve ever believed and wanted? Maybe, but happiness is key. And Rowan is my key.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Rowan
We get a chartered, exclusive helicopter straight from the airport to a hotel in Las Vegas. As we get out of the helicopter, the hot air already makes me start to sweat, but I love the heat. Everly looks around to see all the tall buildings, lights, and vast amounts of desert. She spins slowly, mouth agape, the lights sparkling in her eyes.
“I’ve never seen something look so big,” she marvels in awe.
I pout and run my hands down my shirt. “Well, that’s just insulting.”
She pushes my chest playfully, and I smile, holding onto her hand and twirling her around in a circle. Her smile is infectious. “You know what I mean, Rowan!”
“I know.” I kiss her forehead and wrap my arm around her waist. “Let’s go get checked in, and then we will hit the town, paint it red, fuck shit up, whatever you want to do. I’ll do it.”
“I’m hungry,” she says.
“You’re going to break my billionaire status just because of your appetite.”
“Better start investing that money now, then,” Everly shrugs her shoulders, as if she doesn’t care.
“Feeding you is an investment,” I laugh, guiding her toward the elevator from the helicopter pad.
She crinkles her nose, and it causes her freckles to hide. I bop her nose, and her face relaxes again. There they are. “Are we staying here?”
“No. We are staying somewhere bigger, better.”
“Better than a place with its own landing pad?” she asks with disbelief.
“Oh, yeah. Only the best for me and my girl.”
The smile she gives me is so blinding; all of her teeth show, and that little dent in her chin gets a little deeper again. I have this weird urge to lick it. I want to lick all of her. I’ll do it later, that’s for sure.
“Where are we going?”
“Well, I was thinking we could get a drink, walk the strip, visit the hotels you want, and you pick,” I offer, pulling my wallet out to tip the bellman that is stuck on the elevator, waiting for people like us to fly in and go out on the town. I slide him a few hundred bucks, shake his hand, and say thank you.
When the elevators doors open, a huge lobby comes to view with a large marble floor and high, painted ceilings. She spins around, just like the small-town girl that she is, taking in the city. I’ve always loved her outlook on life. She always appreciates what she sees. Everything is beautiful to her.
“This place is massive,” she says. Everly’s eyes dart everywhere, taking it all in.
“Let’s go. The night is young, and I want to take you everywhere.”
She holds her hand out, silently asking for me to take it. “Let’s go. Show me your wicked ways.”
As we stroll down the strip, a few places come into view — the Bellagio, the Venetian, Caesar’s Palace. The sun goes down, and the lights of all the hotels and casino light up the night. Dancers, singers, and Elvis impersonators walk by in their bedazzled outfits and fake wigs, but some of them seem to have a nice set of hair, jet-black and slicked back.
Everly loves it. She has no idea where to look. Every time she looks at me, she doesn’t notice all the other men looking at her, but her emeralds are only for me. I smirk at the guys as they walk by. This sassy little siren is all mine.
But one’s eyes linger a bit longer, and his hand reaches for her. She tries to pull away, but he tightens his hold on her, causing her to jerk back, and her hand leaves mine.
“Let go of me!” she screams.
“Oh, come on, sugar. We are all here for a good time,” the man laughs coarsely. He reeks of sweat and alcohol. He knows nothing about boundaries, apparently.
I grab his wrist and press two fingers against a pressure point, turn his wrist up, and yank it behind his back. “I should fucking kill you for touching her,” I growl.
“Rowan, let’s go.” The fear in her voice only causes me to tighten my hold.
The stranger cries out and tries to arch his back away from me. “I’m sorry, man. I’m sorry.”
A crowd of onlookers stop and stare. Women have their hands over their mouths, muttering, and men are assessing the situation, wondering if they need to jump in. Testosterone, it is such a fickle thing. But I’m fine. I have this under control.
“That’s my wife that you decided to touch, without her permission.” I turn him around, making sure I have a good hold on him. “Now, apologize.”
“Just let me go,” he begs.
“Not until you apologize.”
“Rowan, it’s fine. Let’s just go.” Everly begs, her eyes taking me back to the day that Malcolm put his hands on her.
The memory has me tightening my hold a little more. Any tighter, and I’ll break his wrist. I kind of want to, just to show him not to fuck with people, especially since you don’t know who the hell they can be messing with. “Fucking apologize to her.” I lean forward and whisper in his ear, making sure no one can hear me, “I’m one of the wealthiest men in the United States. I will ruin you. Do you understand that? You won’t be a
ble to go anywhere. You won’t be able to get a job. I’ll have people watch you and tell me every move you make, and if you harass another woman, I’ll make you disappear.”
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry. I won’t touch you again.”
“Or anyone that doesn’t ask to be touched,” I snarl.
“Or anyone,” he says.
“Good boy,” I grit and throw him on the sidewalk. I run my hands my five-hundred-dollar shirt and turn my head to see Everly with her hand over her mouth. I hold out my arm, telling her to come to me.
She runs right into my embrace, grasping my chest for protection and safety. Tightly, I wrap my arms around her and continue down the sidewalk. People part, a few guys holler at me, but I don’t pay them any mind. I don’t care about them. I care about her.
“Let me see your hand,” I demand.
She lifts her wrist, and what I see has my blood boiling. A bruise is already starting to form. Tomorrow it may even be black. The fucker. I should have broken his wrist just like he almost broke hers.
“I’m okay,” she insists, stopping me in my tracks when she stands in front of me.
I’m seething. She isn’t okay. She isn’t okay at all. “He hurt you.”
“And you saved me, like you always do. Come on, let’s not let that asshole ruin our vacation.” She stands on her tiptoes and gives me a kiss. It’s hard to stay mad when I have someone as sweet as Everly.
“Lead the way, baby,” I say, lacing my fingers through hers, on the hand that isn’t injured.
After stopping and getting a strawberry daiquiri, her eyes land on the Venetian. It is one of the best hotels in Vegas.
“Wow,” she whispers, staring up at the large building.
“Want to stay here?”
“Have you stayed here before?” she asks, but with other intentions.
“Oh, I like it when you are jealous.”
“I’m not. I’m just wondering,” Everly says.
“Gray has stayed here, but I haven’t. Come on, let’s go.”
And there’s that smile. The one that takes my breath and stills my heart. A part of me wonders if we are insane for doing this. I mean, get married? We barely know each other anymore, but this high I have around her, I never want it to end. She makes me feel so good, so powerful, so strong.