by Holly Jaymes
I closed up my bag. “I’m ready.”
He straightened from the wall and opened the door. I preceded him out the door just in time to see Robert exiting his room. I half wondered if he was waiting for us.
“You know, maybe while we’re here, we can renew our vows,” I said for Robert’s benefit.
Will’s eyes narrowed until he caught sight of Robert. “Might be fun to be married by Elvis.” He took my bag in one hand and draped his other arm around my shoulder. “After all, I can’t help falling in love with you.”
I knew he was acting, but my heart apparently couldn’t tell the difference and it flipped in my chest.
Robert prattled on as we all walked toward the elevator.
“We’re going up,” Will told him when the down car arrived.
“Great meeting you, Will,” Robert said stepping into the elevator.
“He’s totally enamored by you,” I quipped when the door shut.
“Jealous?”
“No.”
“Are you sure? Because when I leave and he sees you alone, he might come sniffing around you again.”
I scoffed.
“Do you have some other boyfriend that might get mad if you take Robert up on his offer?” He held the doors open when our car arrived.
“No.” I glared up at him as he stepped in with me. “What’s all the interest in my sex life?”
I noted a small tick in his jaw at the mention of sex. Interesting.
“Just doing my job.”
Ugh. “Does my father know you’re inventorying my sex life?”
He turned his head slightly to look at me with a most unpleasant expression. “Is there a sex life to inventory?”
No. But he didn’t need to know that. “Seriously, Will. Are you going to peek through my keyhole to see if I’m doing the deed with someone?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, a sure sign that he was getting annoyed at this conversation. “I have no interest in your sex life.”
The car stopped and the doors opened.
“Liar.” I stepped around him to leave, but he caught me in his arms again.
“Why are you busting my balls on this?”
I swallowed as the intensity of his gaze made my mouth go dry. The heat his body, of his hand pressed against my lower back, made my bones go liquid hot. I worked to find my bravado. “You’re the one asking about my sex life.”
His gaze drifted down to my lips and then back up to my eyes. “You have to be careful in a city like this. A man could take advantage of you.”
I cocked my head. “Why do you care?”
“I’m paid to care.”
And with that, all that delicious arousal left my body, leaving me cold. I pulled away. “Well, let's call my dad and then you can get out of here. I’d hate to be such a burden.” I stalked up the hall toward the door.
He let out a breath. “Don’t get mad, Adalyn.”
“I’m not a child, Will. I don’t need a babysitter.”
I used the key he’d set on by my TV in the old room to open the door to the suite. The first thing I noticed was how bright the room was and the large windows with an expansive view of the Las Vegas desert.
“Your dad was worried, that’s all.” He took my bag to the bedroom while I went to look out the window. He came back a minute later and stood next to me. “The fridge is stocked. You can order room service, just don’t forget your key when you set it out.”
I glared at him, hating how he made me feel like such a child.
His brows furrowed as he looked at me. “I’ve hurt your feelings.”
“So, what’s new?”
He flinched. “I’m sorry.” He pulled out his phone and dialed, and watched me as he listened to the ring on the other end. “Guy? … Yes … ” He thrust the phone toward me.
“Hi Dad,” I said putting the phone to my ear.
“Addy, are you okay?”
“Yes. I’m in Las Vegas at a conference.”
“I’ve been trying to reach you. Have you changed your phone?” he asked.
I explained briefly what was going on.
My father sighed. “Once again, my work is making your life hard.” I’d usually enjoyed the adventure of traveling with my father, but there were times when, as a teenager, it got in the way of having a normal life.
“It’ll be fine. The project is almost done. You can call of your dog now,” I said, looking up at Will. His shoulders tensed, but then he moved away toward the little fridge.
“Dog? I thought you and Will were friends.”
“The point is, I’m fine. I just can’t contact you until this visa thing is resolved.”
“I understand, honey. I just worry.”
“I know. But I’m a grown woman, dad. I’m fine.”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry.” But I knew he’d continue to use Will to make sure I was okay. After all, the project I was on was partly run through Will’s company.
We said our goodbyes and I handed the phone to Will, who handed me a bottle of water. I took it and went to sit on the couch. I wished I wasn’t so mad so I could better enjoy the luxurious suite. Maybe when he left.
Will continued to talk to my father. “No, I’ll be heading back to Virginia… She’s fine, Guy….” Apparently, he couldn’t be away from me fast enough either.
When he hung up, he looked over at me. “We’re all in the clear now.”
“How come you don’t like me?” I blurted out. Once I said it, I wished I hadn’t. I didn’t want him knowing his attitude toward me bothered me.
“I do like you,” he said, sitting in a chair across from me with his own bottle of water.
“Do you treat everyone like this, then?”
“Like what?” He frowned.
“Annoyed. Indifferent. Distant. Your girlfriends must love all the warmth.”
“What’s your interest in my love life?” he tossed back the question I’d asked him earlier.
I scoffed. “No interest.”
His eyes narrowed. “Liar.”
I tried not to squirm under the intensity of his stare. “The conference exhibits are opening soon.” I rose from the couch.
He stood. “Have you had breakfast?”
“I thought you were leaving.”
“This afternoon. Come on. Let me make up for my boorish behavior by getting you breakfast. I want to check on our exhibit anyway. Then I promise, I’ll get out of your way.”
I was hungry.
“I’d also like to hear your input on the project. We’ll talk shop. Nothing personal.”
That seemed safe. “Okay.” I picked up my purse and conference bag. I could manage another hour or so with him. At least, I hoped so.
Book 4: Chapter 6—Time to Live a Little
Time to Live a Little
Will — Tuesday
Three years ago, Adalyn and I engaged in a little flirty banter, or at least she did. I was doing my damnedest to avoid touching my client’s daughter. This time, there was an edge to the banter, not just from her, but from me as well. I didn’t like that I might have hurt her feelings. But I also didn’t like that I wanted to toss her on the bed and do wicked, dirty things to her body. It was making me edgy, which I guess was where the irritation in my words was coming from.
Stranger still was that I was escorting her to breakfast. I’d done my job. I’d found her and reported back to her father. Case closed. I could go home. So why wasn’t I calling the airport to arrange a flight home? I was a glutton for punishment, I guess.
We entered the restaurant of the hotel. It was full, but we managed to find a booth in the corner. I ordered a coffee and orange juice, while Adalyn stuck with coffee.
“So, how do you find the time to save damsels in distress with a billion-dollar security firm?” she asked.
“I don’t.” I studied her, wondering what it was about her that made my insides get all tied up. She was sexy and beautiful, but so were a lot of women. Karen was.
But I didn’t think about Karen unless I was feeling horny and didn’t want to jack off. Lately, masturbation had been more preferable than calling Karen. But Adalyn, I’d do anything to have her long fingers or sexy cupid-bow lips wrap around my dick. My hand couldn’t hold a candle to her.
“So why are you here?” she asked.
“To help a friend.” I sat back, hoping I looked nonchalant as I worked to make my dick behave when she licked her lips.
“My dad is lucky to have you.” She looked down and I hated that my presence made her upset. I suppose if my mom had sent someone to find my grown-up ass, I wouldn’t like it either.
“I’m sorry I didn’t stop by to see you during the course of the project.”
Her gaze shot up. “Why didn’t you?”
I lifted and dropped my shoulders. “Busy, I guess.”
“Too busy for a friend? Or is only my dad your friend?”
Fuck. I kept screwing this up. “I like to think we’re friends.”
“So why not come by and say hi? Welcome me to the project.”
Jesus, I was an ass. “I didn’t think you’d care or notice.” That wasn’t totally true. Mostly, I didn’t want to be reminded that I wasn’t as young and cool as I’d hoped I was.
She frowned. “Why?”
I turned my head looking for our waitress hoping she’d interrupt by arriving to take our breakfast order or bring our coffee. She was at another table.
“I always got the feeling you weren’t very impressed with me. I was as much a nuisance then as you think I am now,” I said.
She played with her knife, rolling it over her napkin. “I liked to poke your buttons. See what might make you wake up.”
I held my hands out to the side. “This is it, Adalyn. I’m an old bore.”
She leaned forward and her eyes, once again, stared directly into mine. I hated the idea that she could see into my soul. “I don’t believe it. There’s more to you. I can see it. You just keep yourself tightly wound, and I want to unravel that.”
My dick took that to mean something carnal, although I was sure that’s not what she intended. Still, two could play that game. “Why? What do you want from me?”
She bit her lower lip, and I was seriously worried that my dick head was poking out of my waistband. I put my napkin in my lap as the waitress showed up with our coffee and juice.
“What can I get you?” she asked.
“Full sampler,” I said, being rude and not letting Adalyn order first. I wanted all the grease and carbs to put me in a food stupor so I wouldn’t jump her.
“Two eggs, bacon, and whole-wheat toast.”
“Sure thing,” the waitress said as she walked off.
We stared at each other as I waited for her to answer my question. When she didn’t, I leaned forward and asked again. “What do you want, Adalyn, that has you trying to unravel the enigma of me?”
She swallowed, the movement of her neck muscles nearly making me groan. She inhaled a breath and looked down for a moment. When she looked up, she’d engaged her own guard.
“Just curious about the real Will Sloane. Are your brothers so tightly wound up?”
My jaw tensed, as I didn’t want to talk about my brothers. I’d remembered three years ago her asking about Mitch and I’d put the kibosh on their meeting. Why? Because he was probably perfect for her. They both were into coding and programming. They were closer in age. Thank fuck he found Hope.
“My brothers are married, in case you’re thinking of trading me in for another Sloane.”
“I don’t want to trade you in,” she said. “I’m just curious about why you’re so intense. Do you ever have fun?”
No. “Sure. I’m having fun now.”
She laughed. “No, you’re not. I’m surprised you haven’t run out of here toward the airport. I bet you’ve thought about it.”
“You don’t want to know what I’ve been thinking.” I turned away, wishing I hadn’t said that.
“Oh, but I do,” she nearly cooed it.
Thankfully, our breakfast showed up.
“I’m starving,” she said as she took a bite of toast. “This isn’t done, Sloane. But for now, let's eat and enjoy our breakfast.”
Thank fuck. Fortunately, she was a woman of her word. We talked about the project, at least the parts that we could in a public setting. She shared that she was finding the work fulfilling and she was excited for it to be completed. She asked me a few questions about my family and life, which initially I worried was her attempt to delve into my psyche, but she seemed genuinely interested.
“I spend every Sunday with my mother. My brothers and their families come too.”
“How wonderful for your mom. Do your brothers have kids?”
“I’ve got two nieces and two nephews. Mitch and his wife had twins.” Okay, so maybe I wanted her to be sure he was taken.
“Twins! What a handful. And he’s still programming. I saw that software he made that’s being demoed here.”
“Yes. He made that for Hope.”
“I love her stuff.”
“You have clothes designed by Hope?” I asked.
“A few things.”
“What about your family?” I asked. I’d known her parents had divorced and she hadn’t seen her mom since she was a kid. But she’d always been close to her dad and brother.
“Mathieu is still in Quebec. He’s a lawyer now. He’s not married, but he’s seeing someone and I suspect it's only a matter of time. I can’t wait to be an aunt.”
“You’d be good with kids,” I said.
“Why? Because I’m so immature?”
I frowned. “You must be insecure, because you always turn what I say into something negative.”
“It’s that judgmental tone of yours.”
“I don’t judge you, Adalyn.” It really irked me that she felt that way. I wished I knew how to be different so I didn’t make her feel bad. No, not different. I wished I could be the man I used to be a long time ago. The man that enjoyed flirting with women and could be spontaneous. The one that was open to the idea of a lasting relationship. The man who didn’t guard his emotions and heart so tightly.
What had happened to him? The short answer was life. More specifically, the devastating loss of my father. His death killed something inside me. Something Adalyn thought was there ,but I knew had died with him.
I inhaled a breath to try and release the tightness in my chest. “I admire you.”
She stared at me, and for a minute I thought she hadn’t heard me. “You don’t act like you admire me.”
“I’m sorry that I come across that way. I think you’re smart, brave, daring, fun … ” I didn’t run out of adjectives. I just felt like adding beautiful and sexy was a step too far. I was her boss, sort of. I was her father’s friend. But even without those sticky situations, I wasn’t a man who could give her what she wanted or deserved.
Her smile slowly spread. “That’s what you need, Will. You need to have fun.”
“Nope. No, I don’t.” There was something about her smile that told me whatever fun she had in mind was risky and dangerous. We were in Las Vegas, after all.
“Yes. You do. Stay here for the conference. I have to present this afternoon, but after that we can check out the exhibits, make fun of the other boring presentations, take in a show, drink, gamble. Come on. It will be fun.”
I was shaking my head even though somewhere deep inside me was a voice screaming to say yes. “I’ve got work to get back to.”
She huffed out a breath. “It’s not going anywhere. It will be there when you get back. Or your highly capable staff will take care of it for you. Come on, it’s just another couple of days.”
“No.”
“One day. Just today. You can fly home tomorrow morning. You said it yourself, we’re in Las Vegas. Let loose one night where no one will see you. You can be free for one 24-hour period.”
I felt my resolve falter, not at her words, but at how brig
ht her eyes sparkled at the idea of a no-holds barred 24 hours, and the mischievous smile that promised more fun than I’d had in years.
“I can see you want to,” she said. “Come on, Will. Live a little.”
“I feel like I’m going to regret this.”
She laughed and clapped her hands. “That’s a yes!”
“That’s a yes, but I’ve got a few conditions.”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course, you do. All right, what are they?”
“No excessive drinking.”
“Afraid you’ll lose your senses and seduce me?” she joked with sarcasm.
That was exactly what I was afraid of. I’d need every wit I possessed to keep from touching her. “Everything that goes wrong in Vegas usually starts with too much booze.”
“Fine.” She said the word, but I had a feeling her fingers were crossed under the table. “What else?”
I grinned. “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”
She laughed. “Now you’re getting it.” She sat back and grinned at me. “We’re going to have so much fun.”
“I don’t doubt it.” I just hoped nothing happened that would leave with me when it was time to return to Virginia. “So, where do you want to start?”
“Dollar slots.”
“You don’t need to practice your talk?”
“Nope. I’ve got it down pat. I’ve already turned in my slides and handouts, so I’m ready to go.”
I tossed a fifty-dollar bill on the table. “Let’s go get some silver dollars and find a slot machine, then.”
This had bad idea written all over it. Not because we were in Las Vegas. Not because I was her boss and that her dad was my friend. This was a bad idea because I was indulging my urge to stay near her. Giving in to this now could mean giving into more later. The idea of that had my libido all in a tizzy, but my head was convinced that allowing myself to touch her, assuming she wanted to be touched, would only lead to problems. I was still a man that she thought was too old and stuffy. Could I have fun? Maybe. But that didn’t change my basic makeup.
The question, I suppose, was could I really leave whatever would happen in Vegas here when I left? If we had 24 hours of no-strings, no-consequences fun, could we go back to what we were when we got home? She could, I was sure. After all, I’d still be the man she found too uptight. But as I followed Adalyn out of the restaurant toward the exhibit hall, watching her very fine ass sway in front of me, I felt pretty certain that if I ever got to touch her once, I’d need to touch her again. And again. And that was where the danger lay.