Tell Me No Lies

by C. Morgan/Chloe Morgan

  He shook his head. “Just the coffee, thanks.”

  I hurried away, and when I came back, I poured the cup, feeling his eyes on me. “There you go.”

  He gestured to the chair to his left. “Would you like to join me? Since technically you’re not even supposed to be working right now?”

  I looked around. There wasn’t another person in the place but us. “Sure, why not? Even though I know you didn’t really come to see me.”

  “I did, though,” he said with a laugh. “Why is that so hard to believe?”

  He sipped his black coffee and pushed it aside.

  “I guess I just thought you were here for an early lunch.” I’d already turned him down, and surely, that was my one chance, which I’d blown.

  “I just said I wanted to see you. I meant that.” He looked at the coffee and made a face. “I really didn’t want this.” He crinkled his nose.

  “Well, why did you order it?” I hoped he wasn’t looking for another reason to tip me. Things were awkward enough.

  He shrugged those broad shoulders, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of his perfect build. “I have no idea. I guess the truth is, I was really disappointed you turned me down. I missed you last night.”

  This was too good to be true. Men like him were never interested in me. “Missed me? You don’t even know me.” I began to blush and looked away, hoping he couldn’t see.

  “I want to know you better. Is that so hard to believe? That’s why I asked you out.” He took a deep breath. “And that’s why I came back to ask you again.”

  There was silence between us as he waited for my response.

  “Look, if the tip was some kind of pick-up tactic, it’s not going to work on me. I mean, I think you’re nice and attractive, but I don’t party, and I’m not the kind of girl you can buy.” Zane should have gone with Karen. She would love all of the attention and spend his money for him.

  He winced. “Shit,” he said. “I didn’t mean it that way. I didn’t even think of how that might come across until my friend pointed it out. I honestly wasn’t trying to buy you. I just felt like tipping you. No strings. And if you turn me down again, fine, but at least I go home knowing I tried.”

  “Sorry for jumping to conclusions, but I guess I just don’t have men ask me out often, and especially after a huge tip.”

  He gave me a sideward look with his glassy green eyes. “Come on. Now you’re pulling my leg.”

  “What?”

  “Men don’t ask you out? I find it hard to believe.” He took another sip of his coffee as if to have something to do. “I figured it was the reason you turned me down, unless I’m just not your type.”

  “No, you’re my type,” I blurted before pulling my lips into a tight line. “It’s just I don’t date. I suppose it’s my fault. I don’t really put myself out there, you know? I guess it’s because I don’t really feel like I fit in here. The things people do, the gambling, and the clubs? It’s not really my scene.”

  “I get that. It’s not really me either. So, what is your scene? It’s a big city, and I’m sure we’ll find something to do. If you’ll go out with me tonight.”

  I smiled big. I couldn’t believe he was asking me out again. And this time, I wasn’t going to say no. “We could see a show?” That was something I didn’t mind doing, and there would be other people around for the majority of the time. It would be a nice, safe first date for a practical girl like me.

  Zane grinned from ear to ear as if my accepting his invitation was the best thing in the world. “Your pick. Any show you want to go see.”

  “Cirque du Soleil?” I had wanted to go and see that one again since my birthday two years before.

  “I’ve always wanted to see that,” he said. “I’d love to take you there. You don’t see that kind of thing in North Dakota.” He chuckled, and even that was sexy.

  I could feel my body responding to him the longer we sat and chatted. Why had I been so stupid and turned him down? What the hell was wrong with me?

  “North Dakota sounds good,” I said, trying to focus on the conversation. “Anywhere but Nevada.”

  He met my eyes as if he was trying to figure me out. “One day, you’ll tell me why you don’t like it here.”

  I had never had anyone who was that interested without hoping it would lead us to the bedroom. “I’ll tell you now if you really want to know.” Or at least, I’d give him the abridged version.

  He eased back in his chair. “Sure, tell me.”

  I took a deep breath and let it out. “When I was younger, my mother and I went on a road trip across the States. We left Missouri, hit old Route 66 off and on when we could, and stopped everywhere in between. It was amazing. I had so much fun all that time, and I thought it was just for us, you know? Like a dream vacation. But then, I found out that she was leaving our home behind, and when we got to Las Vegas, this place she made sound so surreal—The Neon City—it was just her boyfriend in a crappy motel. And we never went back home.”

  “That would be hard.”

  “Yeah. I mean, I did eventually get to see the neon city she’d promised, but it was tainted by having another man in our life.” I never got over it. I was still a bitter mess.

  “Was he a bad man?” he asked with a look as if he could fight a bear.

  “Yeah, but he seemed nice enough when he wanted to, but after coming here, it was like my mom was different, and things changed.”

  “Wow, that really sucks. I’m sorry I brought it up.” He was cute when he was apologetic. As if all he cared about was my happiness.

  “No, it’s okay. If I didn’t want to share, I wouldn’t have.”

  “Well, I appreciate that.” He smiled. “So, why don’t you leave?”

  I shook my head. “Money. I can’t afford to start over somewhere else. And I guess it’s because this is all I know. If I left, I’d be all alone.”

  He took another sip of his coffee and made a face. “I really didn’t want this.” He gestured to the cup.

  I laughed. “Stop drinking it.”

  “It’s horrible,” he said with a chuckle in his voice.

  “You don’t like my coffee?” I pretended to be insulted.

  He gave me an apologetic look. “If you made this, I’m sorry, but you can’t make coffee.”

  I giggled. “I didn’t. I think Ben did.”

  “Well, I think Ben washed his socks in it.”

  “Oh.” I covered my mouth. “That’s terrible.”

  “It is.” He made a face.

  “I’ll get you something else on the house. I can do that. I have special privileges for being a valued employee.”

  “I know I’d never fire you.” He looked me up and down, and I smiled, realizing that he might just like me after all.

  Slow down, girl.

  “I’m good actually. So, what time should I pick you up?”

  I got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. He couldn’t go to my apartment. I didn’t want him to see where I lived. It was more than embarrassing, and just in case he ended up being a really clever con artist, I didn’t want him to know where I lived. “Could we just meet here? At the hotel?”

  “Sure, if that makes you feel better. But what time is their show?” He seemed like a real easy-going guy.

  “Usually they have one at seven-thirty. Unless you need to do something with your friends, I’d totally understand that, since you are here to see them.” I wondered if he’d bring his friends along and hoped we’d have more time together.

  “No, they’ll be fine without me for one night. And honestly, I need a break from them. I’ve been missing the company of a beautiful woman lately, and I’m really glad I met one to go out with tonight.”

  “Well, if you’d rather be with her, I understand.” I was only teasing, but he made a face.

  “Why do you joke like that? Don’t put yourself down. You’re an amazing woman, and you should have the confidence to show it.”

  “Thank
you.” I searched his eyes and could tell that he was sincere. Or a damned good actor. “I just try not to take myself too seriously, is all. I mean, I have confidence, although I’m not exactly the standard for beauty.”

  “Whose standards?” he asked, making a face. “And no, I don’t want you to answer that.” He seemed a bit irritated. “I’m sorry. I just wish more women would see how amazing they are. Too many are too hard on themselves.”

  I felt as if I’d hit a nerve, and I didn’t want the talk to take a bad turn. “Well, I’m a rock star,” I said. “And you’re not so bad yourself.” I gave him a wink, and he smiled back at me.

  Ben coming out of the back caught his eye, and he glanced over my shoulder.

  “Hey, Tara,” Ben called. “I need you to help me carry out the fish.” The tone of his voice told me he wasn’t asking. Breaktime was over.

  “Duty calls,” I said. “But I’ll see you tonight?”

  “Yeah, I’ll meet you down here at seven?”

  “Perfect,” I said. “But could we make it in the lobby in front of the elevators? I don’t want Ben to see me. He’ll try and put me to work.”

  He laughed. “Well, if he did, he’d have to go through me because I’m having my date with you even if we’re standing in that kitchen.”

  “Oh, I like how sure you are,” I said, giving him the side-eye as I stood.

  “Mhm. You’ll show.” He gave me a playful look.

  “Will I?” I said in a teasing voice.

  He nodded. “Yeah, you will. You like me.” His smile brightened, and I couldn’t help but reciprocate.

  As I walked away, all I could think was, Yes, I do. But I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of saying so.

  Chapter 13

  Zane

  I left that buffet feeling like a winner, even more than I had walking out of the casino the night before with a few hundred extra dollars in my pocket. I really liked Tara and couldn’t wait to see her again.

  But my friends had other opinions.

  After stopping off at the room for a call home to Mila and catching up on some sleep, which happened mostly by accident, I met up with the others at Grady’s house. We were supposed to have dinner there, and even though it was early in the evening, they were already drinking and just back from a daily run to the casinos.

  “I can’t believe you ditched us for that waitress,” said Clay, who had just lost three-hundred dollars on the roulette wheel. He had told the others about it when I arrived.

  “And he’s ditching us tonight too,” said Rylen, who was still riding the high of winning fifty bucks during that same trip.

  I walked over and stood by the pool table where they were playing, both smelling of booze. “You assholes don’t need me, but I need her.”

  It had been far too long without the company of a woman. It was pathetic. I’d stumbled around the conversation at the buffet like I’d lost my touch, but there was just something about her that put me a little off my game. I hoped to rectify that later.

  “You mean you need that pussy,” said Clay. “I don’t blame you, man. I can’t get enough of it too.” He took a shot and missed it.

  “No, I don’t even mean sex. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I talked to a woman.” Not that sex hadn’t been on my mind. Hell, I couldn’t look at Tara without getting an erection. At least I knew it still worked.

  Ry laughed as he lined up his shot. “If all you’re doing is talking, then you’re doing it wrong, my friend.”

  The others joined in laughing with him, and before I knew it, they were making fun of me. Good thing I could take it. I found a stool at the bar and listened as they did their best ribbing.

  Nick walked over and put his arm around me. “I bet you forgot how to use your tools, Zane. Just remember the train goes in the tunnel.”

  Grady laughed. “Nah, in his case, it’s the pencil goes into the sharpener.”

  “Nothing’s small about me,” I said, defending my manhood. That was one department I figured I had them all beat.

  “Come on, guys. Be nice.” At first, I thought Rylen was really going to stick up for me for all of the times I’d defended him. “Put it in terms he can understand. The thread goes through the needle.”

  Laughter echoed off the walls of the big room.

  “You’re all really funny,” I said. “And while I’m doing that, you all can stand around and circle jerk.”

  “Fuck that,” said Clay. “I’m buying my action.”

  “Not if you keep gambling,” said Nick. “You’ve already blown through what Grady gave you.”

  Clay made a face. “Try double that,” he said.

  “You’ve lost ten grand?” I glanced up at Grady. How could they have let that happen? “Fuck, Clay. You have a kid back home.”

  “It’s okay,” said Grady. “I fronted it.”

  It was still no excuse. I looked at Clay. “Man, I hate to be you when your mid-life crisis is over. You keep at it, and you’re really going to hate yourself.”

  Grady spoke up. “Come on. Let’s just have fun. That’s why I called you all here.”

  “Tell that to Zane. He’s finding his own fun. Abandoning us.” Ry nudged Clay to take his turn.

  My oldest friend looked up at me. “Good riddance,” he said. “I’ll make another bet in your honor tonight, my friend. A big one.” He pointed his pool cue at me as if he was making a threat.

  “Not with my money, you won’t,” said Grady. “I’m cutting you off again.”

  Clay took his shot and missed, then laid down his cue. “Who’s next?”

  “Lunch is ready,” said Grady. “Everyone to the dining room. I’ve got something special for you.” He had a sly smile on his face, and I couldn’t help but wonder what he’d done.

  As we walked into his formal dining room, which looked more like a greenhouse with all of the plants and windows, I glanced at the table and realized there were two women, each spread out on the table, wearing nothing but vegetables and flowers.

  “Shit, is this what we’ve come to? Cannibalism?”

  “I’m a breast man, myself,” said Clay, rushing over to take a seat, only to find there were place cards.

  We all took our seats, and while I was appreciative of her beauty, I couldn’t help but think she was someone’s daughter.

  “For your viewing pleasure, my friends. Tonight, we feast like kings.” Grady clapped his hands, and three more women came into the room, each carrying big trays of food, placing them on the table around the nude models.

  I had never seen anything like it in my life. I would have thought I was in paradise, but when I closed my eyes and opened them, the guys were all still there. And my heaven would have surely had Tara in it. She would have been in my lap, and I would have been feeding her from my hand.

  It was all well and good, but while the guys laughed and talked, entertaining the women, all I could do was watch the clock. I couldn’t wait to get out of there.

  Before things got too weird and just after Nick realized one of the girls was his second cousin, it was time for me to leave. I bailed out, eager to get to her.

  I arrived a bit early at the Golden Flower, so I went up to my room to freshen up my cologne. The last thing I wanted was for her to smell the other girls’ perfume on me. It turned out they were belly dancers, and they had gotten a bit closer than expected.

  I hurried back down, and when the elevator doors opened, I found her standing in the lobby, her hair pulled back from her beautiful face and tucked and arranged just so. Her dress showed more leg and cleavage than I expected, but I wasn’t complaining. I’d just have to poke out eyeballs if I caught anyone staring.

  “You look amazing,” I whispered behind her, and she turned around quickly, startled and barely staying on her feet. Thankfully, I caught her.

  “You scared me!” she said, taking a deep breath.

  “Sorry,” I said.

  “No, I’m sorry. I was just looking for
you in the waiting area.”

  “I went up to my room. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Her chest heaved as her heart raced, and I could barely peel my eyes away.

  “I hope this isn’t too much,” she said. “I haven’t gone out in a while.”

  “It’s perfect.”

  She smiled, and the flush on her cheeks made my body respond.

  Easy. We have to get through the night.

  I held out my arm, and she took it.

  “Are you ready?” I asked. “We should probably go.” I had Grady arrange for tickets, and thankfully, he was able to get them. Apparently, the evening shows were almost always sold out.

  We stepped inside the theater of the Bellagio.

  “You know, I didn’t really think you’d be able to pull this off,” she confessed. “It’s kind of a busy attraction.”

  “Yeah, well, I have friends in high places.” I realized she must have hoped I’d fail. “And so, if I hadn’t got the tickets, then what?”

  “We’d just hang out, people watch, or maybe take a drive somewhere.”

  “Oh, so you didn’t really want to come here?” I was curious about what was on her mind.

  “Yeah, I did. I just didn’t think you’d be able to do it. But I’m glad you did. I’ve wanted to see the new show for a while now.”

  We went inside, and I kept my hands on her as we weaved through the crowd. We had VIP seats reserved, and while they were closer to the stage, they were also semi-private.

  When the show began, her eyes lit up as big as her smile, and she reached for my hand when the feats became exciting. “How do they do that?” she asked as one of the ladies on the ropes seemed to tumble from the silk ropes. She turned her face into me as if the woman would hit the floor.

  I didn’t mind the closeness, and I put my arm around her as her hand landed on my lap.

  About half an hour later, with the show reaching its climax, another series of stunts left us in awe.

  “They are braver than me,” I said, glancing up at one of the performers who was perched atop a plank ready to jump off of it. “I don’t even like sitting on the monkey board at work.”