Tell Me No Lies

by C. Morgan/Chloe Morgan

  When we finally arrived at the Golden Flower Buffet, I hurried to the office and clocked in. Then I went about my usual routine as Ben seemed to be amazed Karen was on time for once.

  “Did you give her a lift or something?” he asked as he walked over to say good morning.

  “Yes. She showed up at my house, so she should take some of the credit for getting here.”

  “Maybe she should do that every day,” he said, straightening his collar.

  I hefted up the pan of waffles and moved them to the cart. “Don’t give her any ideas.”

  “Yeah,” he said. “I guess the last thing I need is for both of you to be late.”

  Karen stuck her tongue out at him and kept on walking past him with a cart of plates and utensils. “Just be glad I showed up at all,” she said. “After the night I had, I may never have to work again.”

  “Oh, no,” I mumbled. “Karen, be careful. You don’t even know him.”

  “Take it easy. I’m not running away with him or anything. Although it would be very tempting.”

  I pretended not to hear her as I continued setting up.

  After I got things straightened up, I looked up to see that Ben had let in a few of our early patrons, and before I could look away, Zane appeared, shaking Ben’s hand.

  Beny sat him at my table, and as he breezed past me, he leaned in and winked. “You must have made an impression on him,” he said. “He asked for you by name.”

  I smiled, and behind me, Karen giggled. “Boy, I’ll say she’s made an impression.”

  “Hush,” I whispered as Ben continued to the kitchen. “I don’t need to get him started.”

  She laughed even harder as I walked over to see Zane, sliding into the chair across from him. “Hello, and good morning. I’m Tara. How may I serve you this morning?”

  “Yeah, I’m here for coffee lessons. I’m not sure you got the hang of it last time.” He stroked his stubbly chin and gave me a narrowed look.

  “Are you kidding? I’m a professional now. Want me to prove it?”

  “Yeah, I’ll take a cup, if you’ll come out with me tonight.”

  “Hmm, I’m not sure.” I shook my head. “I’ll have to check my busy schedule.”

  “Oh? That’s how it’s going to be, is it? After I was such a gentleman last night? Remind me to misbehave next time.”

  I felt my cheeks warm with a smile, and I loved that we could joke around and play. “Given my record, I’m the one who behaved.”

  He chuckled. “I’ll give you that one. Yes, you certainly and most regretfully kept your control.”

  Laughter bubbled from me. “Well, I guess I’ll say yes then. I mean, since I don’t have anything better to do.”

  “Good, but I’m breaking one of our rules.”

  “Which rule is that?” I asked.

  “The no-plans rule. I already have our evening planned out. I have wanted to see the David Copperfield show, and I want to see it with you.”

  “Does that mean I can’t encourage you to leave early to get you naked?” I didn’t want to spoil his evening.

  His face lit up with that remark. “You do the magic show with me, and I’ll make my clothes disappear any time after.”

  “That sounds like a plan and a promise,” I said.

  He placed his hand on mine. “I had fun last night, and I want to spend the rest of my time with you as much as possible.”

  I couldn’t believe he was going to devote the rest of his trip to being with me. He had come out to see his friends and spend time with them.

  “What do your friends have to say about that?” I asked, knowing they were probably feeling slighted. He had gone out with me more than them.

  He shrugged his shoulders like it wasn’t a big deal. “They’re fine with it. As long as I’m happy, they’re happy for me.”

  “So, how much time do you have?” As soon as I asked, I regretted it, and by the time he responded, I put my hand up and said, “No, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”

  His mouth turned down in a disappointed frown. “Let’s not think about it, okay?”

  “I’m just going to miss you.” I couldn’t believe I’d said it. While it was true, I didn’t want him to know how hard I had fallen for him in such a short amount of time. I wished he could stay or that I could go back with him. It just wasn’t possible. Our lives were not prepared for a reset. At least mine wasn’t.

  He put my hand to his lips and then his heart. “I’ll miss you too, and that’s why I don’t want to dwell on it too much.”

  I agreed. “Okay, so let’s just make sure we spend all the time we can together.”

  “I like the idea of that. So, does that mean I get to keep you all night?” He gave me a big grin, showing his pearly teeth.

  “We’ll see.” I figured making him wonder was best.

  His eyes darkened with a warning stare. “I may have to put my foot down this time if you try to run.”

  “By the time the night is over, you’ll probably be sick of me anyway.” He would eventually be done with me and return to his life. Even if he was just taking a break from his friends, I doubted he’d devote the rest of his trip to me like he said he would. “You’ll probably go back to your friends.”

  “Not a chance,” he said. “They aren’t as beautiful and interesting as you are.”

  Hearing him say those words made my heart flutter, and I could already tell he’d stolen a part of it that I might not ever get back.

  As the crowd grew, I knew I had to get up and get to work. “I should get to it. The natives are getting restless. I’ll bring you that coffee if you still want it.”

  “Hell yeah, I do. I’m going to sip it and stare at my favorite waitress while I think dirty thoughts about her in that storeroom in the back.”

  “She sounds like a very lucky lady.” I gave him a chuckle and got to my feet, laughing when he didn’t want to let go of my hand.

  After I brought his coffee, he did just what he said he’d do, watching me work. His eyes only left to use his phone.

  I brought him some pie when I brought a refill.

  “What’s this?” he asked. “I didn’t order any pie, young lady. You’ve made a mistake.”

  I leaned over the table, sticking out my chest even though I wasn’t showing any cleavage. “I thought if I kept you busy, you’d have to stick around a little longer.”

  “Clever girl. I’d love to eat your pie.” He dug in the fork and took a bite to his mouth. “Delicious, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” I walked to another table and offered them a refill too as to not play favorites.

  Finally, after stalling it as long as I could, Zane paid his check. “I’ll see you later, Tara. Do you want me to pick you up at home?”

  “No, it’s okay to meet here again.” I tried to play nonchalant and not make him suspicious.

  “I don’t mind.”

  He wasn’t making it easy. “No, Zane. I’d rather meet here.” I smiled and nodded to try and play it off.

  He finally agreed without further argument, and just when I thought he would slip away without a scene, he leaned in and stole a quick kiss.

  “Zane.” I felt my cheeks blazing. I glanced around and made sure no one was looking.

  “What? You could be my wife for all anyone knows. And I waited until your boss went to the back.”

  “Well, in that case.” I stole another kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you soon.”

  I stepped away, watching him go and getting a great view of his ass. I was surprised when he glanced back at me and gave me a wink.

  When he was finally out of sight, I went back to my tables and managed to keep them all happy somehow. Maybe it was my mood, my own happiness being contagious.

  Karen breezed past me on the way to the buffet. “I see lover boy left.”

  “I think I’ve gone and done it now,” I said with concern in my voice.

  “Are you okay?” She put her hand on my sh
oulder. “Did he say something to you? It seemed like things were good.”

  “It just hit me. I’ve already fallen for him. He’s going to leave soon, and I’m going to be devastated.” My stomach twisted in knots.

  “I’m sorry, kiddo, but that’s just the way it goes with these Vegas love affairs. They never last. Just treasure what time you have left and get him to fuck you like there’s no tomorrow.”

  “Without him, I’m not sure there is. I don’t want to go back to the way it was before he came into my life. It really did suck being alone.”

  “You’ll get back out there soon enough, and you’ll find the right man eventually. Until then, have fun, and don’t look back.” She made it sound so easy, but I was sick inside.

  I didn’t want anyone else. I wanted Zane Ballard.

  No one else would do.

  Chapter 23

  Zane

  After meeting in the hotel lobby, we went down the Strip to the show. As we walked into the theater, I couldn’t help but notice she seemed a bit nervous.

  “Isn’t this exciting?” I asked, wondering if she’d tell me what she felt.

  “It is. I still can’t believe that you got away from your friends again. They must be pretty sore.”

  “No. They are too busy trying to get drunk, get laid, and win at gambling to worry about me.”

  “Oh, I see. Have they met anyone? Even for a night?”

  I thought of Clay and how he was determined to fuck up his life. “I don’t know. Nick just lost his wife not long ago, so he’s taking it easy. We haven’t really talked with him about it, but we’re all just trying to be sensitive.” It was a hard time, and while he was going to get back out there eventually, he was enjoying his trip.

  “Oh, that’s terrible.”

  “Yeah, it’s pretty sad. They were so in love. It really made me think of how short life is. We really should make the most of things while we can.” And that was why I was going to enjoy Tara as much as I could until it was time to leave. Hopefully, if things went well, she would want to stay in touch.

  “Yeah, and that’s with everything. Not just love.”

  “Right. Especially who you spend that time with.” I could see the two of us spending a lot of time together and her fitting into my life nicely. But as much as she was ready to leave Las Vegas and escape, I knew it wouldn’t be that easy. She had put down roots there. And that wasn’t something that was solved on a whim. Not when you had responsibilities.

  We found our seats, and when I sat, I put my arm around her. “I’ve wanted to see him since I was a kid,” I said. “I even had my parents buy me a magic kit when I was younger, and I learned as much as I could. I would do performances once a night in the living room, and my mother made me a top hat and cape. I called myself the Great Zane-O, and my mom would act as my assistant. It was all fun and games until I wanted a pet rabbit, and they started to encourage me less.”

  She laughed. “We had a magician come into the Golden Flower once, and he did this trick with water, but what he didn’t know was he’d set the trick up wrong, so he ended up spilling water all over the table and the woman he was performing the trick for. She was livid. After that, Ben won’t let performers do their tricks.”

  I thought about Clay’s impromptu performances. At least the Golden Flower didn’t have a piano lying around.

  When David Copperfield took the stage, he hyped up the crowd with an electrifying trick. He elevated a woman in a chair and tilted it to the side. She was screaming and freaking out but managed to keep her seat. The crowd loved it, and so did Tara.

  He continued to wow the audience, and I was so wrapped up in the show, I didn’t realize it was time for the big finale until he asked for another assistant.

  Even though Tara didn’t raise her hand, he pointed down to her where we were in the third row. “Could you come and give me a hand, miss?”

  “Go on up,” I said, encouraging her when she began to blush. “You’ll be awesome.”

  He got her up on the stage before he announced the next trick. “Isn’t she lovely, ladies and gentlemen?” The crowd went wild as he led her to a small block that had been put in the middle of the stage. “But I’m afraid I’m going to have to make her disappear.”

  The crowd booed, and I felt a sting in my chest as I thought about what he was saying. He was going to make her disappear. A world without Tara would be a tragedy indeed, and I didn’t like the idea of it.

  I shifted in my chair as he had her step into a ring. The ring was surrounded by silk, and when he pulled it up, he gave it a shake. The silk billowed as it covered her, and when he pulled it away, she was gone.

  I swallowed hard, and I moved to the edge of my seat. Then I felt a hand on my knee.

  Tara appeared beside me, and the spotlight shone on her. The audience went wild. She was grinning ear to ear and a little winded.

  “How did you do that?”

  “I didn’t,” she said. “It was Copperfield.”

  As the master of magic ended his show, I took her hand, and we filed out. “How did he do it?” I asked. “And don’t tell me that they had you sign a disclaimer because you didn’t have time.”

  “A magician never reveals his secrets, and neither does his faithful assistant.”

  “You weren’t his assistant. You were from the audience. Now tell me. It was a trap door, right? Did you fall down into the floor and land on a pile of pillows?”

  “In this skirt?” she asked, rolling her eyes. “No way. Although I do think the man at the bottom of the steps had a good peek up my skirt.”

  I frowned. “That’s not funny. Do I need to go and defend your honor? Because I’ve suddenly got an itch to punch someone.”

  “Oh, come on. You’re teasing me.”

  “Am not. I don’t want anyone else seeing you.”

  She turned her face down and turned her eyes up at me. “What does that mean exactly?”

  I hadn’t really thought it out, but I knew I didn’t want her to be with anyone else. I also didn’t want her being gawked at or pawed at. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I pulled her into my arms and kissed her, causing her to stumble. She caught herself against me, though I would have never let her fall.

  “Right now, all I want to think about is you and me.”

  “I like the sound of that,” she said, trying to catch her breath. While anyone else might have pressed me for more answers, Tara was content to just let the topic go for the time being.

  But I had something to say. “I didn’t like the idea of you disappearing,” I admitted.

  “Well, don’t worry. I won’t disappear on you tonight.” She took my hand as we left the building, stepping out into the night air.

  She looked beautiful. “Good, because I’m not letting you go. Did you want to go get something to eat before we go up to my room?”

  “You really don’t plan on taking no for an answer.”

  “Not tonight,” I said, pulling her closer. “But only because I don’t think you want to leave.”

  “I don’t.” She looked deep into my eyes. “I don’t have anywhere else I’d rather be.”

  We took a cab back to the Golden Flower. Neither of us were able to keep our hands off of one another on the way. I slipped my hand up her skirt and got a feel of how wet she was for me.

  “You are eager tonight, aren’t you?” I whispered in her ear.

  Her hand moved over the front of my pants, causing my cock to grow even harder, pushing at the seams. By the time we got into the elevator, I was so worked up, I didn’t know if I was going to make it all the way up to my room. But I managed somehow.

  As soon as we hit the hall, I hurried her down to my suite, and when we went inside, I put out the do not disturb sign and locked the door.

  “No getting away from me now,” I teased.

  “You say that like I’d try.” She rolled her eyes and put her arms around my neck. “Now, where were we?”

  “Ri
ght about here,” I said, reaching for my buttons. “Take your clothes off.”

  “Wasting no time, I see.”

  “I want to watch, and I want you to stay naked.”

  “The whole time?” she asked, her eyes lit with surprise. “What if I get cold?”

  I laughed. “You won’t. I’m going to keep you warm. And we have blankets.” I finished with the last button and peeled my shirt off, throwing it to the chair beside us.

  Tara turned reached for her hip and unzipped her skirt. She slowly slipped it down to reveal the pretty pink panties she wore beneath it. As she worked on her shirt, which had a few more buttons than I’d realized, she stepped out of it.

  I reached down and picked it up, placing it in the chair with my clothes. She took off her shirt, revealing her matching bra. Her body was amazing. Every peak and valley was mine to explore, and my body was still responding. My cock begged to be free.

  I didn’t move to take my pants off, though. I was too wrapped up in watching her remove her bra.

  As her thumbs hitched into the elastic of her panties, I shook my head. “No, leave those on.”

  “Hmm, that’s going to make things interesting,” Tara said with a giggle. “But what about you? You’re not even naked yet. You’re being very unfair to me and my eyes.”

  “Take it,” I said, glancing down at my big bulge with a challenging tone.

  She licked her lips and stepped closer, reaching for my belt. “If I have to be naked, then so do you.” She undid my belt and stripped it off in one quick pull before tossing it to the floor. She undid the button and the fly, and my cock was already forcing its way out.

  I helped her get my pants down, but she surprised me by dropping to her knees. She looked up at me and smiled. “You said to take it. That means it’s mine now.”

  I loved the way she tried to take charge—and even more so when she began sucking my dick. She took it deeper than usual, relaxing her throat as if she was going to try something new.

  As her body responded, gagging a little on the fleshy shaft, she pulled out and looked up at me with watery eyes.