by Elle Boon
“Why don’t you use the little girls room? I’ll wait out here.” Angel opened a door off to the side of the large room.
She tried not to gape, but seriously, the man must be loaded. Who the hell has a shower made for two in an office bathroom, along with a closet and all things necessary like a home bathroom? Not wanting to appear as if she’d snooped around, she quickly finished and washed her hands.
Angel leaned on the massive desk, looking at her phone. “Alright, now spill. How did you meet Mike Royce? I’ve only seen him a few times with Ren, and he was super secretive. Like a super spy, James Bond type. If I hadn’t always been head-over-ass in love with Lorenzo, I’d have totally been in lust with that huge hunk of man.” Angel winked.
Shayna relaxed, knowing the younger girl didn’t actually have her sights on Mike, nor was she being intrusive. The only problem was, she couldn’t tell her too much. “Well, I’ve known men like him my entire life.” She shrugged, hiding the hurt behind honesty. “I don’t think I’m really his type, you see. I’m sure you’ve seen his usual type of woman and I’m thinking I don’t quite measure up. You know.” Shayna raised her right arm, then mimicked with both. “Tall, blonde and stacked. Not to mention, I do have a brain in my head, and happen to disagree with a lot of what he says.” They both laughed.
With a nod, Angel pushed away from the desk. “If you don’t really know him, I wouldn’t make assumptions. You don’t want to miss out on a good man, I can tell you from experience it sucks to watch someone you care about walk away from you.” She patted Shayna on the arm. “I’m going to use the restroom while we’re here. Lord knows Ren hates when I leave his side too many times. Just hang out here, and feel free to make yourself a drink if you want.”
The bar off to the side looked fully stocked, but she couldn’t fathom helping herself. A vibration on top of Lorenzo’s desk had her looking to see Angel had left her phone on it, but Shayna didn’t look to see who was texting or calling, whichever the case may be. Moments later, Angel reappeared, smoothing the skirt of her expensive dress.
“Your phone was buzzing, but I don’t know if it was a text or call.”
“Shit!” Angel hurried over to the desk. “God that man is a pain in my butt.” She turned away, tapping on her phone, although she didn’t seem to mind if her tone of voice was any indication as she read her texts.
To give Angel a modicum of privacy, she went to the bank of windows overlooking the Miami strip. Shayna was normally a very confident person, but Angel was miles above her in that department. The dress the small Latin woman wore showed off her curvy figure to perfection. She had no doubt, Ren had his hands full in more than one sense of the word.
A sigh had her focusing on Angel.
“He is so lucky I love him to distraction.” Smiling, Angel held the pink phone to her chest. “Are you ready to return? Ren has promised they are ready to dance.”
Horrified at the thought of making a fool of herself, she shook her head. “Um, I think I’ll just watch.”
“Oh, no. We shall dance, girlfriend. Our men love to dance, and it is the best form of torture.” Her extremely long lashes came down, then up in an exaggerated wink. “Follow my lead, and trust me. Mike and Ren can out dance any man on that floor.”
Her heart beat double time. If she was to admit she had two left feet, would Angel laugh at her? The other girl grabbed her hand and before she knew what was happening they were walking out the door and into the waiting arms of Ren. Well, Angel was. Mike stood with his arms crossed as if he’d gotten as impatient as Angel’s fiancé. Lord, but the man looked too damn good scowling down at her.
“I guess we are dancing.” He unfolded his arms, moving into her space.
She went up on her toes. “I cannot dance remember?”
His own head bent, brushing his mouth across hers. “And I can, so it will be fine. I’ll lead, while you follow. Trust me. “
Those two little words made her head spin, and her heart stop and start again. She licked her lips, then did the craziest thing. She nodded and let him steer her toward the stairs and then down to the crowded dance floor.
Chapter Five
Mike kept the fist pump to himself as Shayna agreed to dance with him. She may think she couldn’t dance, but anyone who could play a musical instrument had rhythm in their soul. His friend Ren led Angel onto the dance floor. The crowd seeing the couple enter opened up, leaving a huge space for them to perform. Mike realized the pair were obviously well known for being more than just the owner and his gorgeous woman. Just then the DJ started playing a popular song that had him pulling Shayna in close to his body, and he forgot all about Ren and everyone else.
“Relax, let your body move with mine.” He held her left hand in his right, while he smoothed his other palm along her hip. “Feel the beat vibrating along the floor?” He brought their combined hands between their bodies and rested it above her heart. “You can feel it here as well. Let yourself enjoy the beat, and let me lead our bodies.”
Her heart beat faster than the music, but her body melted against his and then she was letting him lead her across the floor. Were they the best dancers? No. But, she was smiling, and his own body was reacting to the feel of hers as he pulled her close, and held her, or swayed to the music. As one song led to the next, he realized she was the most naturally honest woman he’d ever met.
“This is so fun,” she breathed out, eyes sparkling up at him after the last song finished. Mike loved to dance and had danced with women who could move like professionals, but none held a candle to Shayna.
A slow number began, one that brought her flush with him. He’d lost sight of Ren and Angel, but the other couple along with all others had ceased to exist once he’d had the gorgeous Shayna in his arms. “Yeah.” The one word was said on a groan. Her arms came up and around his neck. At six foot three, he towered over her normally smaller frame of five foot seven, but in her heels, she was much closer to his height, making it easier for him to look down into her upturned face. He imagined closing the small distance to her mouth and seeing if she tasted as sweet as she looked. He wanted to see what she’d chosen to wear under the dress they’d picked out. His hands itched to lift the hem, and find out for himself if she was as soft all over as she was where he’d already touched. His dick had been hard as stone since the first dance.
“Mike, I,” she stuttered as a body knocked into her from behind.
In a blink he went from horny, to instantly alert. They were in the middle of a crowded dance floor where a killer could be, and he was thinking of completely inappropriate thoughts. Real smooth, Royce. “You ready to take a break?” He asked, steering them off the dance floor and away from so many unknowns.
Shayna blinked gorgeous green eyes. Damn! Everything about the woman was perfect and way too alluring for his peace of mind.
“Actually, I’m thirsty and more than a bit tired.” A yawn cracked her jaw.
He lifted his hand, running the knuckles of his fingers down her cheek. Smooth skin tempted him. “Let’s go find Ren and Angel to let them know we’re leaving.”
As they were heading up the stairs Mike felt the hair on the back of his neck raise. His body reacted by pulling Shayna closer to him, placing her next to the wall with him blocking her from wherever the danger could be. Looking to the left and right, he scanned the crowd, but too many people milled back and forth.
“You’re scaring me, Mike.” Her hands clenched in the material of his shirt.
He reached back with his left arm, trying to reassure her. “I’m sorry. I always listen to my instincts, and they’re screaming at me right now.” A waitress with a tray full of drinks was walking toward the table where he knew Ren and Angel were probably sitting. Before she walked past them, he used her as a shield, hating himself for putting either woman in danger, but figured if there was a possible threat, they wouldn’t take out an innocent. He hoped.
Ren sat with Angel in his lap and two other couples group
ed around them. Before they reached them, his friend looked up, the smile disappearing instantly. He sat Angel down as he rose.
“What is it?” Ren asked immediately.
Mike shook his head, knowing his longtime friend would offer assistance without question. “I need an escape route that is not out the front, and one that someone can’t follow.”
“Derek, watch the women. Angel, stay here and don’t argue.” He bent and kissed Angel silencing her, then moved to stand on the other side of Shayna. “Follow me.” He snapped his fingers, several men took up position from the surrounding area stepping closer. Ren gave the men orders, then two followed as they strode through the crowd and back toward the office.
Knowing his friend and the wealth he had, Mike didn’t question the amount of security nor the fact they were so discreet. In that moment, he needed every advantage. Why he’d thought coming to Miami was a good idea, he had no clue. Of course, he could be overreacting. But, he’d been in the business long enough to know to trust his instincts and his were screaming. They formed a wall around Shayna, while he kept her close to his left side where he could reach his weapon if needed, the slight shaking she couldn’t hide ate at him.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get you out of here,” he whispered next to her ear.
Startled green eyes gazed up at him.
She bit into her lower lip. “I don’t know why this is happening to me.”
There was a reason, he just needed to figure out why before whoever was out to get her succeeded. Not on his watch he vowed.
He’d been inside Ren’s club and office before, but never had he needed to use any exit other than the front, or back door of the club. Yet, he should have known the other man would have an emergency exit there as well. They didn’t speak until the door was closed behind the five of them, with the two guards standing inside the door.
Ren turned in the middle of the room, pinning him with his dark stare. “Want to tell me what’s going on, Royce?”
Shayna’s body stiffened. Mike trusted Ren, but the less he knew the safer for all of them. Sighing he shook his head. “I thank you for your help, but trust me when I say it’s best for all if you don’t know. I didn’t mean to bring trouble to your club.”
The big Latin man folded his arms across his chest, then a slight curve of his lips followed. “If it has to do with the woman you can’t seem to let go of, then I understand.” He held up his hand. “Trust me, I have felt what you are going through when I nearly killed Angel’s ex,” he growled. “I’ll take you down to the private garage that only my family and I have access to. You can use one of my cars, or one of my men can drive you, whatever you choose.”
Mike released Shayna, and went over to Ren. “You are a true friend. I won’t forget this.”
“I owe you still.” Lorenzo Delgado was a man who loved his family, and when his little brother’s girlfriend had died, the younger man had fallen into drugs. Mike had been the one to find Fernando Delgado on the brink of death and was able to save him, but he’d have done it for anyone, especially for his friend’s baby brother.
“I won’t argue with you since it is a waste of breath. Stay sharp, and don’t let Angel out of your sights. Alert Gia as well.” He knew the only female of the Delgado’s was the princess of the family and was usually at the club with her best friend Angel.
“I already had Derek take care of that,” Ren agreed.
He breathed a sigh, then held his hand out. “Thank you my friend. It was great seeing you and Angel again. I’m glad you finally got your head out of your ass where she was concerned.”
The smile that lit Ren’s face was blinding when it came. “I’m a lucky man indeed. Now, you better come to the wedding.” He gave the date and time, waiting until Mike put it into his calendar.
“We better go. Thank you again.” Mike was pulled into a hug, knowing his friend truly did feel he owed him made him feel as if his life was worth more than the next job. He looked back to see Shayna watching them. He cleared his throat.
Ren chuckled. “Ah, this one, he has problem showing his feelings. My Angel, she has shown me the error of my ways.” He winked, then walked them over to the wall, showing the hidden door and led them down to the garage.
Mike pushed them behind him, drawing out his Glock. “Stay behind me. Both of you,” he ordered. The two bodyguards moved with him, making a sweep of the area. They checked the vehicles, making sure they were safe.
“Do you and Angel prefer a certain vehicle?” Mike looked around before turning to question Ren.
With a shake of his dark head, Ren waved his hand. “Take any one you choose. I’ll have one of my men retrieve it from your hotel.”
After another backslapping hug, he and Shayna took the least obvious vehicle, which was a Mercedes with tinted windows, and the only one that wasn’t a convertible.
“I really liked him. He was not what I’d expect from someone so rich.” Shayna smoothed her hands on her skirt.
Knowing the action was from nerves, he reached over and took her fingers into his, bringing them to his mouth and placing a kiss on the tips. Her breath hitched. He moved their hands to his thigh and left them there while he drove around Miami. The Mercedes was an automatic, which he was happy for as he didn’t have to release her hand in order to shift. They drove around for a half hour, while he made sure they weren’t being followed. He kept up a steady conversation, hoping to relax Shayna. Her humor shone in her easy replies to the topics they talked about, making him laugh out loud, something he hadn’t done in too long.
“You actually saw someone throw up in a tuba? And then he went on to play in front of thousands of people?” They were heading back towards their hotel with the windows up, the air conditioning running on low when he saw her shiver. He hated to release her hand, but he shrugged out of his jacket, and handed it to her.
“Oh! Thank you.” She smiled, moving around to place it over her arms.
“You’re most welcome.”
****
Shayna couldn’t believe how comfortable she was with Mike. Telling him about the incident with the tuba, she couldn’t help but laugh. The poor guy had been embarrassed, but he’d been a trooper.
“Well, did he?” Mike asked again.
“Yeah, he did. After he dumped the contents in a large trash can and one of the stage managers helped him clean it. I figured there was nothing I could do after that that would be on that level. Whenever I go on stage, I picture his green face, and it helps steady me.” Except tonight when she realized Mike was on edge.
Her hands fisted in her lap.
“Hey, I won’t let anything happen to you.” Mike’s warm hand reached for hers.
She loved having her hand rest on his thigh the entire trip. When he’d noticed her shivering, she’d cursed herself for being cold, and wished she could have been brave enough to put her hand back. Now, his warm palm was on her thigh. Close to her skin, but not close enough. What kind of woman was she to want a man who she just met, yet wanted with every fiber of her being?
“Are you hungry?” Mike asked.
Her face flamed, thinking he’d read her mind, then she realized they were nearing the hotel. “Um, no,” she stammered.
His fingers tightened on hers. “When we get to the hotel, I want you to wait for me to come around. Don’t let the valet help you out, okay?”
Licking her lips, she nodded and swore she heard him groan.
There was a line of cars vying to get into the hotel, but Mike maneuvered around them, and up to the front, something she’d never have had the nerve to do. Luckily, none of the valets came to her door or Mike’s. He strode around, holding her door open while acting as a shield. Not once did she feel the least bit afraid. This man who she just met, made her feel as if he would hold the world up with one arm, while he held her with the other. The thought had her reaching for his hand he held out.
She held his jacket out for him so he could hide his gun, which he quickly sl
ipped on, then they made their way into the hotel. He made sure the vehicle was locked, and passed the keys to the valet saying who would be picking up the car. The way the young man’s eyes lit up at the mention of Lorenzo Delgado’s name, she’d swear Mike had mentioned royalty.
At the elevator, Mike made sure she stood in front of him while they waited for the doors to open. She looked over her shoulder and up into his green eyes. “So, is Lorenzo like some big thing here in Miami or what?”
His lips quirked up. “He thinks he is.” He paused as the doors opened, then walked them forward. They were the only two who entered. “I think the rest of Miami probably thinks so too.”
As he explained that the Delgados were mega-rich, she almost felt faint, but then, she’d played for kings and queens. She’d just never been friends with them like Mike.
“He’s a great guy. I met him and his best friend Derek years ago and have stayed in contact with them both over the years. Now, enough about them,” he muttered.
Again, before she could say anything the doors opened on their floor. Mike was moving out before her, clearing the way for them. Or rather for her. The man took his job of protecting her seriously.
“It’s clear. Come on.” Mike reached back for her hand. She noticed he was always touching her in some way. An arm around her waist. His hand in hers. His body against hers. Something most would think nothing about, yet she had felt all the way to her core.
Once they reached the suite he’d rented, she held her hand up. “I’ll wait right here while you make sure it’s secure, sir,” she said impishly.
He shook his head. “No, you’ll come in and wait by the door.” He brushed his lips over hers.
Shayna gasped, the slight contact sent a thrill all the way to her toes. Holy shite as her ancestors would say.
“Okay, let’s go.” Mike held their bags in one hand.
She snapped out of her daze. “What?”
“If whoever was following us has found us, then more than likely they also know which room we rented. I always have a plan B.”