Sin

by Deborah Bladon

  “Your husband’s dream fuck is Libby Duncan?” I grin. “Is that why you asked me if I could get tickets to that musical she was headlining?”

  “He’s her biggest fan. She’s as happily married as Rueben and I are, so she’s never going to be his hall pass. I knew he’d get a thrill out of being in the same theatre as her.” Harmony’s eyes light up as she talks about her husband.

  I sigh and wrap my arm around her shoulder.

  When Harmony texted me six months ago to ask if I could use my connections to find two tickets to Libby’s sold out show, I did. I also offered my place to her for the night she was crossing the bridge into Manhattan with Reuben.

  I was in New Orleans for business and I knew that she’d appreciate the chance to leave her two-year-old son with his grandma while she spent an entire night uninterrupted with her husband. When I returned from my trip she told me it was the best night she’d had in years.

  “My new hall pass is the first person who walked off your flight.” Kendra fans her hand in front of her face as if she’s cooling herself down. “That was a mighty fine man. Dark hair, sunglasses, gray suit, and a killer smile.”

  Priscilla steps forward. “You have to be talking about the guy Linny was sitting next to at the start of our flight. He was already in his seat with those sunglasses on.”

  “He was asleep.” Harmony shrugs. “He never had the pleasure of meeting our beautiful Lincoln Dawn Faye.”

  “I did meet him.”

  All three of my friends turn to look at me.

  Kendra is the first one to say anything. “You met him? What’s his name? Is he married or single? Did you get his number?”

  I raise both hands in the air hoping to ward off more questions. “Slow down.”

  “He woke up?” Priscilla points at me. “Why the hell didn’t we hear about this sooner? We’ve been together all day and you didn’t think to mention it?”

  I point a finger back at her. “We’re here to celebrate Kendra’s engagement, not to talk about a random guy I sat next to on an airplane.”

  “What’s his name, Linny?”

  I glance over at Kendra to see an expectant look on her face. It’s the second time she’s asked me the question, so I answer. “West.”

  “West?” she repeats back. “West what?”

  I shrug. “Just West.”

  “Mysterious,” Harmony says as she takes Kendra’s drink from her and downs a gulp. “Is he from New York?”

  “I have no idea.” My lips twitch. “We only exchanged a few words and then I moved to the seat across the aisle from the two of you.”

  “Is his voice as sexy as I imagine it is?” Kendra looks me in the eye. “It’s deep, isn’t it?”

  I scratch my eyebrow. I’m not going to confess that his voice was the most seductive I’ve ever heard. That will only open another floodgate and a barrage of new questions will be fired my way at ward speed. “He has a nice voice.”

  “Did he at least ask for your number?” Harmony fingers the tulle on the front of her skirt as her blue eyes rake me over. “You look like every guy’s dream today, Linny. Tell me he wanted to see you again.”

  I blush at the compliment.

  “Hold that thought.” Kendra nudges her shoulder into mine. “We have a dinner reservation in ten minutes. We need to pile into a cab and head up the strip.”

  “Let’s go back to the hotel and change first.” I clasp my hands together in front of me. “Please, Kendra.”

  “That’s not happening.” Harmony slips her hand into mine. “We’re wearing our tutus and tiaras to dinner and we’re keeping them on for the surprise I arranged for all of us.”

  “What surprise?” I toss her a skeptical look as a knot forms in the pit of my stomach. I hate surprises. She knows that.

  “You’ll have to wait and see.” She tugs on my hand. “I guarantee we’re all going to love it.”

  Chapter 3

  Jeremy

  “Jeremy Weston.” I extend my hand to the gray-haired man in the navy blue plaid suit who just introduced himself to me. “It’s good to meet you, Jim.”

  He’s the owner of this restaurant, and we share a common interest. Our mutual business partner, Rocco Jones, has already arrived for dinner. He’s sitting at a table next to a bank of windows that overlooks the Las Vegas strip.

  I don’t have a share in this restaurant and Jim doesn’t own a red cent of my company, Rizon Vodka, but Rocco had a hand in the success of both.

  “What’s he drinking?” I point at Rocco.

  Jim laughs. “Rizon Vodka.”

  I rest a hand on his shoulder and squeeze it. “Looks like he’s doing us both a favor tonight.”

  Jim nudges his dark-framed eyeglasses up his nose with a push of his finger. “The meal and the drinks are on the house. Rocco insisted. I’ll take it out of his cut.”

  I smile inwardly. “I’ll see myself to the table.”

  As I near the table I’m greeted with the sound of female laughter. I look to my left to find three women seated at the bar. Their backs are to the bartender. Their eyes are pinned on Rocco.

  He’s wearing a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt. He looks out of place in this five-star eatery, yet he seems more at ease than anyone else.

  I tug my tie from my neck and tuck it into my jacket pocket.

  “Don’t hide that tie. I have a better place for it.”

  I turn at the sound of the breathy voice that just tossed those words in my direction.

  A pretty blonde has her hands clasped together in front of her. “It would look perfect wrapped around my wrists.”

  Her friends let out a chorus of giggles and one hoots for good measure.

  I give them one of my dimpled smiles and carry on.

  Rocco’s on his feet by the time I reach his table. “Sounds like you’re making plans for later.”

  I shake his hand and pat him on the back when he goes in for a hug. “You know Vegas. Everyone is up for anything.”

  He eyes the women at the bar. “They are. They invited me to join them when I arrived.”

  “Yet you’re sitting all by your lonesome, old man,” I joke. “You don’t think you have the stamina for all three of them?”

  Rocco’s thirty-four and he’s accomplished more in his life than most people twice his age. He was a professional poker champion before he dove into the world of investing in other people’s dreams.

  He’s brought mine to fruition and I couldn’t be more grateful. He knows it. I know he doesn’t mind when I goad him about his age.

  “If I invited them back to my hotel room, I guarantee no one would leave with a complaint,” he says, motioning for me to take the seat across the table from him.

  He waits for me to sit before he does the same.

  “I doubt like hell you could make that claim, Jeremy.” He takes a sip of our prize-winning vodka. “You’re what now? Twenty-two?”

  I shake my head, laughing. “You know I’m twenty-nine, you bastard.”

  His hand is in the air motioning to someone to bring a drink for me. “I take it you’re drinking Rizon tonight?”

  “Every chance I get.” I lean back in the chair. “How is it that you can conduct business all day dressed like that and I had to wear a fucking suit?”

  The two suits I packed weren’t designed for Nevada heat in mid-June.

  “That privilege comes with age, young man.” His blue eyes rake me over. “Give yourself a few years and a few million more in your bank account and you too can leave your suits back in Manhattan when you head west.”

  “You’ve given me yet another reason to work my ass off.” I grin as the server places a glass of vodka in front of me on the table. “Thank you.”

  She rests her hand on my shoulder, smiling in appreciation. “The chef is preparing the daily special for you both as requested by Mr. Jones. I hope you like grilled octopus, sir.”

  I look over at Rocco before I glance back at the server. She’s b
arely legal age. I swear I can see imprints on her perfect white teeth from where braces once sat. She’ll get chewed up and spit out in this town in no time flat.

  I inch back far enough that her hand falls. “That’s fine.”

  Her hazel eyes lock on mine. “Do you need anything else from me?”

  “We’re good, Sherri,” Rocco interjects. “You’re needed at table twelve.”

  Her gaze darts to Rocco. “Of course, sir. I’ll take care of that now.”

  Rocco watches as she walks away. “I’m working with the management team to lower the turnover rate. It’s why I flew here two days ago.”

  “You can’t hold onto employees?” I sip the vodka, the familiar taste rousing my taste buds.

  “I’ve had the same assistant for seven years.” He rakes a hand through his dark brown hair. “I pay him well and give him ample time off. This place pays shit and overworks everyone they hire. That stops today.”

  “You’re in town to drop the hammer?” I look over at the bar and the women who are still blatantly gawking at us. “You’re going to mix some pleasure with that business, aren’t you?”

  His gaze follows mine. “If I do it won’t be with any of them. What about you?”

  The only pleasure I’m interested in involves the gorgeous brunette I met on the airplane this morning.

  Time will tell if she takes me up on my invitation to join me in my room tonight.

  “I may have plans later.”

  “May have?” He asks as he watches Sherri greet the couple that just took their seats at a table near us. “You didn’t lock it down?”

  I ignore the question to focus on the reason for this dinner.

  I asked for a face-to-face with Rocco back in New York City last week to go over the details of a new product we’re launching in the fall. He was already committed to non-stop meetings, so we scheduled for next week.

  When I mentioned in a text message that I was heading to Vegas to meet with a casino owner about serving Rizon products exclusively in his properties, Rocco told me he was on his way here too.

  He suggested we talk over dinner, so here we are.

  “What did you think of that sample bottle I sent you two weeks ago?” I look out at the bright lights lining the strip.

  “It was excellent. I think you found our winner.”

  I trust his judgment, but I trust my instinct even more. Since I took over running the company from the interim CEO my grandfather appointed before his death, I’ve branched out from our traditional vodka to a host of flavors.

  The timing was ideal and our market share has steadily increased since. Our smooth vanilla vodka is set to be the newest notch in our belt.

  “I’m glad we’re on the same page.” I raise my glass in the air. “Here’s to another successful launch.”

  He taps his glass against mine before he tosses back the rest of his drink. “We need the launch of this to be in a different league. Throw me every idea you’ve got.”

  I lean back in my chair and smile. “Buckle up. We’re about to bury every other vanilla vodka out there.”

  Chapter 4

  Linny

  Harmony was only partially right. She’s enjoying the surprise she arranged. Priscilla is too. Kendra is having the time of her life, but I wish I were anywhere but here.

  An incredibly muscular almost-naked man spins in front of me before his left hand dives into the front of the tight, white briefs he’s wearing. He cups the obvious bulge.

  His blue eyes sparkle as he shoots me a wink while he skims his tongue over his bottom lip.

  “Do you want a lap dance, love?” His voice is calm and controlled. It carries over the loud music that Harmony is streaming from her phone into a mini speaker on top of the bar.

  We’re in the main room of the luxury three-bedroom suite we rented for the night.

  My friends are dancing in a circle. In the middle is a tall blond-haired man with abs for days and an ass that Priscilla can’t keep her eyes off of.

  The blond introduced himself as Jay. The man with the black hair who is fondling himself in front of me is Ray.

  Jay and Ray. Two strippers for one low price.

  That’s what Harmony whispered in my ear when Kendra opened the door to the suite with a squeal when she saw the men standing there dressed as police officers with wicked grins on their faces.

  I flick my hand in the air toward Ray. “You can go join the party over there. I’m fine here.”

  He shakes his head. “You’ve been my favorite since I got here. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve seen.”

  Tonight? In the last hour? The last twenty seconds?

  I know he’s paid to make every woman feel special and I have to admit, he’s good-looking and built in every way that matters.

  My eyes linger on the front of his briefs as he slides his hand out.

  He’s hard and large. His erection is straining against the thin white fabric.

  I take one last glance at the dark hair that trails beneath his briefs.

  “Come dance with me.” He holds out his hand. “I’m paid not to behave, but for you, I’ll be a gentleman.”

  I spot Kendra waving me over with both of her hands. This is her special night. In just a few weeks, she’s going to marry the love of her life and start a new chapter. I don’t want to blemish her memory of this trip by being the one bridesmaid who wouldn’t let loose and have fun.

  I reach for Ray’s hand and tug him over to where everyone is dancing. I take a spot next to Kendra, tossing my arms in the air. I sway to the music and finally let myself get lost in the moment.

  ***

  “How old are you, Lincoln?”

  Ray joins me near the large window of the suite. It offers a breathtaking view of the lights of the strip. This city never quiets. The raw energy here is palpable regardless of what time of day it is.

  It’s past midnight and our dance party is finally winding down.

  There was plenty of champagne and loads of innuendo.

  Ray made it clear an hour ago that he’d love to join me in one of the bedrooms for a private dance. My three friends thought it was the best idea they’d heard all day.

  I’ve never slept with a stripper. That might be because I’ve never met one until tonight.

  “It’s rude to ask that, isn’t it?” I laugh as I take a sip of water from a bottle I found in the mini fridge. I doubt it’s complimentary, but this trip to Vegas is as much a treat for myself as it is a celebration for Kendra.

  I needed a break from my life in Manhattan and what better place to do that than Sin City?

  He zips up the fly on his pants and starts buttoning his shirt. “Some women prefer if a guy asks. They think it’s rude to assume.”

  “I’m twenty-six.” I tilt my head and study his face. “How old are you?”

  He smirks. “Take a guess.”

  I pivot so I’m facing him directly. I look over his features. His brow and jawline are strong. His lips are thin. They’re nothing like West’s lips.

  I close my eyes in a useless attempt to brush away the memory of the man I met on the airplane. His handsome face and the sound of his voice have invaded my thoughts all day.

  On the way back to the hotel after dinner, I stared out the window of the taxi as we passed the Echo Resort and Casino. I looked up as I tried in vain to pinpoint the twenty-sixth floor before the light changed from red to green and our car sped away.

  “I’ll give you a hint.” Ray tucks the tail of his shirt into his pants. “I’m older than twenty-eight but younger than thirty.”

  I glance over his shoulder to see my three friends staring at us.

  They had their innocent fun earlier when they danced with Jay. He gave each of them some one-on-one attention, but he kept his black briefs on the entire time.

  He offered to drop them more than once, but Kendra waved that idea away with a quick swat of her hand on his chest telling him that the only dick she’s ever seen
is Danny Keller’s and she doesn’t want that to change.

  The wild stripper party Harmony bought and paid for has ended up being as tame as the dances we all went to in high school.

  “I get that you’re not interested in a hook-up.” He smiles softly. “Let’s go grab a drink. We’ll leave your three friends here if that’s all right by you.”

  I laugh. A drink wouldn’t hurt and it would give me a chance to unwind without the cheerful chatter about next year’s lesson plans that I’ve been subjected to all day. My friends may have the summer off, but they love their jobs enough to bring their excitement about next term along on our mini-vacation.

  “Just a drink?” I look down at the tank top and tutu I’m still wearing. “I should change first.”

  “There’s a costume party happening down the strip right now.” He rubs his jaw. “It’s at a club inside the Echo Resort. I can get us in and if we stay dressed like we are, we’ll each score a free drink.”

  Echo Resort and Casino. That’s where West is staying.

  “I’m not trying to keep you in that hot little skirt because it drives me crazy.” He wiggles both brows. “I swear there’s a costume party tonight. It’s a promo thing for a new tequila.”

  “Go!” Kendra yells from where she’s standing with Harmony and Priscilla. “We’re all calling it a night. Go and have fun, Linny.”

  I glance at their smiling faces before I turn back to Ray. “Looks like we’re headed to the Echo Resort.”

  Chapter 5

  Linny

  I stand in front of the door to Room 2626 at the Echo Resort and chew on the corner of my bottom lip. I shouldn’t even be here.

  It’s past two a.m. and I’m in a restricted area.

  You need a room key card to access the elevator that leads up here.

  I obviously don’t have one of those since I’m staying at the Vertex Hotel.