Vegas Vacation (Destination Desire)

by Crystal Jordan

  Concern cut through the annoyance at the interruption. “What’s up? Is everything okay?”

  “Everything’s fine. Better than fine. For me, anyway.” There was a rustling sound. “The woman who picked up the phone the other day…”

  “What about her?” Sudden dread fisted in his gut and he swallowed hard. Turning away from Meg, he swung his legs over the side of the bed so he sat on the edge of the mattress.

  His dad cleared his throat, and there was a long, awkward moment of silence. “I’d like you to come to dinner while you’re in town. And meet her.”

  Ah, shit. Finn dropped his head in his hand. It was strange enough that his father was dating again, but now he was getting dragged into some warped, reversed version of Meet the Parents? It made him feel a bit sick, thinking about some strange woman replacing his mother. But did he really have a choice? It had been years since his mom passed and there was no reason his father shouldn’t date again, but Finn had just wrapped his mind around that. A girlfriend introduction was something else entirely. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

  “Her name is Ursula,” his father continued, and Finn had to resist the childish urge to cover his ears. He didn’t want to know anything about this woman. Jesus.

  “When?” The word grated out of his throat and he dragged his palm down his face.

  He heard his dad sigh, but didn’t know if it was in annoyance at Finn’s lack of enthusiasm or relief that Finn wasn’t fighting him on the meeting. “You’re leaving Friday, right? So, how about the night before you leave? Do you have plans Thursday?”

  Finn wanted to make up some kind of plan to avoid what was sure to be a horrific experience, but he didn’t. “Okay, yeah. Thursday sounds good. See you then. I have to go. I, uh, I have a friend waiting for me.”

  “Sure, sure,” his father said, a false heartiness to his voice that made Finn cringe. God, this was uncomfortable. It didn’t help that the older man seemed as ill at ease as he was.

  “Bye, Dad.” He closed his eyes, shaking his head. “Love you.”

  “I love you too, son.” The words echoed with the gruff affection Finn had grown up with. “I’ll see you Thursday.”

  Hanging up, Finn sighed. Well, there was nothing to do but get through this. His family had always been a close one, and losing his mom had devastated both his father and him. He wasn’t about to alienate his one remaining parent by being petulant about the older man moving on with his life and finding someone else. Hell, his mother had even told his father to do so before the cancer had finally taken her. At the time, his dad had been adamant in his refusal and told his wife she was crazy from the chemo, but things had apparently changed.

  Finn just wished he’d had a bit more warning before he’d been blindsided by this new and not particularly welcome development in his old man’s love life.

  He hoped there was going to be alcohol at this meal. A stiff drink or three was going to be in order, no doubt. “Shit.”

  Meg had tried not to listen in on what was obviously a private conversation, but the tension radiating off Finn was unavoidable. She could see the muscles in his back and neck grow taut. Her belly knotted, but she laid a tentative hand on his shoulder.

  “You all right?” He flinched at her touch and she jerked her fingers back.

  “Hmm?” He glanced over at her. “Oh, yeah. I’m fine.”

  Wow, there was a load of bull if she’d ever heard it. She snorted. “You don’t have to tell me what’s going on, Finn, but don’t lie to me.”

  He swiveled in place so he could look at her, propping one bent leg on the mattress. “My dad wants me to come to dinner while I’m in town.”

  That much she’d gathered from the one-sided discussion she’d heard. What she didn’t understand was why that had caused so much tension. “And you don’t get along with your dad? Because you sounded like you were agreeing to go to the gallows when you were talking to him.”

  He forked his fingers through his hair, leaving the auburn strands in furrows. “I get along with him just fine. We visit each other several times a year.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Wincing, he sighed. “He wants me to meet his girlfriend.”

  “That’s the bad part?” Her brows arched. She still wasn’t quite clear on the problem.

  “It’s his first girlfriend since Mom died. Or at least the first one he’s wanted me to meet.”

  And there it was. The problem. “Ouch.”

  “I know, right?” He shook his head. “It’s crazy, but it feels like I’d be betraying her by meeting Dad’s other woman. Even though it’s been five years and he has every right to move on.” One shoulder twitched in a shrug. “My mom would have wanted him to be happy. And yet…”

  “And yet it feels a little wrong to do that.” The pain on his face coaxed her across the bed until she sat next to him, and leaned against his side, wanting to offer some comfort but not sure how.

  He blew out a deep breath, his arm circling her waist. “Yeah.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I miss her. I always will.” He set his chin on the top of her head, squeezing her just a little too tight. “She was an amazing mother. It’s odd to think about my dad with someone else. I’ll get over it. What other option do I have?” He huffed out a laugh that sounded far too close to a sob. “Jesus.”

  What an awful situation. Both of her parents were still alive, so she couldn’t even imagine what he was going through, but the usually affable Finn being so upset broke her heart. She didn’t say anything, just slid her arms around him and held on.

  “Would you…” He swallowed audibly. “Would you come with me? I think it might make it easier, not to be the third wheel at dinner.”

  Tipping her head back, she tried to meet his gaze, but he wouldn’t look at her. “Distract them with me, huh?”

  “You don’t have to. Never mind.” He pushed to his feet, sliding out of her embrace. The smile he gave her was overly bright and totally false. “Maybe we should think about getting dressed and going to that Olympic exhibit.”

  “I’ll go with you. To dinner.”

  The words were out of her mouth before she thought them through. It was unlike her not to consider things before she jumped in. Then again, she’d almost expected to regret sleeping with him when she’d woken up this morning. She was doing a lot of things that weren’t like her lately.

  Profound relief, disbelief, hope, and what might have been gratitude flashed across his face in rapid succession. “Really? You will?”

  “Yes.” Again, no hesitation—just reaction. “If me coming along helps make this easier for you, then I’m happy to come.” Wouldn’t she have loved someone to deflect the discomfort the first time she’d met Barbie? A friend would have been so appreciated just then, so she had some idea of what Finn was dealing with. Though without the home-wrecking part thrown in. She shrugged. “Anne would probably make for a much more entertaining distraction.”

  An odd expression she couldn’t decipher met that declaration. “You’ll be great. Thank you, Meg. Really. Thank you.”

  He stepped closer, caught her face between his palms and popped a kiss on her mouth. She tilted her head back, inviting more. His lips clung to hers, lingering. He tasted good. Like coffee and Finn. An addicting combination.

  “Mmm. You’re welcome,” she said when he let her up for air. “Can your dad cook?”

  He laughed. “Yes, he can. Meat and potatoes fare, but very edible.”

  “That’s good.” But reality—along with her usual careful consideration—was already rearing its ugly head.

  It was, in fact, a very bad idea to go to dinner and meet his father. She might be having sex with Finn, but they really weren’t friends. They’d agreed on that point earlier. She might justify it by sympathizing with the dad-has-a-new-girlfriend weirdness, but if she wasn’t his friend, what was her role? It would have been appropriate for Anne to go, but Meg? Not really. So what the hell was she doing? It crossed lines an
d made this more personal than it really should. Meeting the parent went way beyond just sex. But she hesitated to take the offer back. When had she ever seen Finn look so insecure, so uncertain? So agonized? He was usually the king of confidence, and she found she didn’t have the heart to let him down.

  That should tell her something right there, but she didn’t want to acknowledge it. So she pushed it aside. Not the smartest or most mature choice she’d ever made, but responsibility hadn’t exactly been high on her to-do list since she’d arrived in Vegas, had it?

  Finn had pretty much been the only thing on her to-do list, and she had done him. Repeatedly and in some very creative positions. And she wanted to do it again. The thought made a delicious shiver course through her.

  “We should get ready to go. The exhibit awaits.” This time, his smile reached his eyes, his expression warm enough to make her heart trip.

  Bad, bad idea. Agreeing to this dinner was going to make him think he was gaining ground in their romantic battle of wills. Not true, she assured herself. Helping him out with his dad didn’t mean she was giving in about dating him. But she didn’t want to point that out. He’d see for himself.

  She wanted to think about something else. Anything else. Time for some distraction, and she knew just how to get it. Letting a slow smile curve her lips, she held a hand toward him. “It can wait a little while, can’t it?”

  Chapter Six

  Mellowness filled Finn as he wandered around the Olympic history exhibit. His muscles were loose and a satisfied smile curled his mouth. Amazing sex would do that to a man. That and the sure knowledge that he was starting to make some headway with Meg. She was going to the Disaster Dad Dinner with him because she cared. She might not realize it, or maybe she just didn’t want to admit it, but he had no doubts.

  It gave him some hope.

  Hope could be a wonderful and dangerous thing, all at the same time. He knew he couldn’t assume too much from her agreeing to come with him, but there were a few chinks beginning to show in that armor of hers. He just had to keep chipping away at her resolve. Still, it felt damn good to know she cared. About him. He’d waited a year for some confirmation of that. She wanted him, and she cared.

  Today was off to an amazing start, despite the call from his father.

  Refocusing his attention on the display in front of him, he read a placard that discussed the life of four-time Olympic gold medalist, Jesse Owens. The track-and-field champion had run in footraces against Thoroughbred horses…and won. Finn hadn’t known that. He glanced around, wanting to show Meg. She was focused on another display, her hands clasped behind her back.

  “Meg, come see this,” he called softly, not wanting to disturb the other people in the large room.

  She held up a finger, letting him know she’d be there in a minute. Her brown curls swept forward to cover her face when she bent down to get a closer look at the glass case in front of her. The pose just drew his gaze to her heart-shaped ass. The soft sundress she wore flowed over her curves to flutter around her knees. He’d had to stop himself from sliding his hand up her skirt when they were on the cab ride over here. It would have turned her on, but she’d have probably slapped his hand anyway.

  After a moment, she straightened and looked around for him. He waved her over, and she smiled as she approached. The expression was softer and more intimate than he was used to, and he liked it. Since he knew for a fact that none of the other HMB teachers were here to witness anything, he pressed a quick kiss to her mouth when she reached his side.

  She set her palms on his chest, but didn’t push him away, so he kissed her again, letting himself linger for just a moment longer than was strictly kosher in a public place. Her eyes were a bit glazed, and he liked that too, liked knowing he could shake her logic and make her respond.

  “Was that why you called me over here?” Her fingers toyed with a button on his shirt.

  “No, I wanted to show you this.” He waved to the placard about Jesse Owens and gave her a moment to read it.

  “Huh. I can’t even imagine being able to run that fast.” Her brows drew together in thought as she moved along the wall to the next display. “Did you know that baseball was voted out of the Olympics? The 2008 Beijing games were the last ones to have it.”

  “Where did you read that?” He glanced around at the various displays that made up the exhibit, not seeing one that looked particularly baseball related.

  “Not here. I just know it.” She shrugged and stopped in front of an enlarged photo of a team of ice hockey players from the USSR. “Baseball was the first sport voted out of the Olympics since polo in 1936.”

  “It’s interesting that you like sports.” One of the things he hadn’t given a lot of thought to when he’d begun pursuing her. He’d sensed they were sexually compatible, known they had personalities that would mesh well, but he hadn’t considered what interests they might share. As a physical education teacher, he was a fan of most sports, but had a few favorites—including baseball. Somehow her love of the same sport solidified the opinion that had been slowly building over the last year: they fit each other.

  “Not sports in general. Baseball, specifically.” She spread her hands. “My dad and gramps competed over baseball factoids and stats. There was no way to grow up in my family and avoid knowing everything.”

  “Who won the 1958 World Series?”

  She didn’t hesitate. “The Yankees.”

  “Who’d they play against?”

  “The Braves. And the year before, it was the same teams, only the Braves won.” She smirked. “Any other questions on this pop quiz?”

  “Nope.” He slid an arm around her waist, leaning in to brush his lips over her cheek. Damn, she smelled good—the light, flowery fragrance of her shampoo teasing his nose. He’d woken up to that scent this morning, and it was something he could get used to.

  He tried to avoid considering what would happen if she didn’t change her mind about them. The possibility was there, hovering like a dark cloud over everything they said and did this week. He was doing his level best to ignore it, but he had a feeling that ignoring his worries was going to get harder as the days sped by.

  Finn slid his fingers into Meg’s and she startled. One auburn eyebrow arched when she glanced at him. “Something wrong, sweetheart?”

  “No, I just…I’m not used to this.” Not from him. It was a little jarring to go from ignoring her lust for him to public displays of affection overnight. She knew none of their colleagues were near the Olympic exhibit to see anything, so there should be no problem, but it was unsettling to have her standard operating procedure with him flip so quickly. She knew she’d asked for it, welcomed it, but accepting it internally was a little less easy. A little scary.

  “There’s no time like the present to get used to it.” He lifted her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss over her knuckles, his blue gaze daring her to pull away. Instead, she just stared at his mouth, a little quiver running through her when he nibbled on the base of her thumb. A flush heated her face, then that same heat sluiced down her body. Her muscles both tensed and loosened, readying for sex. The beat of her heart thrummed in her ears, picking up speed.

  His Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed and she wanted to put her mouth on his throat, drink in the scent of him, lick the saltiness of his skin, maybe even bite him.

  “I want you,” he whispered against her palm.

  Her chin dipped in a quick nod. She no longer had to deny how much she craved him, at least for a few days. She waved her free hand to encompass the exhibit. “This isn’t exactly the place to be able to do anything about it.”

  “A shame.” Wickedness glinted in his gaze though, and a hint of laughter.

  Releasing her hand, he bent forward and dropped a quick kiss on her mouth. She let her lips cling to his for a moment, her eyes sliding shut while his taste lingered. The sweetness of it made her heart squeeze, though she knew it shouldn’t. This was an affair, so her hea
rt should be unmoved. Or race with passion, but not trip over itself for Finn. It worried her a little, but she pushed it from her mind.

  “Maybe we should go somewhere we can do something about it,” she suggested. As much as she adored history, her interest in the exhibit waned under the temptation he presented.

  His expression tightened with lust. “I’m ready when you are.”

  Desire wound through her as she turned to walk out, the feel of her dress brushing against her legs somehow heightening her need. Finn slid his hand down her back, pressing her forward. Not that she needed urging. Leaving the exhibit, she stumbled when Finn took her arm and tugged her away from the building’s exit.

  Frowning, she met his gaze. “Where are we—”

  “In here.” He drew her through a doorway and automatic lights flashed on. He shut and locked the door behind them while she glanced around and saw they were in a large bathroom.

  “You needed to pee before we left?”

  “Nope.” He curled an arm around her waist so he could drag her against him. His mouth closed over anything she might have said. She met his tongue with her own, battling him for control of the kiss.

  Her hands shoved into his hair, gripping the rough silk. She shifted her torso across his, stimulating her nipples—which hardened to painful points—but the pain just increased her craving. His hands dropped to her hips, pulling her tighter to him, and the ridge of his erection rode against her stomach.

  Not where she wanted it.

  Tingles skittered down her limbs, and her breath sped to panting. His fingers began to gather the fabric of her skirt, and she felt cool air brush her thighs. It sent fire spurting through her and her sex clenched.

  His hands curled under the band of her panties, the roughness of his calluses making her shiver. He dipped down to tease her sex from behind, rubbing his fingertip along the slick lips, circling her opening before he pressed two thick fingers into her channel.

  “Oh, God. Finn.” Her hips moved with the pace his hand set, and her mouth opened in a silent scream when he added a third finger to her pussy. She pressed her face to his chest, her nails digging into his shoulders as she held on tight. “Please.”