by Claire Adams
I broke away before my thoughts were completely unraveled. "But I like it here in Las Vegas," I said. "Plus, it makes a lot of sense for my career."
"I don't distract you from your work?" he asked.
I tipped my head and looked into his bright blue eyes. "Unlike you, I can balance life and work."
My phone rang and a spark of mischief flashed in Fenton's eyes. "I bet that's work," he said. He pulled me tighter against him and his lips sought mine for another dizzying drink.
I almost forgot what the ringing sound meant as I tangled my hands in his hair and hung on. When I finally broke away, I swayed and he laughed.
"How's that balance?" he asked.
I rolled my eyes at him, but had to steady myself against the kitchen counter as I answered the still-ringing phone. "Hello?"
"Ms. Allen, I thought you had forgotten about me," Jackson McRay's voice was light and mocking. "Celebrating the big win of your blue collar brawler, I suppose."
"I'm surprised to hear from you, I thought the tournament started today," I said.
"I played my first round already this morning. Aren't you supposed to keep up with such things?"
"I do. I will. Now that I know you are interested in becoming a client," I said. I turned away from Fenton who stood with his arms crossed, clearly listening to my half of the conversation.
"Well, then, I can catch you up. I'm actually in the Tropicana. Why don't you invite me up for a cup of coffee? I'll jump on the elevator and see you in a few," Jackson said. He hung up the phone.
I felt a swirl of panic in my stomach as I turned back around. Fenton frowned at me, his arms crossed tighter than before. "Looks like it’s less about balance and more about juggling," I said. "Jackson McRay, the golfer, is on his way up to the suite for a cup of coffee. We have possible business to discuss."
He followed me into the master bedroom as I yanked a cardigan over my white t-shirt and tried to make myself look presentable. I was relieved to see the red blush across my cheeks was fading. Then, Fenton caught me in his arms again.
"Are you sure you don't want to blow off the coffee meeting and jump in the shower with me?" he asked. His fingers danced up and down my back.
I shivered with pleasure and pushed him away. "I see what you're doing. You're trying to make me screw up this contract so I have to go back to Chicago."
He shook his head. "It would be easier to concentrate, but I like you in Vegas. I want you in Vegas."
There was a sharp knock on the suite door. I could not help but brush a soft kiss across Fenton's lips before I hurried away across the suite to let Jackson in. As the golfer strode inside, I glanced back and saw Fenton disappear into the second bedroom.
The knot of worry in my chest loosened. "Good morning, I think there's still some hot coffee in the pot. Unless you'd rather go downstairs?"
"Whatever you've got is fine. Wow, must have been some party here last night," Jackson said. "You throw a big bash every time your client does well?"
"I didn't have much of a choice. Fenton decided to stay here when the MGM Grand kicked him out," I said. I glanced at the second bedroom, worried the door would fly open any minute. Better that Jackson heard from me than found out through one of Fenton's grand entrances.
Jackson scrubbed a hand over his short, cropped brown hair. "Interesting. Though, I guess it shows you are a generous agent. Very hands on?" he asked.
I swallowed hard, feeling the undertow of his question. "As far as letting clients use this suite. It’s paid for by the company," I said. "Now, why don't you catch me up on your round this morning?"
The tight hold in Jackson's shoulders relaxed and he sat down at the kitchen counter. I poured him a cup of coffee, relieved that he was no longer looming over me. He was tall with wide shoulders, not as heavily muscled as Fenton, but there was a hardness under his pale yellow Polo shirt.
"We don't have to talk about work just yet," he said.
His tan arms reached out towards me across the kitchen island and I immediately wanted to pull back. I knew he would be offended, he had already made his interest in me clear, and so I forced myself to stay still.
"What else is there to discuss?" I asked.
Jackson caught my hand, but the second bedroom door crashed open. He swiveled in his chair and I was able to pull myself loose from his hold. Fenton strolled out in dark jeans. He held his t-shirt loosely in his hands, the hard cut of his abs and the dark slashes of his tattoos on full display. He looked menacing, out of place against the soft white luxury of the suite, as if he belonged in an alley ready to fight.
The look he gave Jackson was taunting. "Oh, sorry, didn't know Kya was conducting business." He yanked his shirt on and kept coming towards us. "She warned me she had some client coming over. We've met before, right?"
"Yes," Jackson bit out. "Now, if you'll excuse us?"
"Oh, sure, don't mind me. Any chance there's more coffee?" Fenton asked.
I poured him a cup and gave him a sharp glance, but Fenton pretended not to notice. He stood at the edge of the kitchen counter and slowly dripped cream into his cup, taking the time to taste it and decide if he needed more.
Jackson watched him with growing aggravation. "Maybe you were right, Kya. We should head downstairs."
"Hey, if you go for breakfast could you bring me a little something back? You know what I like," Fenton said. He waggled his eyebrows at me.
Jackson caught the suggestive look and his jaw tightened.
"Was that a knock at the door?" I asked. They both looked at me as if I was crazy until the knock came again. "I'll get it," I said.
I escaped the kitchen and went to the door. I hoped it was Kev Casey. If anyone thrived in awkward situations, it was Fenton's manager. I pulled the door open.
Dana Maria sauntered past me in a jaw-dropping blue lace dress. The color and the barely-there clinging material made it look like she was wearing nothing but sea foam. She even had seashell clips in her long black curls and giant silver starfish earrings.
"Really?" Jackson exclaimed. "Have you no decency? You invite a stripper up to Kya's suite in the middle of the day?"
Dana Maria laughed. "It's not like I'm a vampire."
"I have no problem with you," Jackson said. He got up from the kitchen counter. "I didn't mean to offend you. Kya, you're really okay with this? No wonder you're interested in a higher class of client."
"Jackson, I'd like you to meet Fenton's sister, Dana Maria," I said. I understood that Jackson was just trying to defend my honor, but if Fenton did not punch him, I would consider doing it myself.
Dana Maria tossed her hair and came over to shake Jackson's hand. "Nice to meet you, handsome."
Jackson held on to her hand, swinging it away from her body as he thoroughly studied her dress. "Beauty and the bruiser. I suppose you can't choose your family."
"Now, don't get my baby brother all riled up. He promised me a nice lunch to celebrate his big win. Ready?" Dana Maria asked Fenton.
"Almost," Fenton said. He took one bristling step towards Jackson.
The golfer ignored him and turned to me. "I've disrupted your morning enough. How about we discuss the endorsement plans over dinner?"
"Oh, it's pretty straightforward," I said.
"Good, I'll go make the reservations and send you the info," Jackson said. "All you need to do is pull together some other options besides vitamin supplements. I'd like to convey a different image than some of your other clients."
Jackson left a stretch of awkward silence in his wake. Fenton took a lap around the suite, trying to shake it off. I crept back to the kitchen and poured myself another cup of coffee.
Dana Maria fluffed her hair. "I do like a clean-cut man. Even had his Polo shirt tucked in. Bet he's hiding a dirty, dirty mind under all that polish. Are you sure that isn't what your little Ms. Priss likes?" she asked Fenton.
"Stay away from Jackson McRay," Fenton told his sister. "There's something off about him. I should hav
e knocked his teeth out."
"But then how would Ms. Allen make a mint off him? God knows she's only interested in him for the business. Why else would the Country Club Princess head out to dinner with the likes of him? I bet she can't stand the good manners, cloth napkins, and wine lists."
"She's capable of having a business dinner without it turning to sex," I said. I put my cup down and marched across the suite. "Now, if you're done talking about me, I actually have work to do."
"Scoping out hot athletes. Sounds like a tough day to me," Dana Maria said.
I tried to ignore her and headed into the master bedroom to get my laptop. Fenton told his sister to wait by the elevator and followed me inside.
"What are you doing this afternoon?" he asked.
"Really? You're letting your sister get in your head?" I asked. "I'm going to put on my little black bikini and spend the rest of the day flirting with any athlete that looks my way. You know my method, reel them in, have sex with them, and make 'em sign before they get dressed."
"You're right, I'm sorry," Fenton said. "You can't be even a little flattered that I get jealous?"
"There's a difference between jealous and territorial. I'm not a piece of meat for you and Jackson to circle around like dogs," I said.
"So you agree that the golfer is looking for more than an endorsement deal."
"It doesn't matter what he's looking for." I ripped open the closet and started looking for a dress to wear later. "Like I said, I am perfectly capable of controlling myself."
"Good," he said. He caught me and pulled me around to face him. "I only like it when you lose control with me."
"After hours, after we're both done with work," I said. I tipped my chin away from him primly.
"Then, it’s a date. Have your dinner, sign your new client, and I'll be here to celebrate when you're done," he said. "I've been thinking about you and me and that view from the balcony."
The thought washed through me and I felt myself melting. Fenton was magnetic. How could I explain that no one else attracted me like him? I wrapped myself around him and gave him a kiss we would both feel the rest of the day.
"See you tonight," I said against his warm and smiling lips.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Kya
I was relieved when I dropped into the cab's backseat. My head was still spinning from Fenton's kiss. The driver told me there was traffic and it would be longer than expected. I nodded and leaned back, fully expecting to enjoy the peace and quiet. I needed to think; I needed to get my balance back.
"In town for business or pleasure?" the cab driver asked.
"Business," I said. His casual question started my mind racing around the real problem I was having separating the two things.
"Really? That's too bad. Unless you like your work. I love my work," he said.
"Do you like living in Vegas?" I asked.
He nodded into the rearview mirror but did not accept my change of subject. "What do you do for a living?"
"I'm a sports agent. I help athletes get endorsement deals and connect brands with sports representation," I said.
"Well, we got all kinds of athletes here," the cab driver said. "Just this morning I've had two basketball players, a boxer, and a Kung Fu master. Can you believe that? Bet this town is good for your business."
"Yes, my thoughts exactly," I said. "I'm thinking of moving here. Or at least, staying for a while." It still felt crazy to say it out loud and I always braced myself for other people to laugh.
"You'll love it," he said. "Who are you here to sign?"
"Fenton Morris, the martial arts fighter. Do you know him?" I asked.
"Do I know him?" The cab driver gestured to one of Fenton's billboards. "Though, he sounds like a rough customer. Got a real reputation, that one. A nice girl like you would do better with the tennis players or the golfers. Or how about the video gamers? Everyone says it’s like an up and coming sport."
I shook my head. Fenton's reputation seemed like its own entity. Would I have to date it, too? I held my breath. Was I dating Fenton Morris? We had never really talked about it. His jealousy made us seem exclusive, but he did have a reputation to maintain. What would people say if they knew he was dating someone like me?
"So you like those martial arts fights? All the blood? You don't strike me as that kind of girl," the cab driver said.
"Then, I guess I'd surprise you," I said. Maybe my reputation was the greater hindrance. I always thought it helped me with work, but I was sick of it. It was time for a change. I promised myself that Jackson McRay would be the first client I landed as myself, not some prim and proper projection of what the other person wanted.
With that thought bolstering my courage, I sprang from the cab and stopped in shock. Jackson McRay had beaten me to the restaurant, and he was arm in arm with Dana Maria. More than arm in arm, his hand trailed along her neck and dipped down the front of her revealing sea-foam dress. I could not read her expression, but Jackson's smile was predatory.
"Sorry if I'm late," I said. "There was a lot of traffic on the Strip."
Jackson stepped in front of Dana Maria, giving her his back and not looking around again. "There's my beautiful date. I have been waiting, but it was worth it."
I sidestepped his charming smile and greeted Fenton's sister. "Nice to see you again, Dana Maria."
"I'm not checking up on you if that's what you think," she said. "I have a private gig in the adjoining hotel and your friend here snagged me as I walked past."
"Private gig?" I asked.
"Yes," Dana Maria tossed her hair, "I dance for private parties, bachelor nights, and whatever. There's good money in it and I stick to the high-end hotels where everything is on the up and up."
"Alone? Does Fenton know?" I asked.
"Look, hun, I'm a professional and, despite you turning your nose up at me, I love what I do. Fenton knows and he's proud of me for making my own way in the world," Dana Maria said.
"No, I just meant, I wanted to make sure it was safe for you. Fenton would not like you going into a bachelor party alone," I said.
She sniffed at me. "I got a bodyguard, but I can take care of myself. Better hope you can say the same thing," she said. She gave Jackson's back a sharp look and then turned on her platform heels. A burly man appeared from the hallway and followed her to the elevators.
"Don't worry," Jackson said. "I'll look out for you."
I took his arm. The maitre d' escorted us directly to our table, where Jackson held out my chair for me. I thanked him, but could not get Dana Maria's look out of my mind.
"I ordered a bottle of wine while I was waiting. I hope that's alright," Jackson said. "You just relax and start on your glass while I order us dinner."
I nodded, but wondered what he would say if I disagreed. Jackson seemed gracious and well-mannered, but he liked to have things a certain way. I had a feeling that everything in his world fit the way he wanted it to or it did not stick around for long.
Still, he made delicious choices and I was not discontent.
He smiled as I enjoyed my first long sip of the wine. "It is so nice to meet someone with the same tastes, isn't it?" he asked.
"Well, I can't complain about the wine," I said.
"You would have chosen a different entree?" Jackson asked. "I chose the salmon because it consistently gets the highest reviews. I just thought it was best to go with the best."
"Of course. I would have done the same," I agreed. I was just being silly. Jackson was courteous not controlling. I was just thrown by the vast differences between him and Fenton.
"See," he smiled. "Great minds think alike. That's why I believe we can finish our business before the first course."
"Well, I already put out calls to a few of our clients, but the one I think is the best fit for you is Precision Tools. It’s another long-term, brand-loyalty contract like the vitamin supplements. I liked the idea of you choosing the right club and incorporating that into choosing
the right tool for the job," I said.
"See? Perfect," he said. "Let's do that. You're really good at your job, Kya. Do you see yourself at it for a long time to come?"
I sipped my wine and tried to come up with a succinct answer. Until twenty-four hours ago, I would have been able to tell him my entire life plan. Now, it was all up in the air. I smiled. "I'm going to get off the road, find a base, and see where it goes from there."
He nodded. "I can see you settled down. I imagine you'll do well. Then, you'll join a good country club and some lucky man will snap you up right away."
"Is that what you see for yourself?" I asked. "Retiring to hold court at your favorite country club and find yourself a lovely queen?"
"Then, a big white house with a yard, a vacation home, and a few good years of enjoying it all before the kids come along," Jackson said. "Sounds perfect, doesn't it? I told you that great minds think alike."
He plucked my hand from the white linen tablecloth and brushed his thumb gently across the back of my knuckles. I had to admit that Jackson McRay was very attractive. A few women around the restaurant were watching us with barely contained jealousy. I did feel a thrill at the easy and comfortable life he had outlined.
The only problem was he was not Fenton. I pulled my hand back. "It's a bit expected," I said. "I wouldn't want you to think I was boring."
Jackson's lips curled in an appreciative smile. "You're right. I do like a girl who needs to be chased. So tell me, Kya, what kind of wild future do you see for yourself?"
I sipped my wine. "I'm going to try Las Vegas for a while. It makes the most sense for my business. So, there goes my country club plans. I might have to take up gambling," I said.
"Or martial arts?" he asked. His smile disappeared and he reached for his wine.
"Who knows," I said. "There are lots of hobbies I haven't tried yet. I think it’s kind of fun to takes things as they come. I mean, don't get me wrong. I had outlined the exact life you described, but now I think I should see what happens instead of trying to make it happen. Does that make sense?"
"No," he said. He took my hand again. "It makes sense that you want to cut loose and try on the world for size. But only for a little while, Kya. You're smart, you're practical, and you know the best course for your life to take. Once you're on that course and your momentum really gets going, it can feel a little scary. That's why you should find someone with your same tastes to guide you back when the time comes."