Same/Difference (The Depth of Emotion #4)

by D. D. Lorenzo

  “I’ll see what I can do”.

  He lifted my fingers to his lips and kissed them. “Don’t forget.”

  Dayaum!

  As he walked away I couldn’t tear my eyes from him. Of course, neither could any other woman near me. I was usually so aloof around men but around him I didn’t stand a chance. He’d been so polite that weekend in the mountains. I took him for a quiet, soft-spoken man, but I was mistaken. He was raw sexuality. There was nothing passive in his demeanor today. I followed him with my eyes as he disappeared down the street.

  I knew I was late when I approached the hostess and saw Liz out of the corner of my eye. She was sitting at a table smiling as she sipped a tall glass of iced tea. The best I could do was mustering an apologetic look.

  “Sorry.”

  “Honey bunches of oats, you don’t have to apologize. I was enjoying the show.”

  She made me laugh with her terms of endearment. “The show?” A wicked smile appeared on her face.

  “I was there, at your hotel. I was going to meet you, but then I saw that gorgeous man run after you so I stood close enough to hear but far enough away to be inconspicuous. Where have you been keeping him?”

  I blushed, saying nothing as the waitress approached and took our order. Once she left the table, Elizabeth stared me down. “Sooooo?”

  I was nonchalant. “So, what?”

  “Chica, don’t play games with me,” she teased. “Who was he, where’d you meet him, and is he single?”

  Really? I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh. “His name is Falcon Grey.”

  “And?” She pried.

  “And what?!” Exasperated, I answered. “I met him at a Christmas party. The one at Carter and Aimee’s.” The look on her face told me she wanted more details.

  “Dear God, woman!” she said in an exasperated tone. “It’s like pulling teeth! And?”

  I snapped my napkin in the air and laid it on my lap. I looked her straight in the eye. “…and he’s single. Satisfied?”

  “Well, yes. Yes, I am satisfied.” Her shoulders stiffened and she gave me a smug look. I lifted the glass to my lips and hid a smile behind it.

  “What? There’s more isn’t there.” She obviously wanted more because she did not divert her intrusive gaze.

  “He asked me to have dinner with him.”

  Elizabeth grinned. “And are you going to go?”

  “I don’t know. I told him that I had to check with you. That we might have plans.”

  “Oh no you don’t, girl! You’re not using me as an excuse to escape the clutches of that gorgeous man. We do not have plans.” She smirked at me, her lip curled with attitude.

  “I didn’t even tell you when he wanted to go!”

  She shrugged her shoulders and gave me a matter-of-fact look. “It doesn’t matter. Whatever time he wants to take you—we don’t have any plans. How’s that? You’re off the hook.” She winked at me.

  Really? “Oh, my God…” I sighed and sat back in my chair.

  “What? I have a reputation to protect. If you like this guy, do you really want his first impression of me to be as your butt-insky friend? No. No. No. You go to dinner with him.”

  “He’s just a friend.” My irritation, although slight, fed Liz’s humor. I could tell by the look on her face. She was acting like she hoped Falcon would become more than that, but she also knew me better than that. I liked him, but I never let a guy get too close. I liked men, and Falcon was certainly one I’d like to go out with. But more than friends? That would make me vulnerable. No. I wasn’t that stupid. Too much chance of getting hurt.

  Thankfully, for the remainder of our meal we moved on to other topics, especially what we wanted to accomplish over the next few days. Interestingly enough, Liz didn’t bring up the topic of Falcon again, but she didn’t have to. I knew she hoped for more but I knew my limits. I’d have to be careful. Dinner and drinks. Nothing too involved. We lived on opposite sides of the state, a six-hour drive away. There was no chance we’d run into each other so a little fun was okay. Once we returned to the reality of our very busy jobs, the distance between us would suffice to keep us apart.

  And for me, that was just fine.

  Liz and I spent the remainder of the afternoon registering for the convention and shopping. Of course, we hadn’t done so much damage to our wallets that carrying our shopping bags was a hindrance. As we walked back up the Strip from the stores, time passed quickly by. We were lost in conversation and a block or two away from my hotel when my cell went off. On the display was an unknown number. Liz grinned and raised an eyebrow, then walked a comfortable distance away.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, beautiful.”

  A smile played at my lips. “You greet all the girls like that?”

  “Nope. You’re the first.” He paused. “Are you free for dinner?”

  Even though Liz was standing five feet away from me she was shaking her head up and down, encouraging me to accept. I tilted my chin and glared at her.

  “I think so.”

  “Great. How about Gordon Ramsey’s at eight o’clock?”

  Elizabeth had moved closer and she could hear the deep rumble of his voice. When he said ‘Gordon Ramsey’, her eyebrows raised, she formed an “O” with her mouth, and she nodded more vigorously.

  “That sounds good,” I answered, and tried to walk away from my friend. “I’ll meet you there at eight.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” he objected. “I’ll pick you up. We’ll drive over together.”

  Elizabeth smiled from ear to ear.

  “Well, okay. I’m in room 1022.” Instantly, I regretted the anxious way I told him my room number and I tried to backtrack. “You know what? Why don’t I meet you outside the lobby? Near the taxi stand. I’ll be ready around seven-thirty.” He didn’t answer and I thought he might be offended by my dismissive tone. “Are you still there?”

  “Yes, I’m here. I just left a meeting. Sorry, I was preoccupied for a minute.”

  The tone in his voice told me something was wrong but I didn’t know him well enough to press the issue. “I’ll meet you in front of the hotel.”

  “That sounds good. I’ll see you then.”

  His odd pause in our conversation disturbed me. Maybe I was overreacting. I gave Liz a puzzled look. “Is it me, or was that a little weird at the end?” She shrugged.

  “Maybe he forgot something at his meeting. Anyway, you’re going to Gordon Ramsey tonight! That place is great!” When she looked at my face she could tell by my expression that I was reading too much into the hesitation in his voice.

  “Paige…”

  She read me very well. I overthought everything, but one thing I did well was read people. It was almost a survival technique. Growing up as a victim of bullying, I learned to pick up subtle things. She was probably right, so I played it off.

  “I’m fine. I promise.”

  Like two eager puppies spotting a squirrel in the yard, our conversation changed quickly when we saw a woman wearing a fantastic pair of shoes. That, more pleasant, topic sparked a discussion that lasted all the way back to the hotel. I waited outside with her so she could take a taxi home. As soon as one approached, she hugged me.

  “You relax and have a good time tonight, okay?”

  I nodded. “I will. I’ll call you tomorrow.

  “And be careful,” she warned. “Even though I was teasing you about him, I don’t know this guy. Call me if you need me. Crazy things happen in this town.”

  “Liz! He’s in security, and he was in the military. He isn’t going to let anything happen to me, and he’s not going to try anything, okay?” I gave her a peck on the cheek. “Now go home! I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Falcon was looking forward to tonight and couldn’t remember when he’d taken such pains to look good for a woman. Then again, he met most women in bars and had them in bed the same night. But this wasn’t one of those bars, and she certainly wasn’t one of those wome
n. This entire situation was different; she was different. He checked himself in the mirror; black suit jacket, white shirt open at the neck. No tie. Ties were for business. Tonight was all about pleasure.

  “Hello, sir.”

  Jorge was right in front of The Aria, the hotel where he was staying. He opened the door and Falcon stepped in. He’d met Jorge on a trip to Vegas several months ago. Although the taxi service in Vegas was great, he needed something more reliable. Jorge was always on time, friendly, and knew the best ways to get around Vegas in a hurry. Falcon didn’t impress easily, but Jorge was an exception. Now he was his driver every time he came into town.

  A few seconds later Jorge was back in the driver’s seat. “Where are we headed tonight, sir?”

  “New York, New York. We’re picking up a friend, then going to Gordon Ramsey.”

  Jorge looked at him in the rear view mirror. “Gordon Ramsey, sir? Must be a special friend.”

  “She is.”

  The two hotels were neighbors, but in Vegas traffic it could take twenty minutes to get from one to the other. That was okay. It gave him a little time to plan the evening. When she agreed to have dinner with him he was pleased, although he sensed some hesitancy on her part. Though he didn’t want to say anything to her, the preoccupation came when he saw Blake Matthews. Did she know he was here? It seemed odd that he would be in Vegas at the same time Paige was, especially since he obviously had a thing for her.

  Blake had been nothing but a pain in the ass since the first time they met. It was the same time he met Paige, at the party. If he hadn’t asked, he would have thought Paige and Blake were together. The entire weekend Blake’s attitude darkened every time he saw Paige, especially when she was with Falcon. Blake would be on the other side of the room and the minute Falcon approached her, Blake gave him a pissed-off glare. Of course you could run into anyone in Vegas, but the kicker was that Blake was with Manny and Marisol Vallega. The three of them were an evil trio.

  Falcon knew all about Manny Vallega, and none of it was good. Manny’s name was linked to many illegal endeavors but, unfortunately, very little proof existed. Manny was very careful and the lack of evidence had frustrated law enforcement for a few years. He was into everything. Drugs, guns, and human trafficking activity—all of it bore his fingerprints. Just not enough to make anything stick. Every time the DEA, FBI, ATF, or Marshal’s service thought they had something on him, witnesses and evidence disappeared. Marisol wasn’t much better. She’d become notorious in the tabloids. “Manny’s Mannequin” they called her. She was a trophy wife to the media, but close sources believed there was more. So much so that Manny was extremely protective of her. Falcon might never have known her, except that she’d been incarcerated for an attack on Carter’s sister-in-law. After her unprecedented release, Marisol’s name popped up on any intel regarding Manny. Earlier, while he was talking to Paige on the phone, he saw the three of them walking together through the lobby of his hotel. Not good.

  Jorge made the turn into New York, New York. Just as he pulled the car up to the front, Paige breezed through the revolving door. As always, she was impeccably styled. The black dress she wore hugged her curves and he appreciated that it was short enough to show off her toned legs. She was more conservative than most, but in the sexiest way. Most women in Vegas exposed as much skin as they could, but that was what made her stand out. She wasn’t the norm and it was refreshing.

  Jorge came around the car and opened the door. Falcon stepped out to greet her.

  “You look gorgeous—emphasis on the gorgeous.”

  She was obviously pleased by the compliment, and a pink glow flushed her cheeks.

  “Thank you. You look very handsome yourself.”

  “No, sweetheart, thank you. I thought this would be a boring trip but you’re making it anything but.”

  She got into the backseat and slid all the way to the other side. As she did he noticed the back of the dress. It was sheer across the shoulders, just a hint of sexy.

  Unbuttoning his jacket, he entered after her. She turned toward him and smiled, giving him a glimpse of her dimples. That was the smile that slayed him. He hadn’t realized how much he wanted to see her until that moment. It was much more than he expected.

  “Have you ever been to Gordon Ramsey’s?”

  “No, but I’m looking forward to it. Elizabeth told me it was very nice.”

  “She’s right. It’s a very nice restaurant, but there are many in Vegas.”

  “I was just thinking that,” she agreed. “I come here several times a year, but I can count on one hand the number of five star restaurants I’ve been to. Usually, we go somewhere for a late dinner that has a club nearby.”

  “Then you should go more often. I’m not too much for the club scene but I enjoy a great meal.” His tone grew more suggestive. “I could name a few for you, but then I’d rather take you to them.”

  Her eyes sparkled.

  “Vegas wouldn’t be my first choice for vacation, but I can tell by the look in your eyes that you see it differently than I do.”

  She turned away from the window to look at him.

  “It’s the lights. They get to me. Reminds me of Christmas, only here you get to see it every night.” Her expression softened. “Have you ever flown into Vegas at night?”

  “I don’t recall,” he answered, shaking his head. “If I have, I was probably sleeping.”

  She rolled her eyes, a smirk on her lips.

  “You really should make an effort to fly at night, even if it’s one time. Stay awake and look out the window as you land. The lights in the dessert look magical from above. It’s really one of the most beautiful sights Vegas has to offer.”

  The corners of his mouth rose with a smile and he gave her a sultry look. “I don’t know about that. I think I’m looking at one of the most beautiful sights Vegas has to offer.”

  She blushed again like a schoolgirl. The compliment made her squirm in her seat. “I’m not going to be able to eat if you keep this up.”

  His brows pulled together. “Why, because I think you’re beautiful? I thought most women loved compliments.”

  “I’m not most women.” She shrugged.

  Regaining her composure, she deflected and changed the subject to focus on him.

  “So, how did your meeting go?”

  “The one today? It was good. Two new contracts.” He was surprised she remembered.

  “I thought it was just the three of you; Carter, Marcus, and you. How do you keep up with all of it?”

  “We’ve just expanded, as a matter of fact. In addition to the three of us we’ve hired seven people. If we continue to grow, I’m sure we’ll add to that number.”

  Her eyes widened. “Wow! I thought the business was just a few months old.”

  “A little shy of the one-year mark, actually, although we planned for expansion six months ago. We knew we had something to build on, but we had no idea how quickly the business would take off. Needless to say, we’re pleasantly surprised.”

  Jorge pulled up in front of Paris, Las Vegas.

  “We’re here.”

  Falcon got out of the car and buttoned his jacket. He held out his hand to her and she slid her fingers into it. The proprietary feeling seared into him as her hand fit into his. It was one he wasn’t familiar with, but could easily get used to.

  Jorge stood outside the car awaiting Falcon’s instructions.

  “Thanks, Jorge. I’ll call when we’re finished.”

  “Yes, sir. Just let me know when you need me.”

  Paige giggled.

  “What’s so funny?” he asked.

  “Forgive me,” her voice was low and sexy, “but I don’t think of you as a ‘sir’.”

  “No?” He looked down at her and placed his other hand at the small of her back. I’d be offended, but I’m happy to know that you think of me at all.”

  He led her through the lobby of Paris, Las Vegas, and then to the restaurant area. Onc
e he gave the hostess his name, they followed her inside. They were directed to a table in the corner. Their hostess held out a chair for Paige while Falcon seated himself.

  The delicious aromas mingled, caressing their senses. For such a busy restaurant, the location of their table seemed rather private. Paige’s approval shone on her face confirming he’d made the right choice for a first date. From the neon British flag on the ceiling to the rich, dark wood, the entire restaurant oozed indulgence. He ordered a cocktail for Paige and a beer for himself, and then watched her expression as she scanned the menu.

  “Everything on here sounds delicious.” She peeked at him over the top of the menu.

  He was starving, having only eaten breakfast.

  “I recommend the steak. It’s excellent.”

  Their server appeared at the table. She took Falcon’s advice and ordered the steak, but when she said that she wanted it cooked "so well done it was charcoaled," it earned her a horrified look from them both. It took a few minutes of convincing to get her to try it medium-well, but he argued that her way killed the flavor. When she finally deferred to his judgment, he relished the small victory. She didn’t give in easily though, giving him a small taste of her determination.

  “I’ll be right back,” she said, excusing herself.

  He stood when she rose from her chair and noted her smile as he did so. Apparently, gentlemanly behavior was something she liked. Mom would be proud.

  She’d only walked a few feet away from the table when she double-backed. As she reached him, she raised a questioning brow. One of the wait staff was folding the napkin she’d just placed on the table. Falcon took her hand and pulled her low enough so he could whisper in her ear.

  “When you leave the table, they service your seat.”

  Her mouth formed a little “o” and she nodded. She picked up her handbag. “Forgot this,” she said then walked toward the restroom. Falcon watched as the waiter refilled their water glasses.