I nodded. We stood there for a minute looking at each other. I saw his jaw tighten. Max was not satisfied with my answer, that much was obvious.
“Is something wrong?” Eric asked. His looked back and forth between us.
Max turned his attention to Eric. “Not at all.”
He looked down as if contemplating something. He didn’t say anything, just shook his head before leading us to the restaurant. I am not sure what that was all about, but…okay.
We were greeted by our server, Raoul. He was dressed in a white shirt, black tie and black pants. His head was full of thick, wavy black hair that begged to be touched. Yep. I could tell the ladies like him. I glanced around the room and noticed both men and women servers were dressed the same. That pleased me more than anything else. Oftentimes you’ll see the women wearing skirts in the place of pants. It was nice to see Max doesn’t differentiate between the sexes.
“Good evening, Mr. Roberts. Your table is this way.” Raoul led us to our table in the back of the room in an alcove that afforded us more privacy.
Max pulled out my chair and pushed it in once I sat down. Eric and Jeremy did the same for Taylor and Lynn. Johnny and Shelby seated themselves after a comical standoff with Shelby thinking Johnny would act the gentleman. That’s a funny expectation when you take into consideration she hears Johnny constantly saying he has a sympathy vagina. Did she honestly think he would act differently here? Like that was going to happen.
We started it off with some appetizers and a bottle of pinot noir. By the time the main course was served, I found myself relaxing and enjoying the evening. So many ideas were being thrown around about the things everyone wanted to do. Of course, Lynn mentioned something about having tickets to see the Chippendales tonight. That girl has a one-track mind. I like her way of thinking, though. I’m surprised she didn’t tell me about the tickets before now. The guys didn’t really like that idea very much.
You know what that means? It was an absolute must!
I heard Taylor reassure Eric she was only going because Lynn already bought her ticket. I tried to hold in my laughter, but the giggle came out anyway. Eric glanced at me out of the corner of his eye before returning his attention to Taylor. I felt Max’s hand squeeze my thigh and I turned my head to face him.
I raised my eyebrows in question, “Yes?”
His mouth twitched a little. “So, that means you won’t mind if I go with the guys to see a burlesque show?”
Ummm…
I shrugged my shoulders. “Go ahead. You know where I’ll be.”
Max furrowed his eyebrows. I think he was hoping I would object to his supposed plans. I don’t have a problem with him enjoying a show of his own. He knows, without me saying it, if he doesn’t touch, I don’t care.
It was all settled by the time we left the restaurant. Lynn looked at her watch and said we had an hour until the show started.
“Now you know why I said we were all wearing dresses. No need to change, because I want to get their attention.” She said excitedly.
Jeremy shook his head, but looked at her with laughter in his eyes.
“I don’t have on a dress, but I won’t have a problem getting attention.” Johnny rubbed his hands down from his chest to his hips.
“You never have problem getting attention, Johnny. Whether it’s good or bad.” Shelby laughed.
“What about Antonio?” Taylor asked with a sly smile.
Johnny cleared his throat. He stuck his hands in his pockets. “There’s nothing wrong with looking.”
All of us laughed.
Max rubbed his hand up and down my back. “Nothing wrong with looking. Isn’t that right, Becky?”
Everyone in our group, and I mean everyone, turned their attention to us. The possessiveness in his voice was clear. I knew he wasn’t pleased with the idea of me going to see The Chippendales, but for him to make it obvious to our friends was a little surprising. Shit. He should just go ahead and piss on me to mark his territory and be done with it.
“No, there isn’t. It’s just harmless fun with a bunch of screaming women watching men shake their ass on stage.” It wasn’t a big deal to me.
Max insisted on calling his driver to take us to the venue. He pulled me to the side before the limo pulled up. I decided to speak before he opened his mouth.
“I can’t believe you’re upset because of this. It’s just us being silly.” I touched his arm so I had his full attention.
The way he was looking at me with his dark brown eyes was so intense I had to make myself continue looking in them. I wanted Max to know I was very serious. He knew I was conflicted about many things, but one thing I am not is a cheater. We stared at each other a little while longer before I saw his shoulders relax. He sighed.
Max raked his finger through his short light brown hair. “I guess I envisioned us spending the evening a little differently, that’s all.” He shrugged.
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms across my chest. “If you remember, this was supposed to be a girls-only weekend. You guys invited yourselves along. So, now you have to deal with it.”
Max narrowed his eyes. “Is that so?” He pulled me against his body and leaned down and kissed my lips so passionately it left me breathless.
When we broke the kiss, Max stepped away from me and nodded to the car that was waiting out front.
“You don’t want to miss your ride.” He cocked his eyebrow at me.
I didn’t miss the double entendre. I smacked his chest with the back of my hand. Max chuckled as he walked me out to the car. Shelby and Johnny were already inside. I looked out the door and saw Jeremy kiss Lynn once more before she got inside. Eric made sure Taylor was safely inside before closing the door. We waved as the limo pulled away. I almost felt sorry for the men.
Almost.
The driver turned on Flamingo Road and we saw the Rio where the show was scheduled. I was getting more excited as we got closer. There were lots of people walking around and many more going inside the hotel. The driver stopped in front and all of us got out. Lynn told the driver to come back in about an hour and a half. Give or take a few minutes.
We hurriedly walked inside and followed the directions to the theatre. It was packed! We finally got to our seats and squealed with all the other women as the excitement continued to build.
“Daaamn! It’s hot as fuck in here with all this pussy and NOT enough dick.” Johnny laughed as he fanned himself.
I laughed with him. It was true. The women in the room looked ready to pounce any given minute. Who would blame them? The men who dance for the Chippendales are definitely not your average guys. Tan bodies, perfect smiles and washboard abs.
Yummy!
It felt like it took forever for the show to start, but once it did we were captivated. Sexy as fuck men were standing on stage wearing the signature Chippendales' costume - a bow tie, wrist cuffs and jeans. They were ready to fulfill just about every woman’s fantasy.
I found myself screaming alongside my friends.
The men were thrusting their pelvises and shaking their hips to the music. Don’t ask me what was playing. Who the fuck cares? It looked like with each new scene, the men portrayed a naughty fantasy that had all the women going wild. I may or may not have acted a little crazy.
First, Lynn and Johnny went crazy when they came out as construction workers, then I thought Shelby and Taylor were going rope them a cowboy when they came out. Later “doctors” came on the stage looking for a patient from the audience. I waved my hands in air because, I promise, I needed a little mouth to mouth.
Oh, Lawd! When they ripped off their white tanks, I thought there was going to be a fight when a lot of the women decided to dive in the floor to get them. Lynn was one of them. I covered my eyes. I couldn’t watch. Well, I might’ve peaked a little. I almost pissed in my pants when she stood up the victor of what is probably the hottest item you can get at these shows.
Lynn ran back to the table and proudly s
howed us the ripped tank.
“I’m so jealous.” Johnny started rubbing Lynn’s arm and inching his fingers a little closer to the tattered material.
Lynn snatched it away. “Uh uh, Johnny. Keep your grubby paws away from it.”
Johnny pulled his hands back and pouted a little.
Taylor patted him on the shoulder. “Maybe, if you’re lucky, Lynn will let you rub it against your face. I’m sure some of the oil they slather on their bodies is on it.”
I made a face at that. Ew! When Taylor put it that way, it wasn’t so hot after all. BUT from the reaction of friends that just seemed to stir things up that much more.
After the show was over we went out the front and were lucky to see our driver waiting for us. I was never so thankful for Max looking after us. My feet were killing me and the trip was finally catching up with me. I felt like I could fall asleep right now.
I reached into my purse and sent Max a message to let him know we were on our way back. He sent back that they were in the casino at the hotel.
Hmm…what happened to the burlesque show? I knew he was just trying to get a reaction out of me, but it backfired on him.
The driver pulled up the front of The Sanctum Grand Hotel. I looked out the window and saw Max waiting for us. Behind him, with their arms crossed, was Eric and Jeremy. The driver opened the door and nodded to Max.
“Hey, baby. We had so much fun.” Taylor said as she hugged Eric. His expression softened when she started whispering in his ear. He smiled and they walked inside the hotel.
I don’t think we’ll be seeing them until in the morning.
Max reached for my hand and I accepted it.
I heard Lynn squeal when she walked over to Jeremy. She proudly showed him the ripped tank and proceeded to tell him how she had to practically fight off other women there to get it. Jeremy burst out laughing. He thought it was hilarious.
“That’s my girl.” He kissed her forehead.
She looked back at me and said they’d see us in the morning. When Max and I walked inside, I saw Shelby and Johnny walking toward the casino.
“They’ll be up all night gambling.” I shook my head.
Max held my hand to his lips and slowly kissed each knuckle. He looked up into my eyes.
“I can think of better things to do all night.” The seductive sound of his deep voice made certain parts of my body begin to throb.
I swallowed. He watched every move I made. Before I could voice my opinion, Max led me to the private elevator. The doors opened and he pulled me inside. Max pressed me up against the side wall of the elevator and caged me in with his arms.
“Did you enjoy the show?” The huskiness his voice had taken on sent tingles throughout my body.
I nodded.
Max took his index finger and traced it from my bottom lip down to my breasts. He tugged on the capped sleeves of my dress and pulled it down from my shoulders.
I sucked in a deep breath. “We’re in an elevator, Max.”
He smiled at me in amusement. “Like that’s ever stopped me.”
True. We’ve had sex more than once in the elevator of his hotels. It’s so taboo, but that’s what makes it so fucking hot.
Max hooked his left hand under my right knee and thrust his pelvis into mine. I felt his hard erection pressed firmly against me. I reached in between us and squeezed the bulge in his pants. Max hissed before crashing his lips against mine. He gripped the back of my head and wrapped some of my hair in his hand. He continued to rock his hips against my increasingly wet center. He moved the hand from my waist down to the inside seam of my panties. He sucked in a deep breath once he realized just how wet I was from his touch. His hooded eyes met mine.
The elevator dinged to let us know we had arrived on the top floor. He unwrapped his hand from my hair, before he quietly yet quickly, led me to our room. Max inserted the key and we walked into the room. He pushed me against the closed door and turned the lock behind me.
“I hope you didn’t plan to get much sleep tonight.” He lifted my dress and I helped him take it off.
Max slightly bent at the knees and picked me up. I was so surprised by his actions, I couldn’t stop the squeal from escaping my lips. I felt his hard, muscular arms under me as he carried me like I weighed nothing.
He laid me down on the bed and I watched him slowly undress for me. It was one of the most erotic things I have ever watched. The hunger in his eyes made my mouth suddenly very dry. He climbed onto the bed. His mouth touched my stomach just before I felt the tip of his tongue touch my skin. I felt like I was on fire. Max worked his way all the way up to my neck. His eyes locked onto mine. Max knew I was all his at that moment.
True to his words, we didn’t get much sleep.
CHAPTER 8
SATURDAY
Do you ever wake up and know something is about to happen and you’re helpless to stop it? Well, I was gut punched with that feeling when I woke up. I was having another crazy ass dream that I can’t remember, and I sat up with my heart racing. I haven’t felt right since then. Max continuously looked at me with concern, but I tried my best to reassure him I was alright.
The girls and I scheduled appointments in the spa for ten o’clock this morning. I crawled out of the bed around 9:10. I wouldn’t have done that if Max hadn’t been so concerned by my behavior. I grumpily sat down in the dining area of our hotel room and ate some fresh fruit. At least that seemed to appease him for the time being. I noticed he was dressed very casually today with a black t-shirt and jeans.
After I finished my breakfast, I dressed in a loose fitting apricot colored blouse and my favorite pair of dark designer jeans. I slipped my feet into a pair of copper wedge heeled sandals. I know it’s fall, and all that, but it still feels like summer here. I pulled my hair back in a low pony tail.
I sent the others a text message to meet me in the hall. Shelby looked as tired as I felt. When Taylor asked her if she stayed up all night in the casino, she groaned and said yes. I bet Johnny is still in the bed. Lucky asshole!
“I, for one, am ready to be pampered.” Taylor leaned against the wall. She has been nauseous every day, all day, for past few weeks. Oh, the joys of pregnancy!
We rode the elevator down to the bottom floor and walked through the lobby until we found the sign to the spa. The fresh, clean scent assaulted my senses immediately. I breathed it in as deeply as I could. My shoulders started to relax. Lynn nudged me.
“Are you okay?” Concern clearly written all over her face.
I nodded. “I will be soon.”
She gave me a half smile, but I could tell she was still concerned.
Taylor had a prenatal massage scheduled, while Shelby, Lynn, and I spent the next two hours enjoying a body scrub and full-body massage. It felt like I’d died and gone to heaven. My body tingled all over and was silky smooth. I smelled yummy, too. At last, my body was tension free. I don’t know how long that will last, but it was heavenly.
Lynn and Taylor were anxious to meet up with the guys, so I sent Max a text message to find out if they wanted to meet for lunch. Max responded back immediately, but they were not at the hotel. He said they would be back in about an hour. We decided not to wait on them. I let Max know we were going ahead to get something light for lunch. He said they were going to do the same.
Hmmm…it isn’t like him to be so agreeable. It pressed on my mind at lunch, and I finally concluded that he must be helping Jeremy with his plans. It made me nervous just thinking about it. I glanced over at Lynn and wondered what she’ll say. It made me laugh on the inside because she doesn’t suspect a thing.
My phone rang. It was Max.
“Hey.”
“Meet us at the front door.” Then silence. I pulled my phone away and saw he’d hung up.
What the hell?
I guess my face must’ve shown my confusion because Lynn questioned me about the abrupt call.
“That was Max. He said for us to meet them at the front d
oor, and then he ended the call before I could say anything else.”
Shelby rolled her eyes. That’s exactly how I felt.
“Did he say if Eric was with him?” Taylor already had out her phone sending him a text.
“No, but I assume they’re all with him.”
Taylor nodded and smiled at her phone. “Yes, Eric says they are waiting out front. They’re taking us somewhere, but it’s going to be a surprise.”
The four of us walked like women on a mission. Who knows what they have been up to? The smile that spread across Max’s face when he saw me put me on guard. I walked up to him and took his outstretched arm.
“How was the massage?” His voice sent more tingles throughout my body. We walked toward the limo that was waiting for us.
I looked up at him and smiled. “It was absolutely wonderful! Just what I needed to make this trip perfect.” We stopped at the opened door of the limo.
Max arched his right eyebrow. “I think I can change your mind on that.”
“Oh?” He piqued my curiosity as Max knew he would.
He chuckled and shook his head. “You’ll find out at the same time the others do.”
I pouted a little, but he didn’t give in. He touched my lower back and ushered me inside. I slid in beside Lynn who was kissing Jeremy like there was no tomorrow.
I looked across at Johnny who was laughing at the two of them. “Damn sister, you need to get a room.”
Jeremy waved his hand at Johnny to stop, never breaking his kiss with Lynn. His fingers accidentally touched my hip as he moved his hand around Lynn’s side. I moved closer to Max.
He leaned down and whispered in my ear. “You can sit in my lap if you want to.” Max winked at my exasperated expression and then he laughed quietly.
The driver didn’t take us very far. I looked out the window and saw we were at The Venetian. Okay…not sure why we’re here. I looked skeptically at Max. He gave me a nod that was supposed to mean…? I don’t have a clue! It didn’t take long for us to find out.
What Happens in Vegas...: The Becky Chronicles Book 4 Page 9