Sin City Vows

by Zuri Day

  The table chuckled. Lauren swore her dad blushed.

  “Sit down, you two,” Nicholas said.

  “Yes, do sit,” Victoria said. “We have news to share.”

  Christian pulled out a chair for Lauren and sat down beside her.

  “More specifically, Paul and Faye have news.”

  Lauren looked at her mom, then her dad.

  “I wouldn’t call it news, exactly,” Faye began, her eyes twinkling. “But your dad and I have been talking this week about how much we love Las Vegas. Years ago we joked about moving here when we retire and—”

  “What?” Lauren’s screech attracted more than one head turn. Who was this adventurous couple before her and what had happened to her parents?

  “When did these conversations happen, because I’ve never heard the two of you talk about moving anywhere. In fact, Dad, you told me once that you were fine with coming to visit wherever I am but for you Maryland would always be home.”

  “I’ve learned that one should never say never,” Paul said. “Life happens, things change, and so can perspectives. Sometimes we get so caught up in the year-in, year-out routine that we don’t take the time to consider something different.”

  “And now you’re considering a move across country? Okay, Mom.” Lauren turned her attention to Faye. “I can totally imagine you wanting to move here. How did you bribe him?”

  “That would be me,” Nicholas said, raising his hand. “With CANN, there’ll be major expansion over the next ten years and along with that the need for an increased workforce. We’re always looking for skilled, dedicated people to join the team and considering the person you are, a talented force with creative ideas that are ingenious and progressive, I figure Paul had at least a little influence in how you turned out, and that’s amazing.”

  “Nothing’s official,” Paul said. “I’d have to convince Gerald to let me go and then help find a suitable replacement.”

  “The truth, dear,” Victoria continued, “is that this is all one big conspiracy to keep you here. The foundation is flourishing, the philanthropists love you, and so does everyone who works there. So with only a short time until your contract expires, we’ve had to put our heads together and work really fast.”

  It wasn’t often that Lauren was speechless, but now was one of those times. She’d never been a weepy woman, either, but right now she could flat out boo-hoo. Looking between her mom and dad, they seemed so happy! And for the dad who not very ago lost his reputation, almost his freedom, and had been ready to resign, a job opportunity? Who knew?

  “I really don’t know what to say. It’s not often my parents shock me, but I didn’t see this coming.

  “I know the holiday is over but you know what? This is truly a special gift and whether or not I stay past the contract, Nicholas, thank you. Despite everything that happened, when it comes to finances, you really couldn’t hire anyone better than Dad.”

  Lauren waved over a waiter carrying champagne flutes. “It’s time for a toast, guys.” Christian reached for a flute as the parents raised their glasses. “To fateful endings, new beginnings and wonderful, amazing, astounding friends.”

  “I know I’m all that,” Nicholas deadpanned. “But what about Vic?”

  “On that note,” Christian said with a laugh, pulling up Lauren, “I think it’s time for us to hit the dance floor and get our party on.”

  “Don’t make me have to hunt you down for my kiss of independence,” Victoria chided.

  “Are you kidding? You’re my good-luck charm, Mom,” Christian said. “I’ll find you wherever you are.”

  * * *

  As they headed toward the dance floor, Christian reached for Lauren’s hand. He squeezed it and raised it to his lips. Their eyes met. He winked. A smile coasted from her face to his, lifted and brightened at an unspoken message of love, one that changed the atmosphere ever so slightly.

  For years, he’d brought women to this annual gala, the brightest, most beautiful, rich, famous, all of the above. But he’d never felt that he was attending with the right one, the forever one...until now.

  They reached the dance floor and as if on cue, the music shifted to a slow song. He slid his hand around Lauren’s waist and pulled her into his arms.

  “You’re pretty amazing,” Lauren whispered, sliding her hand across his butt. “Did you know that?”

  “It never hurts to have the fact confirmed,” he said.

  Upon hearing those words, Christian’s manhood swelled. He smiled, revealing a heart containing a giddy happiness he’d never felt before, exposing a soul reveling in complete contentment. It made him more convinced than ever that whatever happened, tonight was exactly how life was supposed to be.

  * * *

  “So are you going to tell me?”

  Christian twirled her on the dance floor. “Tell you what?”

  “How you talked your dad into hiring mine.”

  “That was all Nicholas. Nothing about me.”

  “I find that hard to believe.”

  Christian shrugged. “It’s true. Besides, you heard my mom explain what this is really about. They’re trying to keep you.”

  “And you have nothing to do with that, either?”

  “Nothing about me.”

  They settled into the dance and the night, mingling with employees, patrons and friends, and taking advantage of line dances to boogie with everyone. By eleven o’clock the twins were feeling no pain and in a move right out of the movies, brought twins as their dates. Adam sat with a harem, literally, clustered together at a table for ten, nine beautiful women and him.

  They ate, drank, partied down, and as day turned to night, he kept his promise and made his way toward the family. They all gathered in the open area, ready for the fireworks. Amid a flurry of colorful, fiery explosions, Christian turned to Lauren. “This is pretty impressive, but you’re all the firecracker I need. I love you, babe.”

  “I love you, too.”

  The kiss was soft, teasing, a quick swirl of tongue before they ended it, shared a heartfelt embrace and hurried over to the Breedlove tables to watch the fireworks show. Amid the rockets’ red glare and Roman candles bursting in the air, there were two people who were ready to give up their independence.

  Noah and Nick assaulted their big brother. “Man, you’re lame.”

  “I thought you were going to go for the big one!” Noah said, frowning.

  “What in the heck are you two talking about? For the rest of the night both of you should just say no.”

  “We’re talking about the pro-pro, bro.”

  “The diamond ring, the knee bend thing. What are you going to do? Let a good one get away?”

  Christian was amused, and touched, at the knuckleheads’ banter. They must have really liked Lauren, as they’d never given two hoots about his women before. They needn’t worry. Christian had no intention of letting Lauren leave Las Vegas. Even now, a ring design that he’d worked on with Ace was in the hands of a jeweler to the stars. He wanted the ring to be original, like Lauren, one of a kind.

  As for asking Lauren to be his wife? That would be a moment not shared with the masses. He lived enough of his life in the spotlight, and with the expansion of CANN that would happen even more. When the time came to declare his forever love, Christian had a plan. He would offer up a private proposal, for her ears alone. And Lauren’s answer would be for just the two of them.

  All she had to say was yes.

  * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Son of Scandal by Dani Wade.

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  Son of Scandal

  by Dani Wade

  One

  “Dance with me?”

  Ivy looked at the outstretched hand, surprised and nonplussed at the same time. Her own fingers clenched over the itch in her palm. The itch that told her to reach out, to take what she coveted.

  After a year and a half of carefully keeping Paxton McLemore at arm’s length, did she dare step in close for a waltz?

  They were at a masquerade ball, after all. The most glamorous charity event of the year, planned by her sister Jasmine Harden, Savannah’s most noted event planner. Dancing with Paxton would be a natural action. One that wouldn’t be judged by those around them, even though he was her employer. But she would know. Could she successfully hide how she felt when she was that close?

  Though he wore a traditional black mask, she’d recognize his brilliant amber eyes anywhere—not just because of the intense color, but also the ever-present flash of intelligence and intuition she observed every day as his executive assistant.

  It was just a dance... Why did she hesitate?

  Suddenly he wiggled the fingers of the hand she had left dangling by her indecision. She smiled; the silly gesture was a charming reminder of the lighthearted moments they shared every day at work.

  Ivy finally reached her hand out to his.

  “You know, there’s been a change in my office,” Paxton said as his warm fingers curled around hers. “This new assistant came to work for me, and she makes me smile every day.”

  A glow warmed Ivy’s core as he lifted her hand to graze her knuckles with his sculpted lips. She glanced down at their clasped hands as Paxton led her toward the dance floor in Keller House’s renovated ballroom.

  Though she should be focused on doing her part to make sure the incredible masquerade ball her sister had orchestrated ran smoothly, Ivy let thoughts of caterers and fund-raisers and responsibility fall away. But with a single touch, the struggle to breathe became real. It took her a moment to realize the truth—Paxton had never touched her before this.

  Oh, she went out of her way to make him smile at the office, to soften the strain of his intense focus on work. Though her crush had intensified since she’d been working for him, she’d kept her actions and words strictly professional.

  No touching. Until tonight.

  Before she could register what was happening, they’d moved onto the dance floor and Paxton had turned to face her. He opened his arms, inviting her in. Ivy blinked—once, twice.

  This is dangerous.

  She chose to ignore her mind’s warnings. Ivy stepped forward, and they took the waltz position, but didn’t move. Instead Paxton’s eyes widened at the initial contact, as if he, too, could feel the electric shock as they embraced.

  Then his eyelids lowered to half-mast, taking on a slumberous, sexy look. A look she’d only seen in her fantasies.

  Her heartbeat sped up, thrumming at the base of her throat. He took the first step, leading her in a modern-day version of the traditional dance.

  Even though the warning bells she’d been silencing for a year were back full force, Ivy let his arms close around her, pull her closer. As they danced under the crystal chandeliers, amid dozens of other couples in the impeccably restored ballroom, the moment felt surreal. Out of time. His black tux was classic. The striking contrast between it and her emerald-green ball gown caught her eye as they glided past the wall of ornately framed mirrors.

  The decadent illusion was dangerous—just like him.

  She’d tried hard since her parents died to be practical, independent. But a small, hidden part of her still clung to the fantasy of fairy tales and Prince Charming.

  Tonight, that part of her refused to be denied.

  So she let him lead her, turn her, bend her to his touch. The touch that she’d fantasized about for the last year and a half she’d worked for him. During their daily routine, she’d resisted the pull of attraction, attempted to distract herself with clients and travel arrangements and meeting preparations. She’d thrown herself into the busy schedule of the head of the manufacturing division of his family’s shipping conglomerate. But at the most unexpected of moments, she’d find herself immersed in far more intimate thoughts than she should have about her boss.

  Tonight, he was that dream come to life. His touch and the intensity of his gaze made her feel beautiful, wanted. Her body tingled whenever he pressed close. This far surpassed her simple fantasies. The feelings were intense. Impossible to ignore.

  They moved through the sea of people as if alone. The way her heart raced and her skin tingled with every brush of his hand was pure magic.

  Every time logic attempted to assert itself, the intensity of his stare pushed it back. She wanted nothing more than to be his entire focus and let reality melt away.

  He drew her closer, cocooning her in his arms. His gaze turned hungrier. His body grew harder.

  Somewhere in the intensity, Ivy’s resistance evaporated and she knew she’d go wherever he led her.

  Even when the song was over and she had left him to do her hostessing rounds for her sister, she caught glimpses of him nearby. No matter how close or how far away, she could sense exactly where he was in the crowd. And it wasn’t long before they found each other again in the muffled quiet of the front foyer.

  Ivy held her breath, uncertainty washing over her. “Paxton...”

  “I know,” he said, reaching out to rub a finger over the velvet ribbon that held her mask in place. “I didn’t expect this either. But I can’t deny that I want you...very much.”

  He leaned into her, his mint-scented breath making her mouth water.

  “We shouldn’t...” she whispered, though her eyelids were already fluttering closed.

  “I know...” He groaned.

  Then his mouth covered hers and all protests were lost.

  His kiss was just this side of demanding. Her body melted in acquiescence. He pressed closer, as if to absorb her surrender and claim his victory.

  She knew how the night would end, and couldn’t find an ounce of hesitation in her mind or body. Not even when he had paused, giving logic an opening to fracture the fantasy.

  “I know I shouldn’t ask you, that I have no right,” Paxton said, the intensity of his stare making her shiver. “But, Ivy, will you go home with me?”

  In that moment fantasy ruled. Though she’d denied it for over a year, Ivy had never wanted anything more than she wanted to spend tonight in Paxton’s arms. “Yes. Yes, I will.”

  The happiness and excitement Ivy felt left her in a very surreal place, as if she couldn’t quite grasp the reality of the decision she’d made.

  Still she forced hersel
f to be practical for one moment and made a quick call to her sister Jasmine. Hunting her down in the throngs of people would take too long. As she waited for Paxton to get the car brought around, Ivy heard the hesitation and concern in her sister’s voice. Her tone escalated to alarm as Ivy told her where she was going but Ivy couldn’t bring herself to care.

  She’d spent the past year ignoring her family’s secret connection to Paxton’s. She justified taking the position with him by telling herself that he never had to know who she really was. Becoming his assistant had been a dream job for someone her age. With her drive to stand on her own two feet, there was no way she could have passed up such an incredible opportunity to advance. Or the temptation it had presented. Yes, it was a foolish hope. But maybe, just maybe, this was the right thing.

  She glanced at the teardrop emerald on her right ring finger, swearing it actually twinkled in the subdued lighting on the front stone steps, where she waited. The piece of jewelry handed down to her and her sisters through generations of their family, who believed its magic would guide them to find their true love.

  The professional Ivy wanted to scoff at the notion that the ring had anything to do with what was happening tonight. But the princess wannabe she hid deep down inside regarded the ring with a smile before she glanced up to see Paxton step out of the back of the company limo.

  “Come with me?” he asked, reaching his hand out to her.

  She knew what was happening. Knew he was giving her a way out at the same time that he made his preference known. He was a gentleman, through and through. Tonight, she wanted him to be hers.

  He quickly handed her into the dim interior, which got even darker as he closed the door behind him. The driver pulled away from the curb right away. Paxton wasn’t wasting time on niceties. His urgency mirrored hers—much to her relief.

  Paxton immediately distracted her from thoughts of rings, sisters and the fact that he was her boss. In the private world of the back seat, he embraced her without hesitation. Their decision was made.