Page 6 of Dirty Deceit

I excuse myself to go to the bathroom. Yes, it's a lame excuse, but it will do. Once I'm in the ladies' room, I go into one of the stalls.

Me: Hi, I think I'll be another hour here, maybe two. Should we reschedule for breakfast instead?

Murphy: No, I want to have a drink with you when you're back from being naughty

Me: How do you know I'm being naughty?

Murphy: I can feel you blushing from here

Me: I'm not that bad. Plus, I don't want to keep you up

Murphy: I'm still in meetings with prospective clients, so don't worry

Me: Okay, I'll let you know when I'm back at the hotel

Murphy: Perfect

My phone is full of Murphy's messages, and I feel excitement rushing through me because of it. It's been such a long time since I've had someone special to message back and forth with. This feels unreal. I go back to our table and realize Hailey is just returning from her stint on the stage. A server approaches her, and she smiles at us when she's told her ultimate fantasy will be made real in one of the back rooms.

Another group of dancers came out to the stage, and they started strutting their stuff. After a few minutes, they came down to where we were seated and started flirting with different patrons. I see one has eyes on Alice and is teasing her so much she's blushing. Whatever he's told her, she's buying it because when the set is over, she gets up and goes backstage.

I don't want to rain on her parade, but I wish she'd tell us exactly what she was doing so we could keep an eye on her. Amber, Julie, and Meghan are still at the table but seem distracted. I get us another round of drinks, and that hits the spot. We start talking silly and generally laughing at whatever we say. I think we've had enough alcohol for this evening.

My phone vibrates, and I get really excited, expecting it to be from Murphy. But it's from Hailey. She's leaving with some hot guy she just met! A few minutes later, Alice sends a message saying she's also left with one of the strippers.

"Well, ladies, I guess this night is over." I declare.

"It doesn't have to be," Amber says.

"I want to get my fortune told," Julie says.

"I want to go gambling," Amber pipes in.

"I think we can get those things done tonight, Amber."

"Um, I'm going back to the hotel,” I interrupt. “There's someone waiting to get a drink with me."

"OMG, when did this happen?" Amber asks, faking being shocked.

"It's probably that hottie that was sitting next to her in first class." Julie smiles like the cat who ate the canary.

"Maybe.” I edge. “Anyway, I'm ready to go. Meghan, you coming with me?"

"Yeah, sure, just let me go to the bathroom real quick."

I'm itching to go, but I can't really rush Meghan. Except she comes back with a worried look on her face.

"Gemma, you go ahead. I have to help someone with something."

"Are you sure? I can wait."

"No, go on. I'll see you all tomorrow at breakfast." She says and rushes off to the back area where the bathrooms are.

With a shared look, Amber, Julie, and I grab our purses and head outside. I call our limo driver, and he says he can do the separate trips for us so we don't have to call a rideshare. How he knows where to find a fortune teller in Vegas is beyond me, but we leave Amber and Julie there, and he drives me back to the hotel.

Once in the lobby, I sit down and text Murphy to tell him I'm here. I wait a few minutes but there's no response. Then, I see his handsome profile emerge from one of the hotel's bars. He leans down and kisses me at the corner of my mouth, causing me to shiver.

"Gemma, you look like an enchantress."

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