Page 5 of Forbidden Desire

Olivia leans in and her flowery perfume floats to my nostrils. “I’m calling it a night.” Her eyes are soft with understanding. She knows the toll this rivalry takes on me.

A loose laugh emerges from my throat. “Sure you don’t want one more drink, Olivia?”

While I joke with her, my shoulders tighten because her departure leaves me alone with Zack.

“Nope. Love you, sis. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” She winks before slipping away into the crowd. With her goes the last bit of restraint I have.

Zack’s attention snaps back to me, his smile savage. “And then there were two.”

My mind spins as voices and sounds blend into a pleasant murmur. “Yes. Two rivals with unfinished business.” My tone is firm despite the tequila blurring the edges of my world.

“Exactly.” He slides his chair closer. The heat radiating from his body is a far cry from the cool luxury of the Oasis Hotel. Our knees brush and a spark jumps between us.

“Care for a wager?” His question drips with an invitation to something more than a bet.

My pulse quickens, betraying my calm facade. ”Depends on the stakes.”

His confidence is intoxicating, as heady as the alcohol in my veins. “Simple. Whoever has the longest line outside their nightclub at sunrise wins.”

“Wins what?” I demand, leaning in, drawn by the thrill of the gamble and his wild scent.

He grins like a beast who’s sure of his prey. “Bragging rights. And a favor.”

I crave to wipe that smugness off his face. “Deal.” The word slips out, reckless and hungry.

He raises his glass, and I mirror him, the liquid fire ready to fuel our folly. “Let’s seal it with a shot.”

The tequila ignites a blaze that has nothing to do with the bet and everything to do with Zack Wolfe. I clink my glass against his. “Cheers to pushing limits and seeing who’s left standing by the end of the night.”

The tequila scorches my esophagus, and everything tilts around me as my pulse hammers a reckless beat.

Zack’s amber eyes hold mine, a challenge simmering in their depths. “Come on, Fitzgerald.” He stands with a fluid grace that belies his intoxication. “Let’s take this to the next level.”

I push myself up, feeling the giddy lightness in my head. The marble under my feet grounds me while my heels click against the floor.

“Lead the way, Wolfe.” My tone is steady, but inside, I’m all wildfire.

His hand brushes against my back, sparking a warmth that spreads through my pelvis while we weave through the crowd.

As we head through the buzz of the casino floor, the muffled sounds of laughter and clinking glasses drift through the door to remind us of the magical energy of Vegas.

I feel light and floaty, as if I could easily be pushed or pulled any which way. “Where are we going?”

“Somewhere… fitting.” The corner of his sly male lips lift, and I follow his lead, drawn by the thrill.

Zack grabs my hand, and we’re moving faster, down the sweeping escalator to the lower levels of the Oasis.

The sound of an Elvis song drifts up to greet us. Surreal.

A laugh bubbles from my throat, and I don’t suppress it. I’m breathless, intoxicated by more than alcohol. “Are you crazy?”

He winks, pulling me past the last step, into a glowing chapel. “Maybe.”

“Welcome to the Oasis Wedding Chapel,” booms Eddie King, a glittery figure in a white, sparkling sequin suit. “Care to make a lifelong bet?”

The hair sprayed man stands before us, his smile captivating as the lights of the chapel cast a blue glow on his jet black mane.

“Zack!” I protest, but it’s weak, a whisper lost in the absurdity.

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