Page 224 of Dark Love

Piper slips into the chair next to me and I reach over and give her hand a reassuring squeeze. It isn’t easy seeing a sexy man for the first time.

She slowly eases her gaze over to the restaurant.

Their eyes meet and the whole world freezes.

I’d say I’ve never felt a moment like this, but I have too many times with Vex.

Piper gasps as the man stands up. “He’s coming over here.”

It sure looks like it.

“Now honey, just say something if you want one of us to step in and shoo him away. As delightful as he looks, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want.” Stella wouldn’t hesitate to speak up.

Nor would Garnet or Savie. The rest of us might get tongue-tied around a man that beautiful.

Piper’s gaze locks with the man’s like a tractor beam pulling him to her. The shy Piper never acts like this. She’s more likely to hide than to look at a man.

Piper doesn’t respond. I’m not even sure she knows how to speak anymore.

“Hello, ladies.” The man has an indistinct accent. “My name is Valen Linckester. I couldn’t help but notice how much fun all of you seemed to be having today. Might I ask what special event brought you to Vegas this week?” Valen stops across from Piper’s chair. Though he addresses all of us, he never stops looking at Piper.

His gaze moves down her body to her hand.

He’s looking for a ring. Smart man.

“We’re here for the writer’s convention.” Savie’s needles stop.

“Are you all book lovers or authors?” He couldn’t care in the least what we are.

Garnet grins. “Can’t we be both?”

“Of course. I know your time is limited, but I was wondering if I could borrow your friend for a short while? I’ve been eating lunch all alone and was hoping she might keep me company.”

With that amount of self-confidence, it’s doubtful that man cares about eating alone.

Piper just keeps staring.

I feel her pain.

“Piper would love to have lunch with you,” Junie jumps into the conversation.

We all watch as Valen walks over to where Piper is seated. “Is that true? Would you like to have lunch with me?”

I nudge Piper, hoping to elicit some response. Or remind her that there’s a world outside of Valen’s eyes.

“Yes.”

Even Valen’s smile is beautiful, with just the right amount of perfectly straight teeth showing. He holds a hand out to her.

But she doesn’t take it. “I can’t.” Piper looks down at her bathing suit and up at his formal outfit.

“If the fact that I’m overdressed bothers you, I’d be happy to remedy that.”

Is he going to strip in front of all of us just to make Piper more comfortable?

“I have a spare dress you can wear, Piper.” Sheridan grabs her monstrous bag. She could have almost anything in there. Including the kitchen sink. “We’ll be just a moment.” Sheridan grabs Piper and pulls her back to the cabana, where there’s a private changing room.

“So, what brings you to Vegas?” Garnet twists to face Valen.

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