Page 9 of Vegas Baby

“Go ahead, get it over with.” He pressed the settings buttons until he found the option for seat activation and disabled it. He started the engine once more, manually adjusting the seat. “You can laugh. If my damn shins didn’t hurt so bad, I know I’d be laughing”

The car in front of them drove away, freeing them to leave at last. “I’m not laughing at you. I had the most absurd picture of us crammed in a clown car. When I was a kid, I loved the circus. I could never figure out how sixteen grown men were able to fit into one little car.” It was one of the few places Miller had taken her when she was a child, before he disappeared from her young life.

“I’ll leave that feat to the clowns; my knees can only take so much abuse.” His warm chuckle played over her ears as he put the car into drive and merged onto Las Vegas Boulevard.

He didn’t take himself seriously, a trait she could appreciate. Ever since she’d been promoted to the team’s lead attorney, the pressure to be a success had increased and she’d lost her own sense of the ridiculous.

Howler turned onto the overpass on the way to the freeway and Raina grabbed the strap above the window. Without the signature bright lights, the strip looked rather unassuming. The glitz and glamour faded with the rising sun and with the light of day, real life continued.

The light turned red and Howler stopped the car. Up ahead, she could see the freeway sign. Soon they’d be on the open road, then trapped at the resort and pretending to be in love. Her throat went dry and she reached for her coffee.

“Shit,” Howler said, scowling before he twisted in his seat. The light turned green and he cut across two lanes of traffic, bypassing the freeway exit to the other side of the overpass.

“What are you doing?” She gripped the strap tighter.

“We forgot one key detail, Mrs. Hamilton, a ring. You don’t have a ring.”

Oh my God, she was Raina Hamilton.

Raina Ashton Miller Hamilton.

What a mouth full.

Enough to choke on.

Howler rested his hand on the small of Raina’s back and guided her inside the store. The twenty-four-hour shop was packed full of anything a person could conceivably pawn. The seedy side of Sin City. Addiction. If he hadn’t been there for a specific purpose, he’d turn on his heels and walk out. He’d had enough exposure to addiction to last a lifetime.

“I get a pawn shop ring? Nice.” Raina flashed a mischievous grin.

He shrugged off the melancholy and put his focus on the present. Digging up old wounds wasn’t productive to achieving his end goal, obtaining fake rings for a fake marriage. Bubblegum machines, each full of clear plastic balls holding novelties, lined one wall at the entrance. “If you’d prefer, we can buy one out of these. I think I have a quarter in my pocket.”

Leaning forward, she peered inside the machine, one slender finger holding back an enticing curl. “Oh look, they have candy rings. I didn’t eat breakfast.”

“We’d better get the real deal. I wouldn’t want you eating your ring before we arrive at the resort.” He nodded toward the long glass case that displayed row upon row of jewelry from simple gold bands to elaborate rings. Moving his palm to her back once more, he resisted the urge to slide it a bit lower and explore the curve of her ass.

“Not as fun but at least it won’t melt in the sun.” Raina shrugged, the low-cut bodice gapping the slightest bit, giving him a clear view of her white demi bra and smooth, creamy cleavage.

“Can I help you folks?” A big, burly man with a shaved head asked.

“We’re looking for wedding rings.” Howler snapped his head up, trying to forget the visual. “I want a plain band, nothing flashy.”

“Do you have a price in mind?” The man asked, inspecting Howler’s watch with an appraising eye before he cast an appreciative glance at Raina.

“No, get her what she wants.” Howler slid his hand around her waist and pulled her closer to his body. He didn’t appreciate the way the man checked her out, and was unsure why. She was his temporary wife, not his girlfriend, but even so he’d never felt possessive over a woman. He witnessed firsthand what obsession could do to a man and he refused to go there himself.

“Anything I want?” Raina stiffened in his arms but she didn’t withdraw. Instead, she scanned the jewelry while the clerk pulled out several sized bands for Howler. He couldn’t give a shit about his own except he was playing a part and had to play it all the way. Opting for the first one which fit, he placed it back on the counter.

Head tilted, Raina lifted the ring and inspected the plain platinum band. “Casper and Brenda fourever. Look, they spelled it wrong. If this ring could talk, what would it tell us?”

“The jewelry engraver couldn’t spell, and either Casper or Brenda pawned it for cash?”

She offered an exasperated eye roll while tucking a dark strand of hair behind her ear. “Cynical much?”

Probably more than most but he’d keep that to himself as well. “Do you see anything you like?”

“I like that one.” Raina pointed to a vintage diamond ring in a platinum setting. Modest yet intricate, just like her.

“Excellent choice.” The clerk retrieved the blue ring holder and set it on the counter. He slipped the diamond ring off. Instead of handing it to Raina, he offered it to Howler. Good call.

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