Page 29 of Vegas Baby

“You were dating my friend. It would have been tacky to flirt with you,” he said. The chill of her statement stung more than it should have. The stubborn streak that plagued his childhood raised its ugly head and he spun her in a tight circle. It seemed odd to think after what transpired between them, they’d go back to being work colleagues and not friends. Were they friends, or was his growing desire for her warping his perspective?

She lay her head back, meeting his stare with one of her own. “Do you flirt with every woman you meet, with the exception of your friend’s girlfriends, of course?”

“I draw the line at their wives and mothers,” he said, grinning at the way her eyes widened before she narrowed them. No, he definitely didn’t want to simply be her friend.

“You’re horrible.”

“That’s not what you said the other night.”

“You remembered?” she asked, her cheeks flushing, a horrified look on her face.

He considered telling her the truth—that images of her naked body under his were driving him crazy—but what was the point of upsetting her? He might be an asshole at times, but he’d never intentionally hurt her. As annoying as she could be, he liked her. Perhaps a bit more than he should. “Even if I did, how would you dispute my claim?”

Her mouth tightened and her eyes brightened before she shifted her gaze. Shit, she was about to cry. Way to kill the mood.

“It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I—” She bit her bottom lip, brow furrowed. Her fingers laced with his tensed. “Not remembering is difficult. It’s like I lost a part of myself.”

He could relate to her angst; a temporary amnesia was a blessing in many ways and a curse in others. Howler had experienced his own form of denial but it was all in the past, water under the bridge. Yet it still haunted him at times. He wiped the memories away, willing them back into the dark recesses of his soul where they belonged.

“Beating yourself up isn’t going to make it any better. Shit happens. Now relax, and let my charm wash over you in waves.”

She laughed, the sound reverberating inside his chest. The music ended and he planted his hand on the small of her back, dipping her. She clutched his hand, her throat working as she relaxed into the bend. Smooth, creamy skin exposed. He pulled her up until their mouths met.

Stupid? Probably.

Foolish? Who fucking cared. He wanted to kiss her.

Raina’s fingers tightened in their still-clasped hands, heat rushing throughout her body. His lips were soft and searching as they played across her mouth, stoking the fire in her blood. Her eyelids fluttered shut, the ties between them were drawing her closer. She should push him away but she parted her lips and kissed him back. Perhaps it was the romantic aura of the night, or the way he’d danced with her, their bodies moving in perfect rhythm. Or that he was a man and she’d been depriving herself of men for a year because she was afraid of getting hurt.

Howler lifted his head, his eyes meeting hers before he slid his arm around her back. Her knees went weak, and she was glad for his support. This entire weekend was a fantasy, one she’d foolishly allowed herself to believe. He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm, and leaned close to her ear. “Do you think it’s safe to skip out of here? Everybody looks pretty drunk. They’ll never notice.”

“If we walk through the crowd and pretend to talk to people, I think we can get away with it.” Self-preservation told her to insist on staying inside where it was safe from temptation but her feet hurt and she wanted a quiet place to relax.

Warm night air hit her the second they exited the air-conditioned tent. “Hold on.” Raina halted to remove her shoes. The cool grass under her feet felt like heaven. She drank enough punch to sour her stomach. That coupled with the long-term effects of his kiss, and she was a hot mess. One simple kiss and her lips still tingled.

“Since we have his approval, we could climb in the car and head back to Vegas.” To the real world where she could put things into perspective. No matter how much her logical side said otherwise, the romantic in her wanted to believe something deeper existed between them. Was it merely a silly crush or was she truly developing feelings for him?

No, no deeper feelings could ever exist between them. It was sexual chemistry, combined with raw, aching need. It was the only logical explanation.

“I had a few drinks and you can’t drive a stick, probably best to do plan B.” He started to guide her across the lawn that skirted the resort.

“Our room is that way,” she said, squaring her shoulders. Maybe she should have sex with him again and get it over with? Yeah, because sex never complicates things.

“The hot tub is this way.”

“You’re hardly dressed for the hot tub. Why don’t you go get your suit?” If he was at the hot tub, she could have the room to herself and have time to come down from this unwelcome high his very presence generated.

“Who needs a suit? Aren’t you wearing a bra and underwear? Nobody will know the difference.”

“You want me to go into the hot tub in my underclothes?” With nothing between us but some silk and lace. Skin to skin. Her nipples jumped to attention. Say no and insist on going back to the room. And be alone with him behind closed doors. In bed. No matter her decision, there was no winning this argument. Even if you lose, you win.

“Who’ll guess the difference? Unless your panties are crotch-less and you’re embarrassed,” he said, elbowing her own, laughing when she shook her head.

The pool area was empty as most of the resort’s guests were part of the wedding. Raina slipped off her dress and draped it over one of the deck chairs. Her back to Howler, she felt his stare as if she could see it. The red lace bra and underwear weren’t any less revealing than her bathing suit except she felt exposed for one simple reason. She was climbing into a hot tub with a hot guy she’d already had sex with and ached to have sex with again.

Leaning against the tiled side, she allowed her legs to float up with the water’s buoyancy, her nervous stomach a flutter.

Howler draped his pants over the chair, and clad in black boxer briefs, walked into the pool. The water was crystal clear, the lights on the bottom cast a blue glow along the tautness of his belly.

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