Page 47 of Sin City Lights

The Black Eyed Peas kept playing in her head on endless loop.

It had been a good night, all right, until she had been smacked in the face with what she could never have.

And as if watching the joyous bride and groom dancing hadn’t been bad enough, the nasty parent tape had started playing in her head.

Look at you. You’re ruined! Do you think anyone will ever want you now? No one. No man will ever marry you.

Eve covered her face with her hands.

She’d tried to burn that vicious tape so many times, managingto keep it at bay, only for it to flare up and torch her when she least expected it.

This was your fault. Whore.

The sound of her mother’s disgusted voice had been as clear as if she’d been standing right beside her. Only, beside her had stood none other than the man who would never see her as anything but exactly that.

She needed to clear her mind and get something to drink.

Sitting up, she slid her feet into the soft terry hotel slippers, then padded to the kitchen area.

She bumped into one of the tall bar chairs.“Ow,” she gritted through clenched teeth.

She opened the refrigerator. Red Bull, Pepsi, Heineken. Behind those, she spotted a few small cartons of milk. Oh, good. She liked it warm, but cold would have to do. She wasn’t making noise and waking up Adam.

She found a mug, quietly filled it, and started heading for her room, then changed her mind. Perhaps some ocean air would help her frazzled nerves.

Eve headed to the balcony door, slid it open, and stepped out. The moon was full tonight, and she felt as if she had walked right into that magical canvas she’d seen hanging in the hallway. It was eerie. She’d felt it in her soul. And now, she was looking at the real thing.

She hadn’t meant to say out loud that the painting reminded her of him. Adam had asked her how, and she couldn’t explain right then. She thought about it now. He was like that dark water, the serene exterior hiding a fathomless depth. Yet, like the surf, it had movement. You knew he was analyzing, assessing, calculating under that quiet, calm exterior.

What did he think of her? Why did she care?

The waves came one after another, rolling, soothing her ears. She took another sip of milk. Tomorrow, they would be heading home, back to life in Las Vegas, the most unreal place you could possibly experience reality.

“Hello.”

She jumped.

“I’m sorry, the balcony door was open. I didn’t mean to startleyou.”

Adam was right behind her. All she’d have to do was lean back, and she’d be pressed against him again.

“What are you drinking?”

She turned to face him.“Milk.”

“Milk,” he repeated flatly.

Everything inside her warmed at the sight of him.

She looked him up and down, taking in his tall frame, dressed in gray sweatpants and a white T-shirt that showcased his muscular biceps and chest.“It’s my go-to when I can’t sleep. I usually warm it up but didn’t want to wake you with the microwave.”

He gave her a bemused smile.“Well, I’m awake. Let’s get another mug for me and warm up both.”

Her heart skipped a beat. He wanted to spend more time with her.

Eve returned to the kitchen area, found a second mug, poured some milk for him, then put both in the microwave.

“Where would you like to sit, inside or outside?” He accepted the hot drink.

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