Page 29 of Dirty Little Sins

She nodded. "Of course. Zack is normally pretty good at keeping to the guidelines. I think tonight he's just buzzed about getting started. We both want to prove to the network that we deserve a second season."

"Good. I'll have Nina schedule something for us and we'll iron it out to be sure. Anything else?" He hesitated a moment as if expecting Zia to ask him for something else.

"No, I think we're good for now. Despite the current mess, my staff and I made really good progress this week. We are still holding to schedule."

While she gave Gabe all the right words, I sensed the underlying tension told a slightly different story.

The man turned to me with a nod. "Vincent."

"Gabe." I nodded in return. It was all we needed. Everything else he communicated loud and clear with body language and bullshit meetings. He didn't want me fucking with his chef.

Too damned bad.

I didn't heed warnings and I couldn't be scared off. I also didn't accept defeat of any kind. And that didn't only apply to the fights I accepted. It simply wasn't in my nature.

"Shall we?" I held out my hand and to my surprise she slid hers inside of mine and that simple touch sent an arc of exhilaration rushing over my skin. That tiny act of submission made my blood roar and I barely resisted thumping on my chest like a goddamned caveman.

"Are we going to my room or yours?" The question was innocent enough, the answer not so much.

"Neither."

Her head swiveled sharply. "Then where are we going? I probably won't get a lot of time between now and whenever this new meeting will be."

"My house. And don't worry about Gabe. Nina isn't going to let him schedule it too early. She'll be mindful that you and your crew need a good night's sleep."

"Am I actually going to get any sleep?" She asked under her breath.

I chuckled low in response. She knew me too well. I'd have to plan a pleasurable surprise for her. After the wicked part of course.

I grabbed her hand and pulled her to my side, giving her waist a squeeze before I led her from the unfinished restaurant to the well-appointed luxury in the main hotel space.

Fortunately, the casino crowd was thin this time of night and we were able to make it to the parking garage without anyone stopping us.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" I could hear the weariness in her voice now and I knew taking her away from the hotel for a night or three was critical.

"We need a break from this place. The Sinclair is a premiere property, but it can't compare to the comforts of home."

"If your home is so close why are you staying in the suite next to mine?"

I signaled to my driver and ushered Zia into the town car before I answered. "When I get ready for a fight like the one happening soon I need to spend as much time as possible in the actual space. It gets and keeps my head focused on the job at hand.”

"Then we definitely shouldn't be doing this. It sounds like you don't need any distractions any more than I do."

"I disagree. It's been a long week and we both deserve a break and some time together." I pulled her hand into mind and gave her a squeeze. "I've been hoping to see you and I don't like talking about 'our situation' in an environment I don't completely control."

Her body jerked against mine and I smiled into her hair as I pulled her closer and pressed my lips to the side of her face.

"I also need you to feel free when I fuck you tonight. Free to scream when you need to and free to fight me if that's what it takes to release all that pent-up tension."

Chapter Twelve

ZIA

I stared at Vincent, my eyes wide and my mouth hanging open. The zing of shock trembling through my body had rendered me speechless. I wasn't even sure how to unpack that last statement of his. Or if I wanted to.

Who was I kidding? I could feel my pulse in my pants.

"I'm not sure why you are so shocked. I think we've already proved that together we are combustible."

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