Page 16 of Dirty Big Sins

An immediate reply didn’t come. Nor did the three little dots appear that indicated he was typing a message. Well, good. Maybe I’d been wrong. Vincent apparently had more patience than I’d ever expected from someone like him.

I stared at the phone for several long minutes, but nothing changed. Finally, I placed it back on a shelf and started to undress. Maybe Nina was right. I did need to get out and back to a more normal life. This waiting for the other shoe to drop was maddening.

Thirty-five minutes later I was dressed and ready to go, complete with hair and makeup. I glanced at my phone still sitting on the shelf and debated taking another look at it. I’d pushed Vincent out of my mind only briefly, but the itch to talk to him remained.

I could text him again. Tell him I’d changed my mind.

Halfway across the closet, I froze. Had I changed my mind about him? Or had time and space worn me down?

Thus far he’d proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that we had a sizzling sexual connection, but despite his previous insistence that we explore what else lay between us, I had lost confidence that there could ever be more.

I didn’t think he could be trusted. Not knowing what I did now. Our lives had become intertwined in a way I couldn’t follow.

Promises had been made. Vows taken and given. My life had to be my own. I could not, would not, walk in the footsteps of my parents.

Turning my back on the phone without checking, I grabbed the small black purse I’d prepared and headed out the door. I could go one night without it. I didn’t need to tether myself to the rest of the world twenty-four seven despite what everyone thought.

I made my own decisions. As I stabbed the elevator button that would take me to the top floor of the hotel, I reminded myself I’d come to Las Vegas to reclaim my life in a new way.

Vincent couldn’t take that away from me.

No one could.

Chapter Eight

ZIA

Takinganother swallow of the exquisite wine our host had provided, I glanced over the balcony that looked down at the entire Las Vegas strip. Nina’s rooftop garden had proven an out of world experience just as she’d promised.

With a complete outdoor kitchen, garden beds full of fresh produce, and furniture set up in both living room and dining room style, it created a casual lux vibe that made it easy to forget you were actually still in a hotel.

It didn’t quite match the peaceful vibe I’d encountered at Vincent’s house, but it came in at a close second.

I couldn’t imagine the love Gabe must feel for her to have created all of this for her. Contemplating that kind of relationship and what it would mean in my life, I didn’t notice Nina’s approach until she spoke.

“Zia, I have someone here for you to meet.”

The sudden interruption startled me and I jumped, sloshing white wine over the rim of my glass.

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. Let me grab a napkin.” Nina disappeared before I could stop her and I was left staring at the woman I’d spied in the hotel lobby on more than one occasion.

Remembering my manners, I extended my hand. “You must be the infamous Nova I keep hearing so much about. I’m Zia.”

A throaty, deep laugh sounded from her. “I don’t know about all that, but if I’m infamous, then that pales in comparison to your shining star. I’m a big fan of your show, by the way.”

“You watchZia’s Kitchen?” I couldn’t hide the shock from my voice. Maybe one of these days I would get used to people telling me that.

“Of course. Doesn’t everyone?”

It was my turn to choke on laughter. “Hardly. While our ratings have steadily grown over the first season, we’re hardly a huge hit even by small network standards.”

“That’s a shame to hear because it’s a great show. In fact, I hope we’re getting a second season sometime soon.”

I smiled, my shoulders relaxing a fraction. “You and me both. We’re doing some filming now, but we haven’t officially been renewed yet. I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed, though, and in the meantime—well—I’ve got other stuff happening here.”

Nova nodded. “The entire hotel is buzzing about the restaurant.”

“Not just the hotel,” Nina interjected, walking up to us with a napkin in hand. “The entire town is talking about it.”

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