Page 30 of Dirty Big Sins

I choked back a laugh. “I’m not about to ask permission to remove someone frommykitchen. There are certain lines that no one else can cross. Kitchen staff is one of them.”

Zack shook his head, but thankfully he didn’t argue the point. Instead he pulled out his cell phone and punched in some numbers as he took off in the direction of the restaurant. No doubt pulling an unsuspecting cameraman from bed to do his bidding.

“Can I get you something?” The bartender set down a napkin in front of me.

“No, thank you. I can’t stay.”

“C’mon. You’re not going to leave and make me drink alone, right?” A wide grin spread across Nova’s face. “We may have just met, but I think we are more alike than I thought. Good for you, fighting for your kitchen, by the way. I dated a chef once and he was downright possessive of everything to do with his restaurant. We may not have lasted past the five-minute mark, but I could certainly respect the iron control he wielded over every aspect of his job. He was certainly far more inventive in the kitchen than he’d been in the bedroom, if you know what I mean.”

I covered my mouth to stifle a laugh. “I think I do. Although how any man could not choose to give you the same level of detail astounds me.”

It was her turn to laugh and despite the low din of noise in the bar, her throaty laugh filled the room. Several heads turned and it was then I saw one in particular take notice. A man in a black suit a few seats down from Nova had zeroed in on her and wasn’t looking away. He was also fucking hot. In a rough, rugged way that made me think he’d be incredible in or out of that suit.

I pressed a napkin to my face. What the hell was wrong with me?

“You okay?” Nova asked, concern drawing her brows together.

“Yeah, fine.” I leaned closer and lowered my voice. “But I think you have a serious admirer. That man a few seats over hasn’t taken his eyes off of you. You don’t have a stalker or anything, do you?”

“Not in the traditional sense, no. But that one you’re referring to has been here before. We’ve been playing this little game of contemplation with each other.”

“Contemplation? Seriously? Screw that. Oh wait. Do you already have a boyfriend? I didn’t mean to be that crass.”

“Not a traditional one of those either. No worries. You’re good. But that sexy beast of a man can stay right where he is.”

Her look of alarm caught my curiosity and nearly set it on fire. Now I wanted to know more. “You don’t have a traditional stalker or a traditional boyfriend? That sounds—uh—interesting.”

“Hardly.” She fidgeted with the napkin under her drink and I got the distinct impression there was a whole lot more to her story she didn’t want to talk about. Since that was an issue I could fully understand, I left it alone and changed the subject. With any luck, there’d be time to find out more as we got to know each other better.

“I meant to ask you about your showroom here at The Sinclair. I was surprised to learn such a talented designer had chosen to open a shop in Vegas instead of heading to New York and the big fashion scene there.”

“You’ve seen my work?” She sounded genuinely surprised.

“Of course I have. Some of your creations have that hint of vintage I love so much. I’ve been meaning to come by and get a closer look.” That wasn’t exactly the truth, but close enough. I really did crave a Nova original, but in my current financial predicament, it wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. I had a lot of digging to do before I could crawl out of the hole.

“I love your look. That dress your wearing is one of the coolest pieces I’ve seen in a long time. It’s true vintage, not a knock off like most people go for.”

“Thank you.” I tried to ignore the hot flush of shame that crawled up my neck. I never wanted to admit I wore it out of necessity not coolness. Some secrets had to be maintained.

“As for Vegas. I really like it here. I felt stifled in New York and couldn’t wait to leave. There’s a special vibe here from the juxtaposition between the harsh, but beautiful desert and the glitz and neon of the strip. I’m intrigued by it.” She leaned a little closer before she continued. “And not to sound too crass myself, but this town attracts some serious money and it’s not just the gaming tables that get all the attention.”

I laughed, loving that she’d borrowed my own phrasing to make her point. Got it. I also got the not-as-subtle-as-she-thought looks she kept giving the man still watching her from the bar. I could almost breathe the tension arcing between them. There was definitely a story there and I hoped one day she’d share.

It also made me think of Vincent and how he made me feel. When I’d been pressed against his hard body in the SUV, I’d barely suppressed the desire raging through me. I still felt it now. That familiar pulse between my legs. I’d been afraid after Dante that feeling would be hard pressed to return. To my surprise it had only taken meeting the absolute wrong man to get it back. Now it wouldn’t go away. I was going to need more than a drink to settle me tonight.

Nova was still talking, but I’d missed half of what she said. Shit. I needed to get my head out of the clouds and back into reality. As a second drink arrived, I found myself agreeing to come to her showroom to be fitted for an opening night dress.

“Are you sure? There isn’t a lot of time.” I didn’t want to impose, but it would certainly take some of the pressure off of my current situation. I could probably get away with vintage couture, but if I didn’t have to…

“Hell yes, I’m sure. It would be good publicity for us both. Together we might break the internet.”

She was right. So far my Instagram followers had stuck with me through an ugly divorce and were now doing their level best to convince the powers that be thatZia’s Kitchendeserved a second season. If Nova’s rabid following was any indication, my own followers were going to love her and hopefully vice versa. Collaboration had become the de rigueur for social media this year and I loved it. It was far more fun to work with others than alone.

I was about to ask when a good time would be to come in, when I caught movement from the corner of the bar. The total hottie who’d been eye fucking Nova since I sat down had gotten up and seemed headed our way.

It was time to cut and run. I had another appointment anyway.

“Don’t look now, but I think you are about to get some company. How about I message you tomorrow to continue this discussion. Until then, I’d say don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, but I guess we don’t know each other well enough for that yet. But, if it were me, I would not say no.”

---