Page 22 of Play to Win

“That would probably be a good idea.”

I shake my head.“This is so nuts.”

“Yep.”He swivels, stands, and holds out a hand.“Come on.”

We walk back to the Wellborne, not the only ones staggering down the Strip at dawn.In the lobby, I pause at seeing some of the shops which stay open twenty-four/seven.“I’m going to need a few things.”

“I can take you to your place to pack some stuff before we leave tomorrow.”

“Today.”

“Oh yeah.Right.”

“Okay.I’ll just grab a couple of things for now.”

I pick up a toothbrush, toothpaste, and antiperspirant.A pair of panties and a sundress to wear later.I have other basics in my backpack—a makeup kit, hairbrush—which will get me through til I can get home.I also grab a phone charger.I pay for these items with the tip I was given earlier, for which I am now grateful.

We go up to Théo’s room.Walking in, quiet coolness envelops us.A suitcase sits open on the luggage rack, the contents packed with precise neatness.Unlike how I pack.Not that I’ve traveled a lot.

I yawn.

“Tired?”

“I think I’m crashing.Can you be hungover before you even go to sleep?”

He chuckles.“Possibly.Want a shower before we go to bed?”

The air in the room instantly goes hot.Electricity sizzles over my nerve endings as we eye each other.I know what we’re both thinking.

7

LACEY

“Probably a good idea,”I say in a husky voice.

He gestures to the bathroom.“Go ahead.I’ll shower after.”

I can’t help the flicker of disappointment.I nod and trudge into the bathroom, suddenly exhausted.There, I wash my hair, face, and body, which still smell a little like the chlorine in the pool, and after, rub hotel-provided body lotion into my skin.

I only half-dry my hair because it takes for-freaking-ever, it’s so long and thick.I just want to get most of the water out of it.It’ll look terrible later, but I’ll deal with it.

Théo’s sprawled in a chair looking at his phone when I come out, a towel wrapped around me.He’s already shed his pants and shirt, and is in his boxers, his long legs stretched out in front of him, ankles crossed.

“Your turn!”I say brightly, clutching my towel.

He looks at me and his eyes sweep down from my face to my toes and back up, lingering on my bare legs and then my shoulders.My skin heats and my belly does a little flip.

He drops his phone on the dresser and rises.He moves toward me, and in the narrow space there’s barely room for him to pass me without touching.He deliberately sets his hands on my waist to shift me out of the way and shivery sensation slides down inside me.

But he keeps going and strides into the bathroom.

A sigh escapes me.

I open the curtains and gaze out at the early morning view of Vegas, mountains hazy in the distance.Then I dig in my purse for my phone and send Karine a text message.

I deliberate over what exactly to tell her.No matter what I say, she’s going to freak out, so I settle for telling her I’m going to Los Angeles for a while.I don’t want to alarm her, but ...I bite my lip.

Théo left his wallet on the dresser, so I flip it open.The water’s still running in the bathroom.Feeling a bit guilty, I finger through it and find his driver’s license.He’s already changed it to a California license with his new address, so that’s a win.I take a picture of it with my phone and send it to Karine.

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