Page 2 of Spring Break with a One Night Stand

“I hope you don’t mind. That creep has been hitting on women all night, but when I saw him make body contact…” He shrugged and offered a grin tinged with embarrassment. “You seemed to be handling him just fine, but I have five sisters and the sight of him forcing himself on you triggered my protective instincts.”

Wowzer.Odette didn’t usually go for overprotective alpha males, but this guy managed to carry it off without crossing into alphahole territory.

“Thirty more seconds, and I would have kicked his ass. Kind of hard when you're wearing strappy stilettos, so I guess I owe you a thank-you.” She extended one leg, the silky skirt of her dress falling away to reveal most of one thigh, a muscled calf, and pink-tipped toes encased in metallic gold lace-up sandals.

“I have no doubt you would have managed just fine.” His voice dropped, and Odette caught the flare of interest in his warm brown eyes.

“Uh…” She hurriedly gathered the fabric to cover her leg, praying he didn’t think the flash had been intentional.

“Nelson.” He reached out, hand turned up.

She slid her palm over his, allowing him to hold it for several long seconds. She shivered when something electric passed between them. If she was in the market for a relationship, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Gentlemanly would be just her type.

“Odette.” She left off her last name, following his lead.

“May I join you?”

Nelson remained standing, waiting for consent despite the empty stool next to hers. Her belly did a tiny flip-flop. Not only was he movie-star handsome, he understood boundaries. She chalked it up to having sisters…and good parents.

“Honestly, I was just leaving.” A pang of regret deflated the pleasure having a gorgeous guy interested in her.

Nelson’s expression echoed that disappointment.

Jezzy did one-night stands and weekend flings. Ginger and Willa Leigh did marriage and families. Odette did…nothing. Shortly after moving to Love Beach, she’d dated a local guy. After three months, she broke things off, resulting in a very messy, very public break-up. Since then, she avoided the beach town dating scene, preferring to be happily single than awkwardly coupled.

She was perfectly happy with her life. Willa Leigh’s husband had sponsored a new, state-of-the-art animal shelter where she was the director. Two months ago, she’d closed on a small seaside bungalow, which she was slowly decorating with carefully curated antiques, collectibles, artwork, and treasures. When she wasn’t busy rescuing animals or leading community workshops or planning fundraisers, she spent time with her tight circle of friends.

What more did a modern woman need?

Something that didn’t require batteries?

Dammit, Odette thought. How did Jezzy get in her head?

“I need to get something to eat.” She waved at her untasted drink. “I’ve already had two of those things and they went straight to my…” She tapped her skull.

“Have you ever been to the Peppermill?”

“No. This is my first trip to Vegas.”

“It’s a big conference town. I get out here every few years.” Nelson took a step back and shoved his hands into his pants pockets. “The Peppermill is a Las Vegas landmark. Their menu is legendary. I’m a sucker for their Crab Cake Benedict. Perhaps a late-night breakfast? Together?”

Odette couldn’t say no.

Chapter Two

One of the reasons Nelson loved the Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge was that tourists had no idea the unassuming building with tinted windows and garish neon sign was one of the city’s most iconic restaurants.

On the Uber ride from the nightclub, he shared its history with Odette. He tended to ramble when he was nervous or disconcerted, and the stunning woman next to him in the backseat of the Hyundai Sonata was doing both.

“It’s old-school Vegas. When you step through the doors, it’s like stepping back in time. Tiffany-style flamingo lamps, mirrored walls, plush blue booths, tons of neon lights, and in the lounge, there’s an open circular firepit.”

“My grandmother was a huge Elvis fan.” Odette clutched her small, beaded evening bag with both hands as if she shared some of his unsettledness. “I’ve seenViva Las Vegasat least ten times.”

“I did a tour of iconic Vegas locations on my second visit, which resulted in a deep dive into Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and the Rat Pack. I’ve taken a lot of guff for my fixation on fifties and sixties movies and music.”

“That’s totally groovy in my book.” A streetlight illuminated her smile, white teeth contrasting with her flushed bronze skin. “I adore anything vintage. My favorite way to spend a weekend is visiting antique and secondhand stores.”

“You’d get along great with my sister, Mae. She has an Etsy shop where she sells vintage clothes and jewelry. She wants to expand into furniture and housewares, but shipping is a nightmare. You know those buyers who travel around the world, shopping for retailers? Well, Mae’s version of a buying trip was four days scouring some rummage sale across six states.”

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