Page 55 of Moonlit Hideaway
The expansive lobby was sleek and airy, with soaring ceilings, crystalline chandeliers, and artistic pillars. Slot machines flickered and jangled everywhere while guests milled around various lounges and restaurants. At the far end, floor-to-ceiling windows revealed sweeping ocean views.
They checked in, and Sierra dragged him toward the concert hall. Since it was the afternoon and no one was on stage, the open doors showed rows and rows of plush seats with tiered balconies.
“That stage is where I’ll be headlining,” Sierra whispered, her eyes bright. “I can already imagine the crowds, the energy…”
She trailed off, perhaps envisioning herself under the glitzy lights again soon. Hank slipped an arm around her waist, offering silent support.
He noticed an extra bounce in her step after seeing the venue. After a fast elevator ride to the top floor, they checked into a suite with a dazzling view of the beach and boardwalk.
“Not too shabby, right?” Sierra said, flopping onto the plush king bed.
“I could get used to this,” Hank said. He sat beside Sierra, both gazing out at the ocean.
“So, what should we do first?” Sierra asked. “I guess I should show you the sights, being a local and all.”
“I’m game for anything,” Hank said.
“How about we go to an amusement park?” She pointed to the Ferris wheel over the boardwalk. “It’ll be fun.”
“Here I thought we were going to sleep in and do nightlife,” he joked, relieved that he could handle an amusement park.
“Don’t worry; after the park, we’ll hit the casinos, have dinner, and then comes the nightlife.” She nudged him. “You’re not getting any sleep tonight, buddy.”
Hank shook his head ruefully as Sierra bounded toward the door, brimming with enthusiastic energy. This was Sierra’s world—the nonstop stimulation and admiration she thrived on. Could his modest island existence ever compete?
He would have to double down on his love for this vibrant, maddening, but utterly wonderful woman and make the most of every moment at her side.
“You haven’t seen all-nighters until you’ve been sailing on the sound under the stars.”
Sierra hated to go to the rock concert dressed in grungy jeans and a hoodie, but she wasn’t the one on stage, and she had to keep her dowdy disguise. If only Hank could have seen her strutting on stage and belting out the tunes. The concert's energy had her amped up, and she was still feeling the thumping of the beat in her heart as she and Hank gyrated down the crowded sidewalk after emerging from the heat of the indoor auditorium into the cool October night. The wailing guitar line and the pounding drums still thrummed through her, and she itched to jump up onto a planter or low wall and dance the rest of the night away.
They were swept away by the crowd and entered the hotel. Slot machines flashed and jingled, and music pulsed through the casino as the night was only getting started. Sierra noticed Hank yawning a few times and rubbing his tired eyes. She wasn’t dressed for an afterparty anyway, so she led the way to the elevators, resigned to turning in for the night.
Hank gave her a relieved grin as he punched the button for their floor. “That was a long day and night like you promised. I got a second wind after the amusement park, but I’m ready to crash.”
“Did you enjoy the show?” she asked. “They sure put on a display, didn’t they?”
“The lights and special effects were really something,” he said, not quite as enthusiastic as she’d like. “All the smoke and lasers were flashy.”
“But you didn’t quite like it, did you?” Disappointment swept her as she realized he didn’t understand how important music and performing to a live audience was to her. She wanted validation that he would accept her lifestyle once she resumed touring. “How about the music and the performance?”
“Is it always so overdone?” Hank asked as they crossed into the atrium leading to their hotel room. “I can’t believe a man wearing gold glitter and makeup acting so flamboyant. He had a good voice, but it felt, I don’t know, just too much. Like he thought he wasn’t enough, and he had to surround himself with too much bling.”
“It’s a hit on all the senses, the way everything explodes. The sound, the colors, the lights. But you must admit, the band was such a high energy, and that guitar riff at the end really got the crowd pumped up.”
“They were good, no doubt about it, but you know what would be even better?” His gray eyes crinkled with a teasing glint as he tugged her down the corridor to their room.
“What?” Her heart fluttered at the way he was looking at her as he unlocked their door. Did he have any idea how attractive he was with that entire wholesome outdoorsman build?
“If you were up there performing. It would be awesome to see you on that stage doing your thing.”
“You really think so?” Her heart fluttered as they stepped into the dimly lit hotel room.
“Yes.” One word, said in all sincerity, had her falling deeper in love with this man who was so genuine.
“Well, in that case…” She sauntered to the luggage rack and opened her suitcase. “I might just be able to satisfy that itch of yours with a private show.”
Hank’s eyes widened as she withdrew a glittery top and a pair of shimmering leggings. A grin spread across his face as he kicked off his shoes and sat back on the king-sized bed. “I’d love a private concert.”
