Page 18 of Keep Me (Rebel Hearts Heists 2)
Chanel No 5
Sloane
By the time our tour is over, my feet hurt and I can feel exhaustion riding my body hard. To be fair the past few days have been endless. I offer Blaine’s soon to be step-father, and total asshole, a small smile as my three boys and I depart. How freakin’ massive does this building really need to be? I assume that’s what’s bothering me but it feels like something more, a weird weight in my chest that I don’t understand exactly.
I’m fairly quiet as we make our way upstairs toward the massive penthouse that awaits us with its lavish luxury. It’s actually opulent to the point that it makes me uncomfortable. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy luxury like any other woman but no one really needs this level of excess. A warm heat trails through my body at the thought of River who hopefully left his door open. I haven’t been lying, I did miss him and I feel like I never get enough time with the man. Any of them if we’re being honest. I can’t wait until all of this bullshit is finally over.
“Thank God.” I toss off my heels and pad toward River’s room to change into an oversized shirt and pass the hell out. I can hear the others talking in hushed tones and if I have to guess, they’ll be up for a bit. Unlike me, they seem full of energy and not exactly happy energy, if you get what I mean. They’re pissed and being around Van Der Beck and Blaine’s mom is only fueling it. Even Kaden seems a bit worked up as he loosens his tux pouring himself a large drink. I wonder how that would taste off his lips …
I slide into River’s room and smile, seeing his muscular, stunning chest highlighted in the moonlight coming through the large windows. Instead of changing, I climb onto the bed but freeze, my brow dipping. The smell of Chanel No 5 perfume surrounds the bed and I sure as hell know that River doesn’t fucking wear Chanel. I swallow my insecurity and anger, not wanting to jump to conclusions. Maybe they sprayed the beds with perfume?
Again, these fucking uber rich people can be pretty weird.
I climb back off the bed and stare at him for a moment, trying to decide whether to wake him up. I’m not positive I’m ready for the possible answer … no, Rivs wouldn’t do that to me, tous. I shake my head telling myself I’ll talk to him first thing in the morning. I slip back out of the bedroom, knowing there’s no way in hell I’ll be able to sleep in there tonight. Licking my lip and nibbling on it I go toward the massive master suite that Royce and Blaine put my things and theirs in. Luckily, they stayed in the living room and that allows me to be a total weirdo when I gather the sheets and inhale.
It all smells like fresh laundry.
Blinking my eyes and looking up, tears threatening to fall, I walk over toward my luggage. I shimmy off my outfit and tug on a loose red and orange patterned shift dress that hangs off my shoulders. I can’t stay in this room but I also sure as hell am not staying in that outfit. I slip on a pair of sandals that have small crystals lining them and brush out my hair, feeling far better as I leave the room.
“Going somewhere, Honey Bunny?” Blaine offers me a teasing smile, his voice thick with heat, his eyes slightly shut. He’s totally drunk. Well, if not drunk shortly on the way to be drunk.
“Yes.” I nod. “I won’t be able to sleep yet, is anyone interested in going down to the casino? I could use a drink that isn’t scotch, bourbon, and whiskey. No offense, guys.” Royce chuckles softly but I can see the tension riding him. Kaden looks up from where he’s working on his laptop and offers me a smile.
“I am going to stay here, if you don’t mind. I’m exhausted.” He yawns and I dip my head impulsively, kissing him as he nips at my bottom lip, eliciting a moan.
I’m not completely over the shock and disappointment of finding out that he was under cover the whole time and my anxiety about the authenticity of his feelings for me isn’t totally gone … like at all. With that said, I’ve decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. True, being here makes working this case easier with the inside Royce and Blaine provide, but the fact that he included River and I when he negotiated immunity is a sure indication that he does care about us. Right? So for now I’m willing to give him a second chance, one my heart demands because I am sure as fuck falling for Kaden and I can only pray he feels the same.
“Fuck,” Blaine mumbles, “keep making noises like that and we won’t be leaving this room.”
I laugh softly, grabbing my clutch as Royce swirls his drink, causing the ice cubes to clink in the expensive crystal tumbler as I follow the two of them toward the elevator. How these massive football players turned into fucking James Bond clones is beyond me, but I can literally feel the power humming under their skin. Especially Royce. I have a suspicion that he isn’t feeling his normal calm and collected self. Then again, Blaine is somewhat out of character as well. I hate that these bastards are stressing them out so much.
The elevator ride is somewhat quiet as Royce tugs me against his chest, running his nose against my neck as if absorbing my scent. He grunts, “I’m really wishing we had just announced our situation, not touching you in public for the next few days is going to drive me fucking crazy.”
Honestly I was wondering when he was going to say something, Royce is naturally pretty possessive and ever since he kissed me that first time, he’s been very hands on. I fucking love it so I am sharing his grievance.
Blaine grins and offers me a smile. “Don’t worry brother, I’ll touch her enough for the both of us.”
The elevator dings as I step away, rolling my eyes at Blaine but unable to not smile because tipsy Blaine is flirty as hell. I squeak as he comes up behind me, wraps a hand around my waist and nips my ear in warning. What is he going to do? Spank me? God I fucking hope so.
“Your eye rolling is going to get you fucked,” he voices quietly.
“You say that like it’s a threat,” I offer as Royce throws a look to both of us, putting a pep in my step, nearing the large man. My eyes go wide as we cross the elegant four-story high ceiling lobby towards an arch that has gilded gold trim running along the edges. Sounds of laughter, claps, and glasses clinking along with thebingsof casino games suddenly fills the space. I smile at the bright colors that run along the outside edges of the casino, the machines catching my eye right away along with the large tables of expensively dressed men and women gambling.
“What should we play?” I ask curiously.
“I’m going to get a drink,” Blaine mutters and my eyes flash across the room to see his soon to be step-father playing at one of the tables. I shake my head realizing that he is surrounded by other men and women including two that are hanging on his arms openly. Does this always happen? Does Blaine’s mom not care? Then again, I really didn’t like the look she gave Rivs so maybe that’s their ‘thing.’ Insecurity reminding me why I came down here, hits me hard. Yeah. I need a drink.
“Do you want to play at the table or the machines?” Royce asks floating a hand right above my lower back. I look up and feel my heart stutter at the intensity there. Woah. He’s more than a bit worked up. Before I can answer, he’s leading me toward a roulette table. I shiver at his commanding voice as he orders a drink for himself and a lemon drop martini for me. I really want to climb on the man’s lap because he’s being so goddamn sexy. James Bond like sexy. I stand next to him at the table and he buys in to start playing.
Luckily, the atmosphere at the table itself is pretty light hearted and people cycle through in the few minutes before I get my drink. I try looking for Blaine and see his frame sitting at the bar talking to the bartender, probably intending to get even more wasted. I look at Royce who’s watching him with concern but continuing to play. I down my drink wondering if this entire situation was a terrible idea. After my second or third drink, I feel Royce’s hand grip my waist slightly making me jump. When I look up at him, he has his eyes on some asshole standing across from us.
Do you ever see someone and instantly wince? Like, the man isn’t unattractive. He has a very polished look to him but there’s nothing special about him and yet … okay well, nothing special except for the creepy ass stare he keeps directing at me. I mean, I can legitimately see him imagining me naked andman,does that make me uncomfortable. It reminds me of the creepy look that Pierce used to aim at other women when we would be out. I feel my jaw clench as I toss down another drink finally feeling a bit tipsy.
I hear a slightly raised voice from across the room and Royce groans. He presses his lips to my ear. “Stay right here, I’ve got to kick Blaine’s ass.” I watch in surprise as he crosses the room, Blaine is getting into a heated discussion with someone, even drawing the attention of his mother’s fiancé which definitely isn’t good. I’m distracted enough that I don’t feel Mr. Creepy pull up next to me until he’s right in my space with his overwhelming cologne.
“Hey there gorgeous.” He offers what I’m sure he means as a charming grin. My eyes go back to where Royce is clearly directing Blaine upstairs. Shit, man. He’s going to be so hungover tomorrow. I don’t blame him though; this shit is stressful.
“Too good to talk to me?” the man demands. I snap my head to the side and arch a brow.
