Page 21 of Nothing Stays in Vegas

Lara grabbed a peeler and an apple. “Yes, ma’am.”

Mary cocked her head and smiled as she walked out. Before the door was even closed, Bitty tossed her peeler aside and stood.

Glancing sideways, she whispered, “I’m making a break for it. Whatever you decide with Dette, take a shower and primp a little first. You know she always responds better when people are put together. You look like a drowned rat.”

***

The house was quiet under the patter of rain, most of the attendants had left on errands before Cal and Lara returned from the boathouse. The rest of the afternoon was passing slowly for Cal as he tried to look inconspicuous hanging around waiting to see Lara again.

When they’d parted at the boathouse door, their kiss had been slow, deliberate, teasing and dotted with laughter. Lara’s hands had lingered at his chest, her fingertips hovering over his torso as she reluctantly let go and sprinted off toward the house. They’d left on the brink of love.

And then she’d disappeared. He’d come in, showered, then looked everywhere he could think of, but Lara was nowhere to be found.

Cal let the heavy door swing shut, twisted the cap off a bottle of water and took a couple deep slugs. It had taken him five minutes of searching to figure out where the hidden fridge was in the immaculate kitchen.

“Worked up quite a thirst, huh, stud?”

Coughing, he wiped his mouth on his sleeve and turned around. “Bitty, hey, how’s it going?”

She looked him up and down in bl

atant appraisal. “Fine, I guess.”

Uncomfortable. They stared at each other.

“Um. Okay, well, I’ll get out of your way, then.”

Bitty just stared at him. What the hell? She’d been friendly every other time he’d talked to her, this cold stare didn’t make sense.

Stud…

Or did it? “Talk to Lara?”

“Mmhmm, about an hour ago.” She leaned back on one leg, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I’m crazy about her. I’m not going to hurt her…if that’s what this is about.”

“You so sure about that?”

“I’m sure I’m going to try not to. I’m not a bad guy, Bitty. I don’t fool around, cheat or lie, I’m not afraid to commit, and I’m a kind of a decent person in general.”

Bitty cocked her head to the side, a wicked little grin flickering on her lips. “So what you’re saying is that you’ve…got the right stuff, baby?”

His face fell flat. Oh no Lara did not. New Kids. “Is nothing sacred?” The sex was one thing, he hoped it was worth a mention, but to tell about the New Kids on the Block? Someone was in for a spanking.

Bitty doubled over and, going knock-kneed, clutched her stomach laughing.

She’d played him! Rocking back on his heels, jaw set to the side, he gave her the moment.

Glancing up with glistening eyes, she smiled. “You didn’t have a chance, Cal. I’m a trial lawyer. I get people to say what I want for a living. Sorry, sport.”

Shaking his head with pure acceptance that he’d been had, he grinned. “So all of you Sinclair girls are bad?”

She regained her composure, straightening to meet his eye. “Some worse than others.”

A crash followed by slew of unintelligible screams echoed through the halls and down the stairs. Cal pushed back from the counter. “Is that Lara?”

Bitty’s brow furrowed and she glanced towards the stairwell. “Dette, but Lara’s with her.”

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