Page 34 of Double or Nothing

“Is this how it’s going to be?” His voice is soft yet rough as it ripples through every piece of me.

“It’s how it has to be. Professional.”

I have little choice, considering I can already feel the walls I built crumbling. If I give him even an inch, I’ll be in so much trouble. He’s always had this effect on me. One word, one smile, one touch, or any combination of the three, and I was a goner.

I can tell by the look on his face, he isn’t pleased with my response. Still, all he says is, “Alright.”

His giving in so easily takes me by surprise. Sutton may be a lot of things, but a quitter isn’t one of them. He doesn’t give up until he gets what he wants—case in point, his off the chart’s music career. In only five years, he went from singing in dive bars here in Vegas to having multiple platinum records. The man never quits.

“Good,” I say, though my voice lacks any sort of conviction.

Luckily for me, Mac joins us.

Mac Foster is Sutton’s bodyguard, manager, best friend, and God only knows what else. He stands next to Sutton, shaking his head. There’s a smile on his face, one filled with judgment because he knows Sutton and me—too well—and already knows how this is going to go.

I focus my gaze on Mac. Looking at him is easier than facing Sutton. I give him a smile, one solely directed at him.

“Hi, Mac.”

“Hey, Kat, good to see you.”

“You, too.” Stepping forward and wrapping my arms around him in a hug, I hear him chuckle as I do. “Follow me.”

Positioning myself in a corner of the elevator, my eyes trained on my phone, I do everything in my power to maintain my distance and keep Sutton at bay. Sutton, however, doesn’t seem to get hint… or care. Not that it should surprise me. He’s the one who orchestrated this whole thing.

He inches closer until he’s standing right next to me, his arm brushing against mine.

“You look good, Kitty Kat.”

Staring at my phone, I act as though I am reading a super important email when in actuality, I’m just trying to ignore him. The elevator dings, letting me know we’ve arrived, and the light above the door illuminates the letters PPH. Presidential Penthouse—nothing but the best for my new, least favorite client.

I step off the escalator and into the small hallway leading to his suite. Tapping my access card against the panel, I open the door, then push it open further so he can enter.

Sutton cocks his head to the side and looks at me as if I should know better.

“Ladies first.”

Grandma Virginia and her lessons in manners at play. I guess there are some things that never change, no matter how rich and famous you are. I wonder if he uses those same manners with all the women he entertains, or if I’m just special.

Despite swooning internally, I roll my eyes at the gesture. Stepping into the suite before him, I point out a few highlights.

“I hope everything is to your liking, Mr. Cole.”

When I turn to Mac, I see the grin he’s trying to hide, but the chuckle that seeps out is undeniable. I ignore the humor he’s finding in a situation I find torturous and hand him a key card. “The suite below is for you and your team. There are four bedrooms, so I assume that will accommodate everyone?”

“You’re amazing, Kat. Thank you,” Mac says.

As Mac and I chat, Sutton maneuvers through the suite. I’m not sure if he’s looking for a problem or impressed with the room. Either way, it’s the best we have, so it’s all he’s getting.

“This is my business card.” With a professional and polite smile, I extend the card to Mac. “I am available to you twenty-four hours a day for whatever you need.”

Sutton marches back into the room and stops in the dead center of it.

“Get out.”

The sound, deep and dark, takes me by surprise, but I am more than happy to oblige his request and leave.

“Enjoy your stay.”

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