Page 26 of Inked Beasts

“That sounds good. I’ll have that, please.”

“Asparagus okay?” he asks, the smooth tones in his voice making it sound like the best thing ever.

“I did grow up to like vegetables, yes.” I put my hand down when I catch myself twirling my hair around my finger. What is going on with me?

“You don’t hide them under your napkin anymore?” Thorn teases.

I reach for the white cloth that’s folded into a fancy shape. “This one looks big enough if I need to get rid of anything.”

When a laugh rumbles out of him, my pussy responds instantly, and I can’t help but wonder if there’s a chance my fantasy alternate-universe world is going to collide with reality.

LEXY

Later, back in my room, my belly full of the most delicious rendition of beef stroganoff that I could possibly imagine, I once again try to make lists to get my life in order. Clothes I need, a plan for a car, change of address notifications, things to research about my new job. There’s so much, yet all my brain wants to list are the things about my three old friends that I can’t stop thinking about.

Thorn’s easy laughter, how Gage’s hand felt holding mine, the way Kai has shown me how mind-blowing an orgasm can be. All of this and so much more is jumbled in my head, and I can’t sort it out.

I had hopes of reconnecting with my old friends, but everything that’s happened in such a short span of time has completely exceeded any expectations, and I’m realizing how truly unprepared I was for it all.

Honestly, there wouldn’t have been a way to prepare for everything I’m feeling.

A knock at the door startles me out of my thoughts. After looking through the peephole, I swing the door wide. “Gage. Hi.”

I step back to welcome him in, but he hangs in the doorway and holds out a key.

“I have an extra car you can drive,” he says, his arm extended, a black and silver key fob held between his thumb and finger.

“An extra car?” He’s offering it like it’s a spare t-shirt I can borrow.

“Yeah. You’re welcome to drive it for as long as you need to.”

I take a step backward. “I can’t do that.”

“Sure you can. It’s no trouble at all. My insurance will cover you as the driver. It even has a full tank of gas.”

I frown at him, not so much in confusion or frustration, but simply staggered by his generosity. “I —”

“Just take it. It’s not a problem.” He takes one of my hands and places the key there, wrapping my fingers around it. My skin heats instantly, not just on my hand, but up my arm, across my chest, and downward.

“C’mon in.” I manage to move back a step, even though an invisible force seems to be drawing me to him. “Thank you for this,” I say, holding up the key before setting it on the table by the door. “I really appreciate it.”

He nods in response as he scans my room. “Nice place,” he says.

“It’ll be fine for a little while. Would you like something to drink?”

“Water,” Gage says, and it’s a good thing, because that’s all I have. I need to add beverage shopping to my to-do list, when I can get my brain back online.

I pour a glass for him from one of the bottles in the mini fridge, and we settle onto the couch, which is really more of a loveseat.

“When will you start your job?” he asks. He’s leaning back against the cushions, his legs spread comfortably in front of him, faded denim wrapped around his thighs in a way that has me biting my lip and trying not to stare.

“Soon. Very soon.” I desperately need some kind of distraction, and I hope work will do the trick. “I saw Thorn tonight, down in the dining room. I’m excited about planning weddings at this property. It’s lovely here.”

“It is.” Gage’s focus is fully on me, making me wonder whether he’s talking about the hotel.

And all at once, I wonder what the hell I’m doing, delaying the inevitable, keeping myself from an experience that will surely be spectacular and wonderful. I’m in Vegas, after all, a town built on fantasy, so I should get busy following mine.

I’m not going to be here forever, maybe a few months, or a year at most, while I regain my equilibrium and prepare to move on to the next phase of my life, so it doesn’t make sense to waste another minute.

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