“The coffee cart guy makes the best espresso in Vegas.”
Andy twisted in his arms to face him fully, his expression caught between exasperation and fondness. “This isn’t a joke. I can’t—” His voice caught slightly. “I can’t go through that again. Not knowing where you were, if you were hurt…”
Matt’s humor faded as he caught the real fear behind Andy’s words. He cupped Andy’s face in his hands, thumbs brushing over his cheekbones. “Hey,” he said softly, “I’m okay. I’m right here.”
“Yeah, well, next time some obsessed stalker tries to kidnap you, they’ll have to get through Eddie’s enhanced security protocols and your new personal detail first.”
“Only four?”
“I considered suggesting more, but Eddie pointed out it might make dinner reservations awkward.”
Matt laughed, pulling Andy closer. “What about dates? Am I going to have a security team hovering like chaperones at a high school dance?”
“They’ll maintain a respectful distance,” Andy said primly, then added with a wicked grin, “unless you’re into that sort of thing?”
“The only person I’mintois you,” Matt growled, capturing Andy’s lips in a kiss that started sweet but quickly turned heated.
When they finally broke apart, Andy’s eyes were slightly glazed. “Smooth talker.”
“I try.” Matt pressed their foreheads together. “So, this security system—what exactly are you planning?”
“Well, I was thinking about adding some specialized features to work with your current setup. Something that integrates with the hotel’s systems but adds an extra layer of protection just for you.”
“You’re turning into quite the protective little tyrant.” Matt kissed Andy again, slow and deep, pouring all his love and gratitude into it. When they parted, Andy’s eyes were soft and full of starlight.
“I love you,” he murmured against his lips. “Even if you are turning into a tech-savvy control freak.”
“I love you too,” Andy replied.
From inside, they heard Fin’s voice rise above the party noise. “Ethan Collins, I swear to God, if you don’t tell him about your ideas for the Japanese garden design right now, I’m showing him that detailed analysis you wrote about all his charity gala speeches!”
Matt burst out laughing against Andy’s shoulder. “Should we go rescue your friends?”
“Nah.” Andy grinned. “Let’s stay here a while longer. The view’s better.”
“The skyline is pretty spectacular.”
“I wasn’t talking about the skyline.”
Matt’s response was lost in another kiss, and for a moment, everything was perfect—the night, the stars, and Andy in his arms, safe and whole and his.
Forty-Three
ANDY
One Year Later
Isprawled in my ridiculously expensive ergonomic chair—because heaven forbid Matt Caine’s fiancé get a backache from regular office furniture—and surveyed my kingdom of organized chaos at Pulse Media. The Vegas skyline was doing its best disco ball impression in the late afternoon sun, with the Maxwell Hotel Resort preening like the crown jewel it was.
Twelve months ago, I was a broke coder surviving on ramen and determination. Now? I was CEO of the fastest-growing social media company this side of the Mississippi, engaged to Vegas’ most deliciously controlling billionaire and currently wondering if I could get away with stripping off this designer suit because apparently even state-of-the-art air-conditioning was no match for Nevada’s personal vendetta against comfortable temperatures.
My office was what you’d get if you threw Silicon Valley atArchitectural Digestand added a dash of my questionable taste—all gleaming glass walls and cutting-edge tech, with justenough personal touches to make it feel like mine instead of a corporate showroom. My pride and joy—a coding station that would make any tech nerd weep with joy—dominated one corner, while the other housed what Matt called my “thinking space” but was really just his excuse to install a ridiculously expensive couch. Speaking of my overly generous fiancé, there he was, smiling that rare full smile in our engagement photo next to my monitors, caught mid-laugh at whatever ridiculous thing I’d said that day.
My tablet chimed with an incoming video call, and Fin’s face filled the screen, his hair looking like he’d just survived a typhoon and his eyes dancing with the kind of excitement that usually meant trouble.
“Andy! Oh my God, you won’t believe—” Fin ducked suddenly, giving me a lovely view of some elaborate wooden ceiling beams. “Okay, coast clear. You won’t believe what just happened at the family dinner. Some rival family burst in with actual katanas. Actual. Katanas. This is the coolest thing ever!”
“Finley!” Ethan’s voice hissed from somewhere off-screen. “This is serious!”
