She clenched her fists and pivoted back to me. Her shoes, while sensible, made her legs look long and curvy. And while she’d been turned, I’d gotten teased by a glimpse of her lush ass.
“I was, but I didn’t make the fuckable cut at the nightclub.”
I recoiled at the acid in her voice. Not what I’d expected from the soft, curvy woman. “Oh?”
Instead of a tirade, all I got was a shrug. “Whatever. It’s tasteless.”
I bristled. Nothing about Silver was tasteless. I’d made sure nothing about this building resembled the dusty and dirty place I’d come from. Glitter & Gold was the crowning glory of the structure.
I also agreed with her. Fuck.
She punched the14on the elevator panel.
A sense of panic took over. She was getting off. She’d insulted my place of work and was leaving. I should let her go, but?—
The elevator jerked into motion. She leaned against the back wall. Unaffected by both me and Glitter’s rejection.
I could take a different route to get to Little Miss Bailey. That whole damn family thought they were untouchable. There was a reason she was here, a purpose to her presence. There had to be. My world wasn’t tilting sideways for nothing. “You’re right. It is tasteless.”
We stopped on the fifth floor, and I moved to her side of the elevator car. She tracked me, shrinking against the rear wall. Her gaze dropped down my suit and skated away.
Was it possible she was affected by me?
Did she know who I was?
Two giggling women got on. They were comparing shiny gold bands on their ring fingers. The Silver Linings Chapel was on the fifth floor. Autumn might also think Vegas weddings were tasteless, but we made sure even impulsive vows were sophisticated.
“I’m surprised you agree,” she murmured.
I took advantage of her continued conversation to lean against the wall adjacent to her. She drew back like I was going to steal the small cream purse hooked over her bandolier-style.
I stuffed a hand into my pocket, knowing I looked exactly like an ad for Zegna. “It’s business. Pure and simple.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t come to Vegas to get insulted.”
The elevator eased to a stop on the twelfth floor. Dammit. We were almost at her stop.
The couple got off, and we were alone again. She scooted an additional foot away from me. I almost slid closer. We continued our ride.
“On behalf of the Silver Casino and Hotel, I apologize.” My sincerity startled me. I knew the exclusiveness of the club hurt feelings, but I’d never witnessed it. I should’ve fought the board harder. Otherwise, what was the perk of being in charge?
It shouldn’t bother me. She was a Bailey.
She lifted her chin. “Thank you,” she said stiffly.
I narrowed my eyes on her. Were her cheeks naturally that flushed, or was she angry? Embarrassed? Overheated?
We came to a stop on the fourteenth floor. The doors opened and the panic was back. She’d step out. I’d never know why her group had chosen Silver or if she knew who I was.
What did it matter?
But it did. It had to. Her family was closing on the sale in a month, and she was in my casino.
So when she took a step toward the exit, I let spill the words I was sure would give her pause. “You’re welcome,Miss Kerrigan.”
CHAPTER TWO
Autumn
