MY FIRSTtwo days in the desert went as planned. I spent most of my time taking care of the Tunnel. When I wasn’t there, I hung out with a bunch of my old bartender buddies on the strip—staying out of the Palace where I met her—and successfully avoided being at the condo.
It wasn’t until the third morning I was there and sleeping on Asher’s new office couch that shit went sour. There I was, happy as fuck sleeping, thrilled that after Asher married Nat, he replaced the cesspool of semen and bodily fluids that he used to call a couch, when my phone buzzed with unwanted news.
MARTA: Hey, baby! How you doing?
I sat up and stared at the screen, rubbing my hand over my face.
MIKE: It’s four a.m. here, seven where you are. What are you doing up?
MARTA: I couldn’t sleep. Miss you.
MIKE: Don’t get like that. I’ll be back. I miss you too.
MARTA: I know. I’m not wailing or anything. Just miss seeing you in general. Knowing you’re okay.
MIKE: I’m good, baby.
MARTA: Hey, good news! Staci kicked me off this week’s schedule so I could come out and be with you.
That goddamn Staci. What the fuck?
I stood and carried my phone to the bathroom, setting it on the counter while I drained the dragon. I didn’t respond until I finished, kicking my foot up to flush.
Why did everyone in my life feel like they had to wade in and solve shit? Did Staci think I couldn’t handle Vegas on my own? Or did she believe Lynx was never coming back? Even worse, had she convinced herself that Marta and I were a thing?
MIKE: Baby girl, you don’t have to do that. I’m good.
MARTA: I got a flight. I’m leaving in a few. I’ll text you when I’m there. Will you send someone? It will be during setup for the club.
MIKE: Shit, I’ll come myself. But you don’t have to do this.
MARTA: I know. I want to. And I’ve never been to Vegas before!
MIKE: OK, baby.
MARTA: See you soon!!!
My first thought was,Where the fuck are we going to stay?
In my crazed state of confusion, the black-and-white office spun until it looked gray. I decided to go on a run before it got too hot, but mostly to get rid of the craziness coursing through my whole body.
I didn’t need this. All I wanted was to get the hell in and out of this town. Now I had to play fucking tour guide for Marta.
Don’t get me wrong ... I wanted to show her a good time. Anywhere but here.
She knew about Lynx and that I looked for her. But she thought it was out of some benevolence of my heart, that I didn’t want some helpless woman on the street. Because in Marta’s mind, I was compassionate and caring, not pining for what once was or could have been.
MARTA CAMErunning out to baggage claim and flung herself into my arms, wrapping her legs around me. “Vegas, baby! Where anything can happen!”
I patted her on her tight ass and set her down before I kissed her. Closed mouth, but it was pretty fucking hot and held lots of promise. My dick perked up right away at the thought of this little visit, even if my other head wasn’t in a good place.
“Hey, Mart. You got bags?” I grabbed her hand and walked toward the carousels.
“Duh. A few,” she said, squeezing my hand.
A few minutes later with two suitcases in hand, we loaded up the Tunnel’s SUV and headed out to either pure heaven or hell, depending on how you looked at it. Pulling away from the airport, I didn’t even think twice before driving straight to one of my dad’s hotels.
“Where’s your place?” Marta asked as I parked the truck in front of the Luxious, the most luxurious of all his properties.
