Our fingers touched again as she handed it back to me. My hand lingered a little too long, my index finger caressing her soft skin. I was such a bad boy teasing her, but soon she’d disappear, heading back to her fabulous celebrity life while I’d be grinding away here in Vegas.
Oh, poor me. One of the wealthiest men in the world and I was complaining.
“I’ll let you get back to relaxing. Let me know if you need anything.”
She tilted her head, studying me as intently as I’d done with her dozens of times. “I will and thank you for being so kind.”
“I’m not kind, Lainey. Trust me.” Laughing, I headed for the door. As soon as I threw it open, a bouquet of red roses was suddenly in my face, the flower bearer trying to barrel inside. “Whoa. Hold on.”
“Shit, I’m sorry, man.” The man’s voice was one I couldn’t place.
I tipped my head toward Lainey, ready to toss the guy out and I could tell instantly she recognized whoever the gift giver was. Only her face had hardened. He lowered the flowers, peering around me as if I was nothing but a fly on the wall.
Bernie was right there, more than eager to toss the man to the curb. That meant I was as well. “Ms. Rose. I’m sorry. I’d gone to the restroom. I was only gone a couple minutes.”
His voice was full of fury. That made me curious.
“Lainey,” the rose bearer said in a way that also bothered me. All too familiar. All too controlling. Where had I seen his face before?
Ah, shit. It finally came to me. Her alleged boyfriend.
“It’s okay, Bernie. I’ve got this. What are you doing here, Damien?” Her body language indicated she wasn’t happy to see the stranger.
Damien Kane.
“I came to see you since you’ve been avoiding my calls.” He was certainly insistent. Now I was on edge.
“Are you sure, Ms. Rose? I’m happy to escort him back to whatever hole he crawled out of.” Bernie was as well. Whatever was going on, there was bad blood between them. While some would say this wasn’t any of my business, this was my club. No one fucked with the entertainment.
She opened her mouth, then her lips twisted and she glanced in my direction.
“I’ll reiterate Bernie’s offer. Do you want me to escort him to the exit, Ms. Rose?” I asked, the sound of my voice stating clearly I’d be happy to toss him out. Bernie was beside himself, uncertain what to do.
I wouldn’t hesitate to do what was necessary.
The asshole bristled. He had no idea tangling with me wasn’t in his best interest. Especially today.
“No, Sasha. I’ll be fine. I can handle Damien. Trust me.” She looked at me, offering a slight smile. The air of familiarity she was using was a push against him. Good girl.
I sensed utter discord between them. I’d glanced at the tabloids. I’d seen their photographs. She’d never appeared happy, her expression blank. His reputation? A man used to women falling at his feet. He was considered to be the hottest action movie star in the world.
He also happened to be under contract with our movie production company, the contracts already signed with him playing the male lead.
I didn’t like the guy or his attitude; however, it wasn’t my place to interfere.
Unless the bastard pushed my hand.
Something in the back of my mind reminded me I’d also seen the two of them together a year or so before. The celebrity couple, expected to get married. All glitz and glamor.
But what I knew was that while she’d been here, he hadn’t appeared even once.
What I also knew was that she wanted no part of being around him.
But again, it wasn’t my place to interfere.
That didn’t mean I wouldn’t hang around to ensure their meeting was cordial.
I didn’t like other men touching anything special to me.
