Me: The stick stays. Don’t get in trouble while I’m gone.
“Hurry up, the taxi is outside,” Taylor called out from the living room.
I put my phone back in my handbag and took a deep breath. I was going on this trip, and it would be fun. A mantra I would repeat a lot over the next two days. A mantra I was chanting in my head when Kelly complained about the drink selection on board. And when Taylor refused to get into anything but a limo to get to the hotel. And especially when they both abandoned me as soon as we arrived at the hotel, leaving me to take care of their luggage.
“Do you need a hand getting your luggage upstairs, ma’am?” the concierge asked. We were staying at the Aria, and even I had to admit it looked spectacular.
From the moment we entered the main lobby, I was staring in awe. A glass ceiling ensured the huge foyer was bright and welcoming, while trees placed around the cavernous space made it feel comfortable. They’d decorated the ceiling with colorful bikes, giving the hotel a playful edge. I immediately liked it.
“That would be great, thank you,” I said, smiling at the guy.
When we entered the room, I was once again in awe, realizing how little I had traveled. The expansive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, and the curtains opened automatically when I walked inside.
Before I had more time to explore, the bellhop cleared his throat, and I handed him his money. The door clicked shut behind him, and I was left to explore. And explore I did. The bathroom was large and also had floor-to-ceiling windows. The best part about the modern room: I didn’t even have to talk to anyone if I didn’t want to. Anything could be booked through a tablet.
Two queen beds took up one side of the room, and a door on the opposite side led to the bathroom.
I sank onto the bed, debating what I should do next. Order room service? Look for Taylor and Kelly? Sleep? Find out how many channels I could get on the huge TV mounted to the wall? Or have a snack from the well-stocked minibar?
The last option was the most attractive. But I was in Vegas. This would be my one and only visit. I should make the most of it.
Decision made, I changed from my business suit into a teal lace dress. The embroidered skirt flared around my legs and fell about knee length.
My normally curly strawberry blonde hair was falling in silky waves down my back thanks to the three tons of hair products I’d attacked it with this morning. I took care to fix up my makeup, applying a light coating of lip gloss to complete my look.
Now that I’d committed to going out, I wanted to make the most of my night. My first stop would be the casino. I had no intention of gambling, but I still wanted to check it out.
I took the elevator down to the main lobby. A couple joined me a few floors down, and I caught them staring as soon as they entered the confined space. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed all my bits were still in place. Maybe it was the hair. The colorwasa bit unusual.
As soon as I entered the casino, I forgot all about the strange looks. The noise from the slot machines and people talking and cheering was overwhelming. I didn’t know where to look first.
After standing at the entry and taking it all in, I explored the slot machines before moving on to the card tables. I was looking at the roulette wheel when I tripped. Could have been my own shoes, or maybe there was something lying on the carpet, but all that mattered was that I was about to get intimate with the floor.
I closed my eyes and put my hands out to break my fall.
A fall that never came.
I peeled one eye open. I was staring at the floor, but I wasn’t lying on it—rather I was suspended above it. When I couldn’t make sense of what I was seeing, I opened my other eye.
“You all right, sugar lips?” a velvety voice asked from above.
I craned my neck and looked at pure male perfection. High cheekbones, full lips, and tousled blond hair. I wondered if I’d passed out and was dreaming. Then I took a breath in, and the smell coming from his shirt indicated I was wide awake. My dream man would smell like man, not the strong alcohol fumes of this guy.
Nobody could ignore the stink coming off this fine male specimen. He smelled like he took a beer bath and forgot to rinse off after.
“I’m okay. You can put me down,” I said, my voice wobbly from embarrassment. He was keeping me up with one arm around my waist. I knew I didn’t weigh much, but he was holding me in front of him like it was nothing.
He put me back upright. “Sure thing.”
I put my best “be friendly to the stranger you’ll never see again" smile on my face and nearly choked when I looked into his beautiful sapphire eyes. They were sparkling with mirth, and when he winked, I nearly went down again.
“Thank you for saving me,” I said, my voice breathless. And I knew it wasn’t just from nearly landing on the floor. Standing next to this stranger did funny things to my vocal cords.
“Any time, gorgeous. Couldn’t let you damage that pretty face.”
“Well, thanks. My face appreciates not getting rug burn.” I stepped back and pointed behind me. No idea at what. “I better go. It was nice to meet you.”
He held out his hand. “Landon.”
