“Because she obviously doesn’t know her place,” Cane says simultaneously.
“My place? You’ve got to be kidding me,” Kari nearly yells.
“You guys are making me want to drink already, and we’re a helluva long way from Vegas,” Max groans, taking his hat off and running his hand through his hair. “You two are oil and water.”
We turn into a parking garage, and Cane takes a ticket from the machine. He glances at Kari through the mirror and then speeds forward, taking the turns much faster than necessary. Kari squeals as Cane slides the Denali into a parking spot and shuts off the engine in one smooth move.
“How do you two ride with him all the time? I’d kill him.” Kari opens her door and hops out.
“Oh, Jada likes to ride more often than not. She can give you details if you’re really curious,” Cane says, getting out and stretching his arms overhead. “But that might not be good for Max’s ego.”
Cane opens my door, leaning against the frame and smiling. I start to undo my seat belt, but my hands freeze. The way he looks at me as his gaze sees through every defense mechanism and bores into my soul will never get old. With a single look, he makes me feel like I’ve always wanted … like I’m the only girl in the world.
“Are you ready for Vegas, beautiful girl?” He reaches out and touches my cheek.
“I am. I’m ready to put all this Simon stuff behind us and just start fresh.” I unbuckle my belt and lean forward, pressing a kiss against his chest. “I have a feeling this will be the start of the rest of our lives.”
“I have a feeling you’re right. I have a feeling you’resoright.”
FIFTY-ONE
Cane
The city shinesat my feet like a chick across the bar used to. It looks good until you get up close and see it was a fifty-foot paint job.Thank God that’s not a part of my life anymore.
I’ve never particularly liked this city. I had a few good nights here when I was younger and dumber. Everyone you meet on the Strip is a shark playing their own game, and that shit gets old. I can find people wanting to use me at home; I don’t have to come to Vegas to get it.
There’s no way Jada was coming here without me. Damn Kari for even suggesting it in the first place. Although, I think after my initial reaction, Kari kept bringing it up to watch me squirm. So I took this fucked-up idea and do what I always do—bend it to suit me.
And suit me, it will.
I hope.
Nah, it will. ’Cause I’m me.
I take a sip of water and wait for my girl. We chilled by the pool all day and have reservations for dinner shortly. She wanted to go for pizza, but I want to spoil her a little. So she’s in the shower doing thegirly stuff she likes to do. I love when she makes the extra effort for my benefit, but she looks just as beautiful when she rolls out of bed in the morning, pissy because she didn’t get enough sleep. Calm or riled up, made-up or in my T-shirt, she’s gorgeous.
And she’s mine.
Ifeelher walk into the room behind me. The air gets hot, and the hairs on the back of my neck alert me to her presence. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear she had a magnet inside her that drew me.
As she comes closer, I can see her reflection in the glass. She has her hair up and wears a red dress that hugs her curves. I breathe in deeply, yet quietly, searching for her scent. A blend of her perfume and her natural essence washes over me and brings everything into focus. She’s the calm in my chaos.
Her scent races through my senses, and my nerves awaken. I need my hands on her.Now.
I set the bottle of water on the windowsill and turn to face her.
She smiles at me, twirling her ring on her finger. She smooths her dress down, and my eyes go with the motion: down her voluptuous chest, around the sweet curve of her hip, and trail down the legs that seem to go forever in her heels.
Sexy. As. Fuck.
“You ready, babe?” Her voice is quiet. It makes me grin. She’s different from any woman I’ve ever met in my life. She’s beautiful and elegant, approachable yet sophisticated. She’s the complete fucking package, and to top it off, I’m more attracted to her than I’ve ever been to anyone. Because that’s the thing. Regardless of how beautiful or sexy a woman is, it never translated into chemistry or desire for more than a night or two. But with Jada, I want her.I fucking need her every single day and night.
“I’m ready to take that dress off you.”
She laughs softly, her cheeks blushing. “Not yet, Mr. Alexander. We have to have dinner first.”
I make my way across the room, the plush carpet sinking with each step. My fingers itch to touch her skin; I want to feel her move beneathmy touch. “All of that is irritating,” I grumble, pulling her into me. I bury my face in the crook of her neck, kissing her lightly.
