Seth’s focus landed back on my lips. “We can remedy that.”
I held up a hand. “Not going to happen. I’m not that desperate.”
Seth tilted his head back and chuckled. “That’s a first. I’ve never had anyone say that to me.”
“Well, if I’m going to be staying here for a while, you’ll have to get used to it.”
Seth smiled. “I look forward to it.”
I looked over at the house and saw Benny walking to the kitchen. He must’ve been the only one of Seth’s men that he didn’t mind being around me.
“Where do your guys stay when they’re not working?” I questioned.
Seth pointed out into the distance toward the Strip. “I won a hotel at a poker game right before you came here. They stay there.”
My jaw dropped open. “Seriously?” How could anyone gamble with their hotel? “The guy must’ve been the biggest dumbass on the planet.”
Seth agreed with a nod. “Yes, he was, but it was my gain. I’m going to rebrand the place and change it up a bit, but I don’t know how just yet. I have too much going on at the moment.” He ran his hand along his chin thoughtfully. “Which reminds me, my mother wants to have dinner with me tomorrow night, and I want you to join us. I’ve given her excuses this past week, but I can’t do that any longer.”
“Do I have a choice?” I asked.
Getting out of the house would be nice, but I didn’t belong around Seth and his people, especially his mother. She’d probably take one look at me and think I was a gold-digging whore.
Seth blew out a sigh. “You will always have a choice, Wren. I will never make you do anything you don’t want to do. However, I do believe it’ll be good for you to get out of this house. Plus, it’ll give me an idea of what my brother’s up to.”
That sparked my interest, and I perked up. “How’s that?”
Seth’s hazel eyes pierced into mine; he had a way of looking at me that made me feel things I didn’t need to. “You weren’t really talking to me when you first arrived, so I didn’t mention it, but an SUV was driving suspiciously around the area. They haven’t been back since, though. If we leave, it’ll allow me to see if Nikolai has guys following us.”
“Will your mother be coming here at any point?” I asked.
“Yes,” Seth said, gauging my reaction.
“Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Nikolai won’t do anything to jeopardize her.” Even as he said it, I could’ve sworn there was a hint of doubt in his eyes, but it disappeared quickly. “Honestly,” he continued, “if you wanted to be safe, staying with her would be the top choice.”
“Does she know what’s going on with me and why I’m here with you?”
Seth shook his head, and his eyes showed a hint of regret. “No. She doesn’t know half of what my father, brother, and I have done. And she doesn’t know that Nikolai and I are at war with each other. She’s not a fan of violence, but I know she’s not dumb, either. Whatever she knows, she keeps it to herself.”
My eyebrows furrowed as I processed his words. “So, how are you going to introduce me?”
A mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes. I had a feeling I knew what he was going to say and I groaned.
“You could always be my date,” he suggested. “I mean, youhavebeen living with me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Not because I want to. Besides, you and I don’t match together at all. You’re Mr. Fancy Pants and I’m a ripped jeans and crop top kind of girl.”
He seemed to find amusement in that. “You’d be surprised how much we have in common, Wren.”
I stared at him as if he’d lost his mind. “I doubt that.” But then I waved a hand between us. “What exactly would we talk about at dinner?”
Seth shrugged. “Anything and everything. My mom might ask you about shopping and Broadway plays.”
I snorted. “Things I knownothingabout.”
His eyes darkened and he trailed his gaze slowly around my face as if trying to memorize every detail. “Just be yourself, Wren. I enjoy your snarky attitude. I know she will, too.”
