She fumbles with the keycard, still smiling, still loose, and I step in closer without thinking.
“Need help?” I ask.
“Maybe,” she says, glancing up at me.
The door clicks open. We step inside.
And for a second, we both stop.
“One bed,” I say, quieter now.
She notices. I know she does. But she doesn’t move.
I let out a quiet breath. “Still want to explore?” I ask. “Stay up all night and outrun a hangover?”
I haven’t quite figured out what else I’m proposing yet. I step closer, like I’ve got to stay in her orbit.
Her gaze meets mine, steady and bright and just a little reckless. “What else do you do here?” She grabs my hand before I can think better of it.
“Vegas, remember?” she says, tugging me toward the door again. “What happens here…”
Her words trail off, but she’s still smiling. Still pulling me with her.
I follow.
I should stop this… walk away.
Remember exactly why this is a bad idea.
But right now?
I can’t remember a damn thing.
Except her.
Chapter
Four
DONOVAN
The casino hits all at once.
Hard.
Lights and noise. Garish decor. Music bleeding into laughter and voices—loud, chaotic, alive.
Scarlett doesn’t hesitate. She pulls me straight into it.
“Okay,” she says, spinning once like she’s taking it all in. “This is already better than Cedarville.”
I huff a quiet laugh. “That bad, huh?”
“You have no idea.”
She turns back to me, eyes bright, cheeks flushed, and for a second… I forget where we are.
“Drink?” she asks.
