It was a good thing the flight was less than an hour from wheels up to wheels down. I could practically feel ice forming on my skin from Laikyn’s glacial glare.
When we were safely on the ground, I unbuckled and got to my feet, holding out my hand for her to take.
“If you eventhinkyou’re putting a blindfold—”
“Take my hand,” I ground out, doing my best not to get frustrated.
Her eyes narrowed to slits, but she put her hand in mine. Then I did something I’d never done before. I linked my fingers with hers.
If she knew it was the first time I’d ever held someone’s hand—at least that I could remember—she didn’t say anything. However, she did relax, and her soft fingers curled around mine.
“Is there like some kind of shrine to my father here, or what?” Laikyn quipped as we were getting into the waiting limo.
“No.”
“I was being facetious, Rule.” She huffed. “You don’t make it easy, do you?”
I wasn’t sure what to say to that, so I remained quiet for the duration of the drive from the airport to the hotel. I could feel Jinx watching me, but I didn’t look at him. He’d already told me exactly what he thought of my plan, and to say he wasn’t on board with springing this on Laikyn was an understatement. However, he had conceded to go along with it, but not without telling me it was going to backfire in my face.
I only hoped he was wrong.
It wasn’t until we pulled into the Monolith Resort and Casino that Laikyn began to thaw.
“Have you ever been here before?” she asked as we headed for the VIP check-in.
“No.”
“I mean to Vegas.”
“Yes.”
She glanced at Jinx, looking for his answer. He nodded.
“I haven’t,” she said as we approached a luxurious reception area complete with complimentary drinks and snacks for those who wanted to eat while they waited.
Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait. We were checked in by a pleasant young woman who ensured we would have everything we needed for our three-night stay.
“Could you have our things delivered to our room?” Laikyn asked as the woman was finishing up. “We’d like to look around before we go up.”
She gave a radiant smile and a nod. “Of course, Miss Quinn.”
As we walked away, Laikyn looked up at me. “You know, it would help if you had a last name. Then they would know I was a Mrs.” She held up her hand. “Or a ring. One or the other would do.”
I concealed my surprise as best I could. At this point, I figured Laikyn was ready to divorce me. I damn sure hadn’t figured she was hoping for a ring that would publicly announce her marital status.
Again, I could feel Jinx’s eyes on me. I wouldn’t pretend to read his thoughts. He was better at concealing them than I ever would be.
“I need to take care of something,” I informed them when we reached the casino floor.
Laikyn studied me for a moment. “Whatever you’re up to, you should stop now. While you’re ahead.”
“My terms, remember?”
She turned to face me and stepped close. “I think I’d like a do-over.”
My cock swelled from the memory of her attempting to win the last time.
“That can be arranged,” I told her, holding her stare. “The outcome’ll be the same.” I leaned in, letting my lips brush hers. “But I’ll enjoy the hell out of watching you try.”
