He continued to watch her, evidently waiting for her response.
For whatever reason, Penelope was tempted to take him up on his offer. She’d been in Vegas for six months and had yet to go on a single date. In fact, she’d yet to make any real friends, so she spent most of her time locked up tight in her apartment. Alone.
Penelope glanced toward the door, thought about the empty apartment she would be going back to, the Lucky Charms awaiting her in her pantry, and considered her options.
“Only breakfast?” she asked.
That ridiculously sinful smirk returned. “Anything else is entirely up to you.”
Feeling the blush warming her cheeks, Penelope stared up at him. She didn’t sense anything malicious, nor had she felt any negative energy when they’d touched earlier.
“Well, I only share meals with men whose name I know.”
That sexy smirk returned to his mouth. “Obsidian.”
“As in volcanic glass?”
“That’s one definition for it, sure,” he said, the deep rumble of his voice making her insides quiver.
It was an interesting name, and oddly, it suited him. With a smile, she offered hers in return. “Penelope Calazans.”
“I know.”
Frowning, she tried to remember when she would’ve possibly mentioned her name.
He nodded his head toward her chest. “You had a tag on your dress.”
Ah. Right. Name tag. The devilish invention that made those who preferred to remain anonymousnot.
Obsidian held out his hand, drawing her attention to it. It wasn’t offered in greeting, more like… Oh, okay. Yes. She was a little slow on the uptake, because it took a second to realize he wanted her to hold it.
“Just breakfast,” she clarified, wanting him to know she wasn’t about to do anything more.
Penelope only hoped her body remembered that before the morning was over.
Though hesitation coiled in her belly, Penelope slid her palm against his. She inhaled sharply when he linked their fingers, hers fitting perfectly within his gigantic hand. There was no disturbing electric shock, nothing to make her recoil, so she breathed a little easier. She honestly couldn’t remember the last time she’d held anyone’s hand. It felt surprisingly intimate.
Rather than go toward the exit doors, Obsidian reversed, heading back into the casino.
“I actually can’t hang out here,” she informed him, inhaling his rich, musky scent. “Since I work here, it’s a conflict of interest.”
“We’re not staying down here.”
“Then where are we going?”
“I’ve got a room.”
She pulled up short, stared up into his face. “You realize I’m a waitress, not a…”Hooker.Penelope shook her head. “I’m not going to your room with you.”
She wasn’t one of those chicks in the horror flicks who forged headlong into danger. In fact, she prided herself on being responsible, making sound, logical decisions.
“You’re safe with me, Penelope.” His tone was thick with reassurance.
“So you say.”
He seemed surprised, as though he wasn’t used to being rebuked by a woman.
“It’s a rooftop villa,” he explained, regarding her closely from behind those dark lenses. “Complete with patio and butler. If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll invite him to join us.”
