She actually laughed at the notion. “Rooftop villa, huh?”
He nodded.
The villas—those with their own exterior patios—had a price tag in the tens of thousands per night. Penelope had a strange desire to check it out for herself, if for no other reason than to say she had.
Or that was the excuse she was going with, anyway.
“Okay, but I get to grill the butler.”
He grinned, his warm hand giving hers a light, reassuring squeeze. “How long have you been in Vegas?”
“Six months,” she admitted as they walked alongside one another. “Traded angels for sin in an attempt to chase down my brother.”
He peered down at her. “Angels?”
“Los Angeles?” Penelope grinned.
He chuckled softly, a sound that made her entire body quiver.
They made it to the private elevator, where Obsidian didn’t even need to produce identification. Evidently, he’d already made quite the impression on the hotel staff, because they knew him by name.
Obsidian nodded toward the man guarding the elevator, then motioned for Penelope to step inside before him.
As the doors closed, sealing them inside, she pulled out her cell phone and shot a quick text to Winnie, her best friend back in LA, letting her know where she was and who she was with. Should something ominous happen, at least Winnie would know where to find her body.
After tucking her phone back in her purse, Penelope watched Obsidian’s reflection in the mirrored doors. His energy hadn’t changed at all. Of course, she was making that up since she still couldn’t detect his emotions. But for her sanity, she had to believe there was no deceit, no disdain.
Not the norm for Sin City. Not that she’d seen, anyway. In the six months she’d been in this city, she’d learned most people had an agenda. Especially those who were visiting. Whether it be to sow their wild oats or attempt to get something for nothing, it was all a game.
“What brings you to Las Vegas?” she asked as the elevator continued its rapid ascent.
“Business.”
Penelope turned to face him, let her gaze rake over him from head to toe. “What sort of business?”
“I’m looking for someone.”
“Ah. So you’re what? A bounty hunter?” She’d meant it as a joke, but the instant the words were out, she had to wonder.
“No.”
She glanced at the mirrored doors as the elevator began to slow, suddenly curious as to how many chicks he’d taken to his hotel room before.
“I assure you, I’ve never taken achickto a hotel room.”
“Never?”
What was he? A choirboy?
Wait.
Her eyes widened as she peered over at him. She hadn’t voiced the question aloud. So how had he answered it?
Obsidian supplied a seductive smile, took her hand once more, then led her out of the elevator, down the carpeted hall toward the plush accommodations offered to those with tremendous wealth.
He opened the door to the villa, allowed her to precede him. She stopped just inside the opulent space. While she knew this hotel catered to the rich and the famous, she’d never seen anything quite like it before.
“Wow. It’s … big.”
