1NIGHT

ATimeforLoveSeriesPrequel

BETHANYLOPEZ

Copyright©2017byBethanyLopez

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CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter1

Chapter2

Chapter3

Chapter4

Chapter5

Chapter6

Chapter7

Chapter8

Chapter9

Untitled

AbouttheAuthor

AlsobyBethanyLopez

INTRODUCTION

PreviouslyreleasedintheForbiddenLoveAnthologyandtitledWhatHappenedinVegas,

thisshortstorytellswhathappenedwhenCal,Scott,andT.J.wenttoLasVegasforScott’s

bachelorparty.Itisaprequelto8Weeks,book1intheTimeforLoveSeries.

ForeveryreaderwhoneedstoknowwhatreallyhappenedinVegas.

I

CHAPTERONE

leaned against the back of the bar trying to ignore the fact that my feet were

fuckingthrobbingasIwatchedthegirlsonstagewithvagueinterest.

Dip,squat,throwyourassback,showcaseyourtits…itwasthesamethingoverand

overagain.Notthatyouhadtohavealargerepertoireofchoreographywhenyouwerea

stripper at a dive such as this in Vegas. Dudes were pretty easy to please, and even the

worststrippercouldleavewithacouplehundredcashafterashiftonthepole.

Still,I’dbeenworkinghereforfiveyears,whichmademeoneofthe“oldladies”,and

I often found the younger dancers lack of range annoying. What was the point of doing

anything,ifyoudidn’tgiveahundredandtenpercent.

Thisphilosophyhadalwaysworkedforme.Iwasoneofthemostsoughtaftergirlsat

theclub.IhadenoughregularsandwordofmouthclientsthatIcouldprettymuchmake

myownhours.Whichwaswhy,eventhoughitwasbarelymidnightonaSaturdaynight,I

wasonmywayoutthedoor.

Ihadacoolgrandinmypocket,achingfeet,andthelatestseasonofScandalwaiting

forme,soIwascallingitanight.

Atleast,I’dbeoutofthereassoonasBigMikegavememycutfromthebigpartyI’d

justfinishedup.Closingmyeyes,Itiltedmyheadbackandmoveditfromsidetoside,

sighingwhenIfelthowbunchedupthemusclesinmyneckwere.

“Sore?” a deep voice asked from behind me, and I barely contained my flinch when

stronghandsgrippedmyshouldersandbegankneading.

“Youknowit,”Ireplied,tryingtokeepmyvoicelight,eventhoughthesoundofthat

voiceandtouchofthosehandscausedariotinmybelly.

“Youbusylater?”Micah,theownerofthoseverytalentedhands,asked.

There was at time that I would have jumped at the chance to have our most popular

bartender ask me that question. But that was before we’d shared a spectacular weekend

together.BeforeI’dfalleninlovewithhim.Beforehe’dbrokenmyheartbytreatingme

thewayeveryothermantreatedme.

LikeIwasnothingbutabody,aface,astripper.

“Yup,”Ireplied,doingmybesttokeepthebitternessoutofmytone.

“C’mon,Simone,whenareyougoingtostopavoidingme?”Micahasked,hishands

goingstillonmyshoulders.

“It’snotaboutavoidance,”Iwhispered.“It’saboutself-preservation.”

I felt his hands tighten and I knew he was about to respond, but I was saved by the

lilting sound of my co-worker Ginger asking, “Hey, Simone, can I get you to help me

out?”

Normally,I’drollmyeyesandgiveGingerahardtime.Shewasthesweettomysalty,

thebreathoffreshairtomybitterwind,thegoodgirltomyjadedbadgirl…Butinthat

moment,IwouldhaveletherpaintmynailsanddomyhairinordertogetoutofMicah’s

heat-inducinggrasp.

“Surething,”Ireplied,thenglancedovermyshoulderatMicahandsaid,“Thanksfor

themassage.”

Micah took the hint and dropped his hands. He shot me one last dark look before

turning on his heel and walking to the other end of the bar. I ignored the feeling of my

heartdeflatingasIwatchedhimwalkaway,thenturnedtoGinger.

“Whatisit?”Iasked,mytonebacktonormalnowthatIwasn’tcaughtinmyMicah

haze.

Ginger never took anything I, or anyone, said or did personally, choosing instead to

remainpositiveandupbeatlikealways.

Shewasseriouslyannoying.

“A guy wandered in off the street. I think he’s lost, and he’s definitely smashed. I’d

helphimout,butBigMikeneedsmeonhandtonighttotrainthenewgirl,”Gingersaid,

heralreadylargeeyesseemingtogetlargerasshepleadedsilently.

“So,whatdoyouwantmetodoaboutit?”Iasked,puttingmyhandsonmyhipsand

applyingmybestIdon’tgiveafucklook.“Puthisdrunkassinacabandcallitgood.”

“C’mon,Simone,”Gingersaidassheputhertinyhandstogetherasifinprayer.“He’s

reallymessedupanditsoundslikehegotseparatedfromhisfriendsandcan’tremember

wherehe’sstaying.Iknowyou’reonyourwayoutandnooneknowsthestripbetterthan

you.Ibetyoucouldfigureoutwherehe’sstayingandhe’llbesleepingitoffinnotime.

Please…I’llcoverforyouanytimeyouneedit.”

IsnortedasItookinherangelicface.Thegirlhadableedingheartandwantedtohelp

every stray who wandered in off the street. She never thought of the danger, or realized

howmanypeoplewouldjustassoonscrewyouoverasgiveyouthetimeofday.

“Two shifts?” She countered, and I was about to tell her to get away from me when

shesweetenedthepotbyadding,“Anentireweek.YoucanfinallytakethattriptoMexico

you’ve been going on and on about for the past three years. I’ll even let you keep the

paycheckandI’lljustkeepthetips.”

Thatmademepause.

I’d been dreaming about taking a vacation since I started working in this shithole.

WhenyoulivedinVegas,thelastplaceyouwantedtovacationwasVegas.Idreamedof

anisolatedbeach,justme,myKindleandanendlesssupplyofmargaritas.

Paradise.

Andwhyhadn’tIgoneyet?Didn’tIdeservetogetaway?It’snotlikeIhadafamily,

orevenamantokeepmehere,workingmyassoffeverynightwhilegivingeveryonebut

myselfpleasure.MaybeavacationwasjustwhatIneededtoforgetaboutMicah.Alittle

vacationflingcouldbejustwhatthedoctorordered.

NarrowingmyeyesonGinger’sperfectlymadeupface,Imadeanexecutivedecision

andsaid,“You’reon,butonlyifthedealstartsnow.I’llleaveforMexicotomorrowand

I’llletyouknowwhenI’mcomingback.YoucoverformewithBigMike,andI’llmake

surethispoorschmuckdoesn’tenduppassedoutonthestreettonight.”

“Deal,”Gingerrespondedimmediately,herfacebloomingasshesmiled.

“Hereyougo,”BigMikesaidashefinallycameoutfromthebackroom.

“It’saboutfuckingtime,”IrespondedasIyankedmycashoutofhishandandplaced

thefoldedbillsinmybra.Ialwaysfeltsaferhavingmymoneyonme,ratherthaninmy

purse.“Later.”

“Night,Sugar,”BigMikereplied,butIwasalreadyturningaway.

“Whereishe?”IaskedGinger,thenwatchedassheclappedherhandsandspunina

circle.

Jesus.

I

CHAPTERTWO

stoppedafewfeetawayfromthetableinthecornerGingerwasleadingmeto,

pausingtotakeinthemanslumpeddowninthechair.Hiseyeswerestaringoff

towardthedoor,notpayingtheleastbitofattentiontothehalf-nakeddancersorscantily

cladwaitresseswhosurroundedhim.

He was cute, with dark messy hair and a five o’clock shadow, but even in the dark

roomIcouldtellhewasyoung.Notjailbaityoung,butyoungenoughtostillhaveanair

ofrecklessnessabouthim.Yet,eventhoughhewasayoung,verygoodlookingmaninthe

middleofastripclub,helookedsad.

“He better not be a mean drunk,” I bit out to Ginger as I followed her the last few

steps.

“Not at all,” she promised, then bent over to place her hand on the dark-eyed

stranger’sshoulder.

His head whipped around and he looked confused for a moment, then must have

recognizedGinger,becausehesmiledcrookedlyandsaid,“Hey,thereyouare…didyou

findmyfriends?”

Hiswordscameoutslowly,andwereslightlyslurred.

“No,honey,I’msorry,butwe’regoingtogetyoubacktoyourhotel,andyourfriends

willmeetyouthere,okay?”Gingerasked,hervoicefullofconfidence,eventhoughIwas

startingtoregretourdealnowthatIsawhim.

“Simoneisgoingtohelpyouout,okay…Youcantrusthertogetyoubacksafely,”

Gingerwassayingassheputsomepressureonhisarmtourgehimtohisfeet.

“You’reabigone,”Imanagedasthemangottohisfeet.

Iwasalreadyprettytallatfiveseven,butwhenyouaddedmyheels,Iusuallytowered

over most people. I liked it that way. It made me feel powerful. In my business, it was

bettertobepowerful,thaneasilytakenadvantageof.

Thismanstilltoweredoverme.

“Um,Ginger…”Ibegan,readytotellhertoforgetcoveringme,forgetMexico,forget

allofit.ThelastthingIneededwastobealonesomewherewithahugedrunkguywho

decidestogetfrisky.Itwasn’tworththerisk.

“Youhavenothingtoworryabout,Simone,Ipromise,”Gingersaid,guessingwhatI

wasabouttosay.“Calhereisatotalsweetheart,andhe’smarriedtotheloveofhislife.”

“Shelly,”Calsuppliedwithanodofhishead,hissmilegoinggoofy.“We’reaboutto

haveoursix-yearanniversary.”

IlethiswordssinkinasItookinhisweddingband,thenthedopeylookonhisface,

andIpicturedbeingonawhitesandybeachonmyfavoritebikini.

“Allright,loverboy,let’sgetyoutobed,”Isaid,comingtoadecision.

IsteppedforwardandtookhisarmfromGinger,thenstarteddragginghimtowardthe

door.

“See you when I got back,” I called over my shoulder to Ginger, who was watching

melikeaproudmomma,eventhoughIwasatleastfiveyearsolderthanher.Irolledmy

eyesather,andeventhoughIdidn’thearhertwinklelikelaughter,Iknewitfollowedus

outoftheclub.

Oncewewereoutinthestalenight,IproppedCalupagainstthewallandlookedup

anddownthestreet.Ilivedcloseby,soIwalkedtowork,ratherthanfighttrafficevery

day. Not that I would put a stranger in my car even if I did have it with me, I wasn’t

stupid.

“Cabsalwayscomedownhere,sowe’llbeabletocatcharideinaminute,”ItoldCal

asIwatchedhimstruggletoremainupright.“Whatdoyourememberaboutyourhotel?”

Calliftedhisheadandsquintedhiseyes.

“Um…IsawtheEiffelTower,andsomebigfountains,andthenTJmadeusstopand

lookatsomefakestatueofsomeonehelikedfromamovie…weateatabuffetandplayed

somepoker.”

“Okay,”Isaid,thinkingthatcouldstillbeanynumberofplaces.“Doyouremember

anythingspecificaboutyourroom?Theviewmaybe?”

“Well,Iknowwesawthepirateshow,andwhenwewalkedintothehotelwecrossed

overwater…onabridge,”hereplied,bitinghislowerlipasheconcentrated.

IfIwasn’tsofrustratedatthewholesituation,Iwouldhavelaughed.Hewascuteina

disarming kind of way. A real guy next door kind… the exact opposite of the guys I

usuallywentfor.Iwasalwaysmorethebadboy,playertype.

Which had obviously been working out so well for me, I thought dryly, then started

lookingatCalinadifferentlight.Hewastall,sexytall,andthescruffylookwastotally

workingforhim.

ThenwhathesaidclickedandIguessed,“You’reatTheVenetian.”

Rather than agreeing like I’d hoped, Cal shrugged his shoulders and started to slide

downthewall.

“Easythere,killer,”IsaidasIreachedouttosteadyhim.“Don’tworry,Iwon’tjust

throw you in a cab and hope I’m right. I’ll see you safely to your room, just like I

promisedGinger.”

His answering grin had my blood warming. Now that my mind was seeing him

differently, my body was happy to get on board. It had been months since my weekend

withMicah,andIwasreadytobringmyvaginaoutofretirement.

Thisguymightbejusttheonetodoit,asortofpre-vacationfling,fling.

“

T

CHAPTERTHREE

heVenetian,please,” I told the taxi driver once I’d folded Cal into the back seat,

pushinghisheaddownlikeachild.

I dropped my purse on the seat and climbed in next to him, then pushed on his leg

whenitkeptbumpingintomine.Hedidn’tgetthehint,soIwrappedmyhandsaroundhis

thighandtriedtolifthisleg,butitwasnouse,hewastoobig.

“Whatchyadoin’?”Calaskedsleeping.

Ilookedovertoseehisheadwasrestingbackontheseatandhiseyeswereclosed.

“You’re in my space,” I grumbled, then sighed when I heard him start to snore.

“Great.”

When I realized the cab wasn’t moving, I stopped trying to move Cal’s leg and

brought my eyes to the rearview mirror, only to find the cab driver watching me in the

glass.Well,specifically,hewaswatchingmybreasts,whichweredisplayedprettynicely

inmyform-fittingdress.

“Howaboutyoustartdrivingandstopstaringatmytits,asshole,”Isaidcuttingly,not

givinghimthesatisfactionofcoveringmyself,butratherstaringhimdowninthemirror.

“Sorry,”hemumbled,thenavertedhiseyesandpulledawayfromthecurb.

AswenearedTheVenetian,IhopedCal’sfriendswerealreadybackandwaitingfor

him,becauseseriously,therewasnowayI’dbeabletogetthebiglugoutofthiscabifhe

completelypassedoutonme.

“Hey,”IsaidasIpushedonCal’sarm,figuringI’dbetterstarttryingtowakehimup

nowbeforehefelltoodeeplyasleep.“Hey!”

“Wha?”Calmuttered,obviouslyannoyed.Hewavedhishandlikehewasswattinga

flyandgrumbled,“Stop.”

“No, Cal, I need you to wake up so I can take you to your room once we get to the

hotel.”

“Tired.”

“I know you’re tired, you smell like you drank an entire bottle of whiskey, but you

can’tstartsleepingitoffuntilweeitherfindyourfriends,oryourroom.”

“DidwefindTJandScott?”heasked,openingoneeyeandpeekingout.

“Assumingthoseareyourfriends,no,notyet,”Ireplied,thensighedwithreliefaswe

pulledupinfrontofTheVenetian.“Here,Ineedyoutogetoutofthecabandtellmeif

thisistheplaceyou’restaying.”

WepulledupinfrontandIlookedtowardthedriver.

“Giveusaminute,please.”

Whenhenodded,Iopenedthedoorandgotout,thenleanedbackintothecartofind

Calstillinplacewithhiseyesclosedagain.

“Cal,”Iyelledinmysternestvoice.“Getupandgetoutofthecar.Now.”

“Mom?”heaskedgroggily,andIcouldn’thelpbutbarkoutalaughatthat.Iwasthe

leastmotherlypersonI’devermetinmylife.

WhenIglancedovertoseethecabdriveroglingmychestagain,Isaid,“Getout,”one

lasttimeandbackedoutofthecar.Luckily,secondslateroneofCal’slonglegspopped

outofthecabandhebegantoslowlyeasehimselfout.

Iwatchedashestoodupandstretched,myeyescatchingontheexposedskinashis

shirtroseup.

RealizingIwasnobetterthanthecabdriverwithmyogling,Iclearedmythroatand

broughtmyeyesuptoCal’sface.“Doesthislookfamiliar?”Iasked.

“Mmmm,maybe,”hereplied,thenwalkedpassedmeandinside.

“Shit,”ImutteredasIwatchedhisfineasswalkaway.Ireachedintomybra,pulled

outatwentyanddroppeditinthepassengerwindow,thenrushedinafterCal.

Icaughtuptohimasheheadedtowardtheslotmachinesandturnedhimtowardthe

hotelcheck-in.“Thisway,buddy.”Heletmeleadhim,onlystumblingacoupleoftimes

beforewereachedthepersonatthedesk,whoinmyopinionwaswaytoofuckingchipper

foroneinthemorning.

“WelcometoTheVenetian,howmayIassistyou?”thefrontdeskclerkasked.

IpushedCaltowardthecounter,thenshovedmyhandinhisbackpocketandpulled

outhiswallet.

“Hey,”heprotested,althoughratherthanlookingangrythatI’djustpickedhispocket,

hehadthatgoofygrinbackonhisface.“Hey,Irememberyou…”

Ignoringhim,Iopenedhiswalletandpulledouthisdriver’slicense.AsIsliditacross

thecounterIsaid,“Weshouldalreadyhavearoomreserved,infact,hisbuddiesmayhave

alreadycheckedin.”

Theclerkdidn’tevenbathiseyesashecheckedthecomputer,eventhoughIwassure

hisjudgmentalasswasassumingthatIwasacallgirlorsomething.I’dseenthewayhe’d

lookedovermytightdressandhighheels.

“Yes,hereitis,you’vealreadycheckedin,didyouneedanotherkey?”

“Yeah, man, I…” before Cal could finish his sentence, my hand dipped back in his

pocket.Ipulledtheroomkeyoutandhelditup.

“Nope, looks like he has the key right here, if you could just let us know the room

number,we’llgetoutofyourhair,”Isaid,smilingthroughclenchedteeth.

“Yes,Ma’am,room324.”

Beforehecouldsayanythingelse,IhadCalbythearmandwasdragginghimtoward

theelevator.

“Youhadthatroomkeyinyourpocketthiswholetime?”Ihissed.Ihelditupinfront

ofhisfaceandadded,“Ithasthenameofthedamnhotelrightonit.”

WesteppedintotheelevatorandIpushedthebuttonforfloorthree.

“Sorry,”Calsaidsheepishly.“IforgotIhadthatinthere.”

Iturnedtotellhimnottoworryaboutit,sinceIhadn’tthoughttoaskhimifhehada

key either. But before I could get the words out, his face got pinched and he made a

strangledsound.

That’swhenheopenedhismouthandpukedalloverme.

O

CHAPTERFOUR

nesecondIwaslookingandfeelinggood,eventhoughtheheelshurtmyfeet,I

knew they made my legs look a-mazing, and the next I literally had vomit

everywhere. Soaking through my dress, dripping down my cleavage, and ruining my

shoes.

“Oh.MyGod.”

Iwasn’tsureifCalsaidit,orifIdid,becauseIsurewasthinkingit,alongwithalong

stringofcursewords.

“I’msosorry,”Calmanaged,somehowsoundingdrunkernowthanhehadbeforehe’d

losttheentirecontentsofhisstomachonmyperson.

TheelevatordoorsopenedandIurged,“Hurry,hurry,gettoyourroomandopenthe

door.”

WerusheddownthehallandwhenhestartedtofumblethekeycardIyankeditoutof

his hand and opened the door myself, pushing past him to get inside and get in the

bathroom.Ididn’tcareifhewasbehindmeorifhisfriendswereintheroom,Ineededto

getthispukeoffofmebeforeIlostit.

Ithrewmypurseonthecounterandfishedthemoneyoutofmydress,thenturnedthe

wateronintheshowerandhoppedunderthestream,squealingwhenthestillcoldwater

hit me. I beat back the urge to jump back out and let the water beat the puke off of my

dress.Oncethechunksweremostlyoff,thewaterstartedtowarmandIpulledthedress

overmyhead,gaggingslightlyasitpassedovermynose.

“Youokay?”IheardasCalknockedonthebathroomdoor.

“Leavemealone,”Ishoutedback,soundinghalfcrazed,probablybecauseIwas.I’d

seen a lot of nasty things at the strip club, usually involving men’s jizz, but never had I

beeninasituationlikethis.

“Sorry,”IbarelyheardhimsayasItossedmybraandthongontheshowerfloorand

began dousing myself with shampoo. I washed my breasts first, then any skin that had

beenexposedtothevomit,beforefinallywashingmyhair,faceandeveryotherinchof

mybody.

Once I felt clean, I picked up my clothes and washed them with the soap as well,

tossingthemoverthetopoftheshowertodry,beforegivingmyselfanotherfoodscrub.

Needing to feel a little normal, I blew my hair dry, before wrapping another towel

around myself and exiting the bathroom. I expected to find Cal passed out on the bed,

instead,hewassittinginthechairholdingtwobottlesofbeer,andtherewereafewempty

minibarbottlesonthetableinfrontofhim.

“Doyoureallythinkyoushouldbedrinking?”Iasked,embarrassedtofindIsounded

likethemomhe’daccusedmeofbeingearlier.

“Hey,”hesaid,lookingatmeasifhe’dneverseenmebefore,thenIsawrecognition

dawnandheheldonebottleuptomeinhisshakyhand.

Itookitbeforehecoulddropit,thensatinthechairacrossfromhimandtookalong

pull.Thecoolliquidfeltgooddownmythroat.

“You’rewet,”Calsaid,thenasked,“Whathappened?

“Seriously,”Iaskedincredulously.“Youthrewuponme.

“I did? I’m so sorry,” Cal said miserably, dropping his head in his hands. Then he

broughthisgazebackuptomine.“Iremember…I’veneverthrownuplikethatbeforein

mylife.”

“Whatthehelldidyouhavetodrinktonight?”Iasked,notreallywantingtotalkabout

thepukingfiascoanymore.

“Whatdidn’tIdrinkwouldbethebetterquestion,”Calrepliedwithasharplaugh.

Heleanedforwardandtriedtosethisbeerdownonthetable.Beforehecouldknockit

over,Icaughtit,andsaid,“Itmusthavebeenalottogetabigguylikeyouthatwasted.”

“Bachelorparty,”hemanagedashiseyesstartedtoclose.

When he made another hiccupping sound, I jumped up and got out of the way, right

beforehespewedalloverthetable.

“Jesus,” I exclaimed, wondering how in the hell he had anything left in his stomach

aftertheelevator.Oncehewasdone,Ilookedathim,wonderingwhatthebestthingtodo

nowwas.Icouldn’tjustleavehimlikethis,notwhenhecouldhavealcoholpoisoningor

something.

“I’ll stay until your friends get here, but we have to get you cleaned up and do

something about this smell,” I said, thinking I was talking to myself, since he was

obviouslyfuckedup.

Iwassurprisedwhenhestoodupandsaid,“Shower.”

“Wait,”IcalledwhenIrealizedhewasgoingtotakeashowernow.Hisshirtwasoff

and he was struggling to get out of his pants when I got into the bathroom. I took a

momenttoappreciatehiswellsculptedchestandbiceps,Ihadaweaknessforbiceps,then

reacheduptogetmyclothesoffoftheshowersohedidn’tgetthemmessedupagain.I

tossedthebillsintomypurseandgrabbeditupoffofthecounter.

“Takeaquickone,”Itoldhim.“Ifyou’renotoutiffiveminutes,I’mcomingintoget

you.ThelastthingIneedisyoudrowninginhere.”

I left him alone and hung my dress over the back of the chair. I stuffed my bra and

pantiesinmypurse,hopingtheywouldn’truinanythinginside,thenplacedmypurseon

thedresserandpulledoutmyphone.

TherewerethreetextsfromGingeraskingifI’dfoundthemysteryman’shotel.

Youowememore,oneweekisn’tgoingtomakeupforwhatI’vebeenthrough,I

textedherback,thenlookedaroundatthemessCalhadmade.

“Fuck,”ImanagedasIlookedaroundforsomethingtocleanhispukeupwith.

There was nothing. No paper towels, napkins, nothing. I looked at the suitcases and

clothesstrewnhaphazardlyoverthem,brieflyconsideringusinghisclothes,thendecidedI

wasn’tthatmuchofabitch,andkeptlooking.

“Whatever,”Imuttered,thenwhippedthetoweloffofmybodyandstartedcleaning

up.Stilltalkingoutloudtomyself,Iadded,“IdeservethreeweeksinMexicoandahard

poundingbyawell-tonedcabanaboywithahardcock.”

Even as I was cleaning up after Cal, I couldn’t believe I was doing it. It was totally

againstmynature.UsuallyI’dwalkoutthedoorwithmymiddlefingerintheairandlet

himfendforhimself,buttherewassomethingsweetaboutthisguythatmademewantto

dotherightthingandmakesurehewasokay.

I heard the water turn off and seconds later the door flew open, and Cal strode out,

nakedasthedayhewasborn,oratleast,asnakedasIwas…

H

CHAPTERFIVE

estumbledtowardthebed,notevenglancingatme.

IbitbackahuffasIwatchedhimface-plantonthecomforter,hisbody

bouncing slightly on impact. If I wasn’t confident in how absolutely fucking fantastic I

lookednaked,Imightbeoffendedbythefactthathehadn’tevenregisteredmestanding

there.

“Youokay?”Iasked,walkingsoftlyovertothebed,unabashedlystaringathisfinely

sculptedass.

Themanwasbuilt.

Ibrushedthehairoffofhisforehead,andCal’seyesfluttered,asifhewerehavinga

difficulttimeopeningthem.

He grunted in response, but didn’t move, which made me worry. The last thing I

needed was this guy to fall asleep on his stomach, vomit again, then drown in his own

puke.Andwiththewaythingshadgonesofar,itseemedlikeaprettygoodpossibility.

“Hey,” I called, raising my voice in hopes it would penetrate. “Cal, you need to roll

overonyourside.”

IpushedonhisshoulderthreetimesbeforehefinallyrolledthewayIwantedtoand

settledonhisside.Confidentthathe’dbefineinthatposition,Igatheredupthedisgusting

towelandthrewitinthebathtub,thenshutthebathroomdoor.

OnceIwassatisfiedtheroomwasascleanasitwasgoingtoget,Iopenedawindow

slightly to get some airflow. Luckily, I had a small bottle of perfume in my bag, so I

sprayed it around the room and hoped the combination of fresh air and fragrance would

maskthesmellofpuke.

Afterputtingtheperfumebackinmypurse,Igrabbedmyphoneandclimbeduponto

theothersideofthebedfromCalandsettledin.

Oncethepillowswerebehindmybackandshoulders,andtheblanketswerecovering

mychilledskin,IscrolledthroughmyphoneuntilIfoundthenumberIneeded.

“Hey,Babe,”Isaidingreeting,glancingoveratCalandwonderingbrieflyishewas

coldontopofthecovers.

“Simone,”thevoiceontheotherendreplied.“WhatcanIdoformyfavoriteladyon

thisfinenight?”

“I need your cheapest package to Mexico,” I began, my eyes closing as I pictured a

pristinesandybeach.“Idon’tcarewhere…Acapulco,Cabo,PuertoVallarta,wherever.”

“Finallytakingavacation,eh?Whenareyoulookingatgoing?”

“Firstthinginthemorning,”Ireplied,unabletokeepthesmirkoffmyface.

“Firstthing…Shit,youdon’tmakethingseasy,doyou?”

“Canyoudoit?”Iasked,sendingoffasilentprayer.

Mylongtimefriendandsometimestravelagentscoffedinresponse,asinsultedbymy

question.

“Thanks,Babe!”Isaidwithachuckle.

“I’lltextyouthedetails.”

Idisconnectedthecallwithasmileonmylips,andthat’swhenIfeltit,Cal’shandon

mybreast.Hecaressedthebottomsoftlywithhisfingertips,thenpalmedmybreastand

squeezed.Ifeltneedpulsefrommynippledowntomyclit,andmylidsflutteredclosedas

Ienjoyedthesensation.

“Shelly,”Calmurmured,andmyeyesflewopen.

Ilookedovertoseehiseyesstillclosed,thenpluckedhishandfrommytitandflungit

offme.

“Wrong woman, Loverboy,” I bit out as disappointment and frustration coursed

throughme.

ItwasthebesttitactionI’dseeninmonths,andhethoughthewaswithsomeoneelse.

“Huh?”Calgrunted,liftinghisheadslowlyoffthebedashisbloodshoteyeshitmine.

“Oh,hey,Iknowyou.”

Icouldn’thelpbutsnortathimashesmileddopilyatme.

“Yeah, and I’m not your wife, so keep your big mits to yourself,” I said, trying to

soundsterneventhoughIwasn’tmadatthefactthathe’dfeltmeup,butratherthathe

hadn’twantedtofeelmeup.

“Sorry,”hemanaged,hisexpressionturningpuppydogcute,thenlaidhisheadback

down.

“So,” I began, figuring it was safer to keep him talking than let him pass out. “You

saidyou’rehereforaBachelorParty.Who’sthepoorsuckergettinghitched?”

“Mybuddy,Scott,”Calreplied,hisvoicelow,butclear,considering.

“And did you guys have a good time? I mean, before you got bombed out of your

mind?”

“Kindof,Imean,itwasmoreofadepressingeventthanacelebration.Atleastforme

andTJ.”

“Why’sthat?”Iaskedcurious.

“BecauseVictoria’sallwrongforhim.”Caltriedtolifthisheadandmaybesitup,but

gaveupandfloppedbackdownonthebed.

Ididmybesttoignorehisdickfloppingaroundwithhismovement,butitwaskindof

hard to do when it was in my line of sight, and, well, hard as a cock can get. And I

couldn’thelpbutthinkthatShellywasoneluckywoman,inmorewaysthanone.

I tore my gaze off of Cal’s preening cock, and tried to focus on his face, which

currentlyheldafrown.

“Howso?”Iasked,assumingVictoriawasthebridetobe.

“She’sturningintohismother,”Calsaid,histoneconveyinghisdisgust.

“Oh no, that’s never good…” I began, then paused, considering. “Aalthough, don’t

theysaymenmarrywomenjustliketheirmothers?”

“Notmotherslikehis.She’sarichsnobwhoonlycaresaboutwhohasthemostmoney

and how their money or connections can benefit her,” Cal replied, then went quiet. I

figured he’d dozed back off, when he startled me by speaking again. “The thing is,

Victoria didn’t used to be all bad. She used to behave like an actual person and she and

Scottwerehappy.Thatallchangedonceshegothisringonherfinger.ItwaslikeJekyll

andHyde.”

“AndwhatdoesScottthink?”Iasked.

“Hedoesn’tseethechange,butbelieveme,therestofusdo.She’llnevermakehim

happy, not like she is now. Scott had never been close to his mother, so I can’t imagine

whyVictoriathinksbecomingmorelikeherisagoodthing.”

CalfellsilentagainandIthoughtoverwhathe’dsaid.

“Maybe,”Ibegansoftly,“ThisVictoriaisportrayingthepersonshethinksScottwants

her to be. Who his family wants her to be. Sometimes we morph into different people

throughoutourlivesinordertosurvive.”

W

CHAPTERSIX

henCaldidn’treply,Iknewhe’dpassedoutagain,andalthoughImeantto

keephimawake,mylidsgotheavyandIbegantodozemyself.Suddenly,I

wasthereagain…BackinthePenthouseSuiteattheBellagio,withaveryhot,and very

tempting,Micah.

“Youknowyou’rethemostgorgeouswomenheretonight,”Micahhadsaid,hislow,

grufftonecausingariotinmybelly.

Itwasourannualendofyearparty,andeveryonefromtheclubhadbeenoutinfull

force,partyinghardontheonenighttheStripClubwasclosedandwecouldallhangout

andletdownourhairtogether.

As usual, I’d kept mostly to myself, really only talking to Ginger and Big Mike. I’d

beenwatchingMicahforyears,andlet’sbehonest,lustingafterhim.But,Iwasn’toneto

mixbusinesswithpleasure,andhadastrictpolicyabouthookingupwithco-workers,and

guests.

Still,Micahwearingass-huggingjeans,ablackt-shirtandafittedvest,wasenoughto

makeanywomantossouttherulebook.I’dwatchedhimwatchingmeallnight,andwhen

I’dcaughthiseyebeforewalkingoutontothebalcony,he’dtakenthehint.

Iloungedonthedeckchair,legsoutinfrontofme,causingmyalreadyshortdressto

rideuptoadangerouslevel.Hiseyeswereonmylegsashegavemethecompliment.It

wasoneI’dreceivedmanytimes,fromtoomanymentocount,butsomehow,itsounded

differentonhislips.

“You’renotsobadyourself,”Ireplied,runningthetipsofmyfingersovertheedgeof

mydresswhereitdippedlowintomycleavage.

Micah’s gaze followed my hand and the heat in his eyes, coupled with the desire

coursingthroughme,wasenoughtomakemethrowcautiontothewind.Notcaringthat

someonecouldwalkoutatanymoment,Iclosedoffmymind,andlistenedtomybody.

My eyes never leaving Micah’s face, I slid my hand into the bodice of my dress,

cuppingmybreastbriefly,beforepullingitoutandfreeingitforMicah’sgaze.Hisalready

dark eyes turned molten as he watched me caress my full breast, then pinch the nipple

tightlybetweenmyfingertips.

“Jesus,”hegroaned,suckinghislowerlipbetweenhisteethandbitingdownhard,as

hestoodtherewithhishandsfistedathisside.

I smirked at him as I covered myself back up, then stood up slowly, allowing

anticipationtomakemymovementssensualratherthanhurried,eventhoughwhatIreally

wantedtodowasripthatvestoffofhimandfuckhimrighthereonthebalcony.

Instead,Isaunteredovertohim,placedmyhandonhischestandlookedupintohis

eyes.

“Ihavearoom,”Isaidsoftly.

“Takeme,”washisreply.

Iletmyhanddropfromhischesttohishand,thentookitinmineandledhimaway

from the door leading back into the Penthouse and the party all of our coworkers were

stillenjoying.Insteadwewalkedthroughthedoorleadingtothehallwayandgotintothe

elevator.

I could feel the heat of his body behind me as we took the elevator down. The

anticipationwaspalpable,butotherthanouthands,wedidn’ttouch.

I closed my eyes and allowed that feeling to encompass me, almost to the point of

becoming overwhelming. When the door opened with a ding, I opened my eyes and

steppedout,asmileplayingatmylips.

We’d barely crossed the threshold of my room when Micah pounced. Obviously

throughwaiting,hishandscametocupmybreastsashislipshitmyneck.Istoppedand

tiltedmyhead,givinghimeasieraccessasIarchedmybackandfilledhishandswithmy

breasts.

Iheardthedoorshutbehinduswithabang,andfiguredhemusthavekickedit,butI

wouldn’thavecaredifhe’dleftitopen.AllIcaredabout,allIneeded,washiminsideof

me.Now.

I bent at the waist as I reached under my dress and eased my thong down my legs,

strategicallywigglingmyassagainsthishardcockasIdid.AsIstood,Ipulledmyskirt

upmythighs,exposingmynakedassasIofferedmyselftohim.

Micah’shandsleftmytitsandmovedtomythighs.Heranthemslowlyuptheheated

fleshbeforemovingforwardandmakingmegasp.Onehandsplayedacrossmystomach,

holdingmetightlyagainsthisbody,astheotherstarteditsdescenttomypussyandbegan

totorturemesweetly.

“Fuck, Micah,” I moaned as his fingers entered me. My head fell back against his

shoulderasheworkedmeover.

Myhipsmovedslightlyashisfingersfuckedmeandhisthumbtoyedwithmyclit.Ifelt

theorgasmbuildingwithinme,butrightbeforeIreachedthathigh,Micahmovedhishand

andtookastepback.

Instantlybereft,Ispunonmyheeltofacehim.Iwassoprimedandreadytocomethat

Iprobablywouldhaveshovedhimagainstthewallandhumpedhislegwithouttheleast

bitofembarrassment,butluckily,itdidn’tcometothat.

Micahpushedmebacktowardthebedwiththepointofhisfinger,andwhenthebacks

of my knees hit the edge of the mattress I sat down. He stalked toward me until he was

inchesinfrontofme,andIcouldseehiscockstrainingbeneathhisjeans.Withoutwaiting

foraninvitation,Ifreedhisdick,thenteasedhimwithmyhandsandtongue,beforetaking

himfullyinmymouthandbringinghimtothebrinkofmadness.

Once again, he was the one to stop and step back, but this time it was only long

enoughtorollacondomoverhiscockandlaymebackonthebed.Micahstayedstanding

as my legs wrapped around his waist and my butt slid to the edge of the bed. I braced

myselfuponmyelbowssoIcouldwatchasheslidslowlyintome,thenpulledbackout

andrammedhimselfbackin.

Micah pulled my legs from his waist and brought them up, so that my ankles were

against his ears as he fucked me gloriously. My head fell back as I closed my eyes and

focusedonthefeelingofhimmovinginsideofme.

“Sogood,”I’dmoanedunabashedly.

WhenIfelthislipssoftlykissmyankle,myeyesflewopenatthecontrastofthesweet

gesture. His eye hit mine as he pulled slowly out of me. “Back,” Micah ordered gruffly,

tippinghischinuptowardtheheadofthebed.

Iscootedback,pullingmydressquicklyovermyheadandtossingitaside,sobythe

timeIwaslayingonthebedbeforehim,Iwasfinallycompletelynakedbeforehim.Micah

ridhimselfoftherestofhisclothesaswell,hiseyestakingineveryinchofme.

Inoticedhisdickjerkingslightlyandfiguredthatmeanthelikedwhathesaw,sowhile

hewatched,Iranmyhandsovermythighstomyknees,thenslowlypushedthemtothe

side,openingmyselffully.

Micah growled lightly, then moved. In an instant his body covered mine, all warm,

manlyflesh,andhegrippedmywristsinhishandsandliftedmyarmsabovemyheaduntil

wemettheheadboard,andheurgedmetoholdontight.

Assaultedbymysenses…thescentofhim,thefeelofhisskin,thesoundofhislabored

breathinmyear,Iclosedmyeyesandturnedmyhead,andturnedmyselfcompletelyover

totheexperience.

Never had I felt so in the moment, so utterly turned on and in tune with another

person.

Micahgroanedasheenteredmeoncemore,andmykneescameupasItiltedmyhips

togivehimdeeperaccess.

He whispered in my ear as he thrust in and out of me, and I gripped the headboard

tighterhesurroundedme.Imatchedhimeagerlyaswemadelove.That’stheonlywayI

coulddescribeanexperienceI’dneverfeltbefore.

Theconnection,thealmostmindlessneedtosatisfyhimineveryway,thewaythebed

shookaswebothreachedscream-worthyorgasms.

WhenIcamedown,Ifinallyreleasedmysteelgraspontheheadboard,andshiftedto

see Micah’s gaze on me. I smiled at him tenderly, and knew in that moment, that I was

totallyscrewed.

Inmorewaysthanone…

I

CHAPTERSEVEN

cametowithastartandlookedoveratCal.Hiseyeswereclosedandhewas

layingcompletelystill.Ididn’thearandnoise,orseemovementinhischest,so

Ijumpedoutfromunderthecoversandmovedtowardhim.

“Cal,”IsaidloudlyasIshookhimbytheshoulder.“Wakeup.”

Whenhedidn’trespondIscrambledoffthebedandrushedintothebathroom.Ifilled

acupwithwaterandhurriedback,barelystoppingbytheedgeofthebedbeforethrowing

thewaterathisface.

“Da Fuck?” Cal shouted as he shot up to sitting. He shook his head then turned his

blearygazeonme.

“Sorry,”Isaidwithashrug.“Youweren’trespondingandthelastthingIneedisfor

youtodieonmetonight.”

“Whoareyou?”Heasked,eyeswideningashelookeddownatmyveryfull,andvery

fabulous,ifIdosaysomyself,tits.“Whyareyounaked?”

Rollingmyeyes,Iasked,“Howmanytimesdowehavetogooverthis?I’myourfairy

godmother.I’mheretomakesureyoumakeitsafelythroughthenight.”

Cal’sbrowfurrowed.

“HowmuchdidIhavetodrink?”

“Apparently, you and your boys drank up enough to drown your sorrows over your

friend’stasteinfiancés…So,alot.”

“WhereareScottandTJ?”heasked,turninghisheadtolookaroundtheroom.

“That’sthequestionofthenight,”Isaidbitterly,wishinglikehellthey’dcomebackso

IcouldstopthisnightmarebabysittingdutyIwason.“Doyourememberthelasttimeyou

sawthem?”

“We hit up a few different places. I remember a lot of shots and a lot of lights…

Maybe we were playing poker. I remember I wanted to come back and go to sleep, and

theywantedtokeepplaying,soIleft.”

“Hmmm, well, I’m sure they’ll come back once they’ve lost all their money,” I

replied,notwantingtosoundcynical,butthiswasVegas.Shitlikethishappenedallthe

time.

“I’mhungry,”Calstatedsuddenly.

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” I began, thinking of all the vomit from

before. Then, I considered how much he’d drank, before, and after we’d gotten to the

hotel,andthefactthathisstomachwasempty,anddecidedthatitmightactuallydohim

somegoodtohavesomethinginhisbelly.“Okay,I’llorderroomservice.”

I stood up and rounded the bed to the phone, then sat on the edge as I pressed the

numberforroomservice.

“Yes,canIgettwoburgersandfries?”Iasked,realizingthatIhadn’teatendinneryet

thatnightmyself.“Thankyou.”

Once I hung up, I looked over my shoulder to find Cal leaning back against the

headboard, his lower body under the covers. “It’ll be about twenty minutes.” I informed

him,thensatnexttohimandpulledthecomforterfromthefootofthebedandcovered

myself.

I noticed his fingers fidgeting with the edge of the sheet and realized that he was

nervous.

“Hey,”Icalledsoftly,andwhenhisbrowneyesfoundmineIsaid,“Whydon’tyoutell

meaboutShelly?”

The smile that lit up his face at just hearing the sound of her name made my heart

squeezewithenvy.

“Shellyisamazing.Wefellinlovewhenweweresixteen,andeventhougheveryone

thought we’d have a high school romance and then move on, I knew they were wrong.

FromthemomentIsawher,IknewtherewasnootherpersonI’deverwant.She’stheone

forme,andI’mgratefuleverydaythatIwastheoneforhertoo.”

“Jesus, you’re corny,” I joked, keeping my tone light even though my throat was

burning.

Whatwoulditbeliketohaveamangetthatfarawaylookinhiseyes,thatsmileonhis

lips,andhavehisvoicefullofthatmuchlovewhenhetalkedaboutmetosomeoneelse.It

wasthekindofloveI’djustaboutgivenupon.Thinkingitmustbeafairytalethatwould

nevercometrue.

ButlookingatCalandlisteningtohimtalkabouthiswife,IfoundIwaswrong,andI

knew without a doubt that I wanted to find what they had. I had to believe there was

someonelikethatoutthereforme.

“Whataboutyou,fairygodmother?”heaskedwithagrin.“Areyoumarried,havea

boyfriend,single?”

“Single,Sugar,”Ireplied,withawinkandhalfshrug.Thensighedandsaid,“There

wasaguyIthoughtmightbetheonebutitturnedouthewasjustasdisappointingasall

therest.”

“Whathappened?”Calask,hiseyesstartingtodroop.

Iwasabouttotellhimtogetup,whenIheardaknockonthedoor.

Hiseyespoppedopenandhesaid,“I’llgetit.”

BeforeIcouldprotest,orremindhimthathewasnaked,hewasatthedoorflingingit

wideopenandgivingthepoorstaffmemberashow.

“CanIsignittotheroom?”heaskedashetookthetray.

“Uh,sure,”Iheardavoicesayabithesitantly.Luckily,itwasaman’svoice.

“Thanks,bro,”Calsaidandshutthedoor,thenheturnedtomewithagrin,thetray

strategicallyplacedtocoverhisjunk.“Chowtime.”

He set the tray on the bed and got comfortable, then we both tucked in and started

stuffing out faces. After the first bite, Cal looked at me and asked again, “So… what

happened?”

“

W

CHAPTEREIGHT

ell…”Ibegan,notsureIwantedtobaremysoletoastranger,evenifwe’dbeen

throughalottogethertonight.

“Look,I’vehadsomuchtodrinktonight,youcouldtellmeyoumurderedamanandI

wouldn’t remember. I’m surprised I know my own name right now, I sure as shit don’t

rememberyours,”Calsaidwithadrylaugh,andIknewhewasprobablyright.

Besides,Ihadn’ttalkedaboutitwithanyone,somaybeitwouldhelpmetogetover

MicahandmoveoninMexico.

“Okay,”Ibegan,thengotupandgrabbedasmallbottleofvodkaoutoftheminibar.I

wasgoingtoneedsomeliquidcourageforthis.

“Getmeone?”Calasked,andIthoughtaboutdenyinghisrequestforamoment,then

decidedthathewasanadult,andalthoughhewaswasted,heobviouslywasn’tpoisoned

oronthebrinkofdeathoranything,soIcomplied.

Itookaswig,thenfocusedondippingmyfryinketchup.

“I’ve always been a bit of a hardass,” I began, my heart pounding. I hated talking

aboutmyself.“Ihadaroughchildhood,ranawayatayoungage,gottoVegasandbegan

stripping…yada,yada,yada.”

IgaveCalaself-deprecatinggrin,thenwentbacktoplayingwithmyfood.

“Ikeeppeopleatarm’slength,it’sjusteasierthatway,andIdon’tmixbusinesswith

pleasure.Idon’thavealotoffriends,andI’veneverhadwhatyouwouldcallaboyfriend.

Idon’ttrustanyoneenoughtoletthemininthatway.So,anyway,Micahwasdifferent.At

least, I thought he was. I guess you could say I was crushing on him, even though that

seems like such a teenaged girl thing to say… Still, he wasn’t just hot, or funny, or a

seemingly good guy who worked hard and never acted like an ass. He was all of those

things,andI’dnevermetaguylikehim.”

IrubbedmychestasIthoughtofallthetimeswe’dharmlesslyflirted,orthewayI’d

findmyselfwatchinghimwhenhewasn’tlooking.

“So, yeah, I really liked him. Despite my rules about no ties with coworkers and all

that.OnenightIgotupthecouragetogoforit,andIdid.Hewasrighttherewithme,I

swear he was. We spent the entire weekend wrapped up in each other. Not leaving the

hotel room. We ordered room service, took baths together, watched episodes of The

TonightShowtogether,andtalkedaboutwhatwewanteddowntheline.”

MyeyesfilledasIthoughtabouthowsureI’dbeen.SurethatMicahwastheone,that

hegotmeandwantedthesamethingsIdid.

“Iwasnaïve.Stupid.Imovedtoofast,IknowIdid,butIthoughtwewereonthesame

page,youknow?”Ilookedupthen,catchingthesympathyinCal’sgaze,andhatingevery

secondofit.

“Of course, you know,” I said bitterly. “Because you felt that with Shelly, the

differenceis,shefeltit,too.”

“Tellme,”Calsaid,hishalf-eatenburgerforgotten,allhisattentiononme.

“ItoldhimIlovedhim,andhelaughed,”Iadmitted,myvoicebreakingattheend.I

droppedmyhead,focusingonthefoodinfrontofme,andwhenIcontinued,Ihatedhow

small my voice sounded. “I must have looked devastated, because he stopped laughing

rightaway,saidhe’dthoughtIwasjoking,sinceIneverkeptanymanaroundseriously.”

Pushingawayfromthefood,Ifloppedbackontothebedandlookedupattheceiling.

“I’m not an idiot, I know what they say about me at work. I’m untouchable, an ice

princess,thesupremebitchoftheclub.Andit’strue,I’veneverhadaseriousrelationship,

butthatdoesn’tmeanIdon’twantone,orthatI’mnotcapableofit.”

“Maybe he was just taken by surprise,” Cal said softly, and I rolled my eyes so far

backtheroomwentdark.Ofcoursehe’dtryandtakeMicah’sside.Dude’shadtostick

together,right?”

“Hewas,”Iconceded,thenadded,“Andhe’striedtoapologizeandaskedmetotalka

dozentimes,butIcan’t.ItoldhimIwasfallinginlovewithhimafterthebestweekendof

mylife,andhelaughed.Ican’tforgetthewayIfeltinthatmoment.Theembarrassment.I

grabbed my stuff and left, never looking back, and I’ve been avoiding him ever since. I

shouldhavestucktomyownrule,becausehavingtoseehimatworkisawful,andhaving

tododgehimeverynightisgettingharder.”

“Whynotgivehimachancetoapologize,anopportunitytoexplain,”Calsuggested,

andIwantedtoslaphimintheface.“Maybehewassurprisedthatsomeonelikeyou,a

gorgeouswomanwhodoesn’tletanyonegetclose,wouldbewillingtolethimin.Ibethe

regretslaughing,andwouldgiveanythingtotakeitback.IknowIwould.”

SofteningtowardsCaloncemore,Ishiftedmyheadhiswayandsmiled.

“That’s cause you’re a good guy who knows what he wants and goes after it. That’s

whoIwant,andwhatIdeserve,notsomeonewholaughswhenIputmyselfoutthere.”

“You’reright,youdodeservethat,andIhopeyoufindit.”

“MaybeinMexico,”Isaidhopefully.

“What’sinMexico?”

“Vacation,relaxation,andhopefully,alittleromance.”

“Soundsgreat,”Calsaidasheshiftedlowertolaydowninthebed.

Igotupandmovedthetraytothetable,thenwentbackandlaiddownonmyside.

“I’mjustwaitingformyfriendtocallmewithmyflightinfo,andforyourbuddiesto

gethereandtakeover,thenI’mouttahere.”

“Youdon’thavetowaitwithme,”Calsaidsleepily.“You’vealreadydonemorethan

anystrangershould.I’llbefind.GotoMexicoandfindhappiness.”

Ididn’trespond,butasIdriftedinandoutofsleep,Ihadasmileonmylipsandhope

inmyheart.

I

CHAPTERNINE

’m not sure how long I slept, but I awoke to the sun streaming through the

windowandmyphonegoingoff.Istretchedmybody,pausingwhenmyhand

hitthewarmmassonthebednexttome.

Turningmyhead,IsmiledwhenIfoundCaldeadtotheworld,snoringlikesailor.

Boy,he’sgonnabeinforaworldofhurttoday,IthoughtasIsatup,almostfeeling

badfortheguy.ThenIrememberedhewasagrownassmanwho’dmadethedecisionto

getdrunkoffhisassandkeptdrinkingevenafterhe’ddecoratedme,andtheroom,with

puke.

Ipickedupmyphonetoseewho’dwokenmeatthisungodlyhour,thengrinnedhard

whenIsawthetext.

FlighttoCabobookedfor1100today.Betheretwohoursearly,twofreechecked

bags.Yourflightitineraryandhotelinformationisinyouremail,checkit.Letyour

freakflagfly,darlingSimone.

I laughed out loud, pumped now that this dream trip of mine was actually a reality,

thenIcursedwhenIcheckedthetime.

“Shit,”ImurmuredasIjumpedoutofbed.“IhavetogonowifI’mgoingtomakeit

tomyplacetopackandgettotheairportontime.”

IpausedatthebathroomdoortolookbackatCal,whoshowednosignsofwaking,

andfeltanigglingofguilt.

Simone, you have gone above and beyond for this guy. Played the ultimate good

Samaritan.Youdon’tneedtofeelguiltyforleaving,hisfriendsshouldbegettinghereany

minute.

Inoddedinresponsetomypeptalk,anddecidedtograbaquickshowerhere,saving

sometimesothatwhenIgothomeIcouldthrowmybikiniandacouplesundressesina

bagandgo.

Iwashedmybodyquickly,doingmybesttokeepmyhairdry,asexcitementbeganto

buildattherealizationthatinjustafewhoursI’dbeonmywaytoparadise.

I closed my eyes and imagined myself poolside, drink in hand and ocean in view.

MaybeI’dbereadingwhenahandsomedarkskinnedstrangercameupandofferedtoput

lotiononmyback.Or,maybeI’dberunninglowonmycocktailwhenahandsomecabana

boywouldoffertogivemearefill,andabackrubwithahappyending.

Thepossibilitieswereendless…

Isentthemessagetoorderthecar,andasIwastowelingoff,Iheardretchingcoming

fromtheotherroom.

“Uhoh,Cal,”Iwhispered,shakingmyhead.Thatpoorguywasgoingtohavearough

day.Iwouldn’tbesurprisedifhehadnorecollectionoflastnightatall.

Myphonebeeped,signalingthecarwasfiveminutesoutandwouldbewaitingforme

at the entrance to the hotel, so I grabbed my purse and phone and opened the bathroom

door.

Callookedlikeacompletemess,layingonthefloorpracticallyspooningthetrashcan.

Icrossedtothechairtogetmydress,sighingwhenIrealizedthatitwasstilldamp.

“Thatwassomeparty,”IsaidwithalaughasIpulledthedressdownovermyheadand

caughtsightofCal’sconfusedlook.

Myphonebeepedagain,andIknewitwasthedrivertellingmethathe’darrived,soI

neededtohurryandgetdownstairs.IsurveyedtheroomtomakesureIwasn’tforgetting

anything,thenhurriedtothedoor.

HandonthehandleIturnedtoCalandsaid,“Haveanicelife,Sugar,”andImeantit.I

trulywishedonlygoodthingsforhim.Hewasoneoftheraregoodguys.

ThedoorslammedbehindmeandIshotoffamessagetothedriverlettinghimknowI

wasonmywayasIwaitedfortheelevator.

Ilookedupasitpingedopenautomaticallyflashingasmileatthetwomenstanding

beforeme.Onehadsandyhairandaneasygoingsmile,whiletheotherhaddarkhairand

theairofamanwhocamefrommoney.

“Gentlemen,” I said in greeting as they both gave me a once over. I preened for a

momentastheybrushedpastme,bothofthemsmiling,thenwalkedontotheliftwitha

littleextraswaytomyhips.

Their eyes were still on me as the door closed, so I gave them a finger wave and

chuckledtomyself.That’swhenIrealizedthattheywereprobablyCal’sfriends,andthe

T

lastbitofworryI’dbeenharboringleftme.Iknewthey’dtakeoverwhereI’dleftoffand

makesurehewasokay.

Mentally building a checklist, I strode across the casino floor, then out and into my

waitingcar.

“Thanks,”ItoldthedriverasIsettledin,thensatbackandwatchedTheVenetianget

smalleraswedroveaway.

I toyed with my hair as we passed through The Strip and I felt lighter than I had in

months,hell,inyears. I’d never admit it to Ginger, but she’d actually helped me out by

settingmeupwithCallikethat.Ithadbeengoodformetotalkaboutwhathadhappened

withMicahandgetitoffmychest,andthefactthatCalwasastrangerwhoI’dneversee

againhadmadeitthatmucheasierformetodo.

NowIcouldstartfresh.

I’dleaveMicahinthepastwherehebelongedandbeopenforwhatevercamemyway

inMexico.Plus,takingcareofCalwhilehewasmessedup,andenablinghimtogetback

tohisbelovedShellywastheultimategooddeed.

Thatmeantkarmawassuretobeonmyside.

Isurehopedso,becauseaftertalkingwithCal,IreallywantedwhatheandShellyhad.

Iwantedamantothinkofmethewayhethoughtofher,andgetthatlookofdevotionon

hisfacewhenhetalkedaboutme.

Ideservedalovelikethat,andIcravedit,morethananything.

heEnd…

TolearnwhathappenedwhenCalgothomefromVegas,pickup8Weeks,Timefor

LoveSeries,book1,whichisalwaysFree!

Want to know more about Ginger? You can find out more about her in More than

Exist.Althoughthestoryisn’thers,sheplaysabigpartinmyheroine’sjourney.

WanttofindoutwhathappenswithSimone?Well,herstoryisn’twritten.Infact,I

didn’t know who the mysterious naked blonde from the beginning of 8 Weeks was

goingtobeuntilIsigneduptobeapartofthisawesomeanthologyandmyreaders

requestedashortonwhathappenedinVegas.Ifyou’dliketoknowmoreabouther,

letmeknow,herstorymayneedtobetoldinthefuture!

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

Award-WinningAuthorBethanyLopezbeganself-publishinginJune2011.She’saloverofallthingsromance:books,

movies,music,andlife,andsheincorporatesthatintothebooksshewrites.Whensheisn’treadingorwriting,sheloves

spending time with her husband and children, traveling whenever possible. Some of her favorite things are: Kristen

AshleyBooks,coffeeinthemorning,andInNOutburgers.

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ALSOBYBETHANYLOPEZ

YoungAdult:

StoriesaboutMelissa–series

TaTaforNow!

xoxoxo

Ciao

TTYL

WithLove

Adios

Nissa:acontemporaryfairytale

NewAdult:

Friends&LoversTrilogy

MakeitLast

IChooseYou

TrustinMe

Indelible

ContemporaryRomance:

ATimeforLoveSeries

Prequel-1Night

8Weeks

21Days

42Hours

15Minutes

10Years

3Seconds

7Months

Novella-ForEternity-ComingSoon

TheLewisCousinsSeries

TooTempting

TooComplicated

TooDistracting

TooEnchanting-Coming03/2018

ThreeSistersCateringTrilogy

APinchofSalt

ATouchofCinnamon-Coming01/18

RomanticComedy/Suspense:

CupcakesSeries

AlwaysRoomforCupcakes

CupcakeOverload

Lei’dwithCupcakes

Women’sFiction:

MorethanExist

ShortStories:

Contemporary:

ChristmasComeEarly

HaremNight

Fantasy:

LeapofFaith

BeauandtheBeastess

Cookbook:

Love&Recipes

Love&Cupcakes

Children’s:

KatieandtheNorthStar