I like a girl who doesn’t need half an hour to look over the menu. But that’s Monterey. She’s never been indecisive about anything in her life. She’s a go-getter. A woman who can make snap decisions in a split second.
“Can I ask you a question?” I pull in a deep breath of air, afraid to even ask Monterey this, but I need answers.
“Sure.” She shrugs.
“Do you personally know Colton Donavan?”
She blinks. “Um, sure. I know of him. I think I’ve met him a few times.”
“He’s that Indy racer that invented that helmet thing we use now, right?”
She nods. “Yes. He is.”
I scrub my hands across my jaw.
“Why do you ask?” She stares at me.
“I’d like to meet him.” I’m not sure what reason to give her, but settle on, “he’s kind of an inspiration to me with driving.”
That works because she smiles. “Actually he’s doing a charity event tonight in Vegas. We could swing by.”
“That won’t make us late to Indy?”
Monterey stares at her phone for a moment. “I don’t think so.” She taps a few buttons. “Nope, we should make it just fine.” She sets her phone down and looks up at me. “Want to go?”
“Yes. I do.”
She smiles, like she’s pleased with the answer. “I would have never guessed you had someone you looked up to.”
I hang my head down. “Don’t start.”
“No, I think it’s cute.”
I stare at her and blink. “Cute?”
“Yes, it’s cute that you have a hero.”
“Whoa, whoa. I wouldn’t call Colton my hero.” I shift in my seat. “I just want to meet him.” Monterey’s blowing this whole thing out of proportion.
She leans forward. “No, I think it’s admirable, Danger. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed. I’m excited for you to meet him. He’s a really good guy. And I love his wife.”
I twist my fingers together, relaxing a bit. “Ok, good.”
“So, Vegas?” Monterey’s eyes light up.
“Don’t get any ideas.”
“What? I’m not going to try to marry you.” She laughs like the idea is so ludicrous. And I guess it is. “Contrary to popular belief, I’m not trying to hop on the Danger train and ride it all night long.”
My ears perk up, my blood pumping a beat faster at the thought of Monterey riding me all night long. “You’re not?” I try to make it sound like I’m joking, but the tone comes out all wrong and husky.
Monterey blinks and we’re both interrupted by Doreen, dropping off our sandwiches.
Thank god too, because things were starting to feel a bit too real.
Chapter 6
Monterey
Just staring at Danger from across this table makes me want to squeeze my legs together to ease the constant want and longing for him.
He hasn’t even done anything, but there’s this hint of something in the way he stares at me. Like he knows what I’m thinking.
Like he knows every single dirty thought that’s racing through my mind right now.
And racing is the operative word. Because I want to race him to the moon and back.
It’s exhausting trying to hide my innermost fantasies from him. How can I survive this whole trip with him? How can I survive this whole pretend engagement with him?
When the cameras flashed it became way too real for my heart’s safety. And it frightened me just a bit. The last time I was in the spotlight it didn’t end too well. I’ve never done anything this crazy in my whole life before. It’s insane.
The fact it was my father’s idea makes the whole thing that much more insane.
The waitress, who has been making googly eyes at Danger since we entered, sets our food down in front of us, and I thank her.
Danger hasn’t even looked in her direction, nope, he’s kept his eyes right on me the whole time.
It’s a bit unnerving how he keeps his attention on me. It’s the intensity behind his eyes that ruffles my feathers most. And now I’ve suggested Las Vegas. A charity gala. With champagne and a dance floor. Sure, we’ll have many more events we’ll have to pretend to be a couple at, but for some reason tonight in Vegas has my nerves bouncing off the walls of my insides.
I grab my phone, texting my father to let him know of the change of plans. He immediately types back that he planned on stopping by as well.
Great. More reason to play the part as best I can to win the company.
We make it to Caesar’s Palace on the Vegas strip with a few minutes to spare. We get our rooms, separate of course, and I have enough time to get ready and make it down to the ballroom by the time the event starts. If I hurry.
All I really want to do is soak in a giant-sized whirlpool tub and read instead, but there’s something magical in the air tonight. Maybe it’s just Vegas.
I glance at myself in the mirror and try to work my fingers through my hair, smoothing down the stray ends. I spin my long brown hair into an updo, and put a little gloss on my lips.
This will have to do.
When I exit my room my breath is taken away by the sight of Danger in his tuxedo. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in a tux, and I have to say it looks good on him. There’s just something about a man in a tux, and Danger amplifies that ten fold.
“Wow,” he breathes out. “I’m the luckiest guy in Vegas tonight.”
“Maybe you should go and place a bet.”
Danger smiles his normally cocky grin. “Not tonight.”
I hook my arm in his. “Ready to do this?”
“Playing your boyfriend will probably be the easiest thing I’ll ever do.”
We take one step toward the ballroom and then another. “Why’s that?”
He winks. “Because if I were your man I’d spoil you rotten on the regular.”
I smile at his words, wondering what it would be like to be spoiled by a man like Danger. We step into the ballroom, and I scan the room for a familiar face.
The banner reads, Corporate Cares in purple and gold. The ballroom goes on for miles, or what appears like miles. There’s purple flowers on round tables with gold-linen tablecloths. The lights are dim, giving the ambience of a successful elegant gala. The lights of the strip shine in through the high windows, casting a soft glow, making the whole party feel romantic. There’s so many people sitting at tables and clustered in groups, chatting, laughing, and talking to one another.
“What kind of charity is this?” Danger asks me as we move into the party.
“Something to do with children.”
Danger stops. “Like orphaned children?”
“I’m not really sure.” I shrug, trying to find Colton Donavan in the crowd. “Colton’s wife works for the charity.”
We both stop walking when we spot Thad speaking with my father.
Danger growls beside me. “What’s that asshole doing with him?”
“I’m not really sure.”
We cross the floor, stepping up to join my father as a waiter passes by with a tray of champagne-filled flute glasses. Danger picks up two and hands one over to me.