I filled my life with tremendous risks and leaps of faith, relying on my instincts to guide me. I’ve never regretted my decisions.
Right now, the same intuitions are telling me I can trust this man.
Everything around us fades. This moment is about much more than two people sharing a first kiss under the romantic lights of the strip. It’s bigger, it’s terrifying, and it’s exhilarating.
I push away the fact that he’s leaving in a few days, and the chances of anything coming out of this are impossible. Instead, I follow my instincts.
“Okay.”
His eyes flash with relief before shimmering the most brilliant shade of gleaming amber. It’s then I understand I don’t stand a chance. If this is the way it feels, I don’t want to avoid his spell.
Chapter 3
Evin
Shards of light stream through the slits in the curtains as the sun rises. Normally, I’d enjoy the early morning. Starting my day with a quick run, mentally preparing my schedule, and catching up on the financial news before heading into the office.
But today is different. This morning, the sunrise is a reminder that my time is limited.
Twelve hours ago, I was sitting in a bar in this swank Las Vegas hotel, throwing back liquor and wondering how to get out of another night of Scottie’s plans.
That damn show.
Not my scene.
Two more minutes and I was gone.
Two goddamn minutes and I would have missed her.
Poppy Malone.
One second is all it took.
For the first time, everything came to a standstill.
As if she senses my thoughts, she curls deeper into me, sighing lightly. “Do we need to get up?”
“Not if you don’t want to.”
“What time is it?”
“Barely daylight.”
“Meaning we went to bed less than three hours ago. Have you slept?” She angles her neck, giving me a full view.
I stare down, taking in her sleepy hazel eyes, the multi-colored hair spread across my shoulder, and the glow of her face.
Flawless Flower Child. Scottie’s words ring in my brain.
“I dozed,” I answer, sifting my fingers through her hair.
“Aren’t you tired?”
“Sleep is overrated.”
She grins lazily. “I thought maybe I was dreaming and last night was imaginary.”
“Not imaginary.”
“Maybe it was a different kind of dream.”
Her statement hits me square in the gut, stirring something inside.
“It was very much real.” My lips sweep over hers.
She melts into me, whispering, “Best birthday ever.”
I freeze, pulling back. “It’s your birthday?”
“Last Tuesday. That’s why I was at the spa yesterday. I treated myself.”
“I assumed you got to enjoy the amenities since your show is here.”
“Not really, this was a splurge. Well worth it, even if I never even used my room. But I need to go get my bag at some point.” She shifts up to kiss me again.
My cock goes hard when her tongue slips through my lips, and I slant to deepen the kiss. She twirls her tongue with mine, and memories of last night flash in my head. The first taste of her branded on my brain, knowing I’ll never get enough.
She molds to my body, wrapping her thigh around mine, and giving me complete control. Suddenly she breaks away, her eyes wide.
“I should brush my teeth.”
I smile and shake my head. “You taste fine to me.”
“But…” she trails off and I pick up the hesitancy.
I’ve had a lot of experience with women that are experts at using their sexuality to their advantage. No harm is done when both people know the stakes and leave expectations out of it.
Hell, I’ve lived that life freely and unapologetically.
Yesterday, that all stopped.
I’ve never believed in the ‘one look is all it takes’ mentality. But fuck me if the woman in my arms hasn’t shattered my thoughts on the myth.
One-night stands and casual hook-ups are not her style. Which fucking thrills me. She’s the type of woman that makes it an honor to witness that happy glow first thing in the morning.
“Baby, we’re not in a hurry. Told you that last night.”
“I’ve never spent the night with a man I just met before. I’m what you’d consider old-fashioned.”
“I have no problem with old-fashioned.”
Her eyes travel over my face, her thumb trailing across my bottom lip. “I can tell that about you. You have this gentlemanly aura.”
“Not sure you’d think the same if you knew the thoughts racing through my head with you pressed against me.”
She grins. “Your self-restraint is impressive.”
“There’s a time and place for everything. Give it time and you’ll see there’s a limit to my self-restraint.”
“Meaning you like it wild?”
“Baby, I saw the way you sailed through the air last night and the way your body can move. Not sure I’ve ever had your kind of wild. Looking forward to finding out. As I said, we have time.”
“I hate you are leaving tomorrow.”
“Let’s not think about it now.”
She settles into me again, keeping her eyes to mine. “Scottie invited me to the pool today.”
“I heard. Pierce and Miller reserved a private cabana.”
“Private cabana? Wow, your crew goes all out.”
“You have no idea, only the best.”
“Would it be weird for you if I hang out with them?”
“Why would it be?”
“I met them yesterday, and this morning I’m in your hotel room. Would it be strange for me to hang with your family and friends after our night together?”
“We haven’t actually had a night together, considering Scottie and Billy didn’t leave us alone until four a.m.”
“You know what I mean. They may assume things.”
A spark of irritation stirs in my stomach. “My life, my business. You want to go to the cabana with them, I’ll deliver you myself and they won’t say a fucking thing.”
“Evin,” she lowers her voice, skimming her hand up my chest and cupping my jaw. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I like your family and friends. They’re awesome, but Darby is your sister. Will she have a problem with this?”
“A problem with me meeting a woman I’m interested in? I highly doubt it. Being that she’s my twin, she’ll pick up on things quick. And in case her pregnancy brain is lagging, her husband and his brother know what’s up.”
“Is that why they were smirking all night?”
“They were smirking because they enjoy fucking with me.”
“Is that a guy-code thing?”
“It’s a first. There’s a lot of history there, but for over a decade, I despised Pierce Kendrick. Now, he’s family. Miller’s his brother, so that makes him family, too.”
Her jaw drops, and she squints in confusion. “You despised the man your sister married?”
“Like I said, a lot of back history.”
“Wow.”
I drop my neck and run my lips across hers. “Not something we talk about much. My guess is that after a few hours with them today, you’ll get the story.”