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"Maybe that's exactly what I'm thinking..."
I kiss her neck, then turn her around and find her lips. Her breasts press against my chest as my erection strains against my pants like it's trying to break free from my zipper.
Leading her to the table, I gesture at the camera.
"Did you tell the staff to hide until you need them?" she asks.
"I wanted to be alone with you, truly alone," I tell her. "At least until Vegas gets busy and we can lose ourselves in it."
"Lose ourselves?"
"All the times I've visited for the conference, and you know what? I've never actually gambled," I admit.
"Doesn't this feel like taking a chance? Go on—puke. My cheesiness is too much to handle, right?"
I smirk. "This can't be gambling. I've already won the prize. There—I one-upped you."
When the waiter arrives, we order a shared platter and some sparkling water.
"Sparkplug," I say, taking her hand and looking deeply into her eyes. "I am aware you want to avoid discussing the difficulties of a long-distance relationship, but frankly, I see myself messaging you, at the very least. Let's say I do that. What will you do? Block my number?"
"Are you seriously asking me that?"
"If you did," I say fiercely, "you'd wake up one day to find your entire building shaking as a helicopter landed on the roof."
"Ha, I doubt my building meets helicopter landing codes."
"Then you better give me the right answer."
"We can text," she murmurs. "I was considering long distance. When it has an endpoint, I think people can manage it. When it's for a month, a year even, or longer, they can't tolerate it. But could it work if it wasonlylong distance?"
"Don't forget a billionaire's ability to visit whenever he likes."
"But you'll be busy. I'm aware of how hard you work."
I squeeze her hand comfortingly. "You've given me permission to text you. That's all I need."
She rolls her eyes. "Like you need permission."
"You're right. I meant what I said about the helicopter. But even if every vehicle I own broke down, I'd run across the country if you ghosted me."
"You're so silly," she says, laughing.
"Until you, I wasn't silly at all. You bring it out in me and make the world seem brighter. My problems seem very, very far away when I'm with you."
Chapter Thirteen
Sera
"Red or black?" he asks, seeming in a better mood than earlier when he smirks down at me. We're in the Sky Casino, people talking all around us, the lights so bright it seems like daytime even though it's evening.
"What are we playing for?" I say, touching his arm.
All around us, I notice people watching. They're trying to be subtle about it. We're at a VIP table, and people often pause when they walk by, looking over as if to confirm this really is Luke Cross...and perhaps wondering who the lady on his arm is. I'm filled with a heady sense of power. I want to shout, yes, I'm his woman.You got something to say about that, huh?
He leans down, kissing me under the ear. That special place that sends tingles dancing over my neck and my cheeks. "For your heart, obviously."
"Black, then."