Page 88 of On A Manhunt: Complete Series

LINDY

After having sex on Dex’s dinette, I spent the rest of the night working on my story. My little claw shaped scratches didn’t hurt, but whenever Dex saw them, he glared. I pitied any squirrel that got near him in the future.

This time when Dex read the same paperback sprawled on the couch, I wasn’t panicked.

He knew the truth and didn’t really seem to care. All he did was ask how it was going every once in a while and set a can of seltzer on the table beside me. He didn’t try to look at the screen, only pretended to once with a wink. He wasn’t prying or teasing or anything.

He made it out to be… normal.

That was why it took me a little bit to get into the words, but I did. And eventually, I stopped.

“I’m done.”

Dex looked up from his book. “Good. I can’t wait to see what nightie you wear tonight.”

I gave him a goofy smile. “You know I don’t wear a different one every single night. I do run out and repeat.”

“What’s a big hockey contract good for if it can’t buy you an endless supply of nighties?”

“Dex,” I said on a sigh. My cheeks flushed because he was praising me. And my sleepwear.

But the word endless meant this wasn’t going to stop. And it was.

I pushed that thought to the side because I was living in the here and now.

“No, I mean, the book’s done. I finished.”

“Fuck, yes,” he said, hopping to his feet and giving me a huge smile. “Way to go, sugar.”

I grinned. It felt good. Really good.

He clapped his hands together. “Let’s celebrate.”

Now I really grinned. “What did you have in mind?”

“Vegas.”

I blinked. “Vegas?”

“Hell, yes. I’m going this weekend for a charity golf tournament, and you should come with me.”

I laughed. “I thought you wanted to do something fun and different in bed. I wasn’t expecting Vegas.”

His eyes narrowed and he tipped my chin up. Kissed me. “We’re totally going to do something fun and different in bed. But we’re also going to Vegas.”

“When were you going to tell me about this trip?”

“I only found out about it this morning. My agent signed me up. There was an opening.”

“You have to go?”

“It’s to raise money for a bunch of charities. Each participant has one they play for If I go, my own charity gets a bunch of it.”

“Your own charity?” He had a charity? I had a set of glasses from Dairy Queen.

He nodded and told me about the programs for kids, connecting them with safe places that were enriching, through educational support and sports offerings.

He shared the amount he’d get for showing up–not even if he won the event–and I was a little stunned. Not because he was so philanthropic, which he seemed to be, but the amount of money a simple golf tournament would shell out. “That’s a lot of sports gear for kids.”

“Exactly. I have to go.”

I nodded. “Yeah, you do.”

“So come with me.”

Instantly, I shook my head. “I can’t go with you to Vegas. I have work. Grocery shopping. The house. A squirrel.”

He pulled out a chair, dropped in it, then pulled me from mine and onto his lap.

“Listen to yourself, sugar. You don’t work on the weekend. I’m sure Claudia will let you take a day off if you ask. She’ll definitely let you take a day off if I ask.”

Sadly, that was probably true.

“Next one. Groceries? Please. Lame excuse. The house? Theo’s there. So is the squirrel. They’ll keep watch together.”

“But–”

He was being ridiculous, but probably so was I.

He stroked my hair back, tipped my chin up again. “What’s the real reason you’re saying no?”

I blinked, thought about it.

“Expensive plane ticket.”

He gave me a look that screamed, Try harder. “I’m not trying to boast, but do you know how much money I make? A ticket to Vegas isn’t an issue. Besides, I’m taking the jet.”

The James Corp jet I went on to Denver with Bridget and Mallory. It was so much better than any commercial flight.

“Of course you are.”

“I was going to take it so I could get back to you faster, but now? Mile High Club, sugar.”

He waggled his eyebrows, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

When I didn’t give him an answer, he pushed on. “It’s not that funny of an idea. We don’t have to fuck on the jet. Making out would be good. Heavy petting.”

Why was I arguing about going away for the weekend? It was Vegas, not Finland. I was having a fling with Dex and going to Vegas screamed fling.

I didn’t have to work on my story; it would be with the editor.

“Um… I…”

“We’re celebrating you finishing your book in Vegas. Leaving Friday morning.”

He was no longer asking. He was telling. I was a little stunned. Overwhelmed. But… happy. “Okay.”

He stared at me in surprise, as if he never expected me to give in. “Okay?”

I nodded. Oh my God. I was going to Las Vegas. With Dex!

He stood, carried me into the bedroom. “Now, about those fun and different things in bed. What are your thoughts on toys and my dick?”