Page 2 of Savage Revenge (Savage Sins #1)

Jordyn

NEVER EAT A CHERRY-FILLED DONUT IN PUBLIC

I’ve always wondered what my worst nightmare would look like, and today, I know exactly what it is.

Running into one of the hottest men in Las Vegas and also the CEO of Carver Gaming. All while I look like a bridge troll. Life is funny sometimes. Not funny as in ha ha but as in just when you think you’re having a good day, we’re going to fuck it all up for no reason at all but to mess with you.

I spend six days a week as the put-together, always sexy— because hello, it’s Vegas— CFO of Kingston Casinos, my family’s hotel and casino business, yet, the one day I’m nowhere near one of our locations, I see him.

A friendly business competitor, but also the man who has appeared in a couple of my one-handed fantasies.

Why couldn’t I have run into him yesterday, when I felt like a bad bitch in my best bra that gives me dream cleavage?

Or the day before, when I had on my highest heels that make my curvy legs look killer?

Or even the day before that, when I had freshly washed hair that I’d spent an hour blowing out with all kinds of products and those stupid Velcro rollers that are supposed to give more volume, and the black dress that makes me feel like a sexy vixen?

But nooo. Of course not.

It had to be on my day off, the morning after I drank too many sugary cocktails on my couch while eating not one but two bags of gummy bears and those frozen egg rolls that look so good on the box but taste like shit when you cook them in the oven.

When my tits are sweating from the unbearable Las Vegas heat and I’m leaving pit stains on my tank top.

Of course, it doesn’t stop there. Because why would I be that lucky? Not in this lifetime.

I’m bloated because my period is coming soon. The dry shampoos in my hair has soaked up as much oil as it can and there’s no masking how dirty it is at this point. Oh, and the cherry on top, is literally fucking cherries.

All I wanted was a delicious coffee and a sweet, flaky pastry to reward myself because I absolutely deserve a treat after waking my ass up at seven a.m. to make it to my exercise class. But right as I bring the cherry-pie-filled donut to my mouth, I hear his voice.

“Hey, Jordyn.”

Elliott Carver.

Heir to eight of the largest casinos in Vegas.

I freeze and look up to meet the most brilliant set of eyes I’ve ever seen. Pale green and gorgeous. Eliott looks me up and down, an easy smile tugging at his perfectly shaped lips.

And as I open my mouth to try to find words that I’m not even sure I have at the moment, a big glob of cherry pie filling squirts out of the donut and lands smack dab in the middle of my lavender tank top, right over my tits.

The corners of his mouth twitch with undeniable amusement. Meanwhile, I find none of this amusing and want to crawl into a hole and die right here in this café. In fact, this is pure torture. I must have really done a good job of pissing someone off to earn this kind of karma.

“Eliott, hi,” I chirp as enthusiastically as I can manage.

“You, ah…” His eyes flick down to my cherry stain, then back up to meet my gaze. A dimple appears near his mouth, and I think I drool a little. What the heck is it with dimples that makes a man so appealing? “I think you dropped something on yourself.”

“Yeah,” I giggle softly. “I was starving after my workout, and they were out of fruit, so I figured the cherry filling would count. Bad idea, I guess.”

That’s not a total lie. I did work out. My boob and pit sweat are proof of that. And while I don’t know for sure that they were out of fruit, there weren’t any in the display case. Besides, I love cherry anything and this was the last one. It was basically calling my name.

“Hate it when that happens,” he says.

I’m sure he does. With a physique like his, I bet all he eats is fruit and vegetables and meat.

If I were to guess, the man hasn’t ever touched a pastry or sugar or butter.

Poor guy. He’s missing out on all the good stuff.

Yet right now, I wish I had better discipline to choose oatmeal or something healthier.

Most days, I love my body. It’s not perfect, but I attract my fair share of attention. Maybe not men like Elliott, but most of them are pretty hot. Although today, my total hot-mess-express situation is top tier, seeing this fine piece of man is definitely not helping my confidence right now.

People move around us, oblivious to the awkwardness that’s making me want to jump off a bridge.

Elliott hands me a napkin and smiles, showing off his gleaming white teeth.

I’d bet money that they are naturally perfect.

I’m pretty sure Elliott Carver is one of those people who was born beautiful and has better genes than most of the world.

From his perfect hairline to his six-foot-three frame and sharp jawline. Some people are just God’s favorites.

“What, uh, what are you doing here?” I ask, trying to dab at my shirt.

I’m nowhere close to The Strip. Purposefully. To avoid run-ins like this. I spend six days a week wearing nice dresses, heels, and a full face of makeup, so I enjoy the one day I can look like a slob when no one will see me.

As I rub the napkin over the blob, it smears, making the bright red spot even bigger. Fuck this day to hell.

“My parents don’t live too far from here. I need to caffeinate before I head back to work,” he answers with a sly smile. “What are you doing here? Not that I’m complaining. It’s nice to see you outside of work meetings.”

Heat creeps over my cheeks as someone bumps into me, pushing me closer to Elliott. He frowns and shoots the stranger a glare, then studies me with a softer expression. “You okay?”

I nod, clearing my throat. “I’m fine. Um, I had a workout class nearby, and I live only a few blocks away.”

His gaze roams over me from head to toe before he raises an eyebrow. “Well, if you ever need a workout partner, I’d love to help with that.”

Something deep in my stomach twists as disappointment hangs over me. That was a nice offer. Right? Except… Why was I hoping he’d say I don’t need to exercise?

“Sure.” I flash him a bright smile. “That would be great.”

“Yeah.” He adjusts the collar of his dark blue dress shirt. “Do you like to hike?”

Hell no. It’s Las Vegas for shit’s sake. I like to sit by the pool while drinking something alcoholic and eating nachos.

“I love hiking!”

Jesus. When did I get so desperate?

It’s been over a year since I last had sex, so I’m sure desperation has been setting in for months now. I’ve had to replace my vibrator batteries multiple times. If it takes me going on a damn hike to see this man naked, so be it. I just hope he knows what he’s doing when he’s with a woman.

“Awesome. Well, I should get going. As you know, casinos never sleep, and I have a pile of work to do. I’ll text you this week, and we’ll plan something.”

“Okay, great,” I say as he turns to walk away, leaving me standing in the middle of the busy café with an obnoxious red stain on my tank while people brush past me, staring at his perfectly taut ass.

The man is what fantasies are made of. And he wants to plan something with me. Like a date.

We’ve been dancing around each other for some time.

Ever since he took over his family casinos, Elliott and my father have had several meetings together, and I’ve been part of them.

Every time we see each other, I’ve left with the feeling that he might have been flirting with me, but I was never really sure.

After all, he’s him and I’m me. But apparently my gut was right.

I suppose the plus side is that now he’s seen me at my worst, so if we hook up, at least he won’t be shocked to see how I look the morning after.

I take one more backward glance toward him as I toss the rest of my donut, but he’s in the middle of talking to the barista, so he doesn’t notice as I walk out into the suffocating heat.

I may have wanted to crawl into a hole a few minutes ago, but I guess it wasn’t the worst thing ever. I got a date out of it. With Elliott Carver.

Towering buildings of glass and lights linger on the horizon, giving the illusion of glitz and glamor.

Most people come to Vegas to feel alive, to experience a lifestyle they never could in their daily lives.

They get dressed up as if they’re celebrities and spend more money in a weekend than some people spend in a year.

And no one blinks an eye. It’s Las Vegas.

The city of lights. Even after living here my whole life, I still get the feeling of excitement at times. It’s impossible not to.

I slide into my car and hiss as the leather scalds the back of my thighs.

As soon as I push the ignition, I blast the AC on the highest setting, then slowly back out of my parking spot.

Weaving through the lot, I chug my overpriced, but perfectly creamy, iced vanilla latte and can’t help but think about the possibility of going out with Elliott.

He’s a great guy from what I can tell. The type who gets along with everyone.

Even as a business competitor, he and my father have somehow formed a friendship with each other, despite them being over twenty years apart in age.

My dad would be thrilled to hear that Elliott asked me out.

He’d love to flaunt a friendship with Elliott in front of the Savage family.

Although now that Jack Savage is no longer living, I’m not sure if the feud between our families will continue.

I really need to send the Savage family some flowers since I’m certain my father didn’t.

I know they are our enemies, but there are some things you just do to be respectful.

Especially when the man was shot dead in the middle of Las Vegas Boulevard.

I can’t even imagine how Jack Savage’s sons are handling this.

I imagine not well, considering they’re known for their ruthless ways.

Maybe I should date one of them instead of Elliott. That would probably cause my father to have a coronary. Too bad I didn’t run into them in the café.

Rolling my eyes, I smirk and shake my head, turn up Taylor Swift, and sing along to Bad Blood as I head toward my apartment.

I’m being ridiculous.

Elliott offered to take me hiking. He didn’t ask me to marry him.

I might have a slight crush on the man, but I’m realistic enough to know that he’s probably only looking for a good time.

Guys like Elliott Carver don’t settle down with women like me.

And it’s been long enough since I’ve had sex that I’m okay with that.

Besides, I’m due for something exciting to happen.