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“You’ve been here before?” she whispered. “Hiding from Vegas security?”
“Not at this club. But when I was younger, I had a run-in or two with the bouncers at some of the Vegas hotspots.” Back when he’d run wild—desperate to get away from his parents’ fighting, and after that ended, his father’s pain—he’d ignored the rules, including the Nevada state laws prohibiting underage drinking. And he’d found ways to evade security after he’d been caught once or twice.
“But I’ve learned a thing or two since then,” he added.
Footsteps approached the cabana, and he pressed a finger to Lucia’s lush lips. Calling on his years of training, he did his best to focus on the sounds outside the door, not the woman pressed up against him. But the way her fingers clung to the lapels of his tux, as if trying to decide if she should trust him—or make a run for it—threatened to split his attention in half.
If she didn’t believe he could save them from a bouncer with a flashlight, he doubted she’d relinquish her mask tonight. And he wanted to pull those strings and see every inch of her. His desire mounted the more time he spent with Natalie’s little sister. He wanted—
“All clear up here,” a security guard said. “The day crew left the cushions out. But I don’t see anyone. I’m taking my break.”
The footsteps grew distant, headed for the stairs, but Cade hung back, refusing to leave their hiding place until he knew the coast was clear.
When he felt certain they’d be spared an encounter with security, he murmured, “I think we can head down now. Follow me.”
He led the way down the stairs and past the bouncers. He used his size to push through the crowds, and he kept Lucia close behind until they reached the brightly lit hallway connecting the nightclub to the hotel casino and restaurants. Ten feet away from the entrance, he turned to her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
“Are you all right?”
“I think I’ve had enough excitement,” she said, clutching her purse. Her mouth formed a thin line, not a hint of the wanton, begging woman who’d forgotten her own name in the aftermath of her first orgasm. And he sure as hell didn’t want it to be her last.
“Lucia, we’re not going to get into trouble. At least not the kind that leads to answering a security guard’s questions.”
“I never get that close,” she said, glancing back at the club.
He didn’t need a peek beneath her mask to know the fear of being discovered had followed her into the casino’s brightly lit hallway.
“One taste of trouble is enough,” she added. “I should probably head back to my room.”
“Have you seen Vegas?”
She blinked, as if surprised by the question. “I drove down the Strip on the ride from the airport. What else is there?”
“Come with me.” He took her hand and led her through the casino and out into the warm Vegas night. He paused at the front entrance and glanced at her feet. “How far can you walk in those shoes?”
“Back into the hotel and up to my room.” She pulled her hand away. “Which is exactly what I should do.”
“Please.” He signaled for a cab. “Let me show you the sights. Let’s make the most of your time here. We’re not going far. And you won’t see anything like this in Tennessee.”
She stared at him, his words sinking in.
You won’t see anything like this in Tennessee.
No, she’d never see a Navy SEAL dressed in a tuxedo looking at her as if he wanted to spend the night by her side.
“Okay,” she said.
He held the cab door open for her as she got inside, and then he slipped in beside her and gave the driver instructions.
“After this, we’ll talk about the remaining items on your list. I wouldn’t want you to go home unsatisfied.” He pointed out the window. “That’s Planet Hollywood—”
“Cade,” she said softly. “Tonight has already been more than I ever dreamed it would be. We don’t need to cross off everything.”
“That’s a shame, because your number four lines up perfectly with my number four.”
“Your number four?” The words tumbled out on a shaky breath.
“You’re not the only one with fantasies,” he said as the cab pulled to an abrupt stop at the curb.
