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The front offered one helluva view. But the back blew his mind. A thick band of red fabric ran across her middle back, hiding her bra. But below that? A valley of bare skin down to the top of her perfect ass.
“This is my first trip in a while. What about you? You’re
a ways from home, aren’t you?” she added, stepping away from him and closer to the chocolate, as if she sensed a wall rising up between them.
“From base,” he said. “But I grew up in Vegas. My dad still lives here, about a fifteen-minute drive from the Strip.”
The tension in her mouth faded. Cade had a feeling he would have a love/hate relationship with that mask by the end of the night. He was all for fun and games—hell, if she wasn’t off-limits, he’d suggest trading it in for a blindfold—but the mask was also a barrier to reading her.
“So you’re not just in Vegas looking for a good time,” she said.
“I’m heading out to see my dad. But not tonight,” he said. “What about you? Why are you here?”
“I came for the art. The chocolate is a bonus.”
He closed the space between them and took the wooden skewer from her hand. He stabbed another strawberry and held it under the chocolate, twirling it back and forth. When it was covered, he held it up to her lips. “Art and chocolate. That’s all you’re looking for tonight?”
“No.” She lapped at the creamy covering, swirling her tongue around the tip. It was mesmerizing. The way she savored each drop of chocolate, licking the damn thing clean before sinking her teeth into it. Strawberry juice covered her lips, and he fought the urge to steal a taste.
Screw art and chocolate. She’d come to Vegas to drive him insane.
“I came to Vegas to take risks,” she said slowly, her voice low as if divulging a secret. “To try new things and find out if I’m as good with my mouth as I am with a paintbrush.”
She winked at him, and his cock instantly stiffened. Jesus.
“I could help you with that,” he heard himself saying, as though he had no control over himself any longer. Not with her. A neon warning sign that rivaled the lights on the famous Strip outside flashed in his mind. He could show her around, but learning what she could do with her mouth? He couldn’t go there. But still he couldn’t stop himself from saying, “I could be your guy.”
Where had that come from? He knew better, but around her, it was like he’d lost every shred of willpower to resist temptation. To resist her.
She cocked an eyebrow. “Are you married?”
He chuckled. “No.” As long as he was in the Navy, commitment wasn’t in the cards for him. He wasn’t about to follow in his father’s footsteps. His father’s commitment had ruined his mother. Cade wasn’t about to put anyone through that.
“In a relationship?” she asked.
“I’m a SEAL, gorgeous. That hasn’t left much time for anything else.”
She smiled at him, her dark eyes sparkling with wanton need. “I think—”
“Lucia Lewis?”
Cade tore his gaze away from Lucia and focused on the newcomer, a tall man with salt-and-pepper hair. His suit looked expensive, but what did Cade know about clothes? Natalie had arranged for a rented tux to arrive at his hotel room this morning, and he’d agreed to wear it because he didn’t have another option. His Navy whites would have been out of place in Vegas.
“Herman Schwartz,” the man said. “I’m an art dealer in New York.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Schwartz.” Lucia held out her hand.
“Ms. Lewis, I assume you’re here for the art.”
“Mostly,” she murmured.
“I was admiring the paintings when I saw you out of the corner of my eye. I have clients looking for similar pieces. Many would love to have yours.”
“I’m surprised you recognized me.”
“I had my assistant search the web for a picture of you. It wasn’t easy to find, and the shot is mostly of the back of your head.” The art dealer beamed at Lucia. “But I saw your long hair, and the way you looked at the paintings earlier—I took a chance. So tell me, do you have any pieces that would fit a glitzy New York City restaurant? There is a steak house owner who is in the market right now.”
“I would be honored. If you email me pictures of the space, I can create something for your client, or send some photos of what I have in my workshop.” Cade watched as Lucia set the strawberry skewer on the table and opened her small black bag. She peered inside, then withdrew a business card and handed it to her potential client.
