“For sure,” Kira agrees. Her gold jewelry glinting under the recessed lights.
“Sounds like a plan to me,” I seal the deal. Kira has become an unexpected ally.
“You and Liv gallivanting around Vegas alone?” Ky considers. “Snow, that could be trouble.”
“I thought that’s why you liked me, ’cause I’m trouble.” She flirts.
“I only like it when you’re causing trouble with me,” he clarifies.
“Well, now I’m going to go cause some trouble with Liv.” Kira’s plump, pink lips turn up in a mischief-making grin.
“I’m not opposed to stirring up some trouble.” I slide my eyes over to Damon for half a second.
He bites his tongue. I know if he had his way, it’d be us stirring up trouble. Preferably naked and under the covers.
Our two main courses turn into a tapas-style buffet as we all share a steak and seafood feast.
Once we emerge from the restaurant and make it onto the casino floor, I’m a little tipsy and looking for some fun, or trouble, as Kira put it.
“We’ll be at the blackjack tables,” Kira grabs my wrist and yanks me.
“Hold up, Snow.” Ky reins her in. He wraps his arm around her waist and pins her against him. She’s so petite in comparison to his broad, muscled body. Ky is so different, still golden and gorgeous like back then, but the last time I saw him, he was tall and lean and barely a man. And now, he is a completely different person. The Marines and the MC dialed a number on him in an astonishing way. “You don’t just walk away from me.”
She smiles up at him. “Not without a kiss first?”
“That’s right. My girl, my way.”
I want to roll my eyes, but I don’t, ’cause deep down, I find his way kind of endearing. I’ve never seen Ky so smitten. And again, I find myself wanting what they have. I find myself wanting a man to look at me the way Ky is looking at Kira.
I draw my attention away when he kisses her goodbye. I mean, if there was ever a couple hot for each other, it’s them. My eyes land on Damon, who’s staring right at me. There’s an uncomfortable energy in the air, because I know if I allowed it, he’d kiss me exactly the same way Ky is kissing Kira. And for a moment, my guard goes down, and I consider letting him in. As much as I hate to acknowledge it, Damon does look at me in that way. A way that’s so passionate and fiery, I feel the intensity touch the foundation of my soul. But how long will that last? I’m not emotionally equipped to find out. Damon has to stay at a distance. That’s the plan I have to stick to and hope beyond hope it doesn’t go awry.
“Hey.” He reaches for me, taking my upper arm lightly. “Be careful, okay?”
I stare back at him like he’s crazy. “What do you think is going to happen? We’re going to get abducted by aliens?”
“You never know what can happen. Two beautiful women alone together? That’s an invitation for a lot of trouble.” He leans in closer, our bodies touching.
“Are you just worried that I’ll end up with someone else in my bed besides you?” I hiss at him.
Damon’s blue eyes smolder. I hit a nerve with that comment. “Just fucking be careful. That’s all I’m saying.”
“I can handle myself. I’m a big girl. I don’t need another father,” I snap at him, catching both of us off guard.
“You’ve been hanging out with your sisters too much,” he sneers.
“Yeah, well, at least they apologized for their fucking mistakes,” I throw a dig at him.
“I did apologize. Right to your face when it happened. You walked away.Youshutmeout,” he dredges up the past. And it hurts just as much now as it did then.
“Because you treated me like every other girl you had ever been with, like I meant nothing. You shoved a whole lotta bullshit down my throat to make me think you actually liked me, then you turned around and kicked me in the ass like a circus act.” I yank my arm out of Damon’s grasp and turn to Kira. “Are you ready to go?” This conversation is over.
Any inkling of a second chance I was even thinking about giving Damon just dissipated like smoke.
“One second, Kira.” Damon grabs me again and pulls me off to the side. I can feel both Ky’s and Kira’s inquiring eyes boring into us. We look like a bickering couple. “Let’s get one thing straight, Liv. I did like you. I never shoved any bullshit down your throat. Anything I have ever said, past or present, has been the truth. You have never been just another girl. You arethegirl. The only girl I have ever cared about, and I’m not going to let you go around thinking I’m full of hot shit just to get in your pants. If I really didn’t fucking care” — Damon gets in my face, close to breathing fire — “I would have fucked you and forgot all about you. I wouldn’t be standing here fighting for you. Fighting for us. I’m not giving up. I will prove to you I’m not the person you think I am. And after this is all over, you’re going to be mine.” I actually feel my jaw fall open as I’m rendered speechless. “Now go have your fucking fun. Ky and I have business to take care of.” He shoves me away with hostility screaming in his eyes. “I’ll make sure Knuckles keeps an eye on you two, like it or not.” Irate, he strides away into the casino, past the blinking lights of the slot machines and the spinning Wheel of Fortune.
I catch Ky hurrying past me. “Later, Liv.” He begins to jog in order to catch up to Damon.
“Lover’s quarrel?” Kira appears by my side.
