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I breathe in a deep breath, letting the view wash over me, and I’m grateful that Harrison doesn’t push again. The wheel comes to a stop, and we’re right at the highest part, overlooking most of downtown Vegas. The sun is beaming in the sky, and the heat doesn’t let up as it beats down on my bare legs.
“What about you? Do you have any fears?” I question, turning to face him.
He contemplates my question for a minute, and I feel his hand flex in mine. “I try not to hold on to fears. They can incapacitate you. But since we’re being honest, maybe I’m scared that after my recent relationship, I’m doomed to be a bachelor. Sharing my life and success with someone means something to me, and sometimes I miss that.”
“Do you miss your ex?”
“Fuck no,” he splutters, shaking his head. “But maybe I miss the idea of what we were supposed to be. She… cheated on me and I realised pretty fast that I never loved her. I need to find a way to get her to leave me alone. My cars get the brunt of her anger, unfortunately, but I’ve not caught her doing it yet. I mostly get harassing messages from her, usually with empty threats. Lately, I’ve been ignoring them, not that it’s stopped her.” He sighs long and deep, and my chest constricts for him. “But that’s life, ups and downs. It’s how you react in the face of it all. That’s what makes you who you are.”
I nod and let us both absorb the moment as I look around, not feeling scared of being so high this time, maybe because my brothers aren’t here to almost throw me out of the car, but maybe because there’s this big strong man next to me, who’s presence is like a calming, babbling brook. He releases my hand, moves his warm palm to my knee, and squeezes.
“You doing okay up here?”
My gaze drops to where his hand is, the heat searing me even more than the sun, and yet a violent shiver ripples its way silently through my body.
“Good. I’m good,” I force out, clearing my croaky throat. “I used to be so scared because of those two idiots down there, but I forgot that sometimes, at the highest peak, you get the most beautiful views.”
I sigh, taking in the beauty in the hum of people below me, relaxing as I bask in the heat from Harrison’s hand still on my leg and the miles and miles of desert in front of us.
“Really beautiful views,” Harrison echoes next to me. I turn to smile at him, at this shared moment, to find him already looking at me. His stare is molten as it flicks between my lips and my eyes. My breath shallows until I’m almost panting, but for what?For him to lean in and kiss me?Wouldn’t that be perfect?
Perfect hasn’t ever been meant for me, though. I’m used to uninhibited and messy, which is why I look away, returning my gaze to the desert and all the secrets that hide in the sand.
I push away the intense desire to pull his lips to mine and ignore the burning need tearing through my body because this will never happen. I’m pretty sure no one would ever be able to cope with me, so says my history with men and my life. It’s best to keep it simple and safe and not pull Harrison into my mess when he’s not long out of a messy break up.
Chapter 10
Harrison
Ineedtogetout of my head because I’m having very inappropriate thoughts about Zoey. Things have quickly become familiar and easy between us, but she brings out the side of me I don’t often show, and I need to rein it in before I do something stupid, like claim her in front of all these men who think they can have her.
After spending the day sightseeing, we headed back to our rooms to freshen up, and I may have napped for a bit. The day with Zoey spun around my dreams on repeat. I feel drawn to her, and although I know it’s a bad idea, I can’t help but think we’ve been pushed together again for a reason.
Like I said, I need to get out of my head and my room, which is why I’m sitting with Owen, Nate and Max at the casino downstairs in the hotel. Aaron and Zoey are still upstairs but will join us soon. Owen is playing roulette next to me and is hitting a winning streak. I’m not a big gambler, but I might see if I can join a poker game later.
A distant ding signifies the lift doors opening from across the casino and that’s when I see her—dressed in a pink sequined dress that barely touches any part of her body. It’s scraps of material covered in sparkles. Every other hot-blooded human in the room watches her as she struts across the casino. But fucking fuck, does she look sensational.
She shimmers, and it’s got nothing to do with the sequins. She’s so full of life, the woman is ninety-nine per cent confidence and I like that. My cock thickens at the sight of her.No, don’t go there.
“Whaddup, motherfuckers,” Aaron says, slapping Nate’s back as he appears next to us with Zoey—I hadn’t even realised he walked in with her. His eyes dance with mischief, and I want to roll my eyes because I can feel it in the air; his aura of crazy biting at our heels and nights when he’s like this never end well.
Zoey smiles as she walks past Aaron and stops in front of me. I stand too suddenly feeling very aware of my arms and how badly I’d like to wrap them around Zoey’s petite body and haul her to my side away from all the ogling eyes on her, my heart thrashes against my rib cage at the need to touch her.
“Hey mountain man, you’re looking very suave tonight,” she purrs, brushing her fingers over my dark shirt and chest, looking at me with those bright blue eyes.God, I want to kiss her.
Clearing my throat, I tower over her. “You look stunning.” I draw my bottom lip between my teeth whilst I let my gaze roam freely over her. That tattoo peeking out from her thigh makes me want to bite her and then spank her for thinking she could ever go out in public wearing such a tiny dress. But I remember that she isn’t mine and ain’t life a bitch.
“I told you he’d drool,” Aaron whisper shouts into Zoey’s ear. She whacks his chest, and he rubs the assaulted area. “So violent for such a tiny person.”
“Heis standing right here and can hear you, dickhead,” I chastise Aaron, still unable to stop staring at Zoey as he walks away. I lean into her, inhaling against her ear, smelling her sweet but spicy perfume. I watch her suppress a shudder, which makes me gleam with pride. “He’s right, though. How can I not drool over you in that dress?”
Her breath stutters as she places a hand on my chest, her eyes flicking over to her brothers. I follow her gaze, watching Max narrow his eyes at our proximity. “Buy me a drink?”
I place my hand on hers and briefly link our fingers together before walking her towards the bar, feeling Max’s scrutiny intensify. But right now, I don’t think I care. I need to touch her. “Margarita?”
Her lips curl, letting me see that perfect smile of hers. “Of course. What else?”
The bar is brightly lit with blue lights, each shelf laden with an array of alcohol. A waiter approaches us. “What can I get for you, sir?”
