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I feel like I’ve just run a marathon, not struggling to recover from a best-wakeup-ever make-out session on a penthouse couch. There’s no ignoring the uncharacteristic giddiness in my stomach knowing he not only came to see me now but is also planning another date—hopefully one that doesn’t end at my front door and lasts well until tomorrow.
This man continues to surprise me. So if his aim is to keep me on edge, he’s succeeding.
“And are these prior engagements of yours of the consultant-type variety?” I tease, squeezing him playfully with my legs that are wrapped around his thighs, holding him close and not letting go.
“Mmm hmm,” he replies, his hooded gaze roaming over my face and down over my neck and chest to where my robe and chemise are not leaving anything to the imagination. I roll my hips up so that his straining hard-on slides right between my legs, loving the groan I draw out of him as I play him at his own game.
“That backfired didn’t it,” I breathe.
“Worth it though.” He grins and drops his head down, slowly brushing his lips over mine so lightly that it’s like a whisper’s kiss rather than the deep connection I’m craving. Right now, if he was to suggest ignoring the world and staying up here in the castle in the sky for the rest of the weekend—preferably naked—I wouldn’t even blink before agreeing to it. He tilts his head and runs the tip of his nose along mine. “So that’s a yes for dinner tonight?”
“Could room service be an option?” I ask, almost hesitantly. I may be a sexually confident woman, but I still feel vulnerable and a bit off my game with this man, and I'm more than aware that my plans for a quick wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am interlude with Barrett are on shaky ground right now. They have been since I learned he lives in Seattle. This isn't just a random Vegas hookup anymore, I've stupidly let hopeful thoughts of more creep in.
There’s no denying that his confidence and dogged pursuit of me both on the plane and now here at the hotel have intrigued me. There’s something so attractive about a man who sees what he wants and proves he’s willing to move heaven and earth to make it happen. But there’s also the raw masculine energy that radiates out of him in everything he does—every word, every look, every stroke of his tongue and touch of his hand. All of that defines him and tells me that although I still don’t know everything about the man, he’s shown me enough to draw me in.
“Definitely an option,” he growls before kissing me again.
And after another far-too-short and nowhere-near-satisfying-enough make-out session on the couch, Barrett moves to his feet and helps me up off the couch. My heart flips at the soft gaze he has as he smooths his hands down over my chemise and fixes my robe closed with the satin belt, before lacing his fingers with mine and leading me to the door.
With one last hard and fast kiss that ends soft and slow and full of promise, he shoots me a wicked grin before letting himself out.
And it’s not until I retrieve my bagel from the table that I spot the crisp white business card with cursive black lettering on the front that he left behind for me. I flip it over knowing that Barrett Matthews is nothing but thorough.
Kitten, be ready at 8 and rest up. You’re going to need it. B
ChapterFive
After arriving at Sovereign’s signature restaurant, I’m escorted straight to Gavin and Mom’s table where she proceeds to scream in surprise, quickly jumping to her feet, and enveloping me in a huge hug.
“My baby girl,” my mom says in my ear. “You’re looking so good.”
“You too, Mom.” I tighten my arms around her, realizing just how much I’ve missed her. “We should see each other more often,” I say as I pull away, still holding on to her arms.
“You’re right, we should.” She smiles brightly, her eyes still wet with happy tears. “You know you’re always welcome. You can visit us any time.”
“I know. But with everything going on with the company right now, I can’t get away as much as I’d like.”
“I’m very proud of you, sweetheart. Your father… he would be too,” she added, her voice cracking.
“That’s the aim.” I swallow down to fight the growing lump in my throat that always makes an appearance at the mention of my late dad.
We make small talk over the appetizers as I catch her up on all the news from Seattle and the new magazine I’m launching, stopping when Gavin stands up and knocks a fork against his wine glass.
Not knowing what’s happening, my mother stares at me and then Gavin as “My Girl” starts playing over the speakers and Gavin lowers himself down to one knee and reaches into his pocket. He pulls out a tell-tale black velvet box and gently grabs hold of my mom’s hand, the biggest, most beautiful princess-cut diamond engagement ring I’ve ever seen pinched between his fingers.
“Rosalie, you are the most amazing woman I have ever met. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Tears fall down my face and I’ve never been more thankful for the tissues I have stashed in my purse.
Mom sits there frozen, her eyes darting between Gavin and the ring.
“Mom, you should put the man out of his misery,” I lean in and whisper.
“Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes!” she cries as she launches herself into his arms, the two of them hugging and kissing on their knees in the middle of Las Vegas’s swankiest restaurants. It’s a moment I’m sure none of us will ever forget.
Once they pull apart and have returned to their seats, the beaming restaurant manager brings a magnum of the most expensive champagne I’ve ever seen to the table, other wait staff do the same to every other table in the room. After corks have been popped and glasses filled, he announces a toast to the happy couple, the air filled with cheers and applause as Mom and Gavin kiss again.
Once the excitement has all died down, our lunch arrives.
