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I also want you, Oliver.And I can’t seem to stop.
***
The hotel, as always, buzzed with activity.One of the biggest and most visited hotels-slash-casinos in Vegas, the place attracted tourists from around the world.The fountains outside twisted and danced, and when you stepped foot into the elegantly decorated lobby, you were transported into another world.
As soon as Oliver entered, he caught sight of a familiar figure working the concierge desk.Kurt Sasser.The guy chatted with a guest as he gestured animatedly toward the ceiling.Or rather, toward the enormous art display that made up the ceiling.Hand-blown flowers of every shape and size filled that display.Over two thousand of them.A masterpiece for every guest to enjoy.
Oliver wrapped his fingers around Lark’s hand and pulled her toward the concierge desk just as Kurt finished his discussion and the silver-haired man in front of him departed.And as Oliver and Lark approached and Kurt got a look at Oliver’s face…
“No.”A weak gasp—and plea—from Kurt.“Please, no.Anyone but you.Anyone…” He hurried from behind the desk and stepped into Oliver’s path.“Why are you here?Do you want to ruin my life?”
Oliver smiled at the concierge manager.“Is that any way to greet a friend?”
“You are not a friend.You’re an FBI agent.”
Technically, he was an FBI agent on abreak.But he didn’t clarify the situation for dear old Kurt.
“I’ve already talked to one of your men today.I don’t know how that vehicle got stolen from the valet lot.You can rest assured that our security will be on high alert from here on out.”Kurt tugged on his collar.“Tell me there is not any danger to my guests.Tell me this hotel is completely safe.”
“Gonna need a favor from you, Kurt,” Oliver began.Poor Kurt.The man had been working the last time Oliver had needed to storm the place during a hunt for a killer.Over the course of that hunt, he’d learned that Kurt didn’t exactly excel under pressure.
Instead, Kurt tended to panic.
“What do you need?”Kurt’s voice emerged as a whisper even as he cast a nervous glance around his beloved lobby.
Oliver also glanced around the lobby and—“Never mind,” he told Kurt.“Found him.”And he started to immediately advance toward the man who’d just stepped foot off the elevator.Talk about your perfect timing.
Nate Quest.
Tall, a little leaner than he’d been the last time their paths had crossed, and with close-cropped, black hair, Nate stormed off the elevator like a man on a mission.He bulldozed straight ahead.
Only to come to a jarring halt when he caught sight of Oliver.Or, rather…of Lark as she stood beside Oliver.
Rage ignited on Nate’s face.A hot, heavy rage mixed with hatred.And the man made no move to conceal his feelings.
Oliver automatically took a step forward in order to partially put his body in front of Lark.The urge to protect her was as natural as breathing, and when Nate started surging toward them, Oliver knew things were going to get ugly.
But he still sent the other man a smile in an effort to disarm and confuse him.“Nate Quest!”Oliver called.“I had no idea you’d be back in town, and you are—”
“You are still fucking her?”Nate snarled.A very loud snarl that no doubt carried quite the distance in the lobby.“Couldn’t believe it when I got the call…you’ve been fucking her all along and now you are actively helping her to prove her brother’s innocence?What the hell?”
So, the gloves were off.Fair enough.Oliver took a step to the side so that the guy couldn’t even look at Lark any longer.Forget partially shielding her with his body.He now blocked her completely.“First, lower your voice.”A flat command.He waved his left hand toward a watchful and sweaty Kurt even as his right maintained his hold on Lark.“This is a fine establishment, and the families in the lobby don’t need to hear you being an ass.”
Nate’s face mottled with his fury.
So not good.This guy is boiling for an explosion.Oliver released a slow breath even as he kept his body battle ready.“Second…what call?”That bit had certainly caught his attention.“What are you talking about?”
Nate jabbed an index finger into Oliver’s chest.
Oh, don’t do that.Not unless you want me to break that finger.
“The call I got telling me that you were screwing things to hell and back on the Lane Lawson case!”Spittle flew from Nate’s mouth.“You want in her pants so badly that you’re going to let a killer walk and you are—”
“Lower your voice.”Cold and hard.“And don’t say another negative word about Lark.My patience is razor thin when it comes to people insulting her.”
“She’s the sister of a killer!”
The heavy scent of booze surrounded Nate and had Oliver’s nostrils flaring.
