Vegas, Baby!, page 1
VEGAS, BABY!
(Lovin' Las Vegas Series, #5)
by
Kathy Ivan
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Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
This one is for the readers. Without you asking me to write more books, I'd be back working a day job instead of doing what I love. THANK YOU!!!
Chapter One
How much longer before the stupid revolving carousel spit out her luggage? Her foot tapped out an impatient rhythm while everyone else's bags slowly wended their way around the never-ending circle of slowness. She needed to get to the hotel and hole up until Kevin arrived. It was a given her parents would be hot on her trail the minute they found out she'd left Boston, but they hadn't left her any other option. In fact, they'd pretty much boxed her in with their secrets and lies. Not the first time, and probably wouldn't be the last either.
Kevin had eventually agreed to go along with her desperate plea. He had his own agenda and the money she'd give him when everything was said and done would help make those plans a reality.
Finally! Her Louis Vuitton Epi Pegase bag with its distinctive indigo color started its circuitous trek around the baggage claim area. Why in the world had she checked her bag instead of stowing it in the overhead with everybody else's carry-ons?
Right before it reached her, a large male hand grabbed the handle and swung it free of the carousel. What the—
“Hey, that's mine!”
“I know, Hannah.”
Oh crud. Her high tailing it out of Boston hadn't been quick enough. Jerome stood before her, holding onto her designer bag, which looked tiny against his tall frame. Apparently the advantages of a private jet beat flying commercial all to heck.
“Give me that and go home.”
“Not until we talk.” His husky voice spilled across her and she shivered. She'd been attracted to him from the first time she laid eyes on him, but he'd barely noticed she existed. The only thing he'd cared about was wooing her sister, Cynthia.
“I don't have anything to say to you. So just toddle off and let Mommy Dearest know I landed safe and sound and she doesn't have to worry.”
He looked surprised, she'd give him that. What, did he expect, her not to have a backbone? Then again, he might since she'd always been the dutiful daughter, the one who never stood up to her parents. The one who toed the family line. At least, she had until they'd tried to railroad her sister, Cyn, into a loveless marriage with Jerome, one that she not only didn't want but had no intention of going through with, no matter what her mother decreed.
“Why would I tell your mother anything? I haven't seen or talked to her in weeks.” Jerome grabbed her hand and started forward with her suitcase firmly held in his other. Though she yanked, she couldn't break free, and didn't want or need to cause a scene in the middle of the Las Vegas airport.
“Where are we going?”
“Someplace we can talk. You've got a hell of a lot of explaining to do.”
She didn't have time for this. The plan was to meet Kevin at the hotel suite and she certainly didn't want Jerome privy to their scheme. A twinge of guilt hit but she quashed it down. She was doing the right thing for everybody involved.
“Look, I've got things to do and people I'm meeting…”
“He's not coming.”
His bold statement stopped her in her tracks. She dug her feet in stubbornly when he tried to keep walking. “What do you mean Kevin's not coming? He has to be here or everything will be ruined.”
Jerome stopped trying to drag her down the concourse and whirled to face her. “Do you really want to have this discussion here? I'm not opposed to making a scene, but you might want to think twice before spilling your plans to the world.”
She closed her eyes and sighed, knowing he was right. Nothing would bring the wrath of her mother down on her head faster than airing her dirty laundry in public. It might besmirch the good Evans name. Yeah, right. After the near fiasco six months ago, when all her father's backhanded attempts at keeping the family business afloat boiled to the surface and nearly bankrupted them, could she really put them through another debacle?
“Fine. Let's go.”
Within minutes they were seated in the back of a taxi, headed for her hotel. She'd made reservations at the same place her sister had stayed in December, when she'd met up with her three college friends. Thinking about the bets they'd made caused her to chuckle. Cyn had told her all about the best friends making the wagers when they were half-soused, along with the consequences they'd pay if they didn't fulfil the specific terms. All four women got their chance at a happily-ever-after, each one winning their respective bets. Too bad there wasn't a happily-ever-after in her future—not any more.
“What's put that smile on your face? Should I be worried?”
“Thinking about Cyn and her friends here in December. Oops, sorry, I forgot you're panting after my sister.”
He ran a hand over his face before answering her. “I'm happy your sister and Noah found each other. I could see how much she loved him, and graciously stepped out of the picture.”
He had, she realized. Technically there hadn't been an engagement, although her mother had considered the deal signed, sealed and delivered. When Cyn hadn't gone along with mother's schemes, she'd had the nerve to insist their father cut off all Cyn's credit cards and access to her bank accounts, leaving her virtually penniless, stranded in Las Vegas.
“She really loves Noah. I wish I'd known my mother lied to Noah or they'd have been together sooner and none of this farce would have happened.” She reached over and placed her hand on his thigh. “I'm sorry you got dragged into the whole mess. You didn't deserve that.”
He picked up her hand and laced his fingers with hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. “It was my own fault.” He paused for a moment. “Can I tell you something?” At her nod, he continued. “Don't take this wrong, but although I liked your sister, most of what happened was at your mother's instigation. She convinced me Cynthia and I would be a good match, and at the time I didn't really give a damn, so I went along with it.”
“You weren't heartbroken when Cyn fell in love with Noah?”
“Little bit, I don't believe in love. That's a frivolous emotion concocted for fairy tales and fools. Your sister and I would have been a good match from a logical point of view. We'd both have brought something to the table. Your mother wanted my family's name connected with yours and the cachet that came along with it. I wanted a wife who'd be a good corporate partner and could run my household with efficiency.”
Hannah pulled her hand free. “Damn, that's cold. Cyn deserved better than a passionless marriage.”
“Who said it would be passionless? Your sister and I were both compatible. There may not have been overwhelming lust, but we'd have had a good marriage, and I'd have been faithful.” He stiffened beside her, just a bare tightening of his muscles, but she noted it. “I can't abide a faithless woman.”
Oh, ho, there was a story there. Had somebody hurt him in the past, so much he'd given up on finding true love?
The cab pulled up to the front of the hotel with its opulent splendor and world-famous dancing fountains. Stepping inside was like being swept back in time with its gorgeous décor. Jerome wasted no time taking in the sights, but having never been here before, Hannah was awestruck at the amazing details put in to making this a destination resort, one of the most sought after ones in Las Vegas.
“Hannah, we need to check in.”
She walked up to him, noting only her single suitcase in his hand. “Where's your stuff?”
“I didn't have time to pack if I was going to catch up with you.”
She still didn't understand why he was here, but knew she'd find out once they got upstairs.
“Fine.” She strolled over to the front desk. “Reservation for Hannah Evans.” When she'd made her reservation, she'd considered putting it under a false name and paying in all cash, but decided it wasn't worth the trouble. If her parents were determined to find her, it wouldn't be all that difficult.
Jerome crowded up against her and looped an arm around her ample waist. He leaned in to whisper, “Did you reserve a single room or a suite, because if it's only one room we need to change it.”
She shook her head. “It's a two bedroom suite.” There hadn't been a concern she'd be sharing a bed with Kevin, and she sure as hell wouldn't be sharing one with Jerome either.
He chuckled as though he'd read her mind. “Good enough.”
Within minutes they were encamped in the luxurious suite. Hannah immediately kicked off her shoes, letting her toes dig into the plush carpeting. The room far exceeded her expectations. Even though she came from wealth and privilege, she'd never been one to flaunt her financial assets, preferring to make do with more humble accommodations like her modest apartment in Boston. Her mother hated the place which was another reason Hannah had chosen it when she'd moved out.
Now she curled up in the corner of the huge sectional sofa with her back snuggled into the cushions, and tucked her bare feet beneath her. If she was going to have a confrontation with Jerome, and everything indicated that was brewing, she might as well be comfortable. Reaching up, she pulled the pins from her hair, letting it tumble across her shoulders, running her hands through it and massaging her scalp. She hated wearing it up, but she'd been at a charity benefit luncheon before she'd managed to slip away to the airport and there hadn't been time to dress comfortably. Give her jeans or stretchy pants and a t-shirt any d
“We may as well get this over with so you'll have plenty of time to fly back to Boston tonight.”
Jerome watched her, the intensity of his gaze like a predator who'd spotted the perfect prey. Too bad she wasn't a meek little mouse willing to be captured and devoured. He didn't know the real Hannah. Most people didn't. They only saw the façade she portrayed as the dutiful daughter, the charming socialite hostess. Physically she'd didn't fit the mold society prescribed as the perfect woman, and she'd long ago reconciled herself to the fact she was curvy and tended to be on the plump side. If people didn't like it, well screw them. She accepted her curves, embraced them as part of who she was, the whole package.
If he was looking for a quiet, timid little woman, he was in for a rude awakening. Things were about to change.
“Sweetheart, I'm not going anywhere tonight except to bed once we've straightened out a few ground rules.” He unbuttoned his suit jacket and slid it off, tossing it onto the back of the sectional before reaching up to loosen his tie and unbutton the first couple of buttons of his shirt. Hannah swallowed and stared at the lines of his throat, and tracked the open V down toward his chest. It looked like he'd been out in the sun recently because his skin glowed with a bronzed sheen that had nothing to do with a tanning bed and everything to do with being exposed to nature.
“Ground rules?”
“Yes. You're going to explain to me exactly what kind of insanity made you think marrying Kevin Pearce was a good idea.” The hint of a smile played along his lips and he sank down onto the cushions, close enough she could feel the heat from his body, but not so close as to intimidate her.
“Not your business.”
“It's more my business than you know, but we'll get to that. Why Pearce?”
Why not Kevin Pearce? He was a good friend, and they had a lot in common. Just because she wasn't in love with him, didn't mean he wouldn't be the ideal husband—and exactly what she needed. Somebody who wouldn't ask questions, wouldn't pry into her affairs, and would let her live her life on her own terms.
She turned away, staring toward the closed drapes across the floor to ceiling windows she knew would hold breathtaking views. This was a topic she had no intention of discussing with him—not now and not ever if she had her way.
“Last time I checked, I was single and definitely over twenty-one. Plus, you're not a member of my family so you really don't have a say in anything I do.” Thank goodness.
He chuckled and the sound slid along her skin, and she felt her insides quiver. Why, why, why did she have to be so attracted to him? She'd been devastated when her mother announced her sister, Cyn, would be marrying Jerome. Felt like her heart was rent in two, because she'd always secretly fantasized they'd be together. From the moment her mother proclaimed their engagement, Hannah decided she'd never let anybody get close enough to hurt her like that ever again.
“I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. The food at the luncheon tasted like cardboard and that was hours ago. If Kevin really isn't going to show, I need to eat.” Maybe if she stuffed him full of food, he'd forget about having this conversation until she had time to form a new plan.
“Great. I'll order room service. Feel free to use the restroom, freshen up a bit, but we're going to have this conversation tonight.”
She ground her teeth and stomped down the short hallway, looking for the bathroom. The man was acting like a Neanderthal. What had gotten into him anyway? She wasn't used to seeing this side of him, and it bothered her a lot—because she kind of liked this edge of dominance.
After splashing cold water on her face, she patted it dry and stared into the mirror. What did he see when he looked at her? Her sister was the pretty one. Gorgeous long blonde hair and big sparkling blue eyes, she was everyone's ideal of sophisticated beauty. Hannah inherited her grandmother's looks, right down to her height and physical build. She had a bosom and hips, generous ones. Barely five foot three, most people towered over her and tended to overlook her. She kept her hair long because it was easier to handle that way, since it was straight as a stick. When she left it down, it resembled a dark brown waterfall, reaching to her waist. Her one claim to prettiness was her eyes, which were the same startling blue as her sister's, surrounded by lush black lashes. Dark brows arched above them, framing the pale color perfectly.
A brief knock on the door startled her out of her contemplation. She hadn't been able to come up with a single idea to throw Jerome off the track, and he'd been acting like a bloodhound on a scent ever since he'd shanghaied her at the airport.
“Dinner will be here in twenty minutes. You might as well come out of hiding.”
She felt every muscle in her spine stiffen at his words. “I am not hiding.” He's such a jerk. “I'll be right out.” Realizing there wasn't any other option except facing him, she flung open the door and stomped past him, back to the living area.
He'd pulled open the drapes while she'd been in the bathroom and she made a beeline straight for the windows. The view was everything she'd imaged and more. A spectacular array of dusky oranges, pale yellows and purples spread out across the skyline as the sun began setting. The lights of Las Vegas illuminated everything along their path as far as the eye could see.
Jerome walked over to stand beside her. “It's gorgeous, isn't it? Every time I'm here I make it a point to get a room with a western exposure, just to see the sunset and the lights mingling together. It's breathtaking.”
Wow, who'd have thought he'd appreciate the little things like a sunset? Mr. Businessman had a soft side? Maybe Jerome had hidden depths she knew nothing about.
“Why Cyn?” The words popped out of her mouth before she could stop them.
He didn't pretend to misunderstand her question. “She fit the requirements I'd decided on for the perfect wife. Her education was impeccable and her sophistication and social savvy suited the demands of a society hostess. Her business acumen needed a little fine tuning, but your mother assured me that she'd assist with polishing those skills. She'd have made the perfect hostess.”
“Did you care about her at all—I mean you were planning to marry her.” She fought hard to keep all emotion from her voice. It wouldn't do to give him a clue about her true feelings.
“Marriage is an extension of business, little bit. You'll get farther in life once you've come to realize that.”
“Maybe I don't want to be considered a business asset. Maybe I want to be cared about for the person I am, and not become the perfect trophy wife for somebody with money or even worse, whose family came over on the Mayflower and has a prestigious name but needs an infusion of cash to keep their lifestyle afloat.” Besides, it had become apparent in the last few months that no matter her wealth or pedigree, it would never be enough.
“You ready to talk?”
“Nope.”
He laughed and took her hand, led her over to the plush sectional and sat. He patted the seat beside him. “I already know part of the story, since I talked to Kevin.”
“Lousy traitor.” She flung herself down and folded her arms across her chest, before slamming her lips shut. If only she had an ice pick handy, she could shove it through his eye. Then he'd stop giving her that condescending glare. “Look, it's not something I'm comfortable talking about but…”
She stopped at the knock on the door. “Saved by the bell.” With a quick move, she sprang up and raced toward the door, and flung it open without checking to see who stood on the other side. Yep, room service. Her stomach growled at the scents wafting up from the covered plates.
“Bring it in.” The food was quickly unloaded and she decided to eat in the bar area, with its granite countertop and comfy barstools. Let Jerome sign the room service slip, she was starving. Yanking off one of the lids, she practically drooled. The baked ziti with a meat marinara sauce was coated with parmesan and melty mozzarella cheeses and accompanied by steaming hot garlic bread. How had he known she was a sucker for Italian food? Since her nonna had been Italian, she'd grown up indulging in her grandmother's home-cooked meals whenever she spent time at Nonna's house.
“Thanks.” She didn't wait for him to uncover his plate, but dug right in, closing her eyes in bliss when the garlic, herbs, and tomato flavors burst on her tongue. She moaned and closed her eyes, intent on savoring each bite.
