I hate that it comes off that way. I love Hank like a dad. In many ways, he’s been more of a dad than my own all these years.
“That’s interesting.”
I laugh. “Yeah, that’s a word for it.” I sip my drink. “So where are you from if you don’t live in Las Vegas?”
“Florida. Well, my mom lives there now, but I grew up in Indiana. We never go back there though. Once I got my first check, I moved us both to Florida. She lives there full time and I go see her as often as I can.”
Great. He’s a momma’s boy. “That’s nice.”
“So I was used to the cold when I was younger, but not so much anymore.”
“Good thing our three months together are during our spring to summer season then.”
He laughs. “True. So you think you’re a Sunrise Bay lifer?”
“Yeah. As much as I complain about my family, I can’t imagine not living near them. Like I said, we’re twisted.”
“I’m kind of jealous. When I grew up, it was just me and my mom.”
I have a feeling I could ask him any question I wanted and he’d be honest with me.
“Big families are great, don’t get me wrong, but take this for example.” I wave my finger between us. “They’re in our business the entire time. Even now, I’m getting texts about you renting the Linville house.”
“Well, I had to have somewhere to live, and my team needs a place to stay, so the guest quarters are what sold me.”
I turn to face him and cross my legs. His eyes dip to follow the movement and my stomach swirls with butterflies. I can see why my drunken side married him.
“How did you score it? I mean, tourist season started today and I’m sure they had it rented out.”
He shrugs.
“Tell me.”
“I offered them a lot of money.”
“And the poor people who had their vacation planned already?”
“I’m putting them up at Glacier Point Resort in Lake Starlight. I heard it’s nice.”
I huff. Glacier Point Resort is the fancy hotel in our parts. I’m surprised he’s not just staying there. “That’s nice of you.”
“I wasn’t going to ruin someone’s vacation. Luckily they all agreed.” His finger runs along the stitching of the seat. “It’s weird for me sometimes.”
“What is?”
“Growing up, I was dirt poor. My mom worked three jobs and I never had new clothes until I got my own job. To be able to rent that place and move my entire staff up to Sunrise Bay for three months?” He shakes his head. “Sometimes I think it’s a dream.”
There he goes again with this vulnerable side that tugs at my heart. I haven’t done a ton of research on Logan because I haven’t had time. Which is probably a good thing. I’d be disappointed to find out that the Logan I’m getting isn’t the real one.
“It isn’t.” I look around the private plane. “Amazing what just using your fists can get you.”
He tilts his head. “You think I’m just a dumb guy who makes millions by fighting people?”
I shake my head. “I’m not sure what I think at this point.”
And that’s the truth. I’ll never lie to someone to make them feel better, but so far, I still wonder what really happened on that balcony for me to agree to marry him.
“One last thing,” he says and digs into his pocket.
“What?”
“You should probably wear this.” He holds out the diamond ring I left in the hotel room. It looks so expensive, I’m scared to be responsible for it.
I glance at the flight attendant situated in the back, reading a magazine.
“I’ll return it after this is over.” I slide it on my left ring finger. The ring is stunning. Drunk me certainly knows what I like and isn’t afraid to ask for it.
“No rush.” He straightens up and drinks his water.
I hope I have the strength to get through this without falling for this man, because I get the distinct feeling he could break my heart if I let him.
Chapter Eight
“I could show you how much I like it, but we’d be arrested for public indecency.”
Logan
We’re in a black SUV on the way to the interview Vince set up. I agreed that we’d talk to one person and the news can spread from there. I picked the man I trust the most, Rick Dean. He’s always been truthful when it comes to me, and I trust he won’t try to dig up anything I don’t tell him.
“Have you been to Vegas before?” I stupidly ask Nikki as she stares out the window.
She smiles at me with an expression that says, “Think about what you just asked.”
“I mean other than your trip with Molly.”
She shakes her head. “No, and we didn’t really get to do that much either.”
“Well, if you want, we could stay the night and see some sights. I can get us into a show.”
“Me, you, and this town only seem to cause trouble. Maybe we should fly out right away.” She’s been smiling more since we got on the plane. It’s a welcome change from all the scowls I got yesterday.
“Vegas has a lot to offer. I’d love to show you around.” I find myself searching for excuses as to why we could spend a little more alone time here.
“Let’s play it by ear. One thing I know I don’t want to do is gamble.”
I laugh because other than when I first arrived in town all those years ago, you’d never find me at the tables. “Deal.”
The SUV pulls along the curb of the casino where Vince booked a room to conduct the interview. Of course, Vince is waiting outside, pacing.
I lean across her and point at him. “That’s Vince.”
“He looks intense. He’s your manager?” She turns to ask me, and our faces end up mere inches from one another’s.
What I wouldn’t do to kiss her again.
“Yeah, and intense is a good way to describe him.”
The driver opens the door and Vince rushes over. “Thank God, what on Earth took so long? Rick is already here.”
Nikki steps out, then I do, but I grab her hand and pull her into the casino before anyone on the street can spot us. Vince walks us right to the elevators and we slide in as someone points and says my name.
I like it a lot better when we use back entrances. The fact that Vince didn’t arrange one says he wants people to get a glimpse of my new bride. He’s always using some leverage to get me in the media
“Nikki, this is Vince. Vince, this is Nikki.”
She takes her hand out of mine to shake Vince’s hand and I catch him looking her up and down. Nikki slides closer to me as though she’s creeped out.
“Nice to meet the woman who pinned down Logan,” he says with distaste in his voice.
“Cool it, Vince,” I say.
Now Nikki’s shoulder is pressed to mine. I entwine our fingers to put her at ease. To my delight, she doesn’t pull away. I guess we have the excuse of making Vince believe this thing between us is real, but I still feel good that her automatic response wasn’t repulsion.