Thankfully, my case only takes a few minutes, so before we know it, we’re heading out towards the awaiting taxis so we can head to the hotel to find the two people who instigated this whole palaver.
“Go and grab a cab, I just need to shoot to the little boys’ room,” Carter says once the exit is in sight.
“Fine,” I mutter as he veers off to the right.
When I get out in the fresh air, there’s a line of taxis all waiting for passengers. I walk straight up to the first one and, without thinking twice, I give him the hotel name Biff included in her message and jump inside.
“I’m sorry, do you mind being as quick as possible? I’m in a bit of a rush.”
“Of course, ma’am. We’ll have you there in a flash.”
“Thank you.” I sit back and look out of the window. Just as the car pulls away from the curb, I spot Carter walking out of the terminal and looking around for me. His brows draw together in confusion before he finds me. Our eyes lock. Mine probably sparkle in amusement while his harden in frustration. His head shakes slowly from side to side, but I don’t miss the smile that twitches at his lips.
Game on, baby. Game on.
I’m first to the hotel, no surprise there. After thanking the driver and giving him a generous tip for doing as I requested, I hop out and head inside. The second I push the door open, I spot her.
I just about have time to drop my bags before Biff collides with me.
“You’re here. You’re here.” She squeezes me tightly, her excitement palpable despite my exhaustion.
“Not sure I had a lot of choice,” I say with a laugh into her hair.
She pulls back and looks at me with a wince. “Yeah, sorry about that. It’s all a bit crazy.”
“You’re telling me.”
“Talking about crazy, where’s your travel buddy?”
“Ha, funny story. So… I killed him.”
“Joke away, but I should warn you, I’ve got our whole afternoon planned and it won’t end until you tell me everything. And I mean everything.”
Groaning, I allow her to pick up some of my bags and lead me across the reception towards a lift.
“Don’t I need to check in?”
“Zach’s got you covered. You’re mine this afternoon.”
“Why do I get the impression that it’s not going to be as fun as it sounds?”
“I guess that all depends on how easy you give up the information I need.”
“You’ve got some making up to do to me, first.”
“Why? We just got you here first class, what could possibly have gone wrong?”
“You’ve no idea.” With yet another roll of my eyes, I step into the lift beside her and we descend towards what seems to be the spa a few floors down. I can’t really complain about that after the day I’ve had.
9
Carter
I shouldn’t have been surprised to see Danni disappear off in a cab without me. She’s made it clear since the moment I found her in the lounge that she didn’t want me here. I probably should have been angry that she’d abandon me quite so easily. Part of me was, but a bigger part of me was excited. She was playing a game, but she didn’t know me well enough yet to know that I never lose. All she just did was up the challenge. If I wasn’t already sure that this trip wouldn’t end until I was inside her, then I was fully confident now. She wants to run, to avoid this thing between us… well, I intend on reminding her every chance I get.
By the time I turn to grab my own cab, all the ones that seemed to be empty and waiting when I first walked out to find her have vanished and I have to wait in line for another.
I must be a good thirty minutes behind Danni by the time I arrive at the hotel.
“Took your time, didn’t you? Dan was here ages ago.”
“Don’t remind me,” I murmur as he pulls me in for a hug.
“How you doing, man? Feels like it’s been forever.”
“It’s not even been two weeks. I’m surprised you noticed while having full time access to Biff.”
“She lets me out of bed every now and then.” The smug as shit smile that graces his face makes my fingers twitch into fists to wipe it off. It seems he’s getting more than necessary while I’m being cock blocked by the woman who should be enjoying it.
“Speaking of, where is the little lady?”
“Taken Danni to the spa for the afternoon to get ready.”
“So I guessed correctly then. You putting a ring on it, man?”
“Too fucking right. I’m not letting that one go. Here,” he says, handing me a key card. “For your suite.”
“Suite? Fucking hell, you’re really pushing the boat out.”
“Stop complaining or I’ll keep the bottle of Patron that’s sitting up there for myself.”
“Most definitely not complaining. The others are going to be pissed, though.”
“They’ll get over it. If we’re doing this, then it’s going to be our way.”
“Wouldn’t expect anything else.”
I follow him to the lift before he hits the button for a floor that must almost be in the clouds. I knew Las Vegas was bigger than life itself, but nothing could have prepared me for the sights of the strip as we drove here, or for the lavish hotel that we’re currently making our way through.
Zach taps a key card to a little box before pushing the door open.
“Holy fucking shit.” My chin drops in shock as I take in the view of the lights down the strip. “I’m not even going to pretend to have a clue as to how much this cost you.”
“Probably best you don’t. Just enjoy it. I plan on only doing this once in my lifetime, so I might as well make the most of it.”
I locate the bedroom once I’m able to rip my eyes away from the view. It’s still light out yet it’s breath-taking; I can only imagine what it’ll be like once night comes with all the neon lights illuminating the sky.
“I need to shower,” I shout through to Zach.
“Whatever. Just know that I’m starting without you.”
“No fucking chance.” Walking out of the room once I’ve dropped my shirt to the floor, I swipe up the bottle that’s sitting in the middle of the coffee table before sloshing a generous measure into the glass waiting for me. “To irrational decisions and shotgun weddings,” I say, lifting my drink to tap to his.
“Fuck, that’s some good shit,” Zach groans, looking at his now empty glass like it holds the answers to all the world’s problems.
“Don’t drink it all before I get back. I need some more of that after the day I’ve had.”
Zach eyes me suspiciously but allows me to retreat instead of grilling me on why my day with his sister was so draining.
Stripping out of the rest of my clothes, I push through the door in the bedroom to find the biggest bathroom I’ve ever seen, let alone been in. It takes me a few seconds to figure out how to put the shower on, but once I do, water shoots from every direction imaginable.
“Whoa,” I mutter, standing in the torrent of water. The electric shower that constantly cuts out on us at home is going to be a shock to the system after this, that’s for sure.