Sin City Lights (Sin City #1)

Chapter 7 #2

**

The sea breeze caressing her face, Eve sat on a tan cushioned bench at the back of the boat, sipping a tangy margarita, watching Adam work his line. He pulled it tight, then gave it slack again, and he’d been doing that for nearly half an hour. At one point, he’d swiftly divested himself of his shirt, and her eyes feasted on his sculpted upper body. She had seen more male bodies than she cared to recall, many equally fit, but it was the way he moved, she realized, that set him apart from all the others.

Beside her, Connie also held a margarita glass and looked, but she only had eyes for her new husband. Eve watched her drag her tongue over her lips as Jim bent down to retrieve a long pole with a hook on the end.

“So, how did you meet Adam?”

Connie asked, eyes trained on Jim’s backside.

Eve almost choked on her margarita. “I ran into him at a club.”

Well, timeline aside, that was true.

“He seems to like you. It’s good to see him finally with somebody.”

“Oh?”

Eve prompted, hoping for more.

“Adam hasn’t dated anyone in years. Not that Jim and I haven’t tried to set him up. He was polite and met with them, but it was always one-and-done. Jim and I were getting worried that he’d work himself to death. It’s all he did. I’m glad he finally found someone.”

Eve didn’t attempt to correct her; this wasn’t the first time she’d been mistaken for a client’s girlfriend. She followed Connie’s gaze, watching Jim laugh at something Adam had said.

“How long have you two been married?”

Connie looked at her husband adoringly. “Four weeks and two days. Would you believe we literally met on the mats at our MMA gym? I swear, when I first saw him on the mats, I knew he was for me, and then he asked me to grapple with him. I was so nervous because I’d never grappled before.”

Beaming, she recounted how Jim had proposed, on Valentine’s Day at sunset, on top of a mountain they had just finished climbing. “This was his great-grandmother’s ring.”

She lifted her hand to show off a slim, rose-gold band with five tiny sparkling diamonds set to resemble a flower. “If every woman found a man like Jim, this world would be a happy place.”

She fully turned to Eve and made intense eye contact. “Hold on to Adam, Eve, he’s one of the good ones. Besides, with those names, how can this not be a perfect match?”

Eve didn’t know what to say.

She was saved by Adam.

“Eve!”

“Yes?”

He motioned for her to come to him. She surged to her feet, gave Connie a smile, and quickly handed her the margarita. She navigated the swaying deck and came to stand beside Adam.

His blue eyes sparkled. “You want to help me land this fish?”

“Sure. What do I need to do?”

“Come stand in front of me.”

He raised his hands, and she slipped underneath, feeling his hard body settle against her as he lowered his arms to ensconce her in them. Immediately, she regretted and thrilled in it at the same time.

His skin was hot, and with him being shirtless, she felt every inch of him against her back. Déjà vu to the hundredth power. Every nerve ending from her chest to her knees started to fire.

He bent to speak directly in her ear. “Grab the pole above the reel with your left hand. I’ll hold the bottom.”

His mouth brushed her cheek, sending myriad shivers down her neck. She swallowed.

The boat swayed, and she leaned harder into him.

His pecs contracted. “Reel with your right.”

Oh God. His tone, his heat, and his proximity all brought to mind that night in his hotel suite. Struggling to breathe despite the fresh sea air, she did as he instructed, feeling his strong, muscled arms over her own, guiding her movements.

“That’s it.”

His voice was low. “Good. Now, drop the tip of the rod a couple of feet.”

She lowered the rod, her hands shaking. Whether it was because of the taut line or his taut frame, she couldn’t tell.

Her entire body began to hum as she soaked up his energy. This wasn’t deep-sea fishing; this was an exercise in scorching sensuality. Somehow, she resisted the overwhelming urge to grind into him.

The same couldn’t be said of Adam. Every time the boat dipped, she could feel him thrust against her backside.

Another boat raced by, creating waves that sent the Boarding Pass rocking. It wasn’t the only thing it caused. Swiftly, Adam became every bit as aroused as she was.

Eve’s eyes widened.

Adam bent to speak directly in her ear. “Ignore it.”

Yeah, right.

His warm lips brushed her earlobe. “Now, stop reeling and lift the tip to almost vertical.”

She did her best to concentrate on reeling in the fish. He made it challenging, but somehow, she managed. It was a lot of work, she realized as they repeated the process over and over again, with him rock-hard, shifting against her back.

At last, with a lot of muscle from Adam, the fish drew right close to the boat, and she could see it through the water. Adam’s arm muscles corded beautifully. Hers were shaking, along with the rest of her.

Jim’s feet pounded on the deck as he moved closer. “All right, guys, we’ve got some color here!”

He leaned over the side, hook at the ready. “Oh, yeah, that’s a good fish. Look at that fish! Man!”

He whooped. “Look at the thing ripping it up!”

The fish thrashed at the end of the line, and Eve could feel the power of Adam’s arms as he struggled to land it.

“It’s showtime,”

he said directly in her ear.

The words sent an electric pulse straight between her thighs. Her fingers tightened on the rod.

“Ready?” he asked.

Eve swallowed hard and nodded.

“Pull!”

Grunting through clenched teeth, Adam helped her give one final, mighty tug, and Jim bent over the side with his hook. The next second, an enormous tuna came up over the side and slid in, yellow tail and fins flapping, flopping around the floorboards and making Eve squeal.

“Got it in! Nice fish, man! Well done!”

Jim’s grin was huge. He took the rod from Adam, then turned to Connie, who blew him kisses. “Get ready to take a pic, babe!”

Eve felt the slow slide of Adam’s arms, tightening right under her breasts. He made no move to release her. She knew she should want him to, but, truth be told, she didn’t. What she wanted was to reach back and grip him. Never in her life had she known such primal urges.

“Nice work,”

he said against her hair. “Did you enjoy it?”

“Did you?”

She turned her head, inhaling deeply of his scent, mixed with clean sweat and salt air.

He nodded. “Very much.”

At last, Adam released her.

For the entire ride back to shore, Eve’s body hummed with adrenaline, and not only because she’d helped land such a large fish.

**

Eve finished buckling the metallic pewter strappy sandals and stood, smoothing her hands along her hips and smiling at her reflection in the full-length mirror.

She loved the heels. She also loved the flowy, silver midi dress. Strapless and with a pleated skirt, it glittered and swished deliciously around her legs. A chunky bracelet, dangling earrings, and a little satin clutch completed the ensemble.

She applied makeup carefully, using even less than usual. At the beach, she liked to keep a fresh-faced look.

She went to look for Adam and found his door wide open. Eve paused in the entryway to see him emerging from the bathroom, his palm smoothing over his freshly shaven jaw. The scent told her he’d just finished applying aftershave.

He wore a tailored long-sleeved white shirt with pearled buttons, dark gray trousers, and dress shoes. A tiny airplane pin gleamed on his silver tie. His still-damp hair, combed smartly to the side, looked so perfect that she wanted to shove her fingers in it and tug, to mess it up a little.

His blue eyes took her in. “You look beautiful.”

So do you.

“Thank you.”

Her gaze flicked to the bed, where rumpled sheets and dented pillows evidenced his nap after their fishing trip. She quickly looked away but not soon enough.

A knowing smile spread on his face, but he made no comment. “Ready when you are.”

His voice was deep.

She had a vision of straddling him on that bed, grabbing that tie and slowly sliding it off his neck, then licking—

“Eve.”

She looked at him.

His eyes bore into her. “Still want to go to dinner?”

No.

“Yes…yes, of course.”

He strode to her side and gallantly offered her his arm. She took it, summoning all her will to walk with him out of that bedroom.

**

The Veranda was spectacular at sunset, open to the Caribbean, with the breeze keeping the diners comfortable. Eve admired the vintage décor that had an air of Bohemian chic.

Every dish had been outstanding. So was the company.

Adam was as easy to be with as he was easy on the eyes, she discovered. Relaxed and comfortable with her tonight, he smiled often, laughed at her jokes, and conversed freely, but always, always there was that intense undercurrent that kept her nerves on edge and butterflies flitting in her core.

The more she chatted with him, the more she realized his entire life had been the opposite of hers. She listened to his stories about his large, close family; of holidays and trips; and hilarious tales about his brothers and his sister pulling outrageous pranks, most of them on him. She wondered if he had ever seen hardship in his life. She hoped he hadn’t. She’d had enough for the both of them.

“Mango mousse for my lady and Aquavit for the gentleman.”

The waiter set the dessert in front of Eve and served Adam a chilled shot glass. “I brought an extra spoon in case you’d like to share.”

Adam motioned for the waiter to come closer. The man bent to listen to the request, nodding with a little bow. “I’ll see what I can do, sir.”

Eve spooned some of the bright orange mousse. “What was that about?”

Adam casually sipped his drink. “I asked for something from the bar.”

Hmm. The way he’d said it made her wonder what he was up to, but she decided the mango mousse was more important at the moment.

“This is evil,”

she declared. “Try some?”

He shook his head, watching her lips close around another spoonful. “No, thanks. I’m good with this.”

He took a sip of Aquavit, a smile touching his lips.

The waiter returned with a miniature bowl. “As requested, sir.”

With a flourish, he placed it on the table.

In it was a single maraschino cherry with the stem.

Well, then. Eve’s lips twitched. “I only have one try? I could have used a backup in case the first one breaks.”

“Do it.”

Blue eyes intense, Adam motioned with his chin.

Her gaze locked on his, she picked up the cherry, letting it dangle from her red fingernails for a second. Slowly, she slipped the fruit between her lips, sucked it into her mouth, and chewed.

Adam’s pupils dilated. His gaze was trained on her mouth, the Aquavit forgotten on the table between his hands.

She swallowed, held the stem between her thumb and index finger to show him, and then, easing out her tongue, she placed the stem right in the middle.

Adam groaned softly. His flattened palms pressed harder on the table.

A wicked smile curved Eve’s lips. Keeping her mouth closed, she began biting down gently on the stem to soften it, then pushed down the middle of it with her tongue so it bent into a U. She knew that all Adam could see from his vantage point was her jaw working side to side and her puckered lips, but Eve could tell that she was getting to him.

Oh, was she ever.

She took her time positioning it just right. At last, she pulled the perfectly knotted little stem out from between her teeth.

His eyes widened. She took his hand, turned it over, and placed the knot in his palm.

He stared at her, lips parted, then clenched his fist around it.

Adam

He had been forced to stay and order coffee just so he could walk out of the restaurant.

Adam watched the streetlights swiftly slide by as the taxi returned to the Ritz. Beside him, Eve sat gracefully, legs slanted to the side, her thigh inches from his own.

The temptress from the Bible had nothing on this woman. No, this Eve used a cherry to drive a man out of his mind.

Definitely not what he’d signed up for when he’d invited her here for the weekend. He’d meant to have her so he could get the obsession over with already. He had been sure she would eventually give in. There had been a couple of times when he could have easily taken what he wanted since all the signals she was sending told him she would let him.

What stopped him was that he liked her. The way she smiled, not only with her mouth but with her entire pretty face. The way she was genuinely interested in him, in what he had to say. There wasn’t an ounce of artifice in this woman. He’d seen enough fakeness to easily tell the difference.

This thing with her was quickly evolving into something he would rather not analyze. It was too complicated to figure out, and even though these feelings bothered the hell out of him, he shoved them aside because he enjoyed being with her.

Tomorrow, it would be over, and they’d be back in Vegas. He had a ton of work to catch up on, and she…

He gritted his teeth. The thought of her going back to work made him want to punch something. In all the years he’d hired escorts, he’d never once thought about, nor cared, what they did after they left his bedroom.

The uniformed doorman pulled open their taxi door. “Good evening. Welcome back to the Ritz.”

Adam paid and thanked the driver. They exited the taxi and strolled through the hotel entrance.

He checked his Breguet. Nine p.m. He knew falling asleep this early would be an impossibility. And it would be torture to lie awake in his room another night, with her only a few feet away.

“How about a last walk on the beach?”

She gave him a sweet smile. “I’d like that.”

He offered his hand, and she took it without hesitation. He wanted to haul her against him and kiss the living daylights out of her, but all he did was give her fingers a squeeze as they made their way through the lobby to the French doors at the back.

He led her out onto the stone pathway. Tonight was warmer, the salty, humid breezes making that silver skirt of hers flutter around her legs. The sandals she wore were mere straps with little buckles, allowing him a full view of her small feet with tiny, red-painted toes. He wanted to take them in his hands. He had never been into feet, but hers were making him think of doing things that, before, he’d found off-putting.

Those sandals also had really high heels, tipping her feet at an angle that showcased her shapely calves.

He thought of buying her a pair in every color.

They passed the pool, the scent of chlorine hanging heavy in the air. The area was mostly empty, but at least one couple occupied chaise lounges, openly making out in the glow of the pool lights. One woman was halfway on top of her man, grinding, his hands grabbing at her hips. He thought he heard a little moan.

Eve squeezed his hand once, hard. He grinned. Ah. She’d heard it too.

“Get a room,”

she muttered.

He burst into a startled laugh.

Eve smiled up at him, her face angelic in the moonlight. She didn’t speak, and he was rather glad she didn’t.

Music pulsed somewhere nearby, and he recognized the tune as “I Gotta Feeling”

by the Black Eyed Peas.

Indeed, it was a good night.

He didn’t want it to end.

They moved past the pool area, and someone turned up the music, now blaring so loudly that his eardrums throbbed.

They came upon a gathering of well-dressed people standing together, talking loudly over the music, palpable excitement all around them.

The music stopped.

The conversations quieted to murmurs.

A drumroll sounded.

“And now, for the moment we have all been waiting for,”

a booming voice announced, “everyone, please put your hands together as we now say congratulations …to the new…Mr. and Mrs. McDonnell!”

Bright floodlights came on. Applause and cheers erupted, and the Black Eyed Peas blared again as a young couple emerged out of the shadows and into a spotlight, she short, he tall. She pranced beside him in a tight white dress, waving a bouquet over her head in rhythm to the pulsing music.

They’d walked smack into a wedding reception.

Shit.

Eve froze in her tracks, released his hand, and moved as if to turn around, but Adam gripped her shoulder, keeping her firmly in place. Everyone had seen them, and he didn’t want to appear rude.

The couple headed for the middle, swiftly encircled by the crowd, the bride’s hips gyrating. The groom was a good dancer, Adam noted, and they looked great together. The spectators clapped in rhythm. The bride lifted her skirt a bit and twirled, her moves fluid, and her man confidently kept right up with her.

Adam looked down, more interested in Eve’s reaction to all of this. Immediately, he understood why those little evening purses were called clutches because that was precisely what she was doing with her hands. Fingertips clenching and unclenching over the fabric, she watched the bride and groom execute some pretty complicated moves. It was obvious they’d taken dance lessons.

He knew she sensed him looking at her, but she kept her eyes trained on them, refusing to look up.

“Looks as if they’ve been practicing.”

He couldn’t think of anything else to say.

At last, she tipped her head back, her eyes wide and dark in the moonlight, and what he saw made his chest constrict.

Because in those big brown eyes, he read such sadness, it nearly made him come undone.

**

Eve

She couldn’t sleep.

The Black Eyed Peas kept playing in her head on endless loop.

It had been a good night, all right, until she had been smacked in the face with what she could never have.

And as if watching the joyous bride and groom dancing hadn’t been bad enough, the nasty parent tape had started playing in her head.

Look at you. You’re ruined! Do you think anyone will ever want you now? No one. No man will ever marry you.

Eve covered her face with her hands.

She’d tried to burn that vicious tape so many times, managing to keep it at bay, only for it to flare up and torch her when she least expected it.

This was your fault. Whore.

The sound of her mother’s disgusted voice had been as clear as if she’d been standing right beside her. Only, beside her had stood none other than the man who would never see her as anything but exactly that.

She needed to clear her mind and get something to drink.

Sitting up, she slid her feet into the soft terry hotel slippers, then padded to the kitchen area.

She bumped into one of the tall bar chairs. “Ow,”

she gritted through clenched teeth.

She opened the refrigerator. Red Bull, Pepsi, Heineken. Behind those, she spotted a few small cartons of milk. Oh, good. She liked it warm, but cold would have to do. She wasn’t making noise and waking up Adam.

She found a mug, quietly filled it, and started heading for her room, then changed her mind. Perhaps some ocean air would help her frazzled nerves.

Eve headed to the balcony door, slid it open, and stepped out. The moon was full tonight, and she felt as if she had walked right into that magical canvas she’d seen hanging in the hallway. It was eerie. She’d felt it in her soul. And now, she was looking at the real thing.

She hadn’t meant to say out loud that the painting reminded her of him. Adam had asked her how, and she couldn’t explain right then. She thought about it now. He was like that dark water, the serene exterior hiding a fathomless depth. Yet, like the surf, it had movement. You knew he was analyzing, assessing, calculating under that quiet, calm exterior.

What did he think of her? Why did she care?

The waves came one after another, rolling, soothing her ears. She took another sip of milk. Tomorrow, they would be heading home, back to life in Las Vegas, the most unreal place you could possibly experience reality.

“Hello.”

She jumped.

“I’m sorry, the balcony door was open. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Adam was right behind her. All she’d have to do was lean back, and she’d be pressed against him again.

“What are you drinking?”

She turned to face him. “Milk.”

“Milk,”

he repeated flatly.

Everything inside her warmed at the sight of him.

She looked him up and down, taking in his tall frame, dressed in gray sweatpants and a white T-shirt that showcased his muscular biceps and chest. “It’s my go-to when I can’t sleep. I usually warm it up but didn’t want to wake you with the microwave.”

He gave her a bemused smile. “Well, I’m awake. Let’s get another mug for me and warm up both.”

Her heart skipped a beat. He wanted to spend more time with her.

Eve returned to the kitchen area, found a second mug, poured some milk for him, then put both in the microwave.

“Where would you like to sit, inside or outside?”

He accepted the hot drink.

“Outside. You don’t get to hear the ocean, living in Vegas.”

There were two patio chairs on the balcony, plus one cushioned lounge chair, big enough for two. Grabbing a blanket off one of the chairs, Adam settled himself in the chaise, stretched out his long legs, and patted the space beside him.

It seemed only natural to accept his invitation and lounge next to him. He draped the blanket over the both of them.

For a while, they sat there sipping warm milk and listening to the ocean.

She marveled at his solid strength. For such an intense man, he was capable of being a calming presence, soothing her so completely.

He set down his empty mug and draped his arm around her, pulling her close. She rested her head on his shoulder. It felt good.

“Shall we do the last installment of the twenty questions?”

he murmured against her hair.

She inhaled the calming scent of his cologne. “I forgot whose turn it was.”

“Me too. You go ahead.”

“OK.”

She pondered for a moment. “You said you were born in Alaska. Did you grow up there too?”

“Yes. Lived there until it was time to go to college. My dad had a small airline transport business. Float and bush planes. We flew supplies to people who lived in remote areas and who didn’t have access to resources any other way. Also took up tourists who wanted to hunt.”

“Did you fly, back then?”

“Oh, yes. I was behind the yoke at thirteen.”

She felt his smile. “My dad would take me up with him and get me on the controls. I guess the bug stuck.”

“What did you do after college?”

She’d tried to search online, but it was almost as if he didn’t exist, aside from his company website and a few business magazine articles. Not even a LinkedIn page. She’d seen this before with some clients who’d hired companies to scrub as much information as possible about them off the internet.

“I worked as a flight instructor until I could get in the right seat at the airlines. Then, I hit pay dirt with an app I developed with a college buddy. We sold that and opened LarsAir with two planes. Both used, but they were ours.”

He shook his head. “Those were some interesting times, to say the least.”

And now here he was, owner of a billion-dollar company, preparing to launch the first supersonic passenger jet since 2003.

“Your classmate owns part of the business?”

“Yeah. You know him.”

His arm tightened around her. “Devon.”

“Oh!”

She’d had no idea. Devon had never mentioned it.

“Yeah, not many people know. He wants to stay low-key, fly, and just be one of the guys. Wants nothing to do with daily operations.”

Wow. Full of secrets and surprises, these men.

“You didn’t grow up in Vegas,” he said.

The subject of Devon was closed, she sensed. “Is that a question?”

“It’s an assumption, but yes, I’d like to know where you grew up.”

“Port Canaveral.”

“Ah. The Sunshine State. I should have figured since you’re a Gator.”

“It was an atypical childhood, I guess. My mother worked on cruise ships, as you already know, and she wasn’t home most of the year. I had a lot of freedom. Now that I think of it, I could have gotten into serious trouble.”

“Ah, but you were a good little girl.”

He had no idea how right he was. As a child, she never broke the rules and spent her time daydreaming about someone big and strong charging in on a white steed to take her away from all the misery.

“I was. When I was little, I lived with my grandmother. After she died, it was friends and acquaintances in rotation. Home was everywhere and nowhere, so to speak.”

“And your father?”

“He wasn’t in the picture.”

She didn’t tell him that her mother had no idea which of the many men she’d slept with on the cruise ship was her father. Thank goodness Adam didn’t pursue this line of questioning.

“How big is your family?”

she asked.

“Too big. Takes me two weeks to get over Thanksgiving.”

She laughed.

“It’s true. There are six of us in my family alone, then there are aunts, uncles, and cousins, one grandparent who is still alive, and I’ve lost count of all the little kids. By the end of the weekend, I end up desperate for some peace and quiet.”

“That sounds like my childhood dream. Are your parents still in Alaska?”

“No. Dad sold the business and moved us to North Dakota right about the time I went to college.”

“No Florida for you, huh?”

“My sister loved Florida. Still does. She followed a boyfriend who wanted to go to UF. Didn’t work out, but she fell in love with the weather instead. She still lives there, near Orlando. Most of us heeded our Nordic genes and stayed where we get lower temperatures.”

“And you’re in Vegas?”

“Come on.”

He smiled against her hair. “You know that desert nights get cold.”

“Have you ever been to Scandinavia?”

“Are you asking all the questions now?”

“Oops.”

He chuckled. She felt the vibrations, and something tugged deep in her belly.

“It’s OK. Yes, I have. My grandmother still lives in Norway, and every year, the whole family is obligated to make the trek to see her, or else there’s hell to pay.”

“I’ve been to many places but never to Scandinavia.”

“It’s different. And really cold. I like to visit but not for longer than I have to.”

Eve closed her eyes, listening to his steady heartbeat beneath her cheek and the lulling sound of the ocean somewhere below. His size and hard muscles made her feel protected, and his mere presence made her feel…best not to go there.

The time had come to end this conversation. She was loath to leave the warm shelter of his arms but had no choice.

“Well…”

She started to thank him for the weekend but then remembered he had paid to have her here with him. Somehow, he’d even managed to make her forget that truth.

To make her forget what she was.

He was so close. She could barely sense a trace of his cologne because most of it had blown away in the island breeze, and now the scent of his warm skin overpowered it.

Eve slightly turned her head, lips parting, and inhaled deeply. One more inch, and she’d be brushing her lips along the corner of his mouth. Her breath caught in her chest, holding his scent there, and she wanted to taste him again so badly, she ached with it.

She exhaled slowly. “This weekend was fun.”

He nodded. “Thank you for coming with me.”

As if on its own, her hand smoothed over his chest. “I guess we should both get some sleep.”

His heartbeat pounded hard beneath her fingertips. Everything she had ever learned about men told her he was on edge.

He had agreed to her terms, yet he could so easily pick her up and carry her off to his bed.

There was nothing to stop him.

But something obviously did.

Gently but firmly, he removed her hand and stood. “Yeah. I have a plane to fly in the morning.”

He raised his arms in a stretch, then reached to help her up.

“Wheels up at eight tomorrow. We leave from here at seven.”

He made a move to go, then hesitated.

Don’t go.

“Sleep well, Eve.”