Chapter Twenty-Five
Carefree Fun
Juliet
F OR ALL ITS vices and sins, Vegas really was beautiful.
The larger-than-life quality of the Strip reminded me of Times Square in NYC.
Like most resident New Yorkers, we rarely went to Times Square or any of the sights that were deemed touristy.
But my grandparents had taken me to ride the Ferris wheel inside the former Toys R’ Us once, and I’d been amazed at the grandeur of it all.
Bright lights, huge buildings, and more people than seemed possible were a fitting description of the Strip and Times Square.
As Maximo stopped at a red light on Las Vegas Boulevard, I watched the people on the overhead walkways. Some posed for pictures, others hurried from one casino to another.
As I watched out my window, the pang of envy hit me, but it was far less than usual.
Instead, my sour mood was because our weekend was over.
I’d hoped we’d spend Sunday at Moonlight, but we hadn’t even stayed for breakfast. Instead, I’d come out after getting ready to find my bag packed and Maximo waiting with a bagel and to-go coffee.
I was sure he had a lot of work to do, but it still sucked it was over.
Lost in thought, I didn’t think anything of us turning until the car stopped. A valet was there in an instant, opening my door.
My brows lowered as I looked at Maximo, but all I saw was his back as he got out.
“Ma’am,” the valet prodded when I didn’t move.
Confused, I climbed out and muttered, “Thanks.”
Maximo opened the trunk and pulled out two small travel bags. A different uniformed worker took them and hurried inside, not even asking where they needed to go.
Once Maximo was next to me, I didn’t take my eyes from the towering glass building. “Where are we?”
“Cosmopolitan.”
“Why?”
“I took today and tomorrow off. I thought we’d stay here for the night.”
My wide eyes shot to him. “What? Why?”
Reaching out to twist the end of my ponytail around his hand, he yanked me against him. “For fun.”
My insides turned to melty mush and my heart squeezed.
He was so damn thoughtful.
Like my veins were filled with champagne, excitement bubbled, leaving me light and happy. “What are we going to do?”
“Anything you want.”
That is not helpful.
Correctly reading my thoughts, Maximo tugged my ponytail so my neck was craned back. “As long as I’m spending the day with you and the night ends with you riding my face, I don’t give a damn what we do.”
There were people around.
People close enough to hear his obscenely sweet words.
But I didn’t care.
I didn’t care about anything but the heat in his tender gaze, our impending day together, and ending the night riding his face.
Beyond that, it was carefree fun.
He released my ponytail. “Let’s go to the room first.”
Going into the beautiful building, I was stunned by its stylish ornateness. Massive crystal chandeliers draped over a bar and lounge area. People posed for pictures in front of them and a giant high heel.
Maximo and I walked through the lobby to where a concierge waited.
“Mr. Black.” The man smiled, warm and professional, outstretching his hand to shake Maximo’s and then mine. “We’re thrilled to have you and your guest stay with us this evening. Would you care for a tour or may I show you to your room?”
“We’re set, thanks.”
The man handed him a key card. “Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to make your stay perfect.”
After thanking him, Maximo guided me to an elevator. Once we were inside, I asked, “Do you think they’re going to send spies to tail us to make sure you’re not here to poach their procedures and employees?”
He looked down at me with amusement. “Doubtful.”
“Damn. Hotel espionage was on my to-do list today.”
He chuckled, pulling me so my back was to his front before wrapping his arms around my waist. “I’ll see what I can arrange.”
Once we reached our floor, we walked to a door at the end of the hall. He unlocked it, holding it open for me.
Holy.
Shit.
This is unreal.
“How’d you book this last minute?” I asked, doing a slow turn to take everything in. A hammock hung in front of the row of floor to ceiling windows. There was a terrace outside, and the view was as beautiful as it was terrifying.
“It’s invite only.” Maximo’s lips tipped. “And I have a connection.”
Of course, he does.
In my shorts and distressed tee, I felt like a fish out of water. And not even one of those pretty neon fish. I was a guppy. Or a blobfish.
However, I didn’t let it bother me—well, not much—because Maximo was even more underdressed in his gray joggers and black tee. Underdressed, but hot.
Everyone knew gray sweats were the equivalent of male lingerie.
His phone rang and he glanced at the screen. “Shit, I’ve got to take this.”
“I’m sure I can find something to do,” I deadpanned.
He touched the screen and put his cell to his ear. “Black.” He stepped onto the terrace and closed the door behind him.
Left to my own devices, I scoped the place out.
Even after staying at Maximo’s house for a year, my brain couldn’t comprehend the luxury and opulence of how the other half lived.
With so much to do in Vegas, most people only used their room as a place to crash.
Yet the suite had a mini spa, a theater room, and more space than could possibly be utilized.
It was unfathomable to spend a not-so-small fortune on a room with pointless amenities that would likely go unused.
And if they were used, what was the point of visiting Vegas just to stay inside?
Backtracking to the living room, I eyed the fresh fruit in the bowl on the kitchen island.
I bet that banana costs forty bucks.
Next to it was a bottle of champagne on ice and a smaller bowl of strawberries.
The champagne is six hundred, at least.
And five bucks per strawberry.
The door slid open and Maximo stepped inside. There was more tension in his body, his face tight as he scowled.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
“Fine.”
Ooookay then.
I wasn’t surprised by his dismissive answer since he never talked about work. And I didn’t blame him for not wanting to discuss it during his rare time off. So I did something that didn’t involve words.
I kissed him.
And after a long, frozen moment, he kissed me back. And then he took control, gripping my ponytail to tilt my head so he could spear his tongue in.
Pulling away a minute later, he rested his forehead against mine. “How’d you know I needed that?”
“Lucky guess.”
Dropping his head to my neck, he teased it with his tongue. “Perfect guess.” He bit hard enough to make me cry out, a surge of moisture pooling between my thighs. “Sure you want to go out?”
“Nope, this works. This is definitely better.”
If Maximo was one of the features of the room, I could understand why people would choose to stay in.
But he wasn’t for anyone else. Right then, he was only mine.
“Let’s go before I change my mind,” he rumbled, releasing me.
“Fine,” I said on a long, dramatic sigh.
“Brat.”
“Control freak.”
Maximo swatted my ass, but it was more playful than punishing.
Unfortunately.
He unzipped his bag and pulled out a ball cap, sliding it on backward. At my gawking, he winked. “Got to go incognito for hotel espionage.”
If he thinks he blends in, he is sadly mistaken.
We went down the elevator, getting off at a different floor than we’d gotten on. The hallway was lined with art and statues. One in particular caught my eye, and the longer I looked at it, the more bizarre it became.
“I liked the art at Moonlight,” I started, fighting a smile, “but you don’t have a statue of a naked man-dog and a naked man-bunny riding a donkey.”
“Jesus, that’s insane.”
“Insanely awesome. Unlike your lack of animal-human hybrid erotica.” I stepped closer to inspect it, surprised at the level of anatomical detail. “It must’ve been cold that day.”
Maximo’s rich laughter rang out around me, and I lost my hold on my own.
“If you’re done ogling the statues,” he said, “there’s more to see.”
“I don’t think anything can top this, but okay.”
We only walked for a short bit before I stood corrected.
Pausing in front of a restaurant, I pointed at the name.
Eggslut.
“I’m beginning to think this casino is run by a pervert.” I tilted my head. “And now I don’t know if I’m hungry or aroused.”
“We can go back to the room so I can take care of both,” Maximo offered, his tone playful while the look in his eyes was anything but.
Oh, this is gonna be a fun day.
Leaning into him, I grinned. “Later, Daddy.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re going to earn a red ass before you ride my face?”
“Because I’m very lucky,” I blurted without thought.
Maximo didn’t respond verbally, but he did get a tender look on his face that hurt beautifully.
“Ready?” I asked when I couldn’t stand the intensity any longer.
He answered my question with one of his own. “Are you actually hungry?”
“No, I’m good.”
Keeping a possessive arm around me, Maximo gave me a tour of the expansive building. There was too much to see to waste time with window shopping, but I did pop into an eyewear place for a kickass pair of silver aviators for me and a black pair for Maximo.
When we got outside, I was grateful for the impulsive buy because the sun was blinding. I lowered my shades from the top of my head to cover my eyes as Maximo put his on.
How does he keep getting hotter?
This has to be some kind of witchcraft.
“Cosmopolitan is near the center of the Strip, so pick which direction you want to go,” Maximo said.
I looked one way then the other before seeing what I wanted. “This way.”
“Shops at Crystals?”
Since I was fairly certain they ran a credit check just to step foot inside, I shook my head. “Even better.”
We walked for a bit before finally reaching New York-New York.
“You want chocolate?” Maximo asked, looking up at signage for the Hershey’s store located in the resort.
“No.” I paused before amending, “Well, yes. But I also want to ride the coaster and then eat a New York hot dog.”