Chapter 8
Riggs
This weekend was supposed to take my mind off the shitstorm that’s my life, but it hasn’t. Not even close. Usually I love Vegas, but with everything going on back home, I can’t seem to relax and enjoy myself.
My ex-wife has been freaking out because she hasn’t been entitled to child support since Calla turned eighteen two years ago. The threats she’s throwing at me are ridiculous, but that doesn’t make her less dangerous. Gretchen is out for blood. Always. Top that off with the fact that I can’t get Zoe out of my head, and I’m ready to throw in the towel. I’ve always gotten what I want. It’s just too bad I can’t have the one thing I really want.
I take a long swig of whiskey, watching the naked woman dance in front of me. She’s gorgeous, but she’s nothing like the woman I want to see naked. No, this chick is all plastic, bleached hair, silicone tits, and fake eyelashes. Don’t get me wrong. I like all of those things. I just like what Zoe offers more. Instead of getting my mind off her, I’m now imagining what she’d look like wrapped around that pole in nothing but a G-string. I adjust my pants as my cock grows at the thought. The woman in front of me smiles when she catches the movement in my jeans. Too bad it’s not because of her. No one else has gotten my dick hard since meeting Zoe.
I toss a twenty on the table before throwing back the rest of my drink. It’s too early in the day for this shit. I need to go back to my hotel and sleep off the whiskey before meeting up with Kenny and DJ later. The last thing I need is to be drunk with those two. We’ll end up getting arrested. DJ’s not so bad since marrying Fiona, but Kenny thinks with one thing. His dick. My dick’s the one thing I’m trying not to think with. If I do, I’ll end up balls deep in a girl the same age as my daughter. No one will understand. I’ll be seen as a predator, and she’ll be labeled my prey. They won’t grasp our connection. Zoe is amazing, and slowly, she’s becoming my best friend.
The sun and desert heat assault me when I step outside into the Vegas sun. I shield my eyes as I look around for a cab. As luck would have it, one waits just off to the right of the strip club. I open the door, and cool air spills out, bringing goosebumps to my skin.
“Where to?” the guy asks.
“The Bellagio,” I tell him, checking my phone to see another missed call from Zoe. She’s pulled away lately, and I miss her. Still, I’m not answering her calls. No matter how much it sucks, I need to let her go.
The man nods, peeling out of the parking lot before I have a chance to buckle my seatbelt.
“You having a good time in Vegas?”
I shrug, giving a grunt as my response.
He chuckles. “I see. You’re here to forget?”
“How can you tell?”
“You’re at a strip club at 1:00 in the afternoon, looking like you’ve been drinking for days. Someone broke your heart.”
“Naw. I’m just trying not to be a selfish prick.”
He snorts. “If you say so.”
I rub the back of my neck, glancing at my phone. I now have three missed calls from Zoe. When a fourth one comes through, I give in and answer. “Is everything okay?”
“Where are you? I’m at your house, but you’re not here.” She sniffles, letting me know she’s been crying.
Fuck. If she’s hurt, and I’ve been ignoring her calls, I’ll never forgive myself. “I came to Vegas for a guy’s weekend.”
“Oh, I’m sorry I bothered you.” Her voice cracks.
“Zoe, what’s going on? Are you okay?” I rush to ask before she can disconnect the call.
“No,” she cries.
Shit. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“My mom and I had a huge fight. She. . . I just. . .” She trails off as sobs overtake her.
My chest tightens. I can’t stand to hear her like this. “Drive to the airport. I’m booking you a flight out here. You can get away for a bit and let things calm down.” God, this is stupid. There’s no way I can resist her in Sin City, of all places. Ignoring my good sense, I pull up the internet on my phone and start looking for flights leaving Dallas in the next few hours.
“I don’t want to interrupt your weekend.”
“You won’t be. The guys and I are just taking a break from life. It sounds like you need a break as much as we do.” Who am I kidding? I want her here. If we’re away from the real world, I can pretend like she’s mine.
“Are you sure?” she asks, the doubt evident in her voice.
No. “Yes. I’m booking you a flight right now.”
“I don’t know what to say. I owe you. Big time.” The relief in her voice is audible.
I close my eyes, thinking of all the ways she could repay me. My dick has a whole lot of ideas on that subject. No. I need to keep my mind out of the gutter.
“I’ll pay you back,” she insists.
“You don’t have to do that. Just get your cute ass out here so we can figure out how to solve your problem.”
“Thank you.” I can hear the smile in her voice, which makes me smile for the first time all weekend.
“I found a flight. I’m emailing you your ticket now. I’ll meet you at the airport.”
The cab driver chuckles when I hang up. “Guess your lady problems are over.”
I wish. “More like they’re only beginning.”
When we hang up, I call Kenny. “Hey, man. Change of plans.”
“What’s up?”
“You remember that girl I left Last Call with the other night?” I ask, doubting he does.
“Don’t tell me you’re getting married again? Haven’t you learned how to wrap up your dick yet?” he teases.
“Shut up. We’re just friends.”
“Yeah, right.” He snorts.
“Listen, she’s coming out here tonight, so I’m going to bail on dinner with you and DJ.”
“I get it. A ho before your bros.”
“Don’t call Zoe a ho,” I hiss.
“Shit. You’ve got it bad.”
“Just tell DJ we’ll catch up with you some other time.” I end the call. Kenny’s my best friend, and I love him like a brother, but right now, I can’t take his shit. Not when it’s about Zoe.
Four hours later, I’m waiting in baggage claim, anticipating something good for the first time in years. The short nap I took after leaving the strip club sobered me. DJ called after Kenny told him I’m bailing on tonight, but he didn’t ask too many questions. I don’t know what I would’ve told him if he’d asked. I flew a woman out for the weekend, because I can’t stop thinking about her and I’m hoping if we fuck for the weekend I’ll be able to move on with my damn life. Yeah, that wouldn’t go over well.
I need to get Zoe out of my head. Sex is probably the only way to do that. Yeah, right. Who am I kidding? I can’t fuck Zoe. If someone treated my daughter that way, I’d want to kill him. Not to mention, I don’t think I could walk away from her if I got a taste.
I don’t have to wait long before Zoe pushes through the doors into the baggage claim area. The moment she spots me, her entire face lights up, transforming her sad expression into a happy one. I don’t need to look in a mirror to know I’m wearing a similar smile. She hesitates, so I open my arms. When I do, she rushes toward me, dropping her bag, jumping into my arms and encircling my waist with her legs. My dick thickens the moment her denim covered pussy touches it. I hug her tight against my chest, breathing in her honey shampoo.
I’m so screwed.
“Riggs,” she whispers.
I squeeze her before setting her on her feet and picking up her bag. “Is this all you brought?” I ask, trying to ignore the fact that I want her so badly I can taste it.
She nods, chewing on her lower lip. “I was in a hurry.”
“We can buy whatever you need.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not.” I don’t want her to stress. The point of flying her out here was so she could escape the worries of her life. Not add new ones. Plus, I’m selfish. Giving her the world, even if it’s just for a few days, will make me feel good. “Let’s go.”