Chapter 16
Riggs
My dick throbs as a reminder of how intensely I want Zoe. I splash cold water on my face, hoping to cool off. I long to be inside her, but I can’t fuck her right now. She deserves the world. I like Zoe, hell, I more than like her, but I’m not going to do anything she’s not ready for. We rushed into marriage, but we can’t rush into anything else.
I listen as she moves around the bedroom, getting dressed for dinner. She hums a song I’ve heard Calla listen to a lot. Zoe’s happiness is new. She’s usually shrouded by a cloak of sadness. I guess her orgasm allowed her to relax, even if just for a little while. If that’s what cures her sorrow, I’ll have to be sure to give her as much pleasure as I can. From now on, I only want to see her smile.
When I step into the room, she’s bent over, digging into her bag. The jeans she wears pull tight across her ass, giving me a delectable view. She has pulled on my discarded t-shirt from earlier, giving me the primal urge to beat my chest and shout ‘mine’. Her pink toes wiggle along with her ass as she sings. Watching her like this brings a smile to my face. I love seeing Zoe content. Even more, I love how I’m the person who made her feel this way.
I clear my throat, causing her to jump in surprise. “You almost ready?” I ask, smiling.
She looks at me, still in my boxers, and raises an eyebrow. “You’re not.”
I pick up my jeans and pull them up, buttoning the fly. “I was going to put my t-shirt back on, but I think I like it better on you.” I grab a shirt from my suitcase, but don’t put it on yet. Instead, I let her take in the view she seems to be enjoying.
Her cheeks turn pink. “I hope it’s okay that I borrowed your shirt. I didn’t bring anything that matches. I was in such a hurry to run away from my problems that I didn’t think about what I was packing. I’m lucky I have a toothbrush.”
I step closer, pulling her against my chest. “I’ll buy you whatever you need.”
She cuts her eyes to the bed. “I feel weird about you buying me stuff. Especially after, you know.”
“Zoe, you’re my wife for now. What’s mine is yours.”
Her face falls. “For now?”
Shit. “That’s not what I meant. I like you a lot, but we’re still getting to know each other. I don’t want you to feel trapped. I’ll never force you to stay. I’ll never force you to do anything.” As much as I’d like to hold her to the vows we made, I’ll never do that. I want her to be free to live the life she wants.
“What if I want to stay?” She looks up at me from beneath her long eyelashes as if she’s certain she’ll never want to leave. Too bad I know first-hand how hard marriage can be, especially when you’re young.
Instead of answering, I pull her close, kissing her with everything I have. When my dick pulses, I move away. “We need to buy you some clothes and then eat.”
If my abrupt change of topic startles her, she doesn’t show it. “How long are we staying in Vegas?”
“I was thinking we could stay a week. You know, like a honeymoon.” I can take her on a real one when things calm down. Maybe Paris? She seemed enamored with it last night.
Her eyes light up with excitement. “Can we visit Hoover Dam? Or the Mob Museum? What about a hike?” It’s adorable the way she blurts out all the attractions she can think of while bouncing on the balls of her feet.
“We can go wherever you want.” Hell, I’d do anything to keep her this happy.
She grins, glancing back at the bed. “What if I decide I just want to stay in the room the entire time?”
I kiss her forehead. “We’ll do whatever you want.” Although, there’s no way I’m letting us stay up here the entire time. The last thing I want is for her to think I’m only interested in her for sex.
Once we’re both fully dressed and ready, we walk to Fashion Show Mall from the Bellagio. We hold hands, stopping to take pictures along the way. I’ve been to Vegas more times than I can count, but experiencing it through Zoe’s eyes makes this the best trip by far.
It’s hard for me to convince her to spend much money when we get to the mall. I find myself pulling things off racks and sneaking them into her pile. She’s the opposite of Gretchen, who never stopped wanting to spend my money. Even after being divorced for nearly a decade, my ex-wife still manages to spend a good chunk of my fortune. Well, she did up until a few hours ago when I canceled her credit card.
“This is too much,” Zoe says with a frown when I pull out my credit card again at the third store. “We’re not going to even be here long enough for me to wear all of this.”
I pull her into a hug, kissing her gently. “I like spoiling you.” And I do. With Gretchen, I bought her things because she expected, no, demanded them. Zoe is different. It’s like she doesn’t care about my money. All she wants is to be with me. Instead of getting excited over jewelry, she gets excited when I hold her hand or kiss her. I’m the prize in this relationship. Not my money. To be fair, Gretchen started out the same way. It’s just that she liked me more once I stopped being a poor kid with a dirt bike and became a champion with large endorsement deals. Still, it’s nice to have someone who actually wants me.
She takes my hand as we leave the store. “I’m hungry.”
Both of us are carrying several shopping bags filled mostly with things for her. She did insist I buy a couple of shirts for myself. They’re a lot younger and hipper than what I tend to wear, but I never want her to feel like she’s out with her dad. I’d hate for my age to embarrass her.
“What are you in the mood for?” I don’t know how we’ll top last night’s dinner.
“Chipotle.”
I can’t stop myself from dropping my jaw in surprise. “Out of all the fine dining in Vegas, you want Chipotle?”
She nods. “It’s my favorite.”
“Okay, but you have to let me take you to Carlo’s Bakery for dessert.”
“Deal.” She nods once as if we’ve made an important business compromise. God, she’s adorable.
As we walk to Chipotle hand in hand. I notice several women giving us hard looks when we walk by. I look at Zoe, but if she notices, she doesn’t react. I, however, can’t ignore the way they look at me like I’m some sort of sexual predator. My biggest fear is that they’re not wrong. Zoe is an adult, but it doesn’t change the fact that she’s my daughter’s age.
I let Zoe grab us a table while I get our food. I watch a couple of guys in their early 20s try to get her attention. When I set her tray down, the one trying to get her number looks up and frowns. “Sorry, sir. I was just talking with your daughter.”
My nostrils flare. “She’s not my daughter. She’s my wife,” I hiss through gritted teeth.
“See. I told you I’m married. Now, beat it.” Her tone is annoyed.
This reaffirms I’m right to feel insecure about how our relationship looks to the outside world. No wonder Rick was freaking out. Our marriage is a public relations nightmare for Titan. Unlike Braxton, I never had the bad boy image. Hell, I was married and had a young daughter most of the time I was racing. Now, here I am, making waves of the worst kind when Rick is trying to expand the company I owe everything to. I’ve royally fucked up, but when Zoe smiles at me, I can’t seem to bring myself to care about anything other than her.
I don’t say anything as I begin eating my burrito, but I know it’s obvious my mood has shifted.
“Riggs?” Zoe clears her throat.
I look up and see Zoe staring at me expectantly. “I’m sorry. What?”
She blushes. “I asked if you wanted to see what I got at the lingerie store.”
I grin. “I saw it.” Boy, did I ever. I’ve had a hard time keeping my mind off what she’ll look like in what she bought there.
Her cheeks turn even redder than I thought they could. “You, um, haven’t seen it on me.” Her timid tone makes me forget the encounter with the guys. I may be older, but I also know how to please my woman. Hell, I could do it in my sleep.
“Are you suggesting we skip dessert and go straight to the hotel?” If she says yes, I’ll sprout wings and fly us there.
She shakes her head no. “I’m saying we need to get our dessert to go and then go to the hotel.”
I grin. “I’m going to eat a piece of cake and then I’m going to eat that sweet pussy of yours.”
A woman sitting next to us gasps, but we ignore her. Zoe pops up from her chair, her bowl barely touched. “I’m full.”
I laugh. “Someone’s a little anxious.”
She nods. “I didn’t know orgasms from another person feel so good. I want another.”
The woman leans over to the friend across from her. “He’s old enough to be her father,” she hisses.
Zoe shoots her a dirty look. “Mind your own business, lady. It’s not my problem you’re jealous.”
“Zoe,” I scold, shooting them an apologetic look. But really, I adore this feisty side of her.
She shrugs. “What? They are. Look at you. Every woman in this mall has checked you out. They don’t think I’m good enough for you.” Her voice drops, belying her insecurity.
“That couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m the one who’s undeserving.” That earns me a smile as I gather our trash. “Come on, baby. There’s no need to get us banned from this place.”
She picks up the bags, sneering at the woman.
“That explains it,” the woman huffs.
Zoe points to my crotch. “I like that a lot better.” Then she turns on her heel, leaving me to catch up with her.
Once I do, I take some of the bags from her hand. “You’re a naughty girl,” I tease.
She sticks out her tongue. “I guess you should probably spank me.”
My dick perks up when I think about pulling her across my knee. I like the thought of tanning her ass, but I don’t want to role play as her daddy. That’s a line I’m uncomfortable crossing.
Zoe and I maneuver our way through the throngs of people to get to the Venetian, the earlier encounter mostly forgotten. Along the way, she stops to snap pictures on her phone several times. We even take a few selfies. Her excitement is contagious, and I find myself looking at Vegas through fresh eyes. Hell, I’m starting to see the entire world with a renewed perspective. I have to admit, it’s nice.
We weave through the shops, arriving at the bakery quicker than I thought we would, considering the amount of people on the streets. Zoe’s eyes widen when she sees the various goodies.
“I don’t think I can choose.” She licks her lips, eyeing the display case.
I wrap my arms around her from behind, kissing under her ear. “You don’t have to.” I motion to the guy behind the counter. “We’ll take one of everything.”
Zoe gasps. “Riggs! I can’t eat all this.”
“We can take some to your mom and Stone tomorrow as a peace offering.”
She grins, kissing me. “Thank you.”
I’m not sure if she’s thanking me for dessert or thinking of her mom. All that matters is the smile on her face. “It’s just pastries.”
She shakes her head no. “You’re so thoughtful. Mom and Stone will appreciate the gesture.” She turns in my arms, placing her palm over my heart. “I appreciate the way you’re trying to smooth things over between my mom and me. It’s nice to have someone on my side for once.”
“I’ll always take care of you.” Then I remember our situation. “I mean, as long as you want me to. Hell, even if you get tired of me, I’ll be here, still on your side.”
She moves her hand up to cup my cheek. “You need to let me take care of you, too.”
My cock expands, knowing just what she can do to take care of me. I have to step away to give us some room because, as much as I want Zoe, I’ll never take anything from her. She’ll have to give it.
“Order 275,” the kid behind the counter calls.
“That’s us.” I kiss her nose, then move to collect our to-go order. “Damn, that’s heavy,” I joke.
She links her arm through mine. “Should we take a taxi back to the hotel since our arms are full?”
“I like the way you think.”
The sooner we get back to the room, the sooner I can spread the creamy cannoli filling across her body and lick every inch of her.