24. Lowri
LOWRI
N othing compares to the electric vibe of the Las Vegas Strip at street level.
At night it’s beyond spectacular. Tourists from around the world fill the sidewalks as we pass from city to city and country to country.
Where else can you find Paris across the street from New York City, Monte Carlo, and Italy?
It’s like we’re all actors on a movie set where anything can happen.
My point is proven as we approach a small crowd.
I do a double take to make sure my eyes aren’t deceiving me.
Everyone is watching a woman in a skintight, black leather bodysuit using a crop to spank a bent-over middle-aged man.
His wife, laughing uncontrollably, is filming it with her phone while encouraging the woman with chants of “More, more, more.”
“ What happens here stays here probably doesn’t apply given all the phone cameras aimed in his direction,” I whisper to Sean.
“Vegas is still a place where your fantasies can come true without being judged. Everyone needs a little of that. I suspect that couple will have a great evening.”
“I agree. We all need a little fantasy in our lives, but next time I’ll try not to get married,” I joke.
“Marriage hasn’t been that bad, has it? I’m enjoying it so far.”
My head jerks to face him. “You’re not suggesting we stay married?” I gasp.
“Of course not. It was a compliment. I always thought that having someone around for an extended time would be suffocating, but it’s been the opposite with you.
We’re having fun and you’ve had my back during the catastrophe with the show.
Don’t get me wrong. We both know this is temporary, which is the way we want it.
But it’ll be strange when you go. I’ll miss you. ”
Wow. The way he’s staring directly into my eyes, it’s clear he’s being sincere.
I’ve been extremely careful not to share this much of my life with any man before. It’s too risky. He’s right though. Our whatever-it-is has been comfortable, and it’s been heaven waking up next to him each morning, spooned against his warm body.
After a moment of silence, I say, “We’ve both acclimated to the unforeseen circumstances better than expected. I’m enjoying our short time together.”
Ouch. I didn’t mean for my words to sound that formal and stilted. His comments caught me off guard. I’m not used to a man divulging warm and fuzzy feelings. I didn’t know what to say, so instinctively, my protective walls went up. Too late now.
A brief sadness haunts his eyes. It disappears quickly as he says, “Good. I’m glad we’re on the same page. We better hurry if we’re going to make it to your surprise in time.”
With his arm on my back, Sean and I fall into sync with the parade of people.
“Let’s weave our way toward the outer edge of the sidewalk so we can cross the street up ahead. That will also give you a better view of the hotels across the street,” he says.
I nod and edge to the right, snaking between the tourists.
Reaching the crosswalk, the light turns red, so we stop. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly. Whew. The fresh air is invigorating.
Leaning into Sean and wrapping my left hand around his upper arm, I say “It’s wonderful to be outdoors. The all-encompassing indoor life in Vegas captured me. Days passed without me seeing the real sun or night sky, much less inhaling any natural air.”
“With the exhaust fumes on the Strip, I’m not sure how natural the air is, but you’re correct. People are drawn to stay indoors. That’s the goal. We prefer that the guests remain inside the hotels and casinos, spending money and having fun.”
“That’s fine if you’re only here for two or three days, but you live here. Don’t you crave time outdoors?”
“You make it sound like I’m a prisoner in my own hotel. I promise that’s not the case. Take tonight for instance—we’re not trapped inside.” He laughs.
Whoosh!
“Ouch!” I scream as my arm is yanked forward. I try to pull back. I’m not strong enough.
Sean yells, “Let go of your purse,” as he pulls me away from the street and into his arms.
My eyes follow a guy on a moped, zigzagging his way between cars. A big guy with an Athena baseball cap runs after the moped. The maneuverability of the two-wheeled vehicle allows the thief to disappear quickly, and my purse vanishes with him.
“Sweetheart, you’re shaking. Are you hurt?” he asks, holding me tight against his chest.
At his voice, I tilt my head upward. Between gasps for breath, I whisper, “My arm hurts.”
“Let me look at it,” he says, trying to pull away. I clutch his shirt as if my life depends on having his warmth.
“No. Please hold me.”
Returning one hand to my back, he strokes my hair with the other as I tuck my head under his chin, nestling closer, if that’s even possible.
I softly say, “That was scary. He could have pulled me into traffic. I could have been run over.” My whole body shivers at the thought, and a tear runs down my cheek. Why am I crying in front of Sean again? I’m better at controlling my feelings than this.
“I’ve got you. You’re okay. I wouldn’t have let that happen.”
“Who was the Good Samaritan who tried to chase the thief down?”
“That was Max. He’s on my security team. That may not be true much longer though. His only job was to make sure we were safe.”
“You had someone following us?”
“It’s a standard precaution when I’m in crowds. It’s usually not an issue. Tonight was the exception. Max should have stayed closer. I shouldn’t have let you stand next to the street. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
“Sean, none of this is your fault.” I wrap my arms around him, closing my eyes.
As Sean continues stroking my hair and tenderly kissing the top of my head, my pulse rate starts to slow. A calmness begins to settle over me.
At the sound of heavy breathing next to us, my eyes fly open and my body tenses, sensing danger.
Relief floods through me when I see that it’s Max returning from chasing the thief.
“Max, you were supposed to be protecting us. What the hell?” Sean asks.
Trying to catch his breath, Max says, “I’m sorry, Mr. Cartwright. The moped came out of nowhere, and the rider grabbed her purse while speeding by. There wasn’t time to stop him.”
“Did you get the number on the license plate?” Sean asks.
“No, sir. The plate was missing.”
“Great. Just great. Get us out of here.”
“I’ve already called for backup. Let’s step to the side. A car will be here shortly.”
“Don’t be mad at Max. No one could have stopped that guy,” I whisper to Sean.
“He didn’t protect you. That’s not acceptable.”
“I’ll be okay. You don’t need to yell at Max.”
“Security never let anyone harm my parents,” he says under his breath.
About ten minutes later, Sean whispers in my ear, “Our ride’s here. I’m going to help you into the back seat.”
That’s my clue to ease the bear hug hold on him.
Safely cocooned in the limo, Sean instructs the driver, “Take us back to the Athena.”
“Wait a minute, what about my surprise?”
“We’ll reschedule it for another night.”
Regaining my composure, I shake my head. “No. That criminal is not going to ruin the rest of our evening too. I was frightened, but I’m okay now, thanks to you. Please take me to my surprise.”
“Let me look at your arm first. Is it still hurting?”
With a tender gentleness, he inspects my arm. An ugly bruise has already taken shape where the shoulder strap temporarily caught as the thief yanked my purse off my arm. Otherwise, I’m still intact, at least physically.
“Nothing appears broken. Let’s put ice on your arm to prevent swelling. We should go back to the Athena and let you rest. You also need to report the theft to the police.”
“We can contact the police tomorrow. The probability of them catching the thief and recovering my purse is miniscule. I’ll be fine. I want to enjoy the rest of our evening.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.”
“Change of plans. Take us to the High Roller and close the partition,” Sean says to the driver.
“Will do, sir,” the driver says.
The glass rises, providing us with privacy from him and Max, who’s in the front passenger seat.