CHAPTER SEVEN Ginger
CHAPTER SEVEN
Ginger
M y feet are killing me. We’ve danced and dragged our asses all over this strip tonight, going from one club to the next. Well, all of us girls except Ivy, who went with the boys because Wade wasn’t about to leave his pregnant almost-wife on the streets of Vegas. It’s just before one a.m. Vegas time and I’ll admit I’m tipsy, and thoroughly jet-lagged, as we leave the Cosmopolitan.
When we meet back up with the boys in front of Caesars, everyone is chatting away, but it all fades into background noise when I lay my eyes on Mr. Cole Weston Ashby. He’s gorgeous; his wavy hair still perfectly imperfect in the Vegas heat, and his freshly shaved jaw looking like the ideal place for me to plant my lips. I can usually block out his hotness and remind myself of who he is, but the way he’s looking like the ultimate tall, dark and handsome snack in that fitted white button-down, his sleeves rolled up to his forearms revealing his inked left arm that ripples with vein and muscle is … shit, it’s a lot.
I continue to watch Cole until my thoughts are interrupted by Chris Bell.
He’s full of I might let you fuck me charm. Don’t get me wrong, he’s nice enough and I can tell why he fits in with Nash’s old hockey crew. But it’s clear he couldn’t care less about anything I say—not really.
As we all cruise the strip, Chris keeps in step with me, asking all about the clubs we went to, telling me about a night he had when he played here in the winter and some trouble they got into at Vdara. He’s also telling me how beautiful I look—much more beautiful than any woman he’s seen tonight in Las Vegas—as his hand migrates down toward my lower back.
“Thanks,” I say nonchalantly, scooting away from his hand.
He seems a little more loose than the other guys, and I’m guessing he’s had more to drink.
“You know what they say about Vegas?” he coos in my ear.
“They say a lot of things, Chris,” I retort flatly.
He laughs off my disinterest. “What happens here stays here. Let’s be something that happens here, baby.” He makes an effort to wrap his long arm around my waist and pull me close. I remove his hand and shoot him a warning look that tells him not to grab me like that again.
“So, this is our stop, yeah?” Cole posts up unexpectedly beside me, grasping my elbow and side-nodding to the Flamingo Hotel and Casino beside us. “You wanted to do some gambling tonight. Remember?”
He’s trying to get Chris to let up, and if I didn’t know better, it almost seems like he doesn’t like him hitting on me.
“Need me to teach you how to use the slot machines, Cole?” I ask, one eyebrow raised questioningly,
“I think, judging by the way your words are starting to blend, I’ll be showing you ,” he retorts.
I weigh up my options. Nash and CeCe will definitely be stalking off somewhere soon, so it’s either spend the rest of the night warding Chris off from touching me, give up on the night completely, or hang out with Cole.
It’s an easy choice, but I don’t want Cole to know how easy.
“I don’t know, Law Daddy. You’re rather stiff and boring tonight, you’ll need to convince me a little harder.”
He rolls his eyes but ignores my teasing before calling to the group, speaking for me. “Okay, we’re gonna do some gambling, so we’ll see y’all later.”
I try to protest but end up stifling a giggle as I look back at Chris’s grimace. CeCe turns around at Cole’s words and launches her drunken self into my arms.
“My bestest maid of honor ever. I love you,” she says, slurring her speech.
“Jesus, let’s go get you to bed, firefly.” Nash grabs her around the waist and pulls her out of my arms, chuckling at her drunken behavior.
I can’t help smiling at the happy couple as I turn to hug Liv goodnight.
“You two going to be okay together?” she whispers in my ear.
“Yes, Mom,” I say, letting her go. She looks at me with a glint in her eye that tells me she may not quite believe me.
I stick my tongue out at her just as Chris makes his way over to me, leans in and gives me a too-friendly hug.
“Sleep well, beautiful. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says in my ear. I hear Cole clear his throat behind me as he tugs me away by my elbow and pats Chris on the shoulder a little harder than warranted. Chris doesn’t notice. He backs up to blow me a cheesy kiss before heading off with the others.
“How many favors is that now, Vixen?” Cole says in a low voice as we make our way onto the Flamingo casino floor.
“How did you know I didn’t want him?” I ask defiantly.
Cole starts to laugh. “It was obvious.”
“How so?” I ask, stopping dead in my tracks.
Cole turns to face me, curving a finger under my chin. He lifts it to assess me. The feel of his warm skin against mine strikes me differently when we’re alone like this and I’ve had a couple of drinks. Warning bells start ringing in my head.
Dangerous. Off-limits. Do not look into those eyes!
Shit. Too late.
Cole’s amber pools bore into mine, and it feels like forever before he speaks. When he does, his voice is deep and full of gravel.
“I know when you’re comfortable around someone after all these years, Ginger, and that look you were wearing when he put his arm around you told me everything I needed to know.”
I swallow. He leans down to hover his lips near my ear.
“You were practically begging me,” he says in a low voice.
Goosebumps break out over my flesh, but alcohol gives me courage.
“For what?” I challenge, turning my face up toward him.
He pulls back and smirks. I hate how stunning he is. “To give you just what you need.”
I narrow my eyes and he drops his finger from my chin.
“And just what is it that I need, Sheriff?” I ask, folding my arms over my chest.
Cole scrubs his jaw while he thinks. “A burger and fries. Wait, nope …” He nods confidently as he starts to walk. He looks back at me over his shoulder. “Nachos and … somewhere that has some country music.”
“Goddammit,” I mutter, taking off to keep up with his long lean legs.
“Don’t pretend I’m not right.” He says it as sure as the sun rises.
I roll my eyes. Apparently, Cole Ashby does in fact know just what I need.