20. Got Me Started #3
“Have you been to Vegas before?” I ask, stretching, stealing a slice of toast from his plate.
“Many times. Elijah had his bachelor party here. And college spring break. You?”
“First time.”
He sips his coffee, eyes half-lidded. “Anything you want to do today? I can moonlight as your security again.”
I smile, tucking a leg under me. “Well...I wanted to see the Grand Canyon, but it’s like a four-hour drive, and it’s already too late to go and come back before the Strip lights up. I kinda wanted to walk around tonight, maybe even play a few slots. So...I guess today’s a rest day.”
He watches me for a beat, eyes flickering with mischief, before standing and walking to where his phone’s charging on the desk.
I track the movement—the way his jeans hang low on his hips, shirtless and smug, like he knows exactly what effect he has on me.
He picks up the phone and taps the screen. “Hey, Matt,” he says, bringing it to his ear. His tone shifts into business mode—smooth, casual. I zone out, spearing the last bite of my Spanish omelet.
“Yeah, the helicopter. Just for the day,” he says. “Thanks, man. I owe you one.”
My fork freezes.
The helicopter?
I narrow my eyes. “Sudden urgent business call?”
He turns back to me, grin tugging at his lips. “You said you wanted to see the Grand Canyon. I’m taking you to see the Grand Canyon.”
“What—Broderick, no way!”
“Yes way.” He shrugs like it’s nothing. “Fifty minutes there and back. You’ll still have time to lose money on the slots...or I can put my cock in your slot. Dealer’s choice.”
I roll my eyes, laughing despite myself. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Perks of being me, sweetheart. You want it—I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy.”
And just like that, my heart twists, the crack I opened slightly widens.
Because this feels...dangerously close to a date. And we agreed: no dates. No “hanging out” unless we’re naked and moaning. And yet here we are—fucked, fed, and flying off to my heart’s desires.
I reach for the closest emotional parachute.
I want to let him in, but this is too much. Too fast.
“We should see if Ava and Luca want to come,” I say, trying to keep my voice light, casual. But it comes out just a little too tense.
Broderick tilts his head, reading me easily—too easily. “Sure, is everything okay?”
“Yeah.” I force a smile. “I’ll give Ava a call and get ready. Be out in a few.”
I practically bolt to the bedroom, my heart thudding in my chest warning me.
Don’t fall.
Within the hour our group piles into the back of an SUV—Broderick and me, along with my emotional buffers: Ava and Luca. It’s a short ride before we pull up to a private helipad on the outskirts of the Strip.
The sleek helicopter waits for us, blades still, sunlight bouncing off its polished exterior.
It’s my first time in one. And honestly, I’m trying not to freak out.
“I’ve actually never seen the Grand Canyon before,” Ava muses, sliding her sunglasses into place as she clips herself in. She looks shockingly fresh, considering the amount of booze and cocaine she consumed last night.
“Neither have I,” Luca adds, settling beside her with his usual calm.
Broderick helps me climb in next. The only open seats are across from Ava and Luca. He steadies me as I step in, his hand on my lower back—a little too comforting.
I take my seat, and he moves beside me, slipping the headset over my ears, buckling me in. His hands brush my breasts as he checks the strap.
“Can’t go anywhere now,” he says, smirking.
The flutter in my chest spikes. I might throw myself off the roof just to escape how aware I am of him. His smell. His presence.
The weight of his hands—the weight of all of this.
He leans back and clips himself in with practiced ease.
“All ready to go,” he says to the pilot.
The doors shut with a heavy thud, sealing us in.
The pilot starts fiddling with the dials, the hum of the blades growing louder, and then—
We lift off.
My stomach drops at the sudden, jerky ascent. It’s nothing like a plane. My hand shoots out instinctively, gripping Broderick’s thigh like it’s the only solid thing in the sky.
His hand covers mine instantly—warm and protective.
From the corner of my eye, I catch Ava lowering her sunglasses to stare at me over the rim. Her brow lifts. A smile twitches at the corner of her mouth.
Mortified, I pull my hand away like I’ve touched a live wire, folding it stiffly into my lap.
Broderick’s voice crackles through the headset. “You okay, El?”
“Yeah,” I lie. “Just nervous. Lots of firsts today.”
I force my eyes to the window. Below, the Vegas Strip shrinks away, glittering like a broken crown. Ahead of us, the endless desert stretches toward the horizon.
Once we arrive, the helicopter circles overhead, giving us uninterrupted views of the Grand Canyon in all its glory. The world stretches out in layers of rust, gold, and ochre, the horizon hazy in the early afternoon light.
I take a hundred photos—at least—and pick a few of the best to send to Riley and Philippa.
When we finally land, I step out onto solid ground, still buzzing from the ride.
“That was incredible,” I say, breathless, looking up at Broderick.
“So is that smile on your face, sweetheart.” His eyes are soft. “Glad I had something to do with it.”
“You did.” I nudge him gently. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
The four of us walk toward a lookout point, boots crunching over gravel and sand. Our hands brush once. Then again. And again. I know he’s itching to hold mine—I think. Or maybe I’m projecting. Either way, makes me nervous.
My phone buzzes in my back pocket. Riley.
She’s video calling. I swipe to answer and lift the camera, giving her a panoramic sweep of the canyon.
“Hi, Riley.” Her face lights up on screen.
“Hi, babes!” she says.
“Hi, guys—say hi!” I turn the phone to the group.
Ava and Broderick wave enthusiastically. Luca stands still, hands shoved in his pockets.
“Say hi, Luca, or I’ll push you off the ledge,” I tease.
He sighs, deadpan, “Hi, Luca.”
We all crack up—a joke. Miracles do happen.
I glance at Riley’s expression on screen. Her eyes are locked on Luca, widening slightly.
She’s got it bad for him.
I turn the camera back to myself. “I miss you, babes. I wish you were here.”
“We’ll go next time,” she says. “You can show me all the trouble you got up to while you’re there.”
“Oh, you bet. It’s not the same without you.”
“Of course it’s not.” She smirks. “But I’m glad you’re having a good time. It’s good for you.”
“If you say so.”
“I know so. I wanted to check in—and let you know, the photos look amazing. I’m heading out to dinner, but I’ll see you tomorrow when you’re back.”
“I love you, Riley.”
“Love you most.”
The call ends. I lower the phone slowly, tucking it away, but the soft warmth of Riley’s voice lingers in my chest.
Behind me, I can feel Broderick watching.
“You’re staring,” I say, not turning around. “Enjoy the view.” I spread my arms toward the canyon, letting the wind pull at my shirt, my hair.
“I am.”
I glance back—and he’s not looking at the canyon.
There’s a flutter deep in my chest, in the way his gaze settles in the cracks of my heartache.
Every fiber of my being pulls toward him like gravity.
Even when my brain is unsure.
My heart seems to have other ideas.