Chapter 24 #3
“Thanks for this,” I say earnestly, reaching for my double-double burger.
It’s so sweet that not only was he listening to me earlier at the pool party, but he decided to surprise me.
I am starving. The first bite of my burger is like heaven.
I even close my eyes and release a quiet moan of approval, savoring the taste of a future heart attack. So fucking delicious.
“You’re welcome. I was feeling flush with cash after our big win downstairs at the casino, so I decided to treat you to a luxury seven-dollar burger,” Jameson says with a smirk.
He’s watching me as we eat, and we don’t even talk that much.
It’s nice just enjoying the vibes. It’s so warm out here that I’m pretty sure my hair is starting to air-dry at rapid speed, and I’m perfectly content simply sitting in my fluffy robe, watching the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas below with an attractive man by my side.
“This is heaven,” I murmur through a mouthful of fries. “I had to sit through the most expensive steak dinner of my life last night. This is more my style.”
Jameson wipes the corner of his mouth with a napkin, then stretches back on the chair. “I’m glad you’re happy. All fed and cleared of debt, Evelyn!”
“Honestly!” I say, grinning. “This is the best night ever. This weekend itself was doing a number on my credit card, but I can relax now, knowing I’m going to be just fine.”
“You were always going to be just fine, Evie,” Jameson says, and I look over at him with a curious gaze. His eyes meet mine with bold confidence. “If you didn’t win in that casino tonight, I was going to give you the money you needed myself.”
My face falls. “What? Why?”
When I first met Jameson yesterday on the casino floor, I saw him as my ticket out of the hole I’d dug myself into.
Whether it was trading in his Rolex at the nearest pawn shop or luring him into a false sense of romance, I knew he’d save me, one way or another.
I opted for the thieving route. Who knew my charming personality would have worked, after all?
Jameson remains perfectly calm and collected as he says simply, “Because I like you.”
And even though I kind of already figured that out for myself, hearing him admit it out loud sets off fireworks inside of me. It takes every ounce of strength to maintain my composure in front of him. I’m dying to giddily clap my hands together with a smug grin, because he likes me.
“Even though we got off on the wrong foot?”
“I like you especially because we got off on the wrong foot,” he confirms, head tilting slightly as his gaze remains unwavering.
“I think you’re beautiful, Evie. Without a doubt the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen, but you’re not some stuck-up prissy.
You’re kind of crass, and I think you’re unpredictable and a little reckless, and you definitely keep me on my toes.
And yeah, sure, you tried to rob me, but you certainly caught my attention.
I was pissed at first, but I very quickly realized just how harmless you actually are. ”
“Hey!”
“Harmless does not equal weak, baby girl, so don’t look at me like that,” he scolds, wagging a finger at me.
“You aren’t a malicious person, is what I mean, and I’m enjoying being around you.
You’re making a tough time in my life a little bit easier this weekend, and for that, I’d have given you however much money you needed come Monday morning.
No chance in hell I’d leave you in the trouble I found you in. ”
“Thank you,” I say, and for the first time I feel a little shy and speechless around him.
I toy with the ends of the tie of the bath robe, trying to keep my anxious hands busy.
“I’m glad you sat down at the slot machine next to mine, because I’m enjoying your company, too.
And fine, I guess you’re not too bad to look at, either.
” I playfully roll my eyes like it’s painful for me to admit it, but I would gladly tell Jameson that he is the sexiest man I have ever laid eyes on.
He’s an absolute hunk, and I know just how sensational it feels to kiss him, and I would really like to feel his mouth against mine again sooner rather than later.
“Is this the part where we ravish each other now that we’ve cut the bullshit and admitted we’re both interested? ”
Jameson’s soft laugh fills the hot evening air. “Right here on this balcony?”
“Right here on this balcony,” I confirm, narrowing my eyes daringly.
He sits up and says, “Come here then.”
With my stomach somersaulting, I pluck up the courage to uncross my legs and stand from my chair.
It feels like it takes a lifetime to close the small gap between Jameson and me.
I slip effortlessly onto his lap and gently slide my hands around either side of his neck, using my thumbs to guide his jaw up toward me.
We’re both quiet, both holding our breath, and his warm hands disappear inside my robe, brushing over the soft skin of my waist.
Just as he leans up to take my lips in his, I pull back.
“Wait,” I say, staring over his shoulder at nothing in particular as I concentrate. “Do you hear that?”
Jameson sighs at the interruption. “Hear what?”
I really tune in now, my ears pricking up. Over the balcony divider, I can hear something from the room next door. Something like . . . Oh my God. My eyes widen in horror and I snap my attention back to Jameson, who’s staring at me like a puppy waiting for its treat, as my jaw hangs open.
“Someone is having sex next door!” I hiss.
“Well, don’t be a freak who listens.”
“No, Jameson, you don’t understand.” I shake my head wildly at him, my hands still on his neck, his skin warm and flush beneath my touch.
“That’s Addy and Hailey’s room. So either Addy and Liam are getting it on or .
. . Or Hailey is fucking my brother. Ew, ew, ew!
I mean, very cute for the two of them because I think they’d be an adorable couple, but ew! ”
“Shall we go to my room instead if this is too weird for you?” Jameson suggests, and I immediately take him up on his offer.
Climbing off his lap, I dart back inside the room.
Jameson clears up our trash from the terrace while I quickly pull on some jean shorts and a tank, slip my feet into some flip flops, and grab the chance to brush my teeth.
I do not want to stick around to hear anything more from next door, so armed with my key card and my phone and Jameson by my side, we leave my room and take the elevator down to his floor instead.
In the few minutes that it takes to reach his room, the reality of what I’m doing sinks in.
I don’t do these kind of things.
“Now where were we?” Jameson murmurs, hooking his fingers around the belt loops of my shorts and tugging me in close as he backs inside the room. His lips trail over the corner of my mouth, but I stiffen beneath him.
“Can I be the worst person in the world and say I changed my mind?”
Jameson leans back, letting his gaze land on mine. “Oh?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to,” I blurt, trying to salvage his feelings, because I really, really do want to.
More than anything. “It’s just that I prefer to know someone a little longer than twenty-four hours before we .
. .” My cheeks feel hot and I blow out a quick burst of breath, composing myself.
“Basically, I don’t do one-night stands. ”
“Well, I was planning on seeing you again in the morning, but . . .” Jameson grins.
He delicately tucks my hair behind my ear and presses a soft kiss to my forehead.
“I don’t want you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with.
Besides, I’m pretty sure that sister of yours would have my balls. So maybe—”
“Maybe just this?” I stretch up on my tiptoes and kiss him.
It’s far from the boozy, wild kiss in the corner of the pool party we shared earlier.
It’s very much like the gentle, meaningful way we kissed last night.
It’s slow, deep, passionate. I’ve never been kissed like this before, and maybe that’s the difference between Jameson and all of the frat guys back at college.
Jameson has the self-restraint to take his time.
He makes it memorable. Leaves me wanting more.
“That was nice,” I whisper, biting down on my lower lip as I look up at him from beneath my natural lashes.
I almost forgot I’m still standing in front of him with damp, unbrushed hair and not an ounce of make-up covering any of my skin’s blemishes, yet he still gazes down into my eyes like I’m the sexiest thing he’s ever seen.
“Would you like to stay over again?” he asks, and last night feels like a million years ago. “I don’t mind another night on the couch.”
I laugh, because no way. “How about we just share the bed? You can be the big spoon. Just no wandering hands, okay?”
“You’re putting a lot of trust in a stranger.”
“I’m putting a lot of trust in you, Jameson Park,” I say, kissing him once more, just a quick peck, before I reach for his arm and pull him further into the hotel suite.