21. Chapter 21 #2
She vigorously shakes her head. “No. I feel sick to my stomach losing so much money.”
“Okay, let’s go.” I take her hand—I’ve been doing that a lot lately, and I like the feel of it in mine.
Showing her the hotel isn’t just for her entertainment.
I want her to get a sense of what my life is like.
Casinos, nightclubs, money. Things that aren’t in her normal world.
So, if after tonight she gets any ideas of wanting more, she’ll see how different our lives are.
How completely opposite we are. She would never fit into mine, and I would definitely never fit into hers.
God, or whoever the hell is up there, would never let me step into her life. They’d strike me down first.
“I have something else to show you.” We walk to an elevator.
“Where are we going?” she puffs as she catches her breath.
“You wanted to see the waterfall?”
Her expression brightens. “Oh, yes. I can’t wait to see it.”
The elevator dings our arrival, and we step out into the foyer. A security guard is waiting. “Hello, Mr. Sullivan. The area has been secured off. No one is inside.”
“Thank you, Graham. That’s all for tonight. You can go home.”
When he leaves, I swing the door open, step inside and lock it behind us.
Behind me, Daisy gasps. “Oh my God, this is beautiful.”
This section of the hotel is a huge drawcard. Many guests choose to stay here because of the waterfall. People staying at nearby resorts come to visit. It took many months and a shitload of money to build, but it was worth it.
Black and charcoal boulders form a high mountain landscape with sweeps of moss, ferns, and greenery.
The waterfall pours between the smooth, stacked stones.
There’s a hidden cave behind the shower of water.
The ceiling is open to the night sky. Glimpses of the Vegas Strip lights reflect in the water as it tumbles over the ledges.
At the base, water softly splashes into a wide swimming hole again constructed with boulders of different shades of black. The pool is deep and clear, its surface broken only by a gentle ripple.
“Are they real rocks?” she asks in awe.
“Most are. Some along the edge are fibreglass. We wanted it to look and feel as natural as we possibly could.”
“It’s phenomenal.”
I’m pleased to see that what I asked for is waiting: a table set with champagne and strawberries.
On a large towel next to the pool are colorful cushions, two fluffy towels, and soft bathrobes.
This whole thing looks romantic… like a date.
I don’t do romantic, and I sure as hell don’t do dates.
Yet, I wanted to make this special for Daisy.
And damn if I’m not enjoying seeing the happiness on her face.
At the table, I pour champagne into a crystal flute and pass it to her.
She takes a sip, then brings the glass to the edge of the pool, kicks off her heels and sits on a rock, dipping her toes in the water. “Tonight has been so wonderful. Thank you for taking me here.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.”
“Are you?”
“I am.” I don’t need time to think about my answer. Because it’s the truth. I haven’t had fun like this since… well, never. This is new to me. And if I’m honest, I like it. A lot.
“I know doing stuff like this isn’t your style. I hope I’m not in your way.”
“I have nothing better to do.” And it’s true. Nothing can pull me away from Daisy.
She takes a sip of champagne and sets the glass down beside her, leans back on her elbows and stares up at the night sky.
You don’t get to see many stars along the main strip of Vegas.
They have too much competition from all the neon lights.
But she looks up like it’s the prettiest sky she’s ever seen.
And I can’t stop looking at her. She’s stolen my attention from the moment I saw her. I’ve waited so long to touch her. Now it’s time to get her out of my system, so I stop thinking things like that and doing things like this.
“Want to go for a swim?”
She tilts her face toward me. “I don’t have a swimsuit.”
“You don’t need one.”
Her mouth forms an O.
I reach my hand out to her and pull her up. “Do you still want to swim?”
“Yes.” She nods.
I untie the bow at the back of her neck, and as it falls, I place a kiss on her exposed shoulder.
She shimmies her hips, so the fabric drops at her feet, leaving her standing in a black, lacy, strapless bra and matching panties.
My breath quickens. With the waterfall as her backdrop, she looks like a siren who’s emerged from the sea.
I’ll gladly let her lead me to my doom. It will be a helluva good way to go.
She reaches behind her to unclasp the bra.
It lands on top of her dress. Next, she pushes her panties down her legs.
My gaze wanders down her body, and my heart kicks up with speed.
Why do I feel like this is something I’ve never done before?
Sex with a woman is nothing new. Except with Daisy, it feels like my first time.
Like I’m a nervous teenager who doesn’t know where to put his cock.
Then I see the tattoo. She hasn’t removed it. My chest swells with pride to see her body marked with my name.
She’s mine.
The words scream in my head.
And fuck, I’m in a whole lot of trouble.