Chapter Twenty-Five #2
“You don’t like heights,” he pointed out.
“Which is why I want to ride first then eat.”
My stomach already churned with a mix of excitement, adrenaline, and horror that left me queasy.
Despite the line for the coaster stretching on forever, Maximo sent one text and we were on the next ride.
I chose safe seats in the middle, but there was only so much safety to be found on a coaster attached to the outside of a building.
Luckily, Maximo sacrificed his hand so I could death grip it.
“Want to do it again with the VR goggles?” he asked when we got off.
My stomach dropped and turned. “No, once was enough. I just wanted to say I rode it.”
He tugged my ponytail, but there was concern in his eyes. “You still want that hot dog?”
“Definitely.”
Maybe.
Walking the winding halls of New York-New York was like stepping into an old NYC neighborhood. There was even a deli that looked nearly identical to one that’d been down the street from my grandparents’ house.
The smells wafting from the restaurants were enough to make my mouth water. I stuck with my original choice of a hot dog and Maximo grabbed a slice of pepperoni pizza that was good, but not New York good.
“Does it look like the real thing?” Maximo asked as we threw our trash away and strolled through the rest of the fake neighborhood.
“I remember it being bigger,” I joked. “But kinda.”
I’d been born in New York and had moved to the city as a toddler. A big chunk of my life had been spent there, yet I’d never felt like a New Yorker.
I’d never felt like anything but a nomad.
Temporary.
That hadn’t changed, but at least I felt some semblance of stability for the first time.
“Take a picture with me,” I blurted suddenly, wanting a keepsake beyond the bellyache that was already fading.
Surprisingly, Maximo didn’t hesitate. He pulled his phone out, brought up the camera, and handed it to a middle-aged passerby to take our picture in front of a fake stoop.
“Beautiful,” the woman said, a hint of swoon in her voice. “Now one with you kissing.”
Before I could laugh or say anything, Maximo cupped my head in his possessive hold and kissed me.
It may have been quick, but it was intense .
And I wasn’t the only one who thought so, based on the woman’s breathy, “Wow.”
I second that.
Maximo took his phone from the wide-eyed woman and pocketed it. “Thanks.”
She shot me a sly smile. “Lucky girl. Have fun, kids.”
As we walked through the busy casino, I spotted a display advertising their Cirque du Soleil show with naughty new acts. “Can we go see that?”
“No.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, his hand resting above my breast, his fingertips teasing the sensitive skin. “But we can go home and create our own version.”
That sounded better anyway.
After a stop at the Hershey’s store for a chocolate covered strawberry, we headed outside.
“I used to think the Strip was only a couple blocks of cramped hotels,” I shared as I devoured my treat.
“What’d you think when you saw it for the first time?”
“I hated it.” I shrugged. “None of my experiences here have been good.”
“We’ll change that.”
We already are.
Maximo wiped a smudge of chocolate from my bottom lip. “What do you want to see next?”
I took a moment before giving him the only answer I had. “ Everything .”
So we did. Fine, it may not have been literally everything because there was only so much we could do in one day. But we did a lot, including seeing the shark reef at Mandalay Bay and getting an up-close and terrifying visit with the flamingos, angry swans, and turtles at the Flamingo.
Once dinnertime hit, we stopped to eat in the promenade outside The Linq. I doubled up on my hot dog consumption—that time with the addition of fries.
“Are you having fun?” Maximo asked just as I stuffed my California dog into my mouth.
Chewing the delicious and semi-healthy goodness, I nodded emphatically. I swallowed and wiped my face before saying, “Minus the swans.” I gave an exaggerated shudder. “I thought they were supposed to be elegant and graceful, not aggressive assholes.”
“They’re violent to protect their mate.” His lips curved up on one side. “I can relate.”
His admittance he’d be violent for me shouldn’t make me happy.
Yet it does.
I took a needed drink and asked, “What about you? Are you having fun?”
Lifting his chin, he admitted, “More than I expected to. I’ve lived here my whole life but never bothered to do the touristy shit.”
“Even when you were a kid?”
I tried to picture him as a child, but it was impossible. All I saw was a somber mini-adult or a brooding bad-boy teen—and something told me that wasn’t far off.
He shrugged. “You’re not the only one who used to hate the Strip.”
“Why?” I asked, wanting to know more about him.
“Long story,” he evaded, and I didn’t push.
Sometimes—probably most times—the past belonged in the past. Heaven knew I didn’t want to delve into my history.
I took another bite, half the toppings spilling out the other side of the bun.
“I’ll grab a fork,” Maximo said, already standing.
“And napkins.”
And maybe a bib.
Watching Maximo move through the crowds, it didn’t matter he wasn’t at one of his properties.
People still responded to his air of authority, his size, and the dangerous vibe that emanated off him.
I could do without the way some women stopped to stare, but since he didn’t so much as glance at them, it was whatever.
He was hot. It would be impossible not to notice.
Reaching for a fry, I stopped short and froze. The hairs on the back of my neck stood, and a chill slithered down my spine. I couldn’t shake the feeling I was being watched.
Inconspicuously, I glanced over my shoulder, but nothing stood out.
I’d had the sensation off and on all day. Maximo’s whole BDE-king-of-the-world thing attracted a lot of attention. As did his frequent PDA that went beyond affection and bordered on obscene.
We probably made for good people watching.
The feeling faded and another scan of the area confirmed nothing amiss, so I went back to what mattered.
Food.
After dinner—and a quick stop for a cupcake covered in sprinkles—Maximo asked, “Now that you tackled the coaster, are we going on the High Roller?”
The deliciousness I’d devoured churned like cement in my stomach at the thought of stepping onto the giant Ferris wheel.
Reading my expression, he chuckled. “Didn’t think so.”
He curled an arm around me as we continued down the street to ride the gondolas before visiting Bauman Rare Books. I hardly breathed as I scanned shelves of old, insanely expensive books.
When I finally dragged myself away from the treasures, we backtracked down the Strip.
With the sun setting, the nightlife came alive and transformed Vegas from family friendly- ish to Sin City. The warm air was wired with excitement and depravity. People were ready to party as they hopped from one resort to another.
When we reached The Bellagio, I was bummed the fountains weren’t active. We rounded the curved path, dodging plants and drunks on our way to the lobby.
Stepping in, I whispered an awe filled, “Whoa.”
Glass flowers hung upside down from the ceiling, a burst of blossoms and light and beauty.
The crystal horse and floral gardens were gorgeous, but the world’s tallest chocolate fountain was the star. Unfortunately, it was behind glass or I’d have dove in, open mouth first.
Maximo glanced at his watch. “Time to go.”
Damn.
Walking outside, my disappointment grew when I saw the fountains still weren’t active.
I stopped at the crowded edge of the path. “Can we stay a little longer?”
“No,” was all he said before taking my hand and walking again.
Double damn.
Maximo rarely told me no, so I felt bad being pissy about it. It’d been a long day, especially for him since he’d likely been up at his usual five. That didn’t stop me from slowing my steps like a petulant child stalling at bedtime.
Of course, he noticed. “Juliet.”
“Maximo,” I mocked.
“You’re lucky I don’t drag you back to our room, brat.”
A shiver went through me, but I focused on his words and not the threat. “I thought that’s where we’re going.”
He didn’t respond verbally, but with his face in profile, I could see the tiniest hint of a smirk. At the sidewalk, he turned us in the opposite direction of our hotel and continued walking until we reached a security guard leaning against a concrete barrier.
“Black,” the man said, moving aside so Maximo and I could take his place.
Maximo shook his hand. “Tell your boss I owe him.”
“He knew you’d say that and said you’re even.”
As the man walked away, Maximo moved to stand behind me, his arms going to either side of my body, caging me in. Lowering his head, his low voice rumbled in my ear. “What was your favorite thing we did?”
“We haven’t done it yet.”
“You think the fountains will be your favorite?”
“No, I think riding your face will be.”
“Christ, I should’ve just dragged you to the room. Any fucking room.” Pressing in closer, he wrapped one arm around my chest, his hand casually resting against my breast.
I leaned back into him, sighing happily.
All the melty goodness that flowed through me like the warm chocolate fountain seized up when the sensation of being watched returned.
“What’s wrong?” Maximo asked, all traces of heat in his voice replaced by alertness.
I tilted my head so I didn’t have to shout. “I feel like we’re being watched.”
“We are.”
My stomach dropped out. “What?”
“Marco was on duty earlier. Ash is on now.”
“What?” I repeated.
Lowering his head next to mine, Maximo took a moment before pointing to where Ash stood along the side rail near some trees.
“They’ve been following us the whole day?” I shook my head. “How did I not notice?”
“Because they’re good at their job.”
“ Why have they been following us?” I thought about Maximo’s work—both the legal and illegal stuff. As worry tightened around my heart and lungs, making it hard to breathe, I turned and clutched his shirt. “Do you have enemies?”
“Every good business owner does. But nothing that puts me or, more importantly, you in danger. They’re just doing their job.”
I guess being a bodyguard is easier if you’re in the vicinity of the body you’re guarding.
I glanced at where I knew Ash was, but I could barely see him. “Do they always follow you?”
“Unless I’m at home or one of my properties. But I told them to keep their distance today.” He turned me to face forward, wrapping me in his hold again. “I wanted you to myself.”
I’m in so much trouble.
The first spray of water shot up from the fountain. Coordinated to music, the show was incredible and beautiful.
But just as I’d predicted, riding Maximo’s face was my favorite part of the best day of my life.