Chapter 11 - Tashi #2
The limo’s energy was electric. All four of us rode the high of something that had worked beyond even my projections.
Ares’s hand rested on the seat behind me, close enough that I could feel the heat of it. Orion sat across from us, his eyes on me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. Leo sprawled next to his brother, grinning like he’d just won a bet.
“You were right,” Orion said softly. “About all of it.”
“I usually am.” The words came out more breathless than intended.
His lips curved. “I’ve noticed.”
Ares’s fingers brushed my shoulder. Just the lightest touch, but it sent electricity down my spine. I turned slightly, meeting his eyes, and saw the same awareness there.
This moment. The four of us in this enclosed space, success pumping through our veins like champagne, the memory of intimate encounters making the air thick with possibility.
Then Orion’s phone rang.
His expression changed as he checked the screen. “It’s Mitchell. Our major investor.”
He answered, and I watched his face go from triumph to tension in seconds.
“I understand your concern,” he said carefully. “But if you look at the actual data… Yes, I saw that article… No, the fire was isolated… Mitchell, we’ve had zero incidents since—” He covered the phone. “I need to handle this in person. He’s at the Aria.”
“Now?” Leo asked.
“He’s threatening to pull his investment if we can’t guarantee—” Orion’s jaw tightened. “I have to go. This is twelve million in backing.”
My stomach dropped. “The tour worked. Show him the numbers.”
“I will. But he wants face-to-face reassurance.” Orion was already texting someone. “I’m arranging a car.”
Before any of us could respond, Leo’s phone rang.
“It’s Richard from the board,” he said, frowning. “He never calls unless—” He answered. “Richard, what’s—” His expression darkened. “That’s not… Where did you hear… No, I understand your concern. Give me an hour and I’ll… Yes, in person.”
He hung up and looked at us. “Someone told him about ‘inappropriate relationships between management and staff.’ He’s calling an emergency board meeting.”
“Who would do that?” I said immediately.
“I don’t know.” Leo’s usual playfulness had vanished. “But I have to address it before it becomes official board business.”
Ares swore quietly.
The limo pulled out of traffic and idled at the curb.
When Orion’s car pulled up alongside us he shot me a regretful glance. “I’m sorry,” he said, meeting my eyes. “This timing is—”
“Go,” I said. “Save the investment. We’ll celebrate later.”
He hesitated, then leaned across the space between us and kissed my forehead. Quick. Claiming. “Don’t go anywhere.”
Then he was gone.
Leo’s phone buzzed again. “Richard, again. I need—”
“Go,” Ares and I said simultaneously.
Leo looked between us, something complicated passing over his face. Then he squeezed my hand, kissed it. “Ares. Take care of her.”
“Count on it.”
Leo hopped from the limo and flagged a car before it joined the traffic flow, then jumped in. And he and Orion were gone.
The limo pulled away from the curb and merged into traffic. And it was just the two of us in the limo, the city lights sliding past the tinted windows, the air thick with everything we weren’t saying.
Ares scoffed lightly. “Orion kissing your forehead. Leo kissing your hand. Isn’t that sweet?”
My face burned. “I’m sure they were enthusiastic about how well things went tonight.”
Ares turned his face to mine, and his gaze burned with feral intensity. “I’d show my enthusiasm more concretely.”
I sucked in a breath. The way he stared at me made my pulse quicken.
“How?” I said.
He looked out the window and didn’t say anything for a long minute. Then his voice, low with a jagged edge, filled the limo. “I’d start by ripping off that dress.”
I sat there and gripped the edge of my seat, digging my manicured red nails into the leather, feeling naked before him.
“If I were so inclined,” he added.
The limo slowed for a light. In the relative stillness, I could hear his breathing. Could feel the heat radiating from his body. I could imagine exactly how his hands would feel on my skin.
“Tashi,” he said quietly.
“Yeah?”
“You did fantastic today.”
“Just today?”
His lips curved. Dangerous. “Every day since you walked into our hotel and accidentally set everything on fire.”
“That wasn’t—” I stopped. “Are we talking about the actual fire or the metaphorical one?”
“Both.” He shifted closer. Not touching, but close enough that I had to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. “Both fires. Both times, you survived. That’s impressive.”
My breath caught. “Ares—”
His jaw tightened. “We’re not good at letting people get close to us.”
“So I heard,” I said. He gave me a sharp glance, and I admitted, “Leo mentioned something about it.”
“He would.” His hand finally moved from the seat to my shoulder. Warm. Solid. Real.
The limo was slowing down. We’d be back at the hotel soon. This moment would end. The professional masks would slide back into place.
Or maybe they wouldn’t.
“Ares,” I said. “When we get back, would you—?”
I was about to say, “check my room.” Not an overt invitation, but I could take things one step at a time. But before I could finish, his phone buzzed.
He checked it and swore. “I’ve got to talk to my security analyst. He says he has something.”
The moment shattered.
“Go,” I said, even though I wanted to scream. “Handle it.”
He looked torn, his hand still on my shoulder. “Go to your suite. Stay there. Lock the door. Don’t let anyone in except us.”
“Ares—”
“Please.” The word came out rough. “Please let me know when you’re safe there, and then I can think.”
I stared at him, stunned. Something did make the unflappable Ares flap and that something was me.
Holy shit.
The limo pulled up to the hotel’s private entrance. Ares was out before it fully stopped, already on his phone coordinating a response.
I sat alone in the back of the limo, watching him disappear into the building, and I wondered if this constant coming and going of men would always be the case.
Moments of connection fractured by reality?
Intimacy interrupted by business? Four people trying to save a business while the world conspired to pull us apart?
My phone buzzed with a text from Marta: Just saw you trending with three hot billionaires. Living your best life or having a mental breakdown? Answer unclear.
I laughed despite everything. Me: Both. Definitely both.
Marta: Good. Boring is for people who don’t set their lives on fire. I mean this both literally and figuratively. Call me tomorrow. Love you.
I climbed out of the limo and headed for my suite, riding the elevator alone, unlocking my door alone, and collapsing on my sofa alone.
My phone showed three hundred thousand impressions. Media requests. Booking inquiries flooded the system.
Professional triumph. Personal chaos.
This was the story of my life in Vegas.
How would I navigate keeping my job and wanting three men who made my panties melt?