Total pages in book: 200
Estimated words: 189898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 760(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 189898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 760(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
“Well, today’s your lucky day. We have two whole days to kill, and I know all the best games in Vegas.”
“But I don’t gamble.”
“You do now. Wear something nice.”
When Loren proposed showing me Vegas, I assumed he’d meant we’d be going as a group. Stepping off the bus in my sequin dress and strappy heels, I suddenly felt self-conscious when I discovered the bassist waiting alone. Finally, the question that had been circling my mind had an answer.
This was a date.
Somehow, I’d agreed to a date with Loren James.
Okay, deep breaths.
Maybe it wasn’t what I thought. Maybe Houston and Rich were already waiting in the car. They’d disappeared the moment we rolled into town, but they might have come back while I was in the shower.
“I underestimated you,” Loren greeted as I approached.
I let his gaze rake over me once I stopped in front of him and returned the favor by doing the same to him. Loren wore all black, making his blond hair appear lighter and his eyes even darker. The double-breasted vest he wore had white pinstripes, and he’d pushed up his shirt sleeves to show off the veins in his forearms and expensive watch. He’d even buttoned the front and tucked his medallion inside.
“How so?”
Pulling me close, Loren gripped my chin before whispering, “I bet you knew exactly how crazy you’d drive me in that dress. A virgin wouldn’t have a clue.”
“Something tells me you underestimate women in general.”
He snorted before letting me go. “No, just you.”
I didn’t respond as he opened the back door of the silver car that he’d been standing next to. I didn’t recognize the brand, but it looked like it cost more than all the pennies I’d ever made.
“After you.” He waved me in, and though the gesture was gallant, I knew his motives were less so. I shot him a sharp look before climbing inside.
“Satisfied?” I asked after he settled in next to me. My gold dress only stopped mid-thigh, much shorter than I remembered when I splurged on it a year ago. It wasn’t the kind of “flash” I was going for, but it had Vegas written all over it.
“You’d have to be wearing considerably less.” I pressed my thighs together, but of course, he clocked my every move. I’d underestimated him too. Loren wasn’t the airhead he pretended to be. He was smart, observant, and quick. What I liked most, but would never admit, was that he didn’t care about rules. “Just say when.”
“Never would be the answer to that, Loren.”
“Why? Because Houston said so?” He scoffed at the notion.
“Because I don’t want you,” I argued as convincingly as I could. The sideways glance he cast me made it clear he wasn’t buying my bullshit. Fuck.
“Then, why are you here?”
“I recall you offering to show me around.”
He laughed at that, an arrogant and husky sound while staring out the window. It was no match for the caustic smile that went with it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen straighter, whiter teeth. His lips that spouted cruelty on a whim was what really dazzled me. They called to my natural need to sin.
The city became brighter, louder, and more chaotic the closer to the center or rather the strip we got. I watched people herd themselves up and down the crowded sidewalk and outdoor escalators. Frantic tourists rushed in and out of casinos, shops, and restaurants, while others were content toting their frozen drinks from Fat Tuesday in the dry heat.
Turning away from watching out the window, I found Loren already studying me. “Are Houston and Rich meeting us?”
He lifted a mocking brow. “You’re smarter than that.”
My heart began pounding wildly in my chest. If he wouldn’t beat around the bush, neither would I. “This is not a date. I didn’t agree to that.”
“Then call it a pregame to fucking. Feel better?”
My lips parted and closed. Whenever words formed, they became lodged in my throat. Loren didn’t seem at all bothered by my stunned silence.
Nope.
He’d already pulled out his phone to play Subway Surf.
I was most disappointed by the fact that if he told me to spread my legs for him right now, I’d do it. It was a slim chance, but still…it was more than he deserved.
When the car slowed to a stop, it wasn’t at some glitzy hotel. It was someone’s home. A mansion, to be exact. The driveway was lined with more luxury cars as they waited for valet. When it was our turn, Loren took my hand and gently helped me from the car. He then placed that same hand on the small of my back and steered me toward the entrance. I felt his thumb rubbing my spine and took a deep breath. He’d been an asshole far too long for me to be fooled by his charm.