Page 6 of Solid Ground

And I think spending the evening with Declan could be classified as that.

I make my way down to the lobby. It’s impossible to miss him. He’s tall—over six feet, and that star presence rolls off him in waves. He’s a blinding light in a sparkling city.

Maybe it’s the smile that graces his lips as I approach, or the utter delight in his eyes as he catches my gaze, but that star power is turned on me.

My heart beats faster.

“I didn’t think I’d hear from you quite so soon,” he says.

I shrug. “I didn’t expect Caitlin to wake up. She’s goneback to sleep, but before she did, she told me to go out and enjoy myself.”

His grin is addictive. I’m sure this man has been with some of the world’s most beautiful women, but right now he wants to spend time with me.

“I’m glad you changed your mind. Are you ready to go?”

“If you are.”

He’s a Hollywood star who’s older than me, and I do not know him at all.

Yet I’m about to get in his car.

Technically it’s a chauffeur-driven limo, but his car nonetheless.

He smiles as he guides me into the back seat before joining me.

“We don’t have to stop anywhere if you don’t want to. We’ll go for a ride and if there’s anything you want to see, tell me.”

His voice is deep and gravelly, and I’m fascinated by the way his Adam’s apple bobs when he speaks. He’s wearing a collared shirt, but no tie, and his shirt has the top two buttons undone, giving me a glimpse of chest hair and tattoos.

I’m not stupid. I’ve read enough celebrity gossip to know he’s bad news, but he’s been nothing but helpful tonight, and even if Caitlin overdid it, there’s no reason I can’t have fun on my first and probably only trip to Vegas.

“That sounds great.”

“I’ve told the driver to just drive around, and I’ll let him know if we want to stop.”

I nod. Now I’m here, my palms are sweaty. He makes me nervous because he’s just so … beautiful. When our eyes meet, his dark gaze pulls me in. I never understood the term ‘movie star looks’ before, but Declan embodies all that and then some. There’s something glamorous about him—from that perfectly styled hair to the suit pants he’s wearing. It’s like he’s stepped off a movie set.

The car pulls out from the kerb, and we’re off to check out Sin City.

I’m well aware of the reputation Las Vegas has, but from the safety of the limo, I’m sheltered from any of the bad outside, and in my own little bubble watching the lights go by.

There are buildings I’ve only ever seen on television, or images Caitlin and I looked at while planning this trip. I gasp at the sight of the Sphinx lit up against the dark pyramid shape of the Luxor Hotel.

“What do you think?” he asks.

“It’s very bright.” I laugh, and he grins.

“How much electricity do you think they burn here?”

I shrug. “I’m just glad it’s notmypower bill.”

Declan chuckles, and my heart leaps.

“You know, if we did this during the day there’d be so much more to see. We could go for a ride out to the Hoover Dam, or fly over the Grand Canyon.”

I can’t help but be excited at the thought. “Have you done that before?”

“Flown over the Grand Canyon?”

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