Page 17 of Unholy Cross

Chapter Eight

“I’ve never been ina casino.”

Cross came to a stop at a light and read her note.“I’d have been surprised if you had.”

“I love the pyramid and Sphinx!Are we going there?”

“No.”

She pouted.

“They can be another date.”

She nodded her agreement.

The light turned green and he turned from the Strip into the parking complex at Mandalay Bay.

Lorelei had her nose pressed against the glass as she took in all the sights, looking like a little kid.He jumped out and came around her side, opening the door.When he held out his hand, she grabbed it, and he led her inside.

Back and forth she whipped her head, like she didn’t know where to look first.Lights.Sounds.The gaudy carpet.Even in the elegance, a sense of decadence mixed with the desperation that came from the gamblers.

At the ticket booth, Cross paid for their entrance and held her hand as he led her into the mini aquarium, all the while peeking at her.Awe made her grey eyes even bigger, dominating her delicate features.She took her time, studying the fish, birds, and lizards.The humid air matched the subtropical aesthetic of the place.Cross couldn’t stop staring at Lorelei.Her beauty took his breath away.Her joy almost infectious.

They followed the winding road through the aquarium, and came to a large room where a petting station was set up.Small stingrays, starfish, and sea urchins were stationed around to be carefully touched.Lorelei smiled down at a little girl, helping her pet one of the stingrays.She smiled as the little girl giggled.

From the petting area, they stepped into a dark interior that looked like the keel of a wooden ship.Thick glass held 1.3 million gallons of water, where many different types of sharks swam.The low lighting set a brooding mood and Lorelei wrapped her hands around one of his biceps as they watched the sharks swim around them.Eventually, they walked toward the exit where they ended up at gift shop.

He followed her as she took her time, picking things up and studying them before setting them down.She lingered on a shark stuffed animal, running her fingers through the soft fur.When she put it down, he scooped it up and headed for the cashier.After he paid for it, he handed it over to her and the smile on her face took his breath away.She threw her arms around his waist and hugged him.The gesture surprised him, and his first reaction was to pull away.He wasn’t used to softness, and everything about her was pure and delicate.Slowly, he relaxed and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her back.

****

Late that night, Crossheld her hand as they crossed the street and walked down the sidewalk toward the food trucks parked in an empty dusty lot.Cars whizzed by so he made sure to walk on that side, protecting Lorelei from the traffic.

“I want some tacos,” he told her.“How about you?”

She stifled a yawn and nodded.

“With everything?”

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