Page 22 of The Hero + Vegas = No Regrets

I nod, grateful for his promise. “Thank you. I am… processing things and…” I think about how Worth has been so honest with me. Should I tell him? “Being with you is…” He waits for me to finish the sentence, but I’m not sure how it ends. “You’re like the fountain. Pretty to look at, even though I’m not quite sure I should be finding you pretty and cooling. An ice pack for my bruise.” I realize I’m acknowledging the attraction between us, but it’s hard not to between his hand-holding and his focused attention. The way he called me beautiful.

“A distraction maybe,” he says, and there’s no tinge of bitterness to his words.

“Maybe. I don’t know.” If I hadn’t been to Cincinnati last weekend, I think I may have been more flirtatious with Worth. I have no doubt he finds me attractive, and usually, that’s the only cue I need to be into someone. But I’m holding back this time.

Maybe I’m thinking too much about this.

The driver points out the big hotels as we travel down the Strip. Worth and I sit in comfortable silence. We travel into downtown Vegas, which feels more like a normal town, but a little flashier.

“On your left is the Clark County Marriage License Bureau,” the driver says. “Open until midnight for those couples who like to do things last minute.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever get married,” I say.

“Really?” he asks. “Why?”

I sigh. “Because I’ve always thought my parents had a perfect marriage and we had a perfect childhood, and now my parents are getting divorced because my dad’s been a complete selfish idiot.” My voice cracks as I finish my sentence.

Worth pulls a tissue from the box in the door and hands it to me.

“I don’t want to be sad. I want to be mad.”

“There’s room for both,” he says.

I like the way he doesn’t ask any questions. He doesn’t sound horrified or outraged. He’s allowing me to have all the space I need.

I lay my head on his shoulder and he pulls me closer.

SIX

Worth

I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed not doing anything in particular. I thrive on having a sense of purpose, but spending time with Sophia is… a revelation. I normally enjoy being productive. Helping. Hanging out with Sophia is different. I feel a sense of lightness that I’m not used to. She’s going through some stuff, but being with her doesn’t feel heavy. Or maybe she’s not heavy when she’s with me.

I button up my black shirt and tuck it into my slacks. After lunch I came back to my room to make a few calls before dinner, but I feel like I lost my right arm not having her by my side this afternoon. She would have looked good draped on my bed or on my knee while I talked some business associates off the cliff.

I press the button for the elevator, and as the doors open, before I can see who’s in the elevator car, I know it’s going to be her again. It’s a weird feeling, but there’s a surety that comes over me I haven’t known before.

“Hey,” I say as the doors open.

She half frowns, half smiles. Utterly breathtaking. “How do you always seem to know when I’m in the elevator?”

“It’s just my good luck. You look beautiful.” My eyes slide down her body as I step into the car. She’s wearing a tight-fitting black dress with a deep V in the front that gives a glimpse of cleavage. Her hair is in a loose braid over one shoulder and she’s wearing black boots with a high heel. It’s a sexier look than last night, and I’m here for it.

“Can we have our time-outs tonight?” she asks. “At the bar, just the two of us?”

If I had my way, I’d spend the entire evening in time-out with this woman. I growl in appreciation of what she says and slip my hand to the small of her back. The elevator doors open and I guide her out.

“Oh, and I got something for the competition,” I say. I hope she doesn’t think it’s showy, but I don’t want Jules to be disappointed with our offering.

“You mean, something that might beat the water from the fountains at the Bellagio?”

“It depends how you look at it. I’ve brought the water, in case you want to go with that. We were a team. It should be a team decision.” I pat the pocket of my slacks.

“Oh, so you’re not just pleased to see me, then?” she asks on a grin.

“Never doubt that, Sophia. I’m always pleased to see you.”

I reach into my other pocket and pull out the jewelry case. There’s a sense of déjà vu from last night.

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