Page 69 of The Hero + Vegas = No Regrets

He closes his eyes in a long blink. “I don’t know if I can make that promise.”

And that’s the thing with Worth: he’s honest to his core. I know I’ll have to be the one who walks away if the time comes.

But that time isn’t here yet. And I hope it never arrives.

My phone interrupts the conversation, which is probably for the best. It’s Noah.

“Hey,” I say as I answer. Worth kisses me on the head and heads to collect the bags from where he dumped them.

“What are you doing next weekend?” Noah asks.

I watch Worth as he takes the bags through to the back. I know my suitcase is heavy, but he makes it look effortless. He makes everything look effortless.

“Um, I’m not sure. Why?”

“Oliver and I might come and stay,” he says, like he just told me the sky is blue.

“What do you mean, you and Oliver might come and stay? You’ve never stayed with me before.”

“There’s a first time for everything.”

“Noah,” I say. “Just come out with it. What are you planning? There’s no way you and Oliver have decided to just come and stay. There’s more to it than that.”

I can practically hear him shaking his head. “We just thought, with everything going on, it would be good for the three of us?—”

“Did Mom put you up to this?” I ask.

“No. Well, not really.”

“So you mean yes. Mom wants you to come and check on me?”

“No, she didn’t suggest visiting, but she suggested we stay in touch with you. And honestly, Sophia, I think it would be nice for the three of us to see each other, given what’s been going on.” I don’t know if Noah is trying to keep our family together or emotionally blackmailing me into seeing our dad. At the moment, I just want to block it all out.

Worth emerges from the back, his eyes searching mine. I just want to hang out with my husband. Escape the city and everything it brings with it.

“You can come,” I say. “But don’t think you can convince me to talk to Dad. I’m not ready.”

“Not on the agenda. I promise.”

“Okay, gotta go,” I say, locking eyes with Worth. “I’ve got some escaping to do.”

“What?” he asks.

“Never mind,” I say and hang up the phone. “Hey,” I say, cocking my head to the side. “You wanna show me around?”

Worth nods, and I can tell by his expression something’s shifted. “Yes,” he says. “I want to show you around.” He stalks over to me and, instead of taking my hand or putting his arm around me, reaches for the hem of my shirt and lifts it over my head.

“You want to do a naked tour?” I ask, grinning at him.

He nods again. “I want to do everything naked this weekend.”

“A nudist weekend? Is that your jam?”

“I don’t want to see people nude generally, but I absolutely want you naked specifically.”

I strip off my jeans. “I can make that happen.”

He reaches for my lace-covered breasts, kneading them together, his thumbs circling my nipples. I groan. He’s so possessive during sex, so dominant and commanding. I’m under his spell completely.

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