Page 27 of Duty Became Desire

I finally looked at him, wondering what I would find on his face, but he was just smiling.

“Not at all. Certainly not typical.”

“What about you?”

“I love the beach too. But I don’t like finding sand everywhere. I have no problem going to one but not spending all my time there. I think I’d love to do a trip through Italy. Provided, you’re right, my partner liked it too.”

“Is that like your history side coming out or something?”

“I mean, kinda. But I still find lots of places out there beautiful. And I would love to tour quite a few places. Take like a trek, you know?”

I did. And I thought it was an incredible idea. I didn’t want to tell him that though. Because really, I’d love to do something like that.

Italy was a bucket list location.

“You don’t talk a lot about a family, do you have siblings, Skylar?”

“No, I don’t. My mom and dad had me a little later in life, so they’re currently on some cruise. They come back to Henderson every few months or so.”

“If they live there, why did you decide on Laughlin?”

I let out a breath as I thought that over. Sure, we had touched on it. But I had done quite a bit of living in Vegas and to me, the city was just too overpopulated and far too dirty.

“Just better. I have a lot of property I sell in Henderson, in Arizona, and even a little out of Laughlin. It’s growing and there’s lots of business lots open. No hotels will be built, so that’s a good thing. But I love Laughlin. You saw my house. It’s on a hill overlooking the tiny strip and it’s perfect for me.

“It’s also close enough to here and to my parents. Like a good daughter, I check on their house every time I drive though.”

“Okay, I have to ask.” He paused and I lifted a brow at him, waiting for the next question. “How the hell do you afford a room at the Luxor?”

That was a fantastic question, and one, surprisingly, I didn’t get a lot of the time.

“Luck, actually. The manager was looking for a house in Vegas, he was splitting up with his wife, and he couldn’t afford much. I did some quick searching, called in a few favors, and found a great house for him. With the deal that I got a guaranteed room when I needed it and for far cheaper. Now, it’s not always the same room, I couldn’t afford that. But I have a room, and that’s all I need.”

“That’s a smart play for sure!”

“Hey, this hooker has her means.”

His head snapped up so fast, I burst out laughing.

“You know, I am sorry about that night.”

“Bull shit Alec. No, you aren’t.” I twisted the ribbon around the glass and then paused as I looked at him. “I might have been a little upset over something at work that I might have taken things out a bit on you.”

“You think? I mean, you could have stopped me from having future kids, you know? Then what would you have done without little Alec’s or Skylar’s running around?”

I sucked in a breath, the thought of our kids running around this house, screaming, laughing, or even crying, sent a longing through me. I hadn’t ever pictured my life with kids; it was just too busy. But I could see a handful of rugrats now. Especially with this man.

And let me tell you, that was dangerous ground.

But shit, it was an image that was now stuck in my head.

It was an image that I kind of liked. Maybe even longed for.

And those thoughts, those feelings, were just too far of a slippery slope. Sure, things were good, but he was still a jerk.

Right?

I still had issues with him.

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