Page 91 of Cocky Prince
Her brow furrows. “Well, no, but I still had it under control. That wasn’t the first time a man has come on too strong. I didn’t need rescuing.”
I look up in exasperation. “Hayden, this is more than two guys. I can’t express how badly I need for you to be home safe. William’s been asking about you. He doesn’t know it’s you, but that doesn’t mean he won’t figure it out. You’re courting trouble by being here, dressed like that.Pleasego home.”
She studies my face. “You’re really worried?”
“Yes,” I say emphatically.
She crosses her arms. “I’m pissed at you.” She lets out a loud sigh. “I can’t believe I’m considering this.” She gives me a heated stare—one I wish I could say was sexual, but which I fear might be the look a black widow gives her mate before she bites his head off. “I have a good reason for being here tonight, and you’re ruining it for me.”
“Do I want to know what it is?”
“It doesn’t have to do with picking up men, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
I graze my thumb along her jaw. “I didn’t think it did. I trust you.”
“Well,” she says huffily. “I wish I could say the same about you.”
I grab her hands and wrap them around her back, locking them in place at the curve of her spine and pressing her chest to mine. “If you didn’t trust me, you wouldn’t do as I ask.” I kiss her mouth gently and let go of her hands.
She wavers on her feet and grabs my arms for balance. Her gaze goes from dazed to angry in a flash. “Don’t use my attraction to you to get me to do what you want. You underestimated me back there. This is totally unnecessary. I’m not helpless, Adam.”
I frown. “I don’t think you’re helpless. That doesn’t stop me from wanting to protect you. It’s a dormant instinct for me, I know, but it seems to be functioning and lively where you’re concerned.”
She releases a sigh and now looks really pissed. “Damn you. That was the sweetest thing you’ve ever said.” She eases in closer and stares up. “When you get home, you’re going to tell me everything that’s going on.”
I thought Hayden would be safer not knowing about Bliss. That keeping her off Blackwell and Paul’s radar would protect her from the threats I’ve received. But I underestimated Hayden’s ability to get into trouble. It just might be more dangerous for her to poke around in the dark.
“Agreed.” I kiss her again. “You need a ride? I have a little time before I need to be somewhere.”
“No,” she says, reluctantly. “I brought my car. I had one drink; I’ll be fine. Go back to those horrible men you work with.”
She starts to pull away and I grab her hand, bringing her back into my arms. “Iwilltell you everything.”
She nods, and this time when she steps away I let her go. “Oh, I know you will,” she says over her shoulder. “Otherwise, you’ll pay for it. Painfully.” Her hips swish-swish in agitation, and I am helpless to look away. She’s in a tight pencil skirt and candy-red heels, and she is killing me.
I’d like for all of this to be over so that I can go home with her, but I have a few more things to take care of. Looks like I’ll be returning to the group sooner than I thought, since Hayden doesn’t need a ride.
I dial the number for security. “A beautiful pinup brunette in red heels will be exiting the back entrance. Make sure she gets to her car safely.”
Blue or Hayden will be the death of me. My bet’s on Hayden.
Chapter Thirty-Five
William stays backto check in with a few of the dancers from the club, and the rest of us head for Bliss and the grand opening party the casino is hosting. We enter the crowded suite, and several burlesque dancers are already mingling with the crowd. There are other women there too. Considering their beauty and sophisticated but sexy attire, my guess is these other women are the professional escorts. They don’t appear to be attached to any one man, and all of them are near guards I hired.
I grab a glass of champagne and talk with the CEO of a popular hotel chain. He’s in his mid-fifties and wearing a wedding ring, but his gaze keeps drifting to a redheaded burlesque dancer.
“So I told the son of my business associate,” the CEO says, “we don’t allow prostitutes in our hotels.” He glances at the redhead again and grins. “Not that there’s anything wrong with paying for beauty. But our hotels have a reputation to uphold, and—”
The CEO says something else, but I stop paying attention. Because two additional bodyguards enter through the suite’s elevator, along with more escorts.
I find it strange that they’re entering via the emergency exit. In fact, the more I study the people inside the suite, something seems off. The escorts are sitting on love seats or standing stiffly off to the side chatting with guests, but they appear reserved…almost nervous.
I excuse myself from the CEO, and approach the escort nearest me. She’s dressed like the others, very classy and pretty in a low-cut red dress, and there’s a bodyguard a few feet away. I sit on the loveseat beside her, and her eyes dart around, her body tensing.
I had nothing to do with hiring escorts for Bliss. Paul said he’d found the perfect solution and no longer needed my help. I didn’t find it odd at the time, particularly since I wanted no part of it. Now I’m wishing I paid more attention.
“I’m Adam,” I say to the woman. “And you are?”
