Page 66 of What Happens In Vegas
Chapter 28
A sizeable tip to the maître d’ got them a secluded table in the American New Wave restaurant on the top floor of the hotel. It was a nice place, and Quinn was wearing his usual poker outfit, looking dashingly handsome, while Bonni wore a dress that showcased her fantastic legs. Her hair, as always, swung in a glossy dark curtain around her neck. He noticed she had on the same killershoes she’d worn the night they met. After accepting the tip, the man hadn’t made a peep, just shown them to the table, and now Quinn was looking at her like she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
The maître d’ held the chair for Bonni, and she sat, then he took the napkin and laid it across her lap, before assisting her in pushing the chair back in. The table was next to a large picturewindow, overlooking the Strip. Bonni turned to look at the view while Quinn sat. She imagined that the view must be truly impressive at night. ‘Vegas really is pretty, isn’t it?’
‘It is. It can either love you or hate you. And I think, this trip, it loves me.’
Bonnirapped her knuckles against the table. ‘Touch wood. You don’t want to jinx anything.’
‘I’ve already won.’ He smiled across ather, and she felt a warm, languid feeling curl in her belly.
‘It can’t hurt, can it? You can never have too much luck.’
‘Being here with you, Temptress, I have all the luck I need.’ Bonni felt her cheeks flush and he gave her a wicked grin. She just knew he was thinking about their last discussion about her blushes. He opened his mouth but, before he could say something completely inappropriate,the waiter came over with the wine list.
‘I think I’m going to have a glass of ice wine. Would you like some?’ Quinn handed the list back to the waiter.
‘Canadian ice wine?’ Bonni asked, a little surprised he would know Canadian ice wine.
‘Of course, it’s the best. I’ve wine-toured the Niagara Region. Very interesting how the vineyards began there.’
While the waiter fetched their wine, theylooked at the menu. When he returned, Quinn said, ‘I think my lovely companion and I will start with—’
Bonni cleared her throat, and Quinn smoothly changed course. ‘What I mean to say is that I will start with Caesar salad and extra croutons and then have the rack of lamb.’
Hiding her smile behind her menu, Bonni advised the waiter that she would have the same as Quinn. After the man left, Quinngave her a sheepish grin. ‘Sorry. Habit.’
Bonni leaned over the table and reached for his hand. ‘One more thing you need to learn about me. I don’t mind chivalrous gentlemen, and it’s rather romantic too. But, food, I don’t like nuts, remember.’ She winked. ‘So I was worried you might misfire on the order.’
Quinn laughed, and a few heads turned in their direction.Bonni realized just how happyshe was. ‘These last few days have been wonderful. Meeting you was such . . . I don’t even know how to describe it! There are so many reasons I’ve enjoyed being with you. Meeting you was the last thing I ever expected to happen on this trip when I came here with my friends.’
‘I told you the other night, you are the most fantastic surprise that could’ve ever happened to me.’ He smiled. and shefelt the warmth of his sincerity.
‘So unexpected. Delightfully unexpected.’ Bonni looked out the window again, at Las Vegas below, glinting in the sunlight. ‘Are we shining bright just like the casino lights do? And once we leave, immerse ourselves back into our everyday life, will the light in our relationship fade? Just like the bright lights of Vegas will dim in our memory over time.’
‘Ifthere’s anything I’ve learned, you cannot predict tomorrow. And why all it’s about building memories. Haven’t we already talked about this?’ Quinn squeezed her hand before reaching for his glass and taking a sip of his wine. She admired the line of his throat as he swallowed.
Bonni agreed. ‘You’re right. You’ve made me understand how important it is to live in the present. In my line of work,I’m always digging into the past to work out what’s happened and hopefully stop something bad from happening in the future. That includes putting my own life on the line sometimes.’
‘That is something,’ Quinn said in a low voice, curling his fingers around her wrist before continuing, ‘that I don’t like the thought of one little bit.’ Bonni loved the feel of his touch. He gave her goosebumps,and heat flared up her arm, spreading through her body in a delicious wave.
‘It comes with the territory, I’m afraid.’ She turned her hand over so she could lace her fingers with his.
‘Idon’t like the idea of a world without you in it. As it was, I didn’t expect to see you at the tournament. I thought you’d be long gone by now.’ He pressed a kiss to her hand and lowered his voice. ‘Especiallythe way you left this morning.’
Bonni felt a rush of shame at the memory of how she’d thrown the way he’d opened up to her back in his face. ‘I’m sorry about what I said this morning. The way you just assumed I have no problem changing my flight, and when you said you change your travel plans all the time, I got angry and I got scared, and I lashed out. I’m so sorry, Quinn.’
He reached out withhis free hand to cup her cheek. ‘It’s okay. I wanted you to stay so badly, I didn’t let myself think about what obligations were waiting for you back home. And, besides, you had a point.’
‘No! No, I didn’t. I don’t want you to change. It’s why I stayed. I just couldn’t bring myself to go, to leave you behind. So I did a lot of thinking. I want to come with you. I want to see the world as yousee the world. I want to travel and explore with you. Be spontaneous.’ She rushed her words, unable to keep them steady and calm. It was important for her to blurt it all out as quickly as possible. She needed him to know, to understand.
The look of joy on his face was her answer. ‘I’m stunned. Bonni, the fact that you would do this for me means so much. But you don’t have to do this—’
He fellsilent as the waiter brought their starter. The food looked amazing, but her attention was solely focused on Quinn. She had to keep talking so he would know how serious she was about this.
‘The thing is, I called earlier today and I could only get another two weeks of leave right now. And I have to go back after that to work out my final notice. They may not be toohappy with me but, as you know,I was planning on moving to Virginia soon anyway.’
Tossing his napkin on the table, Quinn left his seat so he could kneel next to her. He placed his hands on either side of her face and tilted it so they could look into each other’s eyes. ‘Bonni, I’m out.’
