“That’s my wife that you decided to touch, without her permission.” I turn him around, making sure I have a good hold on him. “Now, apologize.”
“Just let me go,” he begs.
“Not until you apologize.”
“Rowan, it’s fine. Let’s just go.” Everly begs, her eyes taking me back to the day that Malcolm put his hands on her.
The memory has me tightening my hold a little more. Any tighter, and I’ll break his wrist. I kind of want to, just to show him not to fuck with people, especially since you don’t know who the hell they can be messing with. “Fucking apologize to her.” I lean forward and whisper in his ear, making sure no one can hear me, “I’m one of the wealthiest men in the United States. I will ruin you. Do you understand that? You won’t be able to go anywhere. You won’t be able to get a job. I’ll have people watch you and tell me every move you make, and if you harass another woman, I’ll make you disappear.”
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry. I won’t touch you again.”
“Or anyone that doesn’t ask to be touched,” I snarl.
“Or anyone,” he says.
“Good boy,” I grit and throw him on the sidewalk. I run my hands my five-hundred-dollar shirt and turn my head to see Everly with her hand over her mouth. I hold out my arm, telling her to come to me.
She runs right into my embrace, grasping my chest for protection and safety. Tightly, I wrap my arms around her and continue down the sidewalk. People part, a few guys holler at me, but I don’t pay them any mind. I don’t care about them. I care about her.
“Let me see your hand,” I demand.
She lifts her wrist, and what I see has my blood boiling. A bruise is already starting to form. Tomorrow it may even be black. The fucker. I should have broken his wrist just like he almost broke hers.
“I’m okay,” she insists, stopping me in my tracks when she stands in front of me.
I’m seething. She isn’t okay. She isn’t okay at all. “He hurt you.”
“And you saved me, like you always do. Come on, let’s not let that asshole ruin our vacation.” She stands on her tiptoes and gives me a kiss. It’s hard to stay mad when I have someone as sweet as Everly.
“Lead the way, baby,” I say, lacing my fingers through hers, on the hand that isn’t injured.
After stopping and getting a strawberry daiquiri, her eyes land on the Venetian. It is one of the best hotels in Vegas.
“Wow,” she whispers, staring up at the large building.
“Want to stay here?”
“Have you stayed here before?” she asks, but with other intentions.
“Oh, I like it when you are jealous.”
“I’m not. I’m just wondering,” Everly says.
“Gray has stayed here, but I haven’t. Come on, let’s go.”
And there’s that smile. The one that takes my breath and stills my heart. A part of me wonders if we are insane for doing this. I mean, get married? We barely know each other anymore, but this high I have around her, I never want it to end. She makes me feel so good, so powerful, so strong.
She is in front of me, wearing a light purple sundress, practically dragging me behind by my hand. Everly sips her drink and heads right toward the front desk. The woman there is wearing a black dress with a red ribbon around her neck. She greets us with a kind smile. Her hair is pulled back so tight; I wonder if that is the reason she is grinning. Damn, that has to hurt.
“Hi, welcome to the Venetian. How may I help you today? Do you have a reservation?”
Everly bounces on her heels and slides her eyes to me. I gesture with my chin to tell her to go ahead, and tell the kind lady what we want.
“Do you have any rooms available?”
The lady grimaces. “I’m sorry. All single rooms are booked for tonight.”
“Oh,” Everly pouts. “Thanks anyway.”
“Wait a minute.” I take off my sunglasses, and the clerk gasps.
“Mr. Michaels, why didn’t you say it was you?”
Everly rolls her eyes. “Right, I forgot.”
“You forgot I’m a billionaire?” I ask in a monotone, disbelieving voice.
“I’m used to the kid driving a beat up Toyota truck with the rusted doors. I’m not used to Rowan ‘let me hand you my card because I can buy anything’ Michaels.”
“Which one do you like more?” I ask, handing said card over to the front desk receptionist.
“The verdict is still under review. I’ll have to get back to you on that.” She sports a smug smile.
“Okay, you are all booked for the penthouse. I hope you all enjoy your stay and if you need anything, please feel free to ask us. Complimentary champagne has been delivered to your room. Enjoy.”
“Oh, yum, champagne.” Everly rubs her hands together as we make our way to the elevator. “Let’s drink it and go out for the night.”
The elevator doors slide open, revealing an empty cart. Something about elevators and Everly. I wonder if this one will shut down too. I have this fantasy and this time, I want to fuck her against the wall, preferably while it is scaling up the building. The adrenaline. The wonder. The fear of getting caught.
It will be exhilarating.
Because it will happen. I don’t care if I have to rent an elevator for an hour to make sure no one goes on it; I’m going to fuck her in one someday. Just the thought has my cock getting hard.
When the elevator doors slide shut, her breath hitches as if she can smell the lust and desire coming off me in waves. Good, because it is. I back her into the wall, running my hand up her smooth leg, and play with the flimsy material of her dress. One good yank and I could tear this thing off of her.
“Rowan,
