‘Why do I get the feeling cape guy was headed off to some secluded country manor? Philip Glass would be playing on an endless loop through the surround sound while Eyes Wide Shut was on big screens all through the place. Everyone would proclaim loudly just how edgy and kinky they were. I did like those boots though. Verra sexy. She works in the cat-suit-type thing. Guy in a cape was a fetish fashion disaster.’
‘Purple latex pants are hard on any body type. This is why I don’t go to any clubs or even tell anyone I like to top Brandon. I’d die if anyone imagined I wore a cape.’
‘I’m imagining it right this very moment.’ Kate studied Leah from toes to head. ‘Jaunty. Mysterious. Frankly, you’re way hotter in latex than elevator dude. Capewise? You do have a t-h-thing for Superman,’ Kate said through her laughter. ‘I’m going to pee my pants if I don’t stop laughing. God, just like in that book Mike gave you for your birthday a few years ago.’ This brought on a renewed laughing fit.
‘If I made Brandon wear a collar, which I absolutely will not, not ever, I’d never make him wear one with spikes.’
‘The spikes would look all wrong on him. He’s too big for that. Gah! I feel perverted now. He’s like my little brother or something. Please don’t make me imagine Brandon in a collar and latex. I can’t take it.’
‘Neither can I. But I can imagine him dressed like Superman.’ Leah raised her brows. ‘Mmmm mmm.’
Once the laughter had died down, they walked around the place, before depositing their bags in each of the spacious bedrooms. ‘Holy shit, this place is so swank I feel like a hick walking around with my mouth open.’
Leah tossed herself on the couch and they looked out over the fountains below and, beyond that, the lights of the Strip. ‘Not bad at all.’
‘OK, so the deal is, I don’t have any dress-up clothes because I was at the lake house with Dix. I have lingerie and jeans and sweaters. I need to shop. I wonder if it’s too late?’
‘Doubtful. Maybe we can get you a latex body suit.’
‘Har. No one wants to see that. Anyway, while I love you to pieces, you know my rules. If I think I’m too old for leather, I’m certainly too old for full body rubber or latex. I wonder if it makes you sweaty? Hmm. Anyway, let’s shop, and then come back here, get ready for dinner and go from there. I feel the need to spend some dough on pretty clothes.’
Dix had had about enough of his ex-wife. When he had a dream about killing her the night before, behind his locked bedroom door, he knew it was time to get out of there. Brandon’s call had been just the push he needed.
‘Charles, why are you leaving us?’ Eve asked as he pulled his suitcase to the front door. She actually pouted and tried to touch him but he took a quick step back. Kate had been right, Eve had put on the works the moment he arrived back from driving her to the airport.
‘Eve, stop. You’re all due to leave tomorrow anyway and you’ve got them all scheduled up for social stuff without me so there’s no need to be alarmed.’
‘Mom, I feel bad for Kate. I want Dad to go and be with her for New Year’s Eve. You should see if she’ll marry you while you’re there,’ Kendall suggested, grinning as she gave him a hug. ‘I know you love her, Dad. I’m sorry if we made her feel bad,’ she added quietly.
‘Kate wouldn’t want you or Adrienne to feel guilty for spending time with your mother. Ever. She went to spend a few days with her best friend and I’m going to join her as we’d planned. We’ll talk when I get back, all right? All three of us.’
Adrienne looked torn. She didn’t really like Kate much, but that was more to do with Eve than anything else. He felt for her, but she was sixteen, she’d have to make her own mind up. He’d always put them first, but he had a right to be happy too. He wasn’t asking them to move to another state, he wasn’t missing school events because he was fucking some young chick. Kate fit into his life without harming his role as a father.
‘I just think you should be with your family right now, Charles.’ Eve fluttered her lashes.
‘Mom, give it a rest. We have cookies to bake and movies to watch. Dad just gets in the way anyway. Go on or you’ll be late for your flight.’ Kendall tiptoed up to kiss him and he thanked her softly as he hugged her.
‘Girls, I love you. Call me if you need to chat. I’ll see you next week.’ Without another look at Eve, he kissed the girls and headed out, free and off to get his woman.
‘This is what your inside hotel connections could get us?’ Dix stood outside the window where the hotel clerk waited to check them in. The Penny Pincher motor court was so far off the Strip it was just a memory off in the distance.
Brandon sighed. ‘It’s right before New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas, Dix. It’s the best we could get on short notice. Hopefully we can upgrade tomorrow. It’s just one night. This place probably is cleaner than the fancy places on the strip.’
Dix took another look around and doubted that very much. But whatever, it was just one night and it was already late. They’d sleep and wait for Brandon’s special hotel connections to try to find where the women were. Kate had cleverly dodged his questions about what hotel they were staying in. At the time he’d just been happy to hear from her and he hadn’t even realised she had talked him around her exact location. Then he’d hung up and it
