“Nice,” he whistles low. “Totally hot.”
I glimpse at the screen and let out a ridiculously high-pitched squeal. “You didn’t!”
“Of course I did, you left your door open. It was fair game.”
Dante scrolls through several shots of me in Evin’s arms earlier.
“Really, Ryanne? How old are you?”
“Come on, this could have been a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and I captured the moment.”
“Me kissing a man is a once-in-a-lifetime chance? I’ve kissed men before.”
She quirks an eyebrow and takes her phone back, pointing to the screen. “That was the kind of kiss that leads to sweaty, naked, baby-making sex. I didn’t know you had it in you. Hence the photographic proof.”
I cover my face, shaking my head. “You make me sound pathetic.”
“Pips, you’re looking at it all wrong.” She pulls my hand down, her playful expression now thoughtful. “I took the picture for you. It was beautiful, and I wanted you to have that.”
Her meaning is crystal clear. The last man in my life for a while stripped all my confidence and left me with huge trust issues. I met Ryanne and Dante shortly after my break-up and have had no type of relationship since. I threw myself into my career and other commitments. There has never been a spark of interest or temptation.
Until Evin.
“There it is, that look. I told you,” Dante says to her.
“You did, and it’s marvelous,” she responds.
“Now what are you talking about?” I glance between them.
“The love-struck look on your face when you think about him,” Dante adds.
“Love-struck? Don’t you think it’s a little premature to be throwing out words like that?”
“Nope, because it’s the exact same way he looks at you.”
Butterflies take flight in my stomach, swarming high into my chest. Then Ryanne’s statement from earlier occurs to me. “What was Ryanne referring to? What did you tell her?”
He grins slyly and relays his conversation from last night with Evin. The butterflies take a nose-dive and I stare at him, horrified. “You referred to him as a big shot executive that comes to Vegas to have a little fun? Then you basically called him a sugar-daddy? Why would you do that?”
“I pushed a little hard to rattle his cage. I had to see for myself his reaction.”
“And?”
“By the end, he wanted to pummel me.”
“I’m experiencing that same thought right now.”
He smiles wider, not caring that I’m about to strangle him. “Don’t get worked up. You should have expected it.”
“Expected you to be rude to a man that I’m interested in?”
“I wasn’t rude, I was direct. He gets where I’m coming from.”
I open my mouth to debate his intentions when he places his hand on mine, his face growing serious.
“That’s what having your back means. I’ve waited a long time.”
“We both have,” Ryanne adds.
“You’re back to making me sound pathetic.”
“I’m calling it now. Your run as the oldest resident virgin in Vegas is about to end.”
“And the best part is you found yourself a man, Pips, a man that’s eons above playing games. Not only is he going to be patient with you, he’s also going to enjoy every minute knowing he’s got something precious,” Dante announces proudly.
“Did you psychoanalyze him?”
“Didn’t take a degree. He may be gruff and hard on the outside, but he’s got a soft spot.”
“Hmmm, I don’t know if there’s anything soft about him when Poppy is around. Did you see the rod of steel he was sporting? Imagine having that as your first.” Ryanne fans her face. “You’re a lucky bitch.”
“Oh my God!” I fall back, hiding my face with the pillow.
“Dante, our little Popsy is flushed from head to toe.”
“That’s because she knows you’re right. There’s no way she didn’t notice what that man has to offer.”
“Stop!” my scream is muffled.
Ryanne pokes me in the side. “I’m enjoying this. But for now, I’ll pack your things. That’s the only way to ensure you have the right stuff for the next few days.”
“I’ll help because I’m starved.” Dante rolls off the bed.
I peek out and watch them. Dante goes to my closet and Ryanne to my dresser, both of them discussing what I may need.
A new realization washes over me, sending my thoughts into a frenzy. I’ll be spending the next four days and nights with a man I barely know and yet feel one-hundred percent safe with.
I channel my inner Ryanne and decide. Regardless of what happens with Evin, there will be absolutely no regrets.
Chapter 7
Evin
The last set of girls crosses the large dance floor, trying their best to imitate Poppy’s graceful movements and routine. She openly praises them one by one. The group of teenagers break up, a few of them surrounding her with questions. It’s easy to spot the admiration on their faces as she gives them her full attention. I won’t be surprised if the next time she’s here, they’re not all donning flowers in their hair as if she started the trend.
I stay outside the room, observing her interactions and feeling exactly how these girls do.
Completely enamored with the woman at the center of it all.
Gorgeous, kindhearted, passionate, talented, every fucking beautiful thing about her radiates brightly.
Mine.
The primal thought has always been a foreign concept until six days ago when she strutted into that bar. My world shifted again on Sunday afternoon; I was three feet from her bedroom door when I heard Ryanne’s words and my body froze.
Your run as the oldest resident virgin in Vegas is about to end.
The rest of what they said barely registered as the reality slammed into me.
Pure, clean, completely untouched.
No man has experienced the beauty of having all of her.
The last long-term relationship I had was right out of college. On paper, the woman was a perfect match. Ambitious, focused, and beautiful. We had a great time. But my family was going through hell, and when Darby needed me, I knew it wouldn’t
