Chapter Six
Lost within my own thoughts, I zoned out on my friend.
“I’m outta here.” Samantha gathered the strap of her purse and tossed it onto her shoulder. As she slid her backside to the outer edge of the booth, I stood. She did likewise and we embraced.
“I’m so sorry, Sam. I’m tired and my head’s all over the place. I’ll give you a call soon. Promise.” As I hugged her, I made a mental note to engage and be more present when I got together with friends. I had been so busy pretending that my life was normal that I had forgotten how to really live it.
Samantha returned my embrace. “I know it’s been hard for you, but you’ve gotta get back in the game, you know?” Her eyes narrowed slightly and she gave a nod toward the bar. “That guy who sent you the wine? He’s still sitting over there. Maybe it’s time you played a little. You’re too damn serious for someone so young.”
My eyes roamed the room, then settled on him. He seemed to be engrossed in the basketball game on the flat screen secured above the bar. He must have felt my eyes on him or perhaps I stared too long while entertaining some wickedly naughty thoughts per Sam’s suggestion. His view was no longer on the screen. It was locked onto me. I cast my eyes toward the floor, but I had stared long enough to know that I was attracted to him. He was as dark as I was light. My Irish skin had always been pale. In contrast, his had a warm and toasty glow. I thought that he might have an occupation that required him to be outside, but his clothing was professional and suggested otherwise. What did I care? I would never see him after tonight. He smiled and I noticed that he had a Latino look about him. His dark eyes were set beneath a perfectly shaped brow and the strong angled lines of his cheekbones and jaw drew me in. It had only taken me a moment to notice all of this. Samantha still stood by my side. Her smile widened. Apparently she had witnessed the exchange.
“Think fast, chica. He’s headed straight for you.”
My spine stiffened as fear set in. What would I say? How should I act? I didn’t know how to do this anymore! My eyes widened as I slowly turned my head in his direction.
“See you later, babes. Have fun!” Samantha’s voice held a cocky and amusing lilt.
“I have no idea what to do,” I said to her under my breath.
Her expression was warm, but teasing. “It’ll all come back to you. Like riding a bike. You’ll see.”
I had no time to think of a quick way to escape, because just as soon as Samantha left my side, Mr. Handsome approached.
“So did your friend abandon you?” His eyes followed Samantha as she walked toward the elevator.
“Not really,” I lied. A lump formed in my throat as my mouth fuzzed dry like cotton balls. I gave him a cordial smile. “It’s been a long day. I think I may follow her.” I tried to inject confidence into my words, but before I could grab my jacket and purse, he touched my arm. Although his fingertips barely grazed my skin, the spark between us was filled with electricity. Literally. A static bite.
“Sorry.” He pulled his hand away as soon as our bodies suffered the electric shock, his arm quickly falling to his side. His smile was warm and genuine. “I’m Neil.” He placed his glass down on the table opposite the booth where I had been sitting. “I’d offer to shake your hand, but I might give you another shock.”
“Good thought.” I returned his smile with one of my own. “I’m Hope. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Hope.” His voice was smooth and buttery, sending warmth all through me. I liked the familiarity in Neil’s tone. It made me feel as comfortable as a warm blanket in the middle of a thunderstorm.
My walls were slowly melting and suddenly I felt a bit bolder. “What are you in town for? Business or pleasure?” I hoped that the inquiry didn’t sound intrusive. “I’m here on business.” I looked up into his eyes as he was at least a foot taller than me.
“It’s Vegas. I’m here for both. I’ve concluded my business. Now I get to play.” His tone was suggestive, the timbre awakening something inside of me.
Although the Catholic schoolgirl in me warned that I shouldn’t be talking to a stranger, the woman in me responded with desire. It had been quite a while since I’d had these physical sensations and tingles skating through my scalp and down the back of my neck. The vibrato in Neil’s voice was a lure which detonated long dormant feelings. “Playing sounds like a good idea. What kind of work do you do, Neil?”
“I’m in information technologies. I check the security programs at the casinos.” I had taken a step back, putting distance between us to cool the heat I felt, but as he answered, he closed the gap between us. His voice lowered. “Why don’t you have dinner with me, Hope? I could use the company.”
What could it hurt? I barely shrugged my shoulders as I nodded. Samantha was right; I needed a break. A night to abandon my incessant overthinking. Neil pulled out a chair for me in a gentlemanly fashion. I took the seat and he held the back of the chair as he pushed it in. I smiled, appreciating the gesture. “Thank you.” He acknowledged with a nod and came around to the other side of the table, sitting directly across from me.
“My turn for a question.” He leaned back in his chair. “What about you? What do you do?”
“I’m a psychologist.”
His eyes widened. I couldn’t tell if it was from surprise or inquisitiveness, or a little of both. “Do tell.” His expression changed. His brows arched and his lip quirked in the sexiest way. My insides clenched. “Sounds interesting, getting inside people’s heads.”
It was surprise, I was certain. Most people had a mental image of psychologists as discerning and clinical. I didn’t look like the stereotypical therapist. My clothes were fashionable and I wore more makeup than most of my colleagues. I had thrown him off guard with my answer and I liked the idea of showing him that appearances could be deceiving. This getting to know you game was kind of fun. “It is interesting.” I playfully looked up at him through my eyelashes. “You know, getting inside of people’s heads and all that.” Leaning forward, I placed my elbows on the table with my chin resting on the back of my hands. “Getting inside the head of a computer geek sounds like a challenge.”
“And you’re the kind of girl who likes a challenge?”
“Of course! Computers are predictable. People are not.” My voice had morphed into a purr as I leaned into him. He emanated sex. It was thick on his skin and I wanted to run my fingertips along its seductive power. Pheromones lingered in the air between us, traveling to my core as they flared the burn of my starving sexual hunger. Our conversation continued, but I found it difficult to concentrate on generalized topics when all I could think about was how long it had been since I’d had sex. I looked at the hands on the clock above the doorway, wondering if the interest was only on my part.
Neil followed my gaze. His lips curled into a smirk. “Is someone going to turn into a pumpkin once midnight arrives?” I smiled at the joke. It didn’t hurt that I had drank more than usual and my notorious habit of overthinking had been cancelled out by the relaxing feeling from the alcohol. Neil reached across the table and took my hand. “Why don’t we continue this conversation in my room? I have a gorgeous view of The Strip.” His voice was neither pushy nor demanding and my libido rode on the notes of the rich timbre. I looked around the bar. During the time of our conversation, the establishment had filled. People who had come for happy hour lingered as the time passed. In an attempt to silence the warning voice inside my head, I told myself that there were cameras everywhere and the two of us were probably on the recordings of hotel security. I wanted to go to Neil’s room. The promise of what could happen there made me eager to take the chance. I reasoned that I had friends who had hooked up for one night of sex and nothing bad had happened to them. Right?