Chapter One

Reed stared at the beauty that had been living in his mind for the past two months. Danielle wore a cute soft grey pantsuit with a purple blouse. Her hair was curled at the tips and half of it was pinned away from her face with a clip. Her makeup was perfect, but she didn’t need it. She was all he had thought about since he’d first seen her. Two months later and he was going to finally make his move. Coming to Vegas, Reed knew he had a chance to make something happen. It was now or never for him because he needed to deal with this desire that consumed his life. Coming to the place where winning big or losing it all was a common occurrence, he was going to take his greatest risk and hoped he came out with his heart intact.

Because of his attraction to Danielle, he’d broken up with his last girlfriend, Eve. She wasn’t too happy with being dumped, but Reed didn’t give a shit. No part of him wanted anyone else but Danielle. It hadn’t been a long-standing relationship. He’d only been seeing Eve for a month, so it wasn’t a big deal to end things. No one compared to the fantasy that he had built up in his head of him and Danielle. Winning her was his plan, and Reed wasn’t above stalking.

He looked across the crowded airport and watched as Danielle started talking to the businessman with whom he knew she was meeting for work. He did all he could not to go over there and punch him.

Spencer told him that she hadn’t had a date in a few months. Selfishly, he hoped it was because of their one distant encounter. The one thing that was great about being friends with Spencer was that he could find out information about Danielle without even trying. He would tell him the issues he was having, which included his brilliant but pain in the ass sister. She started working for the family company as an assistant, but she wanted a bigger part so her father gave her a new role. It was working out perfectly for her. According to Spencer, she relished the travel, though that might not work for the plans he’d had for her. If she gave him a chance before he left Vegas, he was breeding her. That way she would be his and the Landry name couldn’t change that.

Reed looked at her smile, which in turn made him smile. He tried to convince himself that if he’d spoken to her last time, maybe the attraction wouldn’t really be as strong as he’d imagined and he could move on. The window to meet the beauty wouldn’t be open for long. She was only in Vegas for two nights. After calling Spencer, he found out that she would be staying at the Mirage and booked a room there as well. He didn’t know what floor she was on, but he was certain he could find out. One of the best things about setting up computer software was that he knew people who could get him into files he needed. He’d never utilized that type of influence before, but he might have to if he didn’t speak with her by tomorrow night.

Just as he watched her walk away, his phone buzzed. It was Spencer.

“Hey, man. What’s up?” Reed said as his eyes followed her out the door.

“Nothing much. I know you’re working that contract down in Vegas at the moment, but I was wondering if you could keep an eye out for my sister like we talked about. She’s staying at the Mirage in room 908. I don’t want her to know I sent you to spy on her, but I worry about her being in Vegas. Just legal age there, she’s going to be led into temptation by all the fun drinks and parties.”

Reed fought off the urge to snap because as far as he was concerned, she wouldn’t be doing any of that—unless it was with him. “I’ve got it, Spencer. I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for her,” Reed promised his best friend. His eyes weren’t the only thing he planned to put on her. Just thinking of touching her made his dick stand at attention.

~~~~

Danielle Kane was working all day with the Enders Corporation on her father’s behalf. It had been a dull and boring day, something she didn’t expect considering the glitz and glamour that was Vegas. Everyone at the meeting had agendas of their own and no deal could be met today. She was forced to stay until Monday night to try and land the account. At twenty-one, she was attempting to take her father’s company by storm. She’d worked so hard over this last year that she could manage to enjoy spending a few days in Vegas and appreciate what it had to offer. But so far, day one was no dice. There was one exception, though—him.

At the airport, there was a hot man with medium brown hair and hazel eyes that she noticed the moment he walked past her to head to the coffee shop. They had caught eyes for a moment, but that was it. She could have sworn it was the man she saw at that restaurant in Boston. Her body shook like it did every time she thought about the hot guy that was with Jack. If it weren’t for Jack, she would have tried to find the man. Something about him destroyed her hardworking, peaceful life. Sleepless nights, daily masturbation, and daydreaming became her existence after his little staring competition.

When she got into the waiting car at the airport, she already regretted not making an introduction. She wanted to jump out and go back just to give him her name, her business card or tell him how much she wanted to have his babies. As large as Vegas was, she still hoped to run into him again. Fate had brought him to her twice now. She swore that if she saw him again, she wouldn’t let the chance at an introduction pass. But now it was time to pull her head out of her cooch and get to work.

Several of the people at the meeting told her of a hot club they would be going to tonight and that it would bring a smile to her face, so she agreed to make an appearance, but only after taking a mini-nap. The day had been so tedious she needed this, plus, she was hoping she might see him out on the Vegas strip.

She returned to the hotel to get some sleep and that was when she spotted him again. It was the man at the airport; the man from the restaurant. He was leaning over the reception desk chatting up the female behind the counter. He was wearing basketball shorts and a sweaty tee shirt with a towel in his hands. He was so damn sexy that her panties were dripping like his shirt. He laughed at something the receptionist said, creating lickable dimples above his stubble. Immediately, Danielle reddened with jealousy, ducking her head away from the scene in front of her.

Jealousy was an emotion she’d never experienced before when it came to the opposite sex. Random dates here and there were all she managed during college. Working hard like her brothers and father had been her goal. Not that she wouldn’t like being like her mother, but she wanted to prove that she could roll with the big boys before she settled down and had a large brood.

She rushed to the bank of elevators, avoiding looking back at her first crush since she was ten. Unlike her brothers who fucked everything that walked, she had other plans. Her pussy was golden, and she wasn’t just going to let it get plowed by any drunken college boy, so she was pure still. On the other hand, the handsome stranger at the desk could make her give up the key to her chastity. It’s Vegas, anything goes, she thought.

She wanted to make her way into the elevator as soon as it opened, but those plans were delayed. It opened up and an entire group of wasted women exited. It was clear by the pink sashes and crowns that the group of cackling hens were a bridal party and were on their way to having more fun.

“Let’s find some hot guys to hook up with!” shouted one of the women. “Come on Bee, you’re not married yet and look at that specimen coming toward us right now. Fucking sexy! I bet he has a big cock. Just look at the way he walks. It’s bouncing in those shorts. Boy, I want to lick the sweat off him.” The bridesmaid purred loudly.

Danielle waited impatiently for the rest of them to stumble out when she heard the broad’s words and turned to see who they were talking about. It was her fantasy man. Her eyes were diverted to where the woman directed and sure enough, the outline of a semi was on display, dancing with each step he took, which seemed like he was coming directly towards her.

“Sorry, ladies, but I’m taken. Ain’t that right, baby doll?” he asked, wrapping his arm around Danielle’s waist. Normally, she would have shrugged him off, but she was too lost to his touch to even breathe.

“Seriously, you could do much better with one of us. She looks like she wouldn’t know what to do with you,” the one drunk broad, who Danielle wanted to deck, challenged.

“Oh, you’ve got no idea what she does to me, all right. She’s got me by the balls and heart,” he informed the group of whores. If Danielle had been in her right mind, the broads would be taking their friend to the hospital after she was done with her.

“I call bullshit, Tay. He just doesn’t want you. He wants me,” the bride-to-be claimed. What a dirty slut, Danielle thought.

“Not at all,” he denied. Turning to Danielle to look deeply into her eyes, he bent down and took her lips with his in a kiss that woke her up from her mindless state. Sliding her hands into his hair, Danielle began to fully participate in the PDA. She even sighed, allowing him access to play with her tongue.

This sent the harem packing, but the two were too involved in the kiss to notice. He pulled her closer until their bodies were pressed against each other. She felt his hard-on prodding against her suit and reality hit her. She pushed herself out of his arms and stepped back. In a moment of awkward silence, a million thoughts crossed her mind, but they were all interrupted by the words coming out of his mouth.

“Sorry about that, baby doll. I didn’t like that they thought they were hotter than you because that shit would be a lie,” he admitted with blazing eyes.

“Umm…thanks,” Danielle said with a twist of her lips. Her heart pounded in her chest. The man was too dangerous for her own good, but it didn’t stop her mind running to his bed.

“Hi, I’m Reed.” He stuck his hand out to her. Hesitantly, she placed hers inside his and instead of shaking it, he bent down and kissed it, sending shivers up her spine. The man was a real charmer; she had no doubt about it. Despite his playboy personality, she wasn’t in the least bit turned off. Under normal circumstances, she would have gut checked his ass. Instead, she ate up his words.

“I’m Danielle Kane,” she said with a saucy smile. She felt like flirting. Something about those women sent her off in a tailspin of jealousy that she couldn’t understand.

“Danielle, that’s such a beautiful name. I assume you’re busy tonight, but I’m going to ask you to have dinner with me anyway. Seeing as I’ve already kissed you, I feel like I should take you out to dinner.”

Letting her fear and inhibitions go, she had already told herself she wasn’t going to let him get away this time, so she agreed. “I’d like that, and I believe you do owe me that at least.”

“Great. Should I meet you outside your hotel room?” There was nothing suspicious about his words but that devilish grin said so much more.

“Actually, how about we meet in the lobby…in an hour?” she replied. She may be interested, but she wasn’t a fool. He was the type of man that could seduce a woman out of her panties with a glance. If she wasn’t a virgin, she might have considered skipping dinner.

“Are you going to stand me up?” he asked her with a raised brow. He had no idea how bad she wanted him. If he did, he wouldn’t have asked. Instead, he would’ve scooped her up and carried her to the nearest room.

“No,” she replied with a teasing smile.

“Good, baby doll. I can’t wait.”

They both entered the elevator when she asked, “Can you press nine for me?”

“I will.” He did as she asked, but she noticed that he didn’t hit another number for his floor. When he saw her look, he added, “I’m on the ninth floor too.”

Once the door opened, she exited to the left and so did he. “Are you following me?” she asked with a hint of fear.

“Are you following me?” He returned her question mockingly.

“No!” she said defensively, partly because it wasn’t true and partly because she wanted to follow him wherever he wanted to take her.

“Relax, baby doll. You don’t have to get all offended by it. I would love if you felt like stalking me, but this is my room.” He grabbed his key card and slid it into the electronic slot, opening the door. “I’ll see you in an hour?” he inquired with another charming smile.

With a blush, she responded, “Yes.” She wanted to kick herself for her purely hormonal response to him.