Guil

If I thought I was nervous on that first “date” with Lyla, I’m a fucking wreck tonight. I haven’t seen her since Newport and while I know she’s on-board with this plan, I also know she’s nowhere near on-board with giving me—us—another chance.

We have to show up together, so I’m picking her up at her hotel. I’d rather have her staying with me, but beggars can’t be choosers—and I’m definitely going to be begging. When she opens the door to her room at the Delano, my eyes nearly roll back in my head.

Her blue dress hugs her curves like it loves them almost as much as I do. The deep V is covered in sheer fabric, there are straps that are partially off her shoulders and then more sheer fabric covering most of her arms. Crystal encrusted heels cover her feet and intricate diamond earrings hang off her ears. I could die a happy man right now, just from looking at her.

“I-I. Wow. Just fucking wow, Ly.”

“I clean up pretty well, huh?”

I shake my head. “You’re just as stunning when you’re covered in paint. Every way you are is simply gorgeous.”

“You mean that.”

“I do.”

“Thank you.”

She lets me take her hand and lead her to the Mandalay Bay which is connected to her hotel. I’m positive Reina and Matt chose this hotel on purpose, because of the tragedy that recently occurred. They want to show the world they won’t be scared, and that Vegas is strong. For us, we need to pretend to be strong and together.

“There they are,” she whispers to me, making it look like we’re sharing something private as cameras click around us at the door.

I turn to nuzzle her neck and kiss her collarbone, knowing she’ll let me for the cameras, but probably won’t let me later. It’s an asshole move, but I can’t help myself. She runs her hand over my shoulder and lifts my face to hers. The smile on her face is real, surprising me.

“We’re going to talk once this is over. I’ve loved you for too long to just walk away.”

“Thank God.”

“Let’s do this.”

I squeeze her hand harder and walk us over to the couple who are trying to hide their shock at seeing us together. All part of the plan.

“It’s great to see you,” Emily tells us, air-kissing Lyla. Now that I know what I do, I see how fake her greeting is.

“How’s it going, George? I haven’t heard from you this week.”

“I’ve just been busy, Guil.”

“Of course.”

“I’d heard a rumor that the two of you had a falling out.”

“I think everyone in a relationship has their ups and downs,” Lyla tells him, wrapping herself into my side as I stroke her hip.

“Yes, well, we have to mingle, but we’ll talk soon.”

Sooner than he thinks, but he doesn’t know that yet. “Great.”

“I wanted to punch her. She knows. I could tell she knows. And him—he needs to die.”

“You can’t say things like that and expect me not to kiss you.”

“You can kiss me all you want right now. It might be your only chance.”

“I thought we were going to talk.”

“We are. Talk, not kiss. Or anything else. I’m not going to just forgive you because I understand what you were doing. You knew it would destroy me when I found out what you had planned, but you did it anyway.”

“I did,” I say, taking ownership for everything I’ve done. We would have absolutely no chance of moving forward if I wasn’t willing to do that.

“Kiss me.”

I lean down and do exactly what we both want me to do. I’ve missed the feel of her lips, the taste of her tongue, and the bite of her teeth. Missed them because she feels so right. She feels like the one place I’ve always belonged.

“I hate to intrude, but we’ve got to take our seats,” Rhieve says from behind me.

I pull my lips from Lyla’s, but lean my forehead against hers for just a moment. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

* * *

Lyla

I do love him, and I do want to get back together with him, but I’m not going to make it easy. I have too much self-respect for that. Tonight, I have the freedom to kiss him and hold his hand without expectations, so yeah, I’m taking advantage of that.

The looks on George and Emily’s faces when they realizing they’ve been seated with us, Calum and Rhieve, and Miles and his wife Alex, nearly makes me burst out laughing. I hold it in and just smile sweetly at them.

“Oh wow, how nice that we all get to sit together.”

“Yes, it’s nice,” Emily says.

Miles and Calum aren’t playing the same game Guil and I are, so they don’t have to hide their glares. The ice in their eyes is so cold, I swear the temperature in the room has dropped at least ten degrees. As I let out a shiver, Guil pulls me close.

“Are you cold, Ly? You can have my jacket.”

“Stop being romantic,” I hiss back to him, the smile still on my face.

“Not possible with you.”

I close my eyes, allowing myself to revel in his words for just a moment. One brief moment where I can pretend this is all still real. That we’ll be going home together and making love all night. Just one moment before I open my eyes and continue on with the plan.

“Have you bid on anything yet, Emily?”

“No. I was going to eat and then have a look. It’s more fun to see where the bids are late in the party.”

“I’m going to look too, so we can go together.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t go giving away our savings,” George tells her with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Do you even have savings?” Calum asks him, leaning back in his chair with a smirk on his face. I kind of love him a little right now.

“How dare you?”

“Very easily.”

“I’m interested in you answering the question,” Miles tells him.

“I won’t sit here and be insulted.”

“Suit yourself, but if you walk away from this table, our business ties are severed.”

“I never wanted to work with you anyway.”

“I know.”

George stills and looks around the table. His eyes land on Guil, who smiles. “Give the guy a break. He just doesn’t want to talk about his finances with us right now. Let’s enjoy the party.”

If I didn’t know him so well. I’d believe everything he just said. But, I do know him, and I know being nice to the man who killed my brother is making him insane. I reach over to squeeze his thigh, reminding him I’m right here having the same thoughts.

“Thank you, Guil. I’m glad one of you knows how to act.”

He nods, but says nothing more. Dinner is a tense affair, which is exactly what we planned for it to be. We need them on edge.

“Ready to go look at the offerings?” I ask, once dessert has been cleared.

Dancing will begin soon, so this is the time I’ve been told to get her away from the crowd. Until tonight, I’d hoped she was an innocent bystander in everything, but the looks I’ve seen on her face and the vibes shooting off her tell me she was in on it.

She exchanges a look with George before standing. “Sure.”

I walk with her toward the tables, but stop before we make it all the way there. “Oh, would you mind a quick stop in the ladies room?”

“Not at all.”

I walk her into the specific bathroom I was instructed to take her, where Reina’s waiting for us. “Great job Lyla, we’ll take it from here.”

“What’s going on?” Emily asks, turning to find Faith standing behind her.

“You killed my brother, bitch,” I say, punching her as hard as I can. It hurts like hell, but I’m glad I did it.

It takes her to the floor and her eyes are wide when she looks up at me. “You should’ve just done your part, because you’re next.”

“No she’s not,” Reina tells her.

I have to apologize for what I did. “I know that was off the plan, but I had to.”

“No one’s going to see her again so it doesn’t matter. Good hit, by the way,” Faith tells me.

I walk out to find Guil leaving the men’s room, his knuckles split. “You hit him.”

“And you hit her,” he says, taking my bruise

“I couldn’t help it.”

“Neither could I.”

“We did it.”

“Yeah. I’m going to leave now. I’ll talk to you soon.”