“Now that I see what’s really behind that bitchy façade—a woman who was hurt badly yet still willing to put herself out there because deep down she’s a romantic—attraction doesn’t come close to what I feel when I look at you. You really want to know what I feel when I look at you now?”

Somehow, I managed to nod my head.

“Attraction is way too tame for what happens when I look at you. I want to fucking conquer you. Watch your beautiful face as I sink deep inside of you so hard it borders on pain. I want to bury myself so far that you won’t be able to walk for days. The only thing that could possibly be more beautiful than your face when you smile at me, is your face with me inside of you.”

He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against mine. “So yeah, you’re right. I’m not attracted to you. It’s more like I’m captivated by you.”

I was pretty sure he had to feel my heart thundering in my chest, even though our chests weren’t touching. “I don’t understand then.”

Chance lifted one hand to my face and cupped my cheek. He caressed my face tenderly before his hand slid down to my throat. A long moment silently ticked by. My heartbeat was under his thumb when he finally spoke. “I wish things were different.”

The next few hours of the drive, my emotions were in turmoil. We were both quiet, although there was no longer an angry tension in the air. I was confused, to say the least. When we started to see the signs for Las Vegas, the only thing that was clear in my jumbled head was that I wasn’t ready for this trip to be over.

“If the offer is still open, I’d like to take the detour.” My voice was quiet, almost hesitant.

Chance glanced over at me, a solemn look on his face at first, then a slow grin spread wide. “You want to sin with me, Princess?”

Did I ever.

I couldn’t believe we’d found an animal boarding facility to take a goat. The woman at the front desk didn’t even bat an eyelash when we’d asked if she could keep our passenger for a night or two. Something told me they’d seen a heck of a lot stranger stuff in Vegas.

We parked at the end of the strip and decided to walk along Las Vegas Boulevard until we found a hotel that jumped out at us. The sun was scorching hot as we walked along the pathway that traveled from one end of the infamous strip to the other. I pulled off my white t-shirt, leaving only a very tight nude colored tank top. I didn’t usually walk around that exposed, but the sweat was already beading down my back. Laughing, I draped the t-shirt around my neck and walked ahead of Chance, glancing at him backward over my shoulder.

“Remind you of anything?” I teased, posing exactly how he was positioned in the poster I’d found for sale all over the internet.

“Cute.” He shook his head and chuckled. My mood was growing better as we walked. A street mime surprised me as we passed and took my hand. He pulled a flower out from up his sleeve and presented it to me, holding my hand up to his mouth for a kiss. Chance grabbed my hand and tugged me away before his lips could reach my skin.

“Hey. What did you do that for?”

“We’re in Vegas, not Kansas. You don’t let strange guys put their lips on you.” My initial reaction was to be annoyed. Then I realized Chance hadn’t let go of my hand after grabbing it. We were walking hand in hand, so I figured why argue if you like the end result.

At the Mirage, we visited the white tigers, at the Bellagio, we watched the water show set to music. We walked for what felt like miles in the hot sun before we stumbled upon the Monte Carlo. A huge sign for the The Pub at Monte Carlo hung from the side of the towering hotel.

Arrogant Bastard.

It was a beer, and we were hot and thirsty. What other sign did we really need to know we’d found where we should stay?

The cold air conditioning inside The Pub hit my sweaty skin causing a chill that shook its way through my body, leaving a small tremor behind. Goosebumps broke out on my arms and legs, and I didn’t have to look down to know they weren’t the only thing protruding from my skin.

Chance’s eyes lingered on my pebbled nipples for a moment but then rose to meet mine. I arched an eyebrow but said nothing.

“Can you put those things away?” He shook his head and forced his eyes down to the bar menu.

“I can’t help it. They have a mind of their own. They stand at attention whenever they want.”

“I know the feeling,” he grumbled while shifting in his seat.

“What can I get you two?” the scantily clad waitress asked. Chance didn’t look up but responded quickly.