Sinning in Vegas (Vegas Morellis 2)

“Why not? You need money. I have money. What’s the problem?”

Her blue-green eyes widen in disbelief. “The problem is I don’t want to be in debt to the mob. Are you kidding me?”

“The mob isn’t loaning you money. I am.”

Eyeing me warily, she says, “Well, I have a feeling I don’t want to be indebted to you either.”

“You’re not indebted to me,” I tell her, shaking my head. “Think of it as an advance. I’m going to give you a job.”

Warily stepping closer, she eyes the money, but her distrustful gaze returns to my face and she still doesn’t take it. “Doing what?”

“Waiting tables. You’re a waitress, right? I have a restaurant. Nicer than the shitty place you worked at anyway, better customers, be

tter tips. Better management,” I add with a wink.

That makes her smile, but she’s looking down again. She does that a lot. “I’m not sure your girlfriend would like that.”

“Well, she doesn’t know. And… she’s not exactly my girlfriend.” I don’t know why I add that last part. Or maybe I do, because my gaze is less of a liar and it drops to those pretty plump lips. The waters are too murky to do anything about it right now, but I can’t honestly say I haven’t pictured catching that plump bottom lip with my thumb, seeing vulnerability in those blue-green eyes as she looks up at me.

Regarding me with perfectly reasonable suspicion, she asks, “Why?”

“Why isn’t she my girlfriend?”

Marlena shakes her head, nodding at the money. “Why do this? Why give me money? Why give me a job?”

“I got you fired, didn’t I?”

Rolling her eyes, Marlena says, “Yes.”

“So I only have to ruin a set amount of lives each month, and I’ve already met my quota for this one. I can afford to do a nice thing just this once.”

Fighting a smile, she meets my gaze. “Oh, can you?”

I nod, giving her a playfully hooded look. “Just don’t tell anyone. Gotta protect that reputation.”

Her plump pink lips stretch into a nice smile. Her guard is down and she moves closer. I think to take the money, but she just touches my shoulder, then walks past. “I’m going to grab a drink out of the fridge. You want anything?”

Instead of answering, I follow her. She opens the refrigerator door and leans down. My gaze drops to the curve of her ass for a split second, then I move up behind her to peer inside. “Sure, grab me a bottle of water.”

She does, but she straightens more slowly than she bent over, clearly cognizant of me behind her. I let a hand rest on her hip and I hear her hastily inhale. Pulling her back against me, I push the refrigerator door open and murmur, “Don’t want to leave that open.”

Turning around, she neatly moves my hand off her and holds out the water, swallowing. “Here. I appreciate the job offer, but I can’t take it.”

I frown at her. “Why the hell not?”

“Because I am very much attracted to you, and I think you’re attracted to me. I won’t believe you if you tell me you’re not, and if you think that’s arrogant, fine, but I have my principles.”

“Your principles?” I echo.

“I don’t know what that girl is to you, but I know she was upset that you bought me a dress, so I don’t think she would be any happier that you’re giving me a job at your restaurant. Arizona isn’t the end of the world. I won’t sell my soul to stay in Vegas.”

I can’t help smiling. “Sell your soul? That’s a little dramatic, isn’t it?”

Pulling herself upright, she tells me, “No, it isn’t. She’s having your baby, isn’t she?”

That knocks the smile off my face. I hesitate, knowing this will be a dealbreaker, but I won’t lie to her, either. “Yes.”

Nodding once, eyes dimming, she says, “So, that’s a mess I’m not going to get involved with. I’m sure you can find plenty of side dishes around town, but I won’t be one of them.”